Weight Watchers calls its newest weight-loss system the Momentum program. The Momentum program uses the patented points system to personalize eating goals and assigns points values to food based on calories, fat and fiber content. The plan encourages you to spend your points on selections from a list of filling, nutritious foods.
Identification
The Weight Watchers program encourages you to attend local meetings. The meetings are led by instructors trained to teach effective weight-loss strategy using the points system. In order to qualify to lead Weight Watchers meetings, an instructor must have lost weight and kept it off using the program. Meetings open with private weigh-ins, and provide instruction and materials conducive to weight-loss, according to Weight Watchers. The program also offers an online option if you prefer to follow the plan on your own.
Features
The Weight Watchers program assigns you a personalized daily points target, factoring in your gender, height, age, weight and activity level. As you lose weight, your points target is adjusted to facilitate continued weight loss. Rather than setting a calorie target and counting calories, you are assigned a points target and you count points. Weight Watchers provides members with a food companion guide listing points values for a wide selection of foods, as well as a points slide to help you determine the value of foods not listed in the guide.
Effects
The strategy of the Momentum program is to encourage you to eat nutritionally dense foods more often, which helps keep your hunger in check, according to Weight Watchers. The plan focuses on nutritious foods, but makes allowances for you to enjoy any food you like as long as you stay within your points range. The Momentum plan also encourages you to include regular physical activity as part of your weight management strategy.
Considerations
Besides your personalized points target, Weight Watchers gives you a weekly 35 point bonus. You can spend your points any way you like, in any increments. At the end of each seven day period, any unused bonus points expire and your 35-point bonus renews.
You also get additional points for exercise. Weight Watchers allows activity points based on your weight, and the length and intensity of the exercise. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs. and exercise at moderate intensity for 30 minutes, you earn two additional points.
Types
The Momentum program combines features from the Flex Points program and the Core Plan, the two options from Weight Watchers Turn Around Program. Members have the option to follow the Flex Points or the Core plan rather than the Momentum Plan. The "Filling Foods" list from the Momentum plan is essentially the same as the Core food list. On the Core plan, members can eat any food from the list without counting points, according to Weight Watchers. The weekly 35-point bonus can be used for non-core foods. The Flex Points plan, which allows you to eat any foods you want as long as you stay in your points target, is much like the Momentum plan minus the emphasis on the "Filling Foods" list.
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