Calorie counting sounds complex, math-intensive and boring to most dieters considering a weight loss plan. Weight Watchers understands this. They developed a simple point system so you can add up daily points totaling in the "tens" instead of the "thousands," which makes dieting at least a little less painful.
History
Weight Watchers began in the early 1960s when company founder Jean Nidetch invited a few friends over to her Queens, New York apartment to discuss weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. The initial concept was the members of the group could help to"watch out" for each other by meeting for weekly weigh-ins and discussing their successes and setbacks. It grew over the years to include satellite groups across the country and around the world.
Function
The Weight Watchers system is based on calorie counting and the prevailing wisdom that reducing fat in the diet leads to a more successful weight loss effort. The company developed the "points" formula to simplify the math and favor "good" calories from fiber while adding a minor penalty for fats.
Formula
Each food item you consume is converted to a point value based on the Weight Watchers formula: P = (c/50) + (F/12) -- (r, 4/5), where "p" is points, "c" is calories, "f" is fat and "r" is fiber. Since the body can only process a certain amount of fiber at a time, you only count the fiber grams or the value "4," whichever is less. For example, a doughnut with 150 calories, 6g of fat and 3g of fiber equals 2.9 Weight Watchers points.
Averages
If not for the fat and fiber calculation, you can see from the formula that 1 point equals 50 calories. This can serve as a very general average if you are on the go and unable to do the complete calculation, but it is not ideal. The points calculator available to subscribers at the Weight Watchers website rounds to the half-point, and every little bit matters when you are trying to lose weight.
Daily Points
The daily points allowed on the Weight Watchers plan are calculated using your height, current weight, age and gender. As you lose weight, the number of points you are allowed each day decreases. The daily points formula aims to put dieters on a 750 to 1,000 calorie per day deficit based on their daily needs, which can dip as low as 1,300 per day for women or 1,500 per day for men.
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