Weight Watchers debuted a modified points system in 2011, the first fundamental change in the formula since the points system launched in 1997, according to Weight Watchers International CEO and president David Kirchhoff. The Weight Watchers Points Plus program encourages participants to choose more unprocessed foods, complex carbohydrates and foods with low energy density. Although the focus is on achieving satiety from lower calorie, high-quality foods, Weight Watchers allows for flexibility when making food choices. In addition to the traditional meetings-based program, Weight Watchers continues to offer members an online option for following the Points Plus plan.
Basics
The Weight Watchers online program helps you set an appropriate weight goal and provides teaching tools to familiarize you with the Points Plus program. You're given a customized daily point target, which takes the place of calorie counting. Every food has a points value based on nutrient and calorie content; you get online access to the points value of more than 40,000 food options. On the points plan, you tally the point values of your food choices with the goal of staying within your allocated points target. Fruit and most vegetables are free foods in the Points Plus program.
Features
Online features of the Weight Watchers program include separate sites dedicated to weight loss for men and women, tracking tools to measure your progress and assess your eating and activity habits, recipes, tips to stay on the program when dining out and information geared to helping you make healthful food choices without going hungry. The online plan also includes fitness advice and workout suggestions, as well as tracking applications compatible with a variety of smart phones.
Cost
As of March 2011, it costs $29.95 to sign up for Weight Watchers Online. When you sign up, you also pay your first month's $17.95 fee, bringing the upfront cost to $47.90. Unless you cancel, Weight Watchers will continue to automatically charge your credit card for the monthly fee. If you sign up and pay for three months in advance, you get a discount. Once your three month period is up, Weight Watchers renews your subscription at the regular monthly rate.
Considerations
The Weight Watchers Points Plus program promotes gradual weight loss through an emphasis on healthy lifestyle changes. The online program follows the same principles as the meetings-based plan. Weight goals, point targets and point values are calculated using the same formula. The online and in-person programs are separate, however, so if you decide to attend Weight Watchers meetings, you'll need to pay any applicable fees.
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