The Weight Watchers program uses a Points system to help its users lose weight. Every individual's Points are unique, based on your current weight and your weight loss goal. At the beginning of the program, you are given a Points tracking tool that helps you figure out the Points value of any food. This is based on the number of calories, fat content and fiber content. Success in the Weight Watchers program relies primarily on following the Points system, but other healthy habits increase your chances of success.
Step 1
Weigh or measure your food so you know exactly how much you are eating for both meals and snacks. Don't rely on estimates.
Step 2
Exercise regularly. Not only are regular workouts key to a good health regimen, they are also the other half of losing weight. Plus, exercise earns you bonus Points, allowing you to increase your food intake for the week.
Step 3
Keep track of all Points and exercises in a diary. Weight Watchers Online has an easy program in which you can search for a food and retrieve the Points. Failing to keep track of your Points can result in miscalculations, which can hinder your weight loss.
Step 4
Assess your eating habits in correlation with your emotions and mood. Weight Watchers recommends that you also record this along with your Points and exercises. This will help you realize why, for example, you eat junk food at certain times and motivate you to overcome these habits.
Step 5
Attend meetings, either in person or online. People who try to lose weight are more successful when they have some sort of peer motivation. Although attending weekly meetings is ideal, the online program hosts several forums to help you stay motivated.
Tips and Warnings
- Focus on foods that are low in fat and high in fiber. These will have the lowest number of Points. Consider purchasing a Weight Watchers Points book while on the program. You can look up virtually any food, including those served in restaurants. This feature is already included in the online version of the program, which can also be accessed on the go from your cell phone. Consider purchasing a Weight Watchers cookbook. This includes low-Points meals and can save you the time and effort of figuring this out on your own.
- It is typical for both men and women to lose a lot of weight at once at the beginning of any weight loss program. However, you do not want to lose more than 2 lbs. a week on Weight Watchers, despite the success stories you may hear from people who lose more. When you lose vast amounts of weight, your metabolism tends to slow down. Thus, if you lose weight too fast, you are likely to gain it back.
Things You'll Need
- Points tracker
- Measuring cups
- Kitchen scale
- Weight Watchers cookbook (optional)



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