1. Strictly Healthy Eating
The focus of the Weight Watchers program is to teach you healthy eating and proper portion sizes. No food is restricted; the key is moderation, a healthy balance of foods and flexible restraint. Exercise is strongly encouraged as part of the overall plan for healthy living. The program recommends healthy weight loss to be no more than 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Dieters can choose the Flex Plan or the Core Plan to meet weight loss goals.
2. Count on the Flex Plan
In the Flex Plan, each food is assigned a points value based on serving size, calories, fat grams and fiber content. Based on your current weight, you have a range of Weight Watchers points that you are to eat each day. It's important not only to refrain from exceeding your point range, but equally important to eat the minimum number of points in your range each day. Not eating at least that amount sends a signal to your body that food is scarce, and it will actually fight your efforts to lose weight. Exercise counts as a negative number, so you can eat a little more if you exercise.
3. Stay Balanced With the Core Plan
The Core Plan is newer and doesn't require tracking points. The goal is to learn to eat healthy most of the time and stay balanced with an occasional treat. You select from the four food groups using a core list of nutritious foods that are low in calories per ounce, but will keep you full. Exercise is encouraged as part of this plan. You are allotted a weekly allowance of foods that aren't on the core list, to enjoy as a treat or during a night on the town.
4. Meeting Your Support Needs
Weight Watchers meetings have been part of their system since the beginning. Dieters attend meetings to share successes, provide encouragement during setbacks and exchange recipes. If attending meetings isn't your thing, the Weight Watchers online community allows you to get the support of a traditional meeting but remain anonymous. Message boards provide much needed support at any time of the day or night.
5. A Lower Price Per Lb,
Prices to join vary by region of the country, but are generally reasonable when compared to other diet programs. There are no expensive pre-packaged meals because you do all of your own grocery shopping and cooking. This diet strategy also better prepares you to maintain your weight loss once you've reached your goal.
Member Comments