Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers is one of the most successful weight loss programs of all time. With group support and a lenient eating program, it continues to prove very popular with participants of all ages and varied weight goals. The program's eat-what-you-want approach teaches members an all-things-in-moderation approach rather than a "diet mentality". Here is some basic information about the Weight Watchers program:

Background of Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers has gone through several different incarnations in the nearly 50 years since its inception. The most recent and well-known version of the plan centers around tracking the nutritional content of food and beverages using a formula referred to as Points and staying with a set Points target each day.

The Points-based versions of Weight Watchers have proved very popular and the concept remains at the heart of the program today. The current version of the plan, called Momentum, helps members understand how the consuming certain filling foods helps them to eat less and prevent overeating in addition to tracking the Points value of all foods and beverages consumed.

More: Background of Weight Watchers

How Does Weight Watchers Work?

If you decide to attend a Weight Watchers meeting, you will find out how many Points you are allotted each day. Each food and beverage has a particular Points value, which you can compute with a slide tool that comes in your welcome kid. Any food with a nutrition label can be checked for Points value, or, you can consult your welcome book's alphabetical list for certain foods. You can also purchase small books that list the Points for supermarket foods and restaurant items.

During the week, you will record the number of Points you eat at each meal on the pre-printed food journal you receive at each meeting. You will track what you consume as the day progresses and plan your remaining meals and snacks accordingly. In time you will learn how to plan your Points allowance ahead of time and work in controlled portions of your favorite foods.

Weight Watchers also offers a completely online plan at their Web site if you do not wish to attend group meetings or if one is not available near you.

More: Pros and Cons of Weight Watchers

What's the Food Like on Weight Watchers?

You can eat anything you want on Weight Watchers. The key is working what you want into your allotted Points. There are no forbidden foods on Weight Watchers. You will be encouraged by your leader to strive for a healthy diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy and water. Your leader can also help calculate the Points values of your favorite recipes and to make substitutions that decrease their Points value.

Some frozen food brands, such as Smart Ones (a Weight Watchers line) and Lean Cuisine, provide Points values on the package. You may also eat at fast food restaurants as long as you calculate the Points value for your food and beverages. (If you do not purchase the restaurant guide book offered by Weight Watchers, you can find out nutritional data for most restaurants at a Web site like About.com's Calorie Count and use your slide tool to calculate the Points value of the food or beverage.