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Weight Watchers

A trusted approach to weight loss for more than 40 years.

QUICK FACTS Start the Diet Now Advertisement

Established: 1963
Founder: Jean Nidetch
Headquarters: New York City
Stock Symbol: WTW
Accessibility: Meetings, Online, Books, Apps
Diet Type: Low-Calorie, Low-Fat
Gender: Male and Female
Celebrity Endorsements: Jennifer Hudson
Corporate Site: WeightWatchers.com
Get started by saving with these Weight Watchers Coupons

BACKGROUND

It's been nearly 50 years since Weight Watchers came on the scene and started helping people live healthier lives. Weight Watchers helps members create a foundation to introduce healthier choices and physical activity into their lives. Weight Watchers was made popular by the weekly meetings that are still a cornerstone of the program today.

In 2010 Weight Watchers introduced the PointsPlus program. The values take into account carbs, in addition to the fat, fiber and calories found in a food. The PointsPlus program encourages you to make smarter choices by selecting more nutrient-dense foods, giving your body better nutrition and helping you feel sated. The PointsPlus program also features Power Foods, which are specific foods that are not just healthy, but also help to keep you feeling satisfied.

The Weight Watchers PointsPlus program allows you to eat the foods you like without restriction. Simply stay within your daily range and you can still enjoy the foods you love balanced with nutritious choices like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Unlike many diets, Weight Watchers also encourages an active lifestyle.

It all started in a living room, where women would gather to support one another while losing weight. Then it grew, and became one of the most recognized names in weight loss. They've remained an innovative brand, taking the plan online, and creating a program specifically for men.

Weight Watchers Meetings The original Weight Watchers plan invites members to weekly meetings where they help dieters form a network of support with people sharing similar experiences. Each person checks their weight privately. Meetings are conducted by a trained Meeting Leader who motivates and offers the group support through information about nutrition and fitness.

Weight Watchers Online For those whose schedules won't accommodate a weekly meeting, or prefer the anonymity the Internet offers, Weight Watchers Online makes it possible to reap the benefits of the program from the comfort of your own home. Online subscribers can communicate via message boards, monitor progress, manage PointsPlus values, access hundreds of approved recipes and so much more.

Weight Watchers Online for Men This program is tailored to the needs of men seeking an effective approach to weight loss, without the female undertones. The same PointsPlus program is used, but recipes, videos, articles, and guidance speaks your language.

Weight Watchers PointsPlus The first update to the program in 13 years. The Weight Watchers PointsPlus program replaced the Momentum program in late 2010. The PointsPlus program combines the latest nutritional science with the proven Weight Watchers approach to develop an effective system for making healthy, satisfying choices. All this gives you an edge that can help you reach your weight loss goals.

Weight Watchers at Work The Weight Watchers At Work program wants to make your workplace healthier by offering you and your company all of the success of the Weight Watchers program right from your own office.

Weight Watchers Monthly Pass The Weight Watchers Monthly Pass gives you the convenience of using your pass at monthly meetings or eTools online. The Monthly Pass is not a different diet plan, but rather another way to follow Weight Watchers.

DietsInReview.com is an advertising partner of Weight Watchers. This review is strictly our opinion.

PRO

Programs to suit adult men and women
Choose counseling via meetings or privacy and convenience online
Online program is a comprehensive experience
Provides exercise guidance
Thousands of recipes and meals to choose from
Applebee's partnership for more healthful dining
PointsPlus makes it simple to assess nutritional value of food
Named #1 in the Best Commercial Diets by US News, 2011
Reputable and effective for more than 40 years
Free Weight Watchers Mobile iPhone App

CON

Counting PointsPlus values may be time consuming
Online detracts from the traditional social aspect of meetings
Weight Watchers Online for Men is only available online, not in meetings
Not a structured plan which may be difficult for some to adhere to
Not a strong emphasis on fitness

USER REVIEWS

A sampling of feedback and experiences shared by our community.

Most realistic program to maintain long term ... may take longer to lose the weight but it stays off! - Carmelle 8/16/11

I lost close to 40 pounds on Weight Watchers and have kept it off ever since starting almost 10 months ago. I plan to be on this program forever. I'm the healthiest I've ever been. (I'm 26 and am thinner and a smaller size than I was in high school, which I NEVER thought was possible!!) WW WORKS! I have never felt deprived, and I feel like the program is something I can live with. It's literally one of the best things I've EVER done for myself. - Marjie 7/8/11

I've been following the new Points Plus program since the beginning of the year. Today I hit the 10% weight loss goal. Only one week I did not loose weight - but I didn't gain either. Love that the fresh fruits are free so when I just want something - I now reach for fruit rather than chips or cookies. I am a 30 year lifetime member (obviously strayed at times) and find that this is the easiest weight loss for me (and I'm now 59.5 years old). HIGHLY recommend the new Points Plus. The key is still planning and journaling as far as I'm concerned. - Char 4/1/11

The old WW worked. The new one does not. I am one of many lifetime members who have become very disenchanted by this new program. - Elle 6/21/11

I highly suggest playing around with the tools. Eventually most "0 point" foods will develop a point value if you put in a high quantity...especially fruits and starchy veggies like green beans and broccoli. If you eat what the healthy check recommends, drink the water the healthy check recommends and eat your points in proteins and a small amount of carbs and fats then you should not gain weight. It's about eating in moderation. Not going crazy just because you think you can. - Shannon 3/6/11

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WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTSPLUS

The Weight Watchers PointsPlus program replaced the Momentum program in late 2010. The PointsPlus program combines the latest nutritional science with the proven Weight Watchers approach to develop an effective system for making healthy, satisfying choices. All this gives you an edge that can help you reach your weight loss goals.

With Weight Watchers, every food has a PointsPlus value, which takes into account a food's protein, calories, fat, and fiber. The PointsPlus program also features Power Foods, select foods that have exceptional nutritional value and satiating power. As a Weight Watchers member, you'll get a daily personalized PointsPlus Target, so you know how much to eat to lose weight safely while feeling satisfied.

The PointsPlus program encourages you to not eat less, but instead to eat smarter and with more satisfaction.

Learn more about the Weight Watchers PointsPlus Weight Watchers PointsPlus program here.

DIET and NUTRITION

Weight Watchers emphasizes eating more wholesome food, while allowing you to splurge on cravings in moderation. You'll use your PointsPlus values to make balanced food choices that include whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, eggs and dairy. No matter which plan you choose, you'll have access to all of the Weight Watchers recipes that are delicious, satisfying and good-for-you.

Weight Watchers members can enjoy chili, muffins, brownies, burgers, pizza, pasta and so much more - especially when you follow their healthy tips for lightening the recipes and keeping within your PointsPlus values target.

The PointsPlus program encourages you to make more nutrient-dense food choices, which not only helps you lose weight but also helps keep you feeling satisfied.

The Weight Watchers website features thousands of recipes for all occasions. If you're a Weight Watchers Online or Weight Watchers eTools subscriber, you can use the PointsPlus calculator tool to find the PointsPlus values of restaurant foods. Weight Watchers Meetings Members can also use the A-Z food list found in the Pocket Guide, or purchase the Complete Food Companion and the Dining Out Companion to help them plan for their night out.

The PointsPlus program is designed so that you can stick with it long-term. Whether you do the program online or attend meetings, there are several ideas for snacks and meals along with a list of power foods. PointsPlus values for foods are calculated using the fat, protein, dietary fiber and carbohydrates from the nutrition label. Healthier foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and other foods from the power foods list, have much lower PointsPlus values than foods that are heavily processed or high in fat. The program is designed to teach you how to make smarter food choices so that you eat more filling and nutritious meals.

For example, Weight Watchers features two side by side meals that both have a PointsPlus value of 11. The two meals are reflected below:

Meal 1 – Peanut butter and jelly sandwich made on reduced- calorie white bread; chips
Meal 2 – Black bean soup; Whole grain wheat pasta with grape tomatoes, small black olives, crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, shredded basil leaves, olive oil and red wine vinegar; grapes

Just glancing at these two meals it would be hard to think they have the same value because meal two offers more food. Illustrations like this make it easy to see the importance of making healthier choices so that you can eat more while getting good nutrition throughout the day.

EXERCISE

Weight Watchers does promote living an active lifestyle, although exercise is not a requirement of the program.

Weight Watchers Online and Weight Watchers Online for Men do provide workout demonstrations and provides guidance for all skill levels.

Weight Watchers gives you additional PointsPlus to spend during the day depending on the duration and intensity of your exercise. You can choose to use your additional PointsPlus gained from exercise or not. If you do use them, they must be used in the same day that you complete the exercise. To calculate the intensity of your workout, you can use your heart beats per minute or some simple physical cues. If you choose to follow the heart beats per minute, the classifications are as follows:

Low intensity: 68 to 92 beats per minute
Moderate intensity: 93 to 118 beats per minute
High intensity: more than 119 beats per minute

Using the physical cues for your activity level follows the rating of perceived exertion or RPE. This is what Weight Watchers uses. This method is easier than monitoring your heart rate while working out. The below chart can be used to help you gauge the intensity of your workout:

Light intensity – Fairly easy exercise that does not induce sweating unless it’s a hot, humid day. There is no noticeable change in breathing patterns.
Moderate intensity – Somewhat hard exercise that will break a sweat after performing the activity for about 10 minutes. Breathing becomes deeper and more frequent. You can carry on a conversation but not sing.
High intensity – Hard exercise that will cause you to break a sweat after three to five minutes. Breathing is deep and rapid. You can only talk in short phrases.

Keep in mind that those who are just starting to exercise, or those that have been inactive for a long period of time tend to overestimate their intensity levels. If you are just starting out it may be more accurate to gauge your intensity through your heart beats until you get an accurate understanding of actual intensity levels. With Weight Watchers you can choose to do any form of exercise that meets your needs. Some recommended forms of exercise available are:

Yoga
Pilates
Walking
Jogging
Aerobics
Swimming
Hiking
Bike riding
Kickboxing

WEIGHT WATCHERS FAQ

Common questions asked about the Weight Watchers program by our community. Click each to see the full answer.

Can I do Weight Watchers without exercising? - Calcia 8/16/11

How much does Weight Watchers cost? - 7/20/11

Is Weight Watchers safe for kids? - Yoli 8/8/11

Is Weight Watchers good for diabetics? - Jackie 5/12/11

What do you get from weekly meetings? Hongquan 5/23/11

Are Weight Watchers Points confusing to anyone else? - 2/19/11

CONCLUSION

Weight Watchers is a tried and true veteran of the weight loss industry. With a variety of methods to choose from for both men and women, you're almost certain to find the right path for your weight loss journey. Weight Watchers provides guidance from every aspect of weight loss. Food is one of the primary concerns of any dieter and Weight Watchers goes above and beyond most other weight loss programs with thousands of recipes that anyone, dieting or not, will find tempting and delicious. If their style appeals to you, go for it.

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User Feedback

(Page 10 of 32, 631 total comments)

LaShonda L

I love the program! Im trying to encourage my man to do it but hopefully he will come around.

posted Jan 6th, 2011 8:41 pm

Kelly

I still don't understand the ProPoints?? Is it still the same method of marking everything down?

posted Jan 6th, 2011 8:41 pm

LaShawnda

I started weight watchers on Jan1st I'm 25 almost 26 yrs old and I'm on day 6 I've lost 9.8 lbs. I am loving this plan, my husband is doing it with me , and we do The Biggest Loser Last Chance workout daily :)

posted Jan 6th, 2011 1:53 pm

Dez

I feel like i get more food to eat and fruits and most of the veggies are 0 points.

posted Jan 5th, 2011 6:18 pm

Abby VS

After first trying WW 11 years ago after the birth of my son (I gained 75lbs!!!) and finding success I have continued to be a true believer. I admit to gaining weight at time but, always have had the toold to lose the weight. I have ALWAYS counted fruits as 0, with the assumption I am not consuming EVERY fruit around, and I admit to avoid bannanas unless I am exercising! Now 38 I have maintained my current goal weight for 4 years- you can do it!!!! Holidays, birthdays, life and all- I totally recommend a heavy cardio exercise atleast 2-3 days a week for later age success. (buy a heart monitor to insure you are trying!!!) You can do it!! Good luck!!

posted Jan 4th, 2011 5:24 pm

ElizabethK71

Dan, you are obviously a fool if you think WW wants you to eat all the fruit you want. It's meant to encourage you to eat fruit instead of junk food, since fruit is now free. However, anyone with common sense or a brain knows that everything has calories and adds up if to much is consumed. My leader made it clear that you should not eat more than 3 pieces a day, on average. Don't talk about what you don't understand! WW is the best!

posted Jan 3rd, 2011 10:54 pm

N H

The new program does work. I joined with 25-30 lbs to lose two weeks ago and have lost 7.2 lbs.

posted Jan 3rd, 2011 4:35 am

Margaret l. deihm

sounds good

posted Jan 2nd, 2011 6:58 pm

Dan

Don't be fooled! This new program is NOT about science and ALL about marketing.
Myself and several other people in my WW meeting have GAINED weight on the points plus program, mostly due to the new 0 point fruits.
It's a great way to entice fat people to get into WW by basically saying that they can eat all the fruit they want. BUT IT DOESN'T WORK!
I recalculated the fruit based on their nutritional content which I plugged into the WW point calculator. Here's what I discovered:

Apple - 1 point
Apricot- 2 points
Banana- 5 points
Cherries, 1 cup- 2 points
Clementine- 1 points
Grapefruit- 3 points
Grapes, 2 cups- 3 points
Orange- 2 points
Peach- 2 points
Pineapple, 1 cup chunks- 2 points
Strawberries, 1 cup sliced- 1 point
Tangerine- 1 point
Watermelon, 4 cups- 5 points

If you ate just 1 of each of these fruits in a day, you would track 0 points but actually ingest 30 points!

Thanks WW for pandering to new customers at the expense of your existing ones!

posted Dec 23rd, 2010 8:19 pm

footnotegirl

I've been happy on the new program. I had ten weeks on the old and then moved over to the new. I definitely feel like I'm guided to eat more healthily on the new plan.
For those of you kvetching about Having to buy a calculator, the WW app is free for iphone, ipod touch, and I believe for Android now. It includes a calculator as well as online tracking.

posted Dec 22nd, 2010 7:19 am

Laura

I lost 53 lbs in 8 months and my husband lost 109 lbs in 13 months. This program WORKS like a charm! It's a HEALTHY lifestyle change and works with the life of busy professionals! Do it... you're worth it!

posted Dec 19th, 2010 10:23 pm

kategrizz

I lost over 50 lbs on the old WW plan, and an additional 4 in my first week on the new PointsPlus plan. I am extremely satisfied, and feel confident that I'll be able to keep this off once I reach goal.

posted Dec 7th, 2010 7:11 pm

Tracy

The new PointsPlus Plan does not include calories in the calculation of "points" values. It does, however, use protein, fat, fiber, and carbs...that is how the new points are calculated. Thanks

posted Dec 7th, 2010 1:37 am

Skinny Sushi

I've only been doing the new plan for three days, but I'm already excited about the next weigh in. I'm eating a lot more fruits and veggies and finding new ways to enjoy small indulgences.

posted Dec 6th, 2010 4:21 pm

Profile Message

C. Harden

I am a lifetime member since 1988. I have not been on goal for about 5 years. It was great when WW started helping the lifetime members but they have turned money hungry now. You cannot do their new program without purchasing their CHINESE made points calculator. New members the calculator is NOT included in your membership & you definitely need one unless you are only eating WW food (like Jenny Craig?). WW you had a good program & you were making money. Now we know you are only after the MONEY. What else are we going to need that didn't come with the new program. I guess we will find out at next week's meeting. I am very disappointed in WW. "Nothing works unless we do". Unknown

posted Dec 5th, 2010 3:12 pm

Teresa

Weight Watchers is the best weight loss program out there. I have tried them all and I always go back to Weight Watchers. Granted, keeping weight off for the long haul is a lifetime commitment no matter what program you do. Weight Watchers program is a workable liveable program. Have lost 35 lbs and kept it off 6 mo and counting! The new Points Plus is based on some of the coolest weight loss science I've ever seen. Hurray for Weight Watchers! Love it!

posted Dec 1st, 2010 11:20 am

Scott

I lost 40 lbs over 10 months on WW. It works.

posted Nov 24th, 2010 9:54 pm

dar

Has worked for me - wish there was an "I Love It" button!

posted Nov 13th, 2010 1:06 pm

Tina

Greatest plan to lose weight and kee it off!!!

posted Nov 12th, 2010 2:48 pm

MET16

Nice, slow and easy.

posted Nov 12th, 2010 1:06 am

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