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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

Leave your own review and rating

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 2 of 32, 631 total comments)

rebecca

As a former lifetime member, I think the new plan is horrible. You get inundated with books and materials you are supposed to read. The huge beef with me is the taking away of the slider. If you don't have a smart phone, you can't go grocery shopping or track on this program.
I am another lifetime member who thinks the new plan is terrible.

posted Dec 12th, 2011 1:41 pm

Andrea Wall

BUYERS BEWARE!!!!

WEIGHTWATCHERS WILL CONTINUE TO CHARGE YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNT EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE CANCELLED YOUR SUBSCRIPTION!!! THEY OWE ME THREE MONTHS OF REFUND AND REFUSE TO PAY IT BECAUSE THEY "SAY" THEY CAN'T PROVE THAT I CANCELLED. NOT ONLY DID I GO ONLINE TO CANCEL THREE MONTHS IN A ROW, I ALSO SENT EMAILS. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CHARGE YOU!!!!!!

posted Dec 12th, 2011 12:53 am

GreenPeridot

I agree with DMC. I am a Lifetime W.W. Member. I became a Lifetime Member in 1980. I have never liked counting points because it's too time consuming for me and is not structured enough. It doesn't work for me because I find the plan to liberal. I myself prefer the Exchange Program they had back in the 80's and part of the 90's because the plan told you how many protein, bread, fat, milk, fruit, and vegetable exchanges to eat per day and in specific amounts (i.e., 1 cup of skim milk = 1 milk exchange, 2 Tsp, of fat free margarine = 1 fat exchange, etc. I prefer the more structured plan. It allowed me to lose 30 lbs. This is only my opinion.

posted Nov 30th, 2011 4:28 am

Profile Message

megan

I lost 25 pounds 10 yrs ago on the points system and became a lifetime member. I have gained weight on the Points Plus. They allow you too many points, and side it costs alot per month I don't like paying to experiment with finding my point range. After 2 months, $80, and 4 pounds heavier than when I started... I am calorie counting now.

posted Nov 15th, 2011 9:15 am

dmc

Followed the program to a "T" for 8 weeks. Lost 4 pounds. Ridiculous. Started counting calories instead; lost 13 pounds in 8 weeks. Go do that math. WW is CHANGING PP now, because many users are frustrated with it. The PP values seem arbitrary. Go with calorie counting people, and don't waste your money on WW. Back when it was an exchange program, it worked well. When WW changed it to include the macronutrients, it screwed up royally. PP sucks.

posted Nov 11th, 2011 9:58 pm

Kami

I disagree that you have to eat WW meals in order to lose weight. I've been on both the old points system and the new one and I've hardly ever bought the meals. If you plan what you eat and buy healthy things, then the plan most certainly works. I had a baby in May of last year and when I finally rejoined and stuck to the program, I now weigh less than I did before having my daughter. This plan works better than anything I've ever tried. I'm positive that I will finally reach goal and plan on making this a permanent fixture in my life! Weight Watchers definitely worked for me!

posted Nov 7th, 2011 6:42 pm

cho

The previous fast and flexible weight watchers program made sense. They gave you the tools to use in the grocery store and in restaurants. The new points plus program IS LOUSY. VERY RESTRICTIVE IN COMPARISON TO FAST AND FLEXIBLE. They expect you to eat a weight watchers meal everyday to be able to know how many carbs, fat, fiber and protein grams you are eating. There is NO WAY you can live a normal lifestyle on this program because they do not encourage you to eat out because you will not know the values to plug into the calculator.

posted Nov 3rd, 2011 11:53 pm

Guen

I was very unhappy with the billing department. I signed up for the on-line promotion (I received a 2mo trial for the price of 1mo). I was told to cancel my account before the special ended, but my cking acct was billed 2 weeks before the promotional special ended.
Representatives informed me that I would have to wait for them to send me the cancelled card in the mail, then turn around and mail the card back to them to a P.O. Box address. They insisted that I keep the acct for another 2mo.
I was really livid and disappointed in this poor customer service!

posted Nov 2nd, 2011 1:17 am

LYNNETTE WARE

IVE LOST 75LB ON WEIGHT WATCHERS AND THE PLAN WORKS IF YOU WORK IT. IVE BEEN ON SINCE MARCH 2011...

posted Oct 31st, 2011 9:38 am

Brenda

can you drink a glass of red wine?

posted Oct 13th, 2011 10:56 am

renee

i have not been to get in after i joined no tech phone line

posted Oct 5th, 2011 11:27 am

Pals

Is Weight Watchers a good program for vegetarians? not vegan. I eat yogurt, milk and cheese?

posted Oct 3rd, 2011 7:41 pm

brittany

this is great, i never lost 5 lbs in two weeks on any other diet before!!!!!!

posted Oct 2nd, 2011 1:51 pm

Ann Swift

I am 71 and need to loss 40 lbs. I have been on all the diets and programs and loss 1 or 2 lbs.and thats it. I just got off of Nurtisys and loss 2 lbs and was on it for 2 months. I am on this Sensa now and been on it for 1 month and just loss 1 lb
Can youll help me or am I too old to loss weight.Alot of people has told me after 60 its hard to llose it. I try to walk 3 times a week for 30 min to a hour.
Thanks Ann

posted Sep 26th, 2011 2:39 pm

Nancy

I had used WW for about 6 years with wonderful success. Then the beginning of this year, I started a yo-yo type weight los/gain. I can not lose on WW now. Why would that be? I journal everything and weigh everything. I don't eat anything but fruits and veggies and chicken. Very llittle red meat. Low cal bread and sugar free everything because I am diabetic. Last night I hadf 13 WWmimaweightcontrol.comoints and I am supposed to be eqating 22 - 24 points.
Please help me, as I am really upset about this. I love WW and wished I could get back on it and not gain weight.
Help!

posted Sep 22nd, 2011 11:16 am

Izzie

I really liked the previous points system (the one with the sliding scale) because I never felt restricted. The new system, which upped individual points and revisits measuring things and giving points on items, seems like a throwback and I find it inconvenient, confusing and time-consuming. The logic behind this new system is that people weren't eating enough fruit, but that wasn't the situation in many cases I heard.

I'm frustrated by this system and certainly not experiencing the success I'd like.

posted Sep 19th, 2011 6:25 am

Mary

You don't ever have to be hungry while losing weight on this plan! No points left for the day and still hungry? Use some of your weekly points or points you've earned from activity. Even better, snack on some fruit or veggies for zero points. Badly craving something sweet? Go ahead, just figure it into your point allowance and you will still lose. I've tried many other diet plans and failed. WW is perfect for me. I've been doing WW Online since May. 40 lbs down so far and still going. I'll follow WW for the rest of my life because I know with this plan I'll lose it all and won't regain. I can't say enough about how happy I am with WW.

posted Sep 17th, 2011 2:20 pm

Anna M. McFarland

can someone reply before 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 14 and is there a cost? my sister told me about the points program. Can you email me your program so that I can begin on Sept. 14? I will not have a computer after morning of Sept. 14 as my mom does not have one. Points and diet will be great to have. Thank you Anna Maria

posted Sep 13th, 2011 10:22 pm

Roxanne

I have tried so many different weight loss gimicks throughout the years. I love weight watchers! It has taught me healthier eating habits and I don't feel like I'm missing out on eating deliciuos foods!

posted Sep 13th, 2011 1:21 pm

Nermina

I started a week ago and I went from 216 to 209. That is 7 pounds in one week! I am a person who can't stick to typical diets. I have tried every diet out there including the detox diet, grapefruit, medifast, and even diet pills. This is the only thing that is working!! I feel so good and it is keeping me motivated which is not typical for me since I usually fail the first week!

posted Sep 11th, 2011 8:15 pm

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The information provided within this site is strictly for the purposes of information only and is not a replacement or substitute for professional advice, doctors visit or treatment. The provided content on this site should serve, at most, as a companion to a professional consult. It should under no circumstance replace the advice of your primary care provider. You should always consult your primary care physician prior to staring any new fitness, nutrition or weight loss regime.

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