Weight Watchers is one of the most consistent weight loss programs in history. Their program has helped thousands of people to lose weight, generally in a sensible way. Weight Watchers has continued to stay up-to-date offering more and more flexibility with their plans. No longer do they just run the “POINTS” system. Now with TurnAround, there are two plans to choose from: the Flexible POINTS Plan and the No Counting (or Core) Plan.
They also have an entire range of branded food products, scores of recipe and cookbooks, and even produce a magazine!
Weight Watchers latest innovation is called TurnAround™. This encompasses healthy nutrition, effective calorie control, and livability. The goal is to lose weight and keep it off.
The philosophy behind Weight Watchers believes that dieting is just one part of long-term weight management. A healthy body results in a healthy lifestyle (both mental, emotional, and physical health). They do not tell you what to eat, but provide the information, tools, and motivation to help you make good eating decisions.
Flex Plan
Core Plan
One of the strengths of this program is the ability to meet regularly with others - in an environment of mutual encouragement and support.
Enjoy support from your Meeting leader who lost weight with Weight Watchers, is a trained expert in the program and is committed to your success. You also benefit from the exchange of tips, recipes and others’ practical experiences. As a Meeting Member, You attend Meetings once a week for less than an hour. There’s no contract, so you pay as you go, and you can sign up for the Internet weight-loss companion for Meetings, Weight Watchers eTools.
Weight Watchers Online provides all the tools you need. Chart your progress online and see your rewards as you go with the Weight Tracker. A series of interactive foods enable you to manage daily food choices and activities.
The on-line program also has a very strong community - chat rooms, numerous message boards and recipe swaps. All are extremely active and very helpful.
Weight Watchers is a sustainable (2 pounds weight loss per week) and workable program that has been successful for over 40 years. It is common to see a number of people try different diet fads, only to return to Weight Watchers when things don’t go so well. It is also refreshing to see that their on-line will NOT accept people who are on (or 5 pounds above) the minimum weight range for age and height.
Pricing
Pricing varies, so you will need to check with the Weight Watchers® site.
Downsides?
No diet program will work for 100% of the population - but Weight Watchers is most certainly one of the best choices out there.
Weight Watchers® USA - Official Site
Weight Watchers UK - Official Site
Weight Watchers Canada - Official Site
Weight Watchers New Zealand - Official Site
Weight Watchers Australia - Official Site
I started Weight Watchers 6 weeks ago, and have already lost 15.5 pounds. Years ago when I tried WW, I ended up gaining weight in the first week, so I gave up. This time, I stuck to the points and make sure I eat all the points I’m suppose to. It really works better if you eat your points rather than not getting them all in in a day. I’ve always had success with the Atkins diets…quick easy weight loss, but I always felt like I was starving myself of MANY foods. Weight Watchers doesn’t even feel like a diet for me…I’ve just become a LOT more aware of what I’m eating.
I did WW a couple of years ago and lost 50 pounds in 8 months. The program helped with portion control which was the reason I stayed above my healthy weight. Exercise really helped me also.
I LOVE WEIGHT WATCHERS SO MUCH THAT I AM READY.
DONT TAKE THIS DIET ITS SUCCESS RATE IS ABOUT 20%
I have never tried weight watchers i just wanna know if it works cause i wanna lose weight and fast…
I have joined ww many times. This time though I really want to stick with it. So far I lost 8 pounds in 6 weeks. I’m happy. I just started walking again now that the weather is good. I’m hoping this will make a difference. My problem, (and I’m really trying to fix this), I have always been an all or nothing person when it comes to weight loss. Once I blow it, I blow it. Anyone have any advice?
I love weight watchers!! its a really good plan to help you eat in a better way and do a complete lifestyle change.. Its not a quick fix so if your looking for that try something else
I did weight watchers and I lost 45 pound in 8 months. I love it. I have kept the weight off. It didn’t even feel like i was on a diet. I love it!
hi there. started weight watchers 4 weeks ago.. am doing the points plan and have stuck to my points allowance. lost 3lbs the first week after i joined and then 6lbs last week and now im just back from the weekly weigh in and have put up 2lbs…cannot understand it as im sticking to the plan…my leader said it has something to do with it being my time of the month…is this right? please help !!!!!1
My wife and I used the Weight Watchers program two years ago and we both lost our goal of 30 pounds. I stopped watching what I eat and gained about 10 of it back. So, I am now starting back up, and getting back on track.
Josh made a comment that Weight Watchers is horrible, but I want to counter that. ANY lifestyle that is not an active lifestyle is not good for you. A few people have asked if Weight Watchers will help you lose weight without having to exercise, and I would say yes it does (for most), but only because most people who join Weight Watchers are overweight. If you are overweight, and curb your eating - you WILL lose weight. But, will you be healthy? Probably not. I will say it is not a good idea, in fact it it a BAD idea, to simply want to lose weight without striving for a healthier overall lifestyle.
If you want to become healthier, then join Weight Watchers and begin an overall fitness routine of healthy living, eating, and exercise.
All weight loss diets are only good for temporary weight loss. If you choose to lose weight without exercise (weight lifting and cardiovascualr exercise), you will lose muscle, your metabolism will slow, and you will end up in worse shape than before you started. Any program that lets you eat bad foods to lose weight is even worse! Weight watchers is horrible as is any other weight loss program with no exercise plan.
WW IS THE BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM IN THE WORLD,,,I LOST 44 LBS. IN 6 MONTHS AND HAVE KEPT IT OFF FOR ANOTHER 4…
yes it is possible to loose weight with little exercise. I am on weight watchers right now and it is great, I lost 4 pounds in my first week with no exercise at all. Even though exercising will help increase weight loss it is not a requirement. This plan is the best way to loose weight, its all about portion sizes and eating healthy! Love Weight Watchers!
Day 1 and I already can’t stay away from the Weight Watcher icecream cones. I have to have the whole box. I can’t find the recipe for the “unlimited soup” on the web-site. Can anyone help?
I have been over weight about 80% of my life. I got up to 309lbs. On my own I got to 215lbs. My health has declined somewhat and most of the exersize I did I am unable to do or not do as well. I’ve packed on almost 30 pounds in almost a year. Is it possible to lose the weight on this plan with little to no exersize?
I’m a lifetime member who went from size 16 to size 4 over 14 months of meetings. That was six years ago and I’m still at my goal weight of 130lbs. I’m definitely not a “group joiner” but WW works because it is sensible, easy to incorporate and provides accountability in a very supportive environment. Add the exercise, it’s critical and becomes fun when you begin to see the results. Thirty minutes aerobics with thirsty minutes weights on five days of the week works wonders for me. Pick out the low points foods you absolutely love and make sure they are around in abundance. Fortunately I love fresh, raw veggies!
I have lost 25 pounds in 4 months.
i have been doing ww for the last 2 years and have lost 5 and half stones. I have now come to a grinding halt and am thinking about moving over and trying slimming world?? any thoughts??
marisa was you on the core or the points plan.what was or is, every one else on.i want to pick the best plan.
The three times I tried WW I became OBSESSED with food and how much I could cram into a day. I stuck to my calorie limit (the old WW plan) but I was lucky if I lost 1 lb. Some weeks I would gain a pound. The point system was just as bad for me - I would rationalize about food that I didn’t know the point value and wind up eating too much. The WW food was bland and anything with taste upset my stomach so I had to stick to everyday food. I was obsessed with eating more than I was –before– I was on the diet and wound up gaining 5 lbs! I stopped WW, lost the 5 lbs plus another 15. I need something that keeps me from obsessing about food.
I lost 52 lbs in 26 weeks with the WW program!! Was a size 18, now an 8 and have kept it off for 9 months :o) This is BY FAR the BEST plan to assist in weight loss. WW ROCKS!!
whoa Marisa that’s some serious weight loss!!!!
weight watchers rock. Its truely works. I was a size 12 four months ago and now i’m a size 6. The food is so good. I’m addicted to weight watchers!
I have been on and off WW for years, lose 50 gain 50, lose 50 gain 50 last time I lost 81 pounds in a year and last year put it back on. I am back on it and will do my darndest to stick with it and keep it off. My health is deteriorating,I must beat this fat once and for all.
to rachel-ww hater i have lost 11 pounds in two weeks on the core diet so obviously you did not stick to ur plan
I am a lifetime member. Unfortunetly I got off track, not going to meetings and weighing in… But I am back, Tomorrow is my first weight in and I do believe I have lost 5 lbs. Meetings keep me honest. I know it works but like anything worth attaining I must work hard, eat right and exercise. Good luck to all who are on my journey!!!!
I am stupid but this program is smart…unlike me I need to loose at least 200 pounds and weight watchers has helped me to loose 100 so far this is a miracle program and i love it thank you weight watchers..thank you..love Hoshy xoxo
WW Works!!
I have lost weight on WW 2x. I gained the weight after the birth of my 2 children because I didn’t follow the plan when I was pregnant. I need to lose about 10-15 pounds to be at my goal weight. Towards the end I didn’t go to meetings or use the online tools. Once you figure out the plan you can do it on your own. I recommend going to meetings, because they help you to stay focused and make you accountable because you know when you weigh someone is going to see if you have lost weight or gained weight. When nothing else works WW does. It is not a quick fix, it is a life style and it is just the way you should be eating any way. Portion control is so important. You really can eat what you want.
I am a lifetime member of weight watchers. It took me about 2 yr to lose my weight (60-70 lbs) but it was so worth it. I am looking into becoming either a receptionist or leader at the meeting so that I can help not only keep myslef on track but help others also.
WW is the only way I’ve been able to lose some weight… a total of 52 lbs in a year.
I’ve been on a plateau for the past 6 months at the halfway point to my goal. It’s frustrating, but, I’ve kept on doing flex anyway (I just dropped the meetings - ugh gas and food prices! - and went with just WW online).
It’s an amazing thing when I think of it. I’ve maintained losing 52 lbs for 6 months!! I’ve never been able to do this before without giving up completely. (I figure my body just wants to stay at this weight for a while and adjust.)
That’s what WW does. It gives it’s members tools to control their eating and NOTHING is forbidden. It’s all about choices.
I am both a ww lifetime member and a trained ww leader. I lose 71 pounds in 10 months. weight watchers works!!!!
I have been on Weight Watchers since Jauary 3rd of 2008. I have lost a total of 47 pounds in that span! I still have another 52 to go, and I KNOW that WW+aerobic exercise+commitment will equate SUCCESS! Good Job Everyone!
-Andrew
It works…I lost 9.6lbs my first week and I ate ww and skinny cow ice creams every night. I don’t consider it as a diet I think of it as a healthier eating plan, portion control is the key to success. I love WW!!!
me and my sister think we need to lose weight. i weigh 84.6 and my sister weigh 78.0
I HAVE BEEN A WW MEMBERS SINCE DEC 2007 AND I HAVE LOST 23 POUNDS WEIGHT WATCHERS WORKS WHERE NO OTHER WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM DID.WEIGHT WATCHERS IS THE BEST
Well I am on it right now and i think it works well. I love the fact that i know when i am done dieting i can always just count my points so that i don’t gain the weight. I just need to drink more water and stay determined
its not so much the weight loss that you achieve while on WW programme but the habits that it encourages.
I realy enjoyed WW programmes, I reached my goal in just over threes months but as soon as I tried to move on with out the meetings I fall start back into my out habits and now my weigth is more then when I started.
I lost 7 lbs in my first week, it does work, but you need to keep a journal of everything you eat. This is well worth it.
WW works end of story, follow the plan and lose the pounds. You didn’t gain the weight over night don’t expect to lose it over night.
It is not about rapid weight loss, it is about consistant weight loss, and maintaining what you have lost. This is the best program available, because it in NOT a diet. It is a program that teaches you how to eat healthy. Many of us have lost that knowledge because we have been programed to eat everything on our plates. We like rich foods, and pile our plates high, then eat it all because thats what our moms told us to do. Afterall, think of all those starving children in Africa. WeightWatchers helps to change that mindset, and gives us the support to get there.
it takes so much time in 3 mothes 5 lbs that it is a waste of money and the meeting cost so much
WW is a wonderful program and if you can really make it a life style, it is very workable. Personally I started on the Flex plan, using their points scale and their frozen meals were easy to take to work. Now I am a firm believer in their Core Plan, eating whole, healthy foods and omitting the fattier, less healthy choices. Not that I couldn’t have ice cream or PB, you can totally eat what you want. WW is all about learning that you CAN have your piece of cake and eat it too….but you don’t need the entire cake.
Exercise is recommended, and will increase your results.
You can find support on-line at WeightWatchers.com (great for tips and recipes), or at local meetings lead by Lifetime Member (someone who has reached their “goal” weight and maintained it).
As for costs, they do very but once you reach lifetime, all meetings are free as long as you maintain.
Great all around program! I give it 5 stars!
May 26th, 2009
I’m a lifetime member of weight watchers. It took me several tries with the program before I succeeded. I found the “core” program to work for me. Unfortunately, weight watchers revamped their program so the core program is not really discussed until a few weeks into the program; and even then, it is not really explained in a thorough, enthusiastic way. It seems most participants prefer the “points-fles” program. Thru “core” I lost 30 lbs in about 8 months, and have kept it off for 1 year and 3 months so far. I still weigh in once a month for free.