Written by OOOOKKK! One last diet from me, promise.
Weight Watchers: What they say-
* Promise weight loss while being able to eat whatever you want. They provide guidance through their PointsPlus system. This puts a value on food based on protein, carb, fat and fiber
let the points be your guide
content. The idea is that if you have an 11 point PB&J white-bread sandwich with chips or an 11 point salad, black bean soup with a piece of fruit, you’ll choose the soup/salad combo.
*Use an integrated approach of helpful habits, eating smarter (I assume through the use of the PointsPlus system), support (via weekly in-person meetings or online) and encouraging exercise.
*Costs $20 registration fee plus $12-15/in person meeting (or $39.95/ month for unlimited meetings) or $65/3-month online support. Does not include the cost of food.
handy dandy point calculator
Overall: I think not a bad way to get started on the path to a healthier life. I refrain from saying “weight loss” because that should not be the end goal. Good health is the goal we should be striving for but sometimes we walk the path of weight loss at the same time as good health.
A Few Thoughts:
- I really like the support system that WW employs. Anyone who has a goal should be held accountable. I also like that they try to educate their participants in healthier food choices.
teach 'em young!
Cook for a woman and she’ll eat for a night, teach her to cook and she’s a force to be reckoned with!
-I don’t agree with their exercise guidance and suggestions. There is plenty of encouragement to move more (walks, bodyweight exercise, daily activities…etc) but NO advice on weight lifting. I saw some articles that suggested “toning” or spot reduction (both are totally bogus…keep your eye out for future posts). I’m sorry, but just walking is not going to build muscle which is key in weight loss and weight management. Pick up something heavy!
-The PointsPlus system does emphasize more veggies and fruit, which is great, though it follows more along the lines of the FDA recommendations, 10-25% protein, 45-55%carbs and >25% fat, for the overall diet. It’s been my experience (and other coaches)that a ratios of 30-30-40 works better for weight loss and maintenance.
-I found quite a few studies about WW. The overall verdict was that it does help folks lose weight, it’s a effective at lowering risk of diabetes and CVD (which is probably due to weight loss and an inclusion of more veggies and fruit) and it while it has a higher percentage of followers after the 1 year mark (compared to Atkins, Zone and Ornish diets) it was still only about 30-40%. I’ve spoken with multiple women who’ve done WW and none of them are still on it and most had regained the weight back.
I had no relevant picture. So here you go.
Is WW for you?… guess what I’m going to say… it depends.
actually, you probably did.
If you feel like you need guidance in your food choices and you could really use the support system provided by weekly meetings, then yeah, WW will work for you. Do you think you can keep up counting all your points every day? If not, maybe not so much with WW.
You know what else I’m going to say? The “secret” to weight loss, muscle building, good health…whatever your goal is:
Eat. Real. Food.
I don’t care how you do it, Paleo, Vegan, Weight watchers, vegetarian, normaltarian… (made that one up). Just find a method that you can follow, that you enjoy and stick to it. Pick a lifestyle not a diet.
I’ve really enjoyed all these posts! I’m not going to lie, I do follow the paleo schtick but I also loved your ‘diagnosis’ of it. Honestly? I fall into the ‘eat real food and find what works for you’ camp.
I think you should continue this series. You could always venture into the world of meal timing! That one is always fun.
Thanks Juliet! Ahh, food time… that’s a whole new can of worms!
Weight Watchers is an amazing program…if you stick to the plan. I’ve lost 45 lbs on WW (and I’m still on it, which is why I haven’t gained any of that back). What most people don’t realize is if you choose WW as a weight loss option, you’re pretty much committed to it for the rest of your life.
I absolutely agree with you about the fitness portion of the plan…or lack thereof. WW is fairly brainless, which is why it’s great for the masses (it simplifies everything), but going to the gym takes work and people are much less enthusiastic about that, so it’s not really a huge part of the program. WW encourages exercise, but not the amount and the type required for significant weight loss. While I was loosing weight, I never really noticed a change in my body until I started to get serious at the gym….deadlifts, OH presses, pushups, squats, lunges….picking up heavy things – you would be proud!
All in all, good assessment of the program. I love your blogs, keep them coming!
Thanks for sharing Meredith! I’m really glad that WW has been working for you! How long have you been using it? Good on you for getting in the gym and moving heavy things! That’s the way to go! What do you like most about WW?
Is this the same Meredith from VT freshman year??
It sure is! I started WW about a year ago and still going strong. The thing that I’ve liked most about WW is the fact that there is constant support – from fellow members, from the leaders, and from the online community. It’s so easy to get discouraged while losing weight because it takes a lot of time, a lot of work and the smallest thing can set you back. The support and encouragement from fellow members (solidarity!) and leaders have kept me on the wagon and help keep me going. The other part about WW that I like the most is the fact that it keeps me accountable. Writing down everything eaten throughout the day and keeping track of those points like a hawk are necessary to be successful. Forcing myself to keep a food journal and write everything down has caused me evaluate food choices constantly (I’m hungry, should I have a handful of crackers or an apple? Most diligent WWs will choose the apple).
All in all, the program works for me and I’m a huge cheerleader for it. Same goes for you blog…I tell all the girls at my gym about it!
That’s great Meredith! And so nice to reconnect too! I’m really glad to hear that WW works for you. Hopefully SGW can be a supplement to you training. Thanks for helping spread the gospel of Iron!