Weight Watchers is an international company which offers dieting products as well as services to its customers in order to help them lose weight, and maintain their wonderful figure. It was founded in the year 1963 in Brooklyn, by Jean Nidetech. This company was a great success, which is why now it boasts of operating in around 30 countries world wide. Weight Watchers believe in using scientific approach to weight loss, and they help their customers develop healthy eating habits, as well as encourage them to exercise.
The New Program
2010 was an important year for the Weight Watchers as they decided to revamp themselves. They stopped using their older points system and came up with a totally new and exciting program, Points Plus. Weight Watchers believe in being in sync with science, and hence they decided that it was high time they started using newer and better techniques for losing weight. The Chief Officer Karen Miller Kovach, who belongs to the Research and Development Department believes that this new approach would a great success. The new approach ensures that people will lose weight safely and steadily. The new method has its roots in the cutting edge weight loss technology, and is really effective.
The biggest criticism of the old points system was the fact that the customers could use their points any way they wished. Hence, many of them would end up making unwise decisions, thus slowing down the weight loss process. The new approach, however, ensures that this does not happen.
Calories are still an important component of the Points Plus program, as you can lose weight only by reducing your calorie intake. But the new system ensures that you get the calories from healthy sources. So in the new system, foods which have more fat content or full of simple carbs are awarded more points. Foods that are rich in protein and fiber are awarded less number of points. Dieters are encouraged to eat filling healthy foodstuffs. Another interesting feature of this program is that you are allowed to eat unlimited fresh fruit and vegetables with no starch content. These foods are filling, as well as have the least number of calories, and hence the dieters are encouraged to eat them more often. Though the new Pints Plus program is radically different from its older version, it functions just as well. Even if the calories are counted in a different manner, the system still believes in its old values of scientific evidence, exercises, slow weight loss, and giving encouragement and support to the dieters.
According to the new plan, the dieters have to eat three meals daily and healthy snacks in between. The calories breakdown for each meal is provided. The dieters can maximize their Points Plus allowance by choosing foods like lean meats, low fat dairy products, fresh non starchy vegetables, fruits and even whole grains. These foods are very filling, and keep hunger pangs at bay. In order to keep track of the calories of different food items, the dieters can use a pocket guide, log on to their online database or simply install a smartphone app. They can even consider purchasing a Points plus calculator.
Pricing of the Weight Watchers
If you wish to go for a Weight Watchers meeting, you will have to shell out $10 to $12. You can also encourage your office buddies to sign up for the Weight Watchers at Work program, which has similar charges. The online Weight Watchers program costs $29. 95 for signing up, and a monthly fee of $16. 95. You get a discount if you pay the three months fees in advance. Also, once you achieve your weight loss goal, and maintain it for a period of six weeks, you become a Life Member.
The Pros and Cons of Weight Watchers
The members of Weight watchers lose around one to two pounds daily, and this is the biggest plus point of this program. Also, weight watchers believe in using scientific methods, and encourage exercising and a healthy lifestyle. Weight watchers is very popular, and a number of restaurants lists its points along with its menu.
However, one negative thing about the Weight Watchers is that though it mentions that weigh ins are confidential, it is not always so. The meetings are public, and hence it is not possible to keep the details confidential at all times. So this was a brief overview of the weight Watchers.