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Weight Watchers Made Simple

[ 20 ] 02/02/2009 |

Are you like me and wonder how the heck different diet plans work?  What is “South Beach”?   Counting Calories- what is that?  How do I “Eat Right For MY Type”?  And what about my favorite- what exactly is Weight Watchers and how does it work?

Look for posts this week discussing various diet plans- the in’s and out’s, the nitty gritty.

So, let’s just get right to it.  WEIGHT WATCHERS is up first.

What is this new Momentum plan that Weight Watchers introduced recently?  Basically, Weight Watchers combined the best of the old Core Plan and the FlexPoints plan.

As for understanding the Momentum Plan, I’m going to lay it all out in an easy-to-follow format (I hope).  I don’t want ya’ll to be confused and think I came up with all of this on my own.  Oh no, all the credit goes to the Weight Watchers website.  Original, I am not.  But I will summarize the information I read, just for you guys.

The ONLY way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in (sounds so pathetically easy but as well know, IT IS NOT).

The Momentum Plan is comprised of four key concepts:
1.  The POINTS System is how you know what to eat. Weight Watchers assigns a numerical value to every food based on the fat, fiber and calories. You’ll be given a set number of POINTS values to eat on a daily and weekly basis.

2.  Using FILLING FOODS to keep you full longer.  These are foods that contain more water and fiber and thus, keep you full longer.  Weight Watchers helps you identify these foods so that you can make them a part of your daily diet.

3.  Good Health Guidelines.  Do you remember learning about the Food Pyramid as a kid in elementary school?  Basically, this is what the Good Health Guidelines are- a reminder that each and every one of us should be eating certain amounts of dairy, fruits and veggies, protein, liquids, healthy oils, etc PER DAY.  Weight Watchers outlines all of it for you.

4.  The weekly POINTS allowance.  In addition to your daily points allowance, you also have a WEEKLY points allowance, to use as you wish.

Remember:

  • every food and drink has a “point” value to assigned to it.
  • You are given a Daily Points Allowance and a Weekly Points Allowance.
  • Your Daily Points Allowance is based on your current weight.
  • Your WEEKLY Points Allowance is the same, regardless of your weight.
  • You MUST eat your daily points every single day, or as close to it as possible.
  • The Weekly Points are optional, but believe me, you will either want to use them on one big splurge day, or spready them out over the week.
  • If you exercise on any given day, then you earn additional points, which you can then turn around and “eat”.  Is this making any sense?

That was clear as mud, huh?  I say we just have one big ole conference call and then I can explain it to all of you or maybe you can explain it to me!

So ladies, those of you who are currently following the WW guidelines, did I get the details right?  Did I leave anything important out?  What do you like about Weight Watchers?  What do you dislike?  Have you been successful on it, either now or a previous time?

We would love to hear from you.

Tags: , ,

Category: LOSE IT, Review, Weight Watchers

About lisa: I'm a runner, duathlete and future triathlete. I love to cook, drink margaritas, socialize with friends, and I laugh with my entire body. I'm the mother of three kids (ages 8, 6 and 3.5), I turn 40 years old in 2012, and I'm trying to find a peaceful acceptance with my body. I am slowly coming into my own, finding a true passion with empowering and motivating women to conquer their fear of the unknown when taking up running for the first time. View author profile.

  • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

    One thing that popped into my head: No food is off limits on WW. You can eat that Snickers or nachos! You just have to account for them and adjust your points intake for the rest of the day! That’s the one thing I love most about WW, because I’m not into total denial of anything! I like freedom to make choices based on my cravings!!

    Great post Lisa!! I think you did an excellent job summing up the plan!

  • christy

    One thing that popped into my head: No food is off limits on WW. You can eat that Snickers or nachos! You just have to account for them and adjust your points intake for the rest of the day! That’s the one thing I love most about WW, because I’m not into total denial of anything! I like freedom to make choices based on my cravings!!

    Great post Lisa!! I think you did an excellent job summing up the plan!

  • http://mylifeatthirty.blogspot.com April

    “The ONLY way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in”

    There is your key, no matter what plan you follow. Great post!

  • http://mylifeatthirty.blogspot.com April

    “The ONLY way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in”

    There is your key, no matter what plan you follow. Great post!

  • http://www.creativeinspirationsphotography.com JessE

    I lOVE Weight watchers, and just posted a no fat brownie recipe on my blog that is only 1 WW point for each brownie, if you want to hop over to grab it.

    Good review and overview….WW is a very doable life change, and shouldn’t be considered a “diet”. This is how everybody should be eating, seriously! Americans are junk food gluttons, and this just shows you how to eat a healthy way.

    Looks like you have a nice site here too.

  • http://www.creativeinspirationsphotography.com JessE

    I lOVE Weight watchers, and just posted a no fat brownie recipe on my blog that is only 1 WW point for each brownie, if you want to hop over to grab it.

    Good review and overview….WW is a very doable life change, and shouldn’t be considered a “diet”. This is how everybody should be eating, seriously! Americans are junk food gluttons, and this just shows you how to eat a healthy way.

    Looks like you have a nice site here too.

  • http://boisetwit.blogspot.com/ Steph

    Thanks!! That was very informative :)

  • http://boisetwit.blogspot.com/ Steph

    Thanks!! That was very informative :)

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  • http://violazuppa.wordpress.com Viola Zuppa

    The only thing that is a bit off is that when they changed to the Momentum plan they changed the way activity points and weekly points are handled.

    You said: “If you exercise on any given day, then you earn additional points, which you can then turn around and “eat”. Is this making any sense?”

    This was true under the old plans. Now activity points are good for the whole week. If you’re keeping track online they deduct from your weekly points before they dip into your activity points.

    I’m not sure I like this change.

  • http://violazuppa.wordpress.com Viola Zuppa

    The only thing that is a bit off is that when they changed to the Momentum plan they changed the way activity points and weekly points are handled.

    You said: “If you exercise on any given day, then you earn additional points, which you can then turn around and “eat”. Is this making any sense?”

    This was true under the old plans. Now activity points are good for the whole week. If you’re keeping track online they deduct from your weekly points before they dip into your activity points.

    I’m not sure I like this change.

  • Lee WIlliams (UK)

    Hi my wife as a WW leader here in the UK and if its ok with you guys i would like to show her this post and maybe use it in one of the 7 classes she take, as i think this post is awesome at explaning how the WW Discover plan (as we call it in the UK) works i think it would be good for her classes her in the UK to see how the Americans do it.

    Thanks you very much so glad i stumbled upon this site

    Lee

  • Lee WIlliams (UK)

    Hi my wife as a WW leader here in the UK and if its ok with you guys i would like to show her this post and maybe use it in one of the 7 classes she take, as i think this post is awesome at explaning how the WW Discover plan (as we call it in the UK) works i think it would be good for her classes her in the UK to see how the Americans do it.

    Thanks you very much so glad i stumbled upon this site

    Lee

  • http://michellesinterestinglife.blogspot.com/ Michelle

    I think you did a wonderful job outlining the program! A few other good things…
    1. You are commended during you weight loss, I love going to the meetings and having a loss and everyone cheer you on. When I hit my 5% mark, I received a cute little sticker that says 5% on it. Small, yes but a wonderful reminder of what i have accomplished.
    2. The message boards are good for support and advice. I love going up there and seeing the progress others have made!
    3. I have 2 books I carry in my car, one is the Dining out book and the other is the complete food book. These are great to have, especially when you are at. It especially helps you decide where you want to eat if you decide to eat out that night.
    4. You learn better eating habits doing this. A month ago, I would drink sweet tea all day , now, I drink water mostly. I used to hate water!

    For some people, it doesnt work. For me, I love it!!!!!!!

  • http://michellesinterestinglife.blogspot.com/ Michelle

    I think you did a wonderful job outlining the program! A few other good things…
    1. You are commended during you weight loss, I love going to the meetings and having a loss and everyone cheer you on. When I hit my 5% mark, I received a cute little sticker that says 5% on it. Small, yes but a wonderful reminder of what i have accomplished.
    2. The message boards are good for support and advice. I love going up there and seeing the progress others have made!
    3. I have 2 books I carry in my car, one is the Dining out book and the other is the complete food book. These are great to have, especially when you are at. It especially helps you decide where you want to eat if you decide to eat out that night.
    4. You learn better eating habits doing this. A month ago, I would drink sweet tea all day , now, I drink water mostly. I used to hate water!

    For some people, it doesnt work. For me, I love it!!!!!!!

  • http://mooch.tumblr.com teresa

    i was succesful on WW a few years ago. it really worked.
    I tried to go back just recently, i have a 7 month old, and it was not the same for me. first, i was not truly dedicated to the program, second, I stopped tracking and third… I no longer live alone. My hubby makes dinner. I have very little control over what he makes and how he makes it. His idea of low cal is not accururate. and when i try to eat less.. he gets all feelings about it thinking i didn't like his meal. he wants me to succeed, but doesn't realize that sometimes he doesn't help. And i don't want to hurt his feelings.
    So I quit the program and I am going to try to eat healthy on my own and I am going to do the 30 day shred challenge.

  • http://mooch.tumblr.com teresa

    i was succesful on WW a few years ago. it really worked.
    I tried to go back just recently, i have a 7 month old, and it was not the same for me. first, i was not truly dedicated to the program, second, I stopped tracking and third… I no longer live alone. My hubby makes dinner. I have very little control over what he makes and how he makes it. His idea of low cal is not accururate. and when i try to eat less.. he gets all feelings about it thinking i didn't like his meal. he wants me to succeed, but doesn't realize that sometimes he doesn't help. And i don't want to hurt his feelings.
    So I quit the program and I am going to try to eat healthy on my own and I am going to do the 30 day shred challenge.

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