WW, which used to be called Weight Watchers and is still called that by most people, is a points-based weight loss program that figures out what you need to eat based on your height, weight, age, and amount of exercise.
Your daily points are made so that you can keep track of what you eat. Every food has a certain number of points, and members are told to use their daily points without going over or under.
WW likes to think of itself as a health brand, but at its core, it’s still a way to lose weight. In a world where there are a lot of diets and being healthy is the new being thin, one of the most famous plans had to find a way to change.
Weight Watchers changed its name and logo in 2018 and came up with a new motto, “Wellness that Works.” The point system is still there, but the program is now sold as an individual weight loss (and health) program.
The days of weighing in once a week and meeting with a group are over. Instead, you can use the WW app to keep track of what you eat and get help online. Another big change is that some high-point foods that are high in calories, like beans, avocados, and potatoes, are now worth zero points. Even though this sounds like a win, it can be hard to understand for someone who is trying to cut back on calories.
On the other hand, the points system is restrictive and can make you binge or save points so you can eat too much later in the day. All of this is probably why WW changed its method to allow “zero-point” foods, but it’s not clear if this is better or worse for the program.
How Does WW (Weight Watchers) Work?
Weight Watchers, which is now called WW, gives food and drinks point values that you add up to meet your daily point limit. There are no foods you can’t eat, but because your points budget is limited, you will probably have to choose foods with fewer calories, more fiber and protein, and a smaller point value.
If you are thinking about joining WW, looking at the pros and cons may help you decide.
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Weight Watchers Pros
1- Balanced and Flexible
Diet plans that are all the same and work for everyone don’t work for everyone. This is what makes WW different. If you swap a meal plan for points, you can choose the things you want to eat and how much of them to eat. People are more likely to stick to a diet plan if they can eat more of the things they love.
Some of the changes that WW has made, like the ZeroPoint list, are meant to make the plan even more flexible. You can choose what you eat throughout the day from a list of well-balanced foods, which is a good thing about WW.
2- Lifelong Skills
Diets are supposed to be short-term. WW, on the other hand, teaches you good habits and skills that you can use even when you’re not following the program. For example, you learn how to measure amounts and keep track of what you eat.
Studies have found that keeping track of what you eat is linked to long-term weight loss success.
Measuring amounts is important to avoid overeating, but it’s more important to learn how to eat more of foods that are low in calories (like ZeroPoints foods) and less of foods that are high in calories if you want to lose weight and keep it off.
WW also has a library of healthy eating tips, advice, recipes, and other things that encourage and teach you how to cook at home.
3- No Foods are Forbidden
Foods that are off-limits or banned often lead to unhealthy eating habits like binge eating. You may have noticed that the more you tell yourself you can’t have a certain food or group of foods, the more you want them. Giving yourself permission to eat anything gives you more power over what you eat in a subtle way.
Studies show that when desserts or other foods that kids usually can’t have are served with a family meal, they eat less overall at that meal, no matter how much they are given. WW doesn’t give you a list of things you can and can’t eat. Instead, you keep track of “PersonalPoints” and “FitPoints,” which help you earn more PersonalPoints when you work out.
4- Slow and Steady Weight Loss
WW is made to help you lose between one and two pounds per week, which is the same amount that the National Institutes of Health says is a good way to lose weight.
From what I’ve heard, there are a lot of stories on the WW website and on the internet in general. From a scientific point of view, different studies have all come to the same result.
5- Support and Resources
To lose weight successfully, you need a strong support group. WW gives help through virtual trainers, in-person and online support groups, and a 24/7 online community for members only. Studies show that almost any program for losing weight will work better if it is paired with support services.
Every WW account comes with a large library of meals and workouts that can be done at any time. You can read barcodes to keep track of your meals, and you can make and save your own recipes. And if you have an activity tracker, it’s easy to connect it to the WW app so you can track both your exercise and what you eat.
6- Promotes Exercise
The National Institute of Health suggests that people between the ages of 18 and 64 do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week. Also, you should do activities that build your muscles twice a week.
WW helps you set daily and weekly exercise goals and then helps you reach them by adding more PersonalPoints to your weekly budget for every workout you do. WW keeps things simple and tells you to pick workouts you enjoy.
Your WW registration comes with an on-demand workout program that has cardio, core, yoga, Pilates, and stretching workouts led by a teacher. You’re also invited to try free trial classes at nearby workout places.
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Weight Watchers Cons
1- Costly
When you join WW, the first thing you’ll do is choose how long the program will last and how much it will cost per month. From there, you can choose extras like one-on-one coaching or workouts led by a teacher, which all cost extra.
Before you decide if you can afford the program, you should think about how much you’ll have to pay each month for the whole thing.
Choose to pay upfront for a few months or lock in a deal to make it a little cheaper. Also, check with your insurance company. Many of them will give you a discount or pay you back if you join Weight Watchers.
If you’re still not sure, a 2019 study looked at how much it cost a group of women who used Weight Watchers to lose 5% of their body weight. The total cost was $1,610. Even though this sounds like a lot, it was still a lot less than the other weight loss program studied, Curves Complete, which cost a total of $8,613 to reach the same goals. It’s important to note that this cost was calculated over a time of two years. This makes the monthly cost about $67.
2- Counting points can be tedious
People find it annoying to keep track of their points and diet. Trying to stay within your daily points budget can also be upsetting. Not to mention that for some people, focusing so much on what they eat throughout the day can lead to a bad relationship with food and cause disturbed eating, which is the exact opposite of what is needed for healthy and long-term weight loss.
3- Weekly Weigh-Ins Are Important and Necessary
To keep track of your progress, you’ll need to check in once a week, either in person or online. Some people might worry too much about the number on the scale, while others might feel awkward being weighed in front of other people.
If seeing your weight on the scale makes you feel bad, it’s probably not a good idea to check yourself often. On the other hand, some people find weekly weigh-ins helpful and encouraging because they help them track their progress and keep them responsible and on the right track.
4- Gave too Much Freedom
Some people may not be ready to lose weight yet if they can eat as much as they want of foods with zero points. If you think you might eat too many zero-point foods or save up your PersonalPoints for less healthy foods later in the day, you might do better with a more organized weight loss plan.
5- Lead to Unhealthy Dieting
Dieters who count points and stick to a plan can tell you how stressful it can be. If you can’t go out with friends or can’t stop thinking about your diet, it’s no longer good for you. Tracking foods, collecting points, and saving points for overindulgent foods are all parts of WW that can definitely lead to bad dieting.
Conclusion
WW (Weight Watchers) is a points-based weight loss program that provides flexible and balanced food options. It encourages lifelong learning, encourages gradual and consistent weight loss, and offers a variety of resources. However, it can be expensive, point counting can be monotonous, and weekly weigh-ins are required. The program’s flexibility in food selection and reliance on points may result in harmful eating habits. Overall, WW offers a flexible approach to weight loss, but it is essential to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks.