The weightwatchers diet

Weight watchers is the most popular of the diet 'clubs' with thousands of meetings held every week around the world. There is also an online version if you can't or don't want to attend meetings.

There is a lot of useful free information on the website and a subscription service where you can sign up for the benefits of full membership.

How does the weightwatchers diet work?
The weight watchers program is a low-fat, low-calorie option which comes in two types of diet, the core plan and the points plan.

The points plan allows you to eat and drink anything within the limits of your daily points allowance. All foods and drinks are assigned a points value which is calculated to a formula which takes into account the amount of fat, calories and portion size. When you join, your group leader will tell you how many points a day you should eat to lose weight.

The group leader (or calculator in the online version) will take into account a number of factors including your gender, activity level, starting weight and height. You'll receive a list of points values for foods and drinks and information on how you can increase your daily points allowance (for example by exercising).

The core plan lets you choose from a list of healthy core foods. You're allowed to eat as much as you want ( within moderation) from a list of food which includes fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, chicken and eggs, carbohydrates such as brown rice and potatoes and lower fat dairy products.

You are allowed three main meals a day and you can eat untill you feel reasonably satisfied.

What happens at weightwatchers

When you first attend a meeting you'll have an assessment with the course leader who'll be able to discuss your weight loss goals with you before recommending the best way to achieve them. The assessment and weigh-in are confidential.

In subsequent weeks you'll be weighed to see how you're doing and then be able to discuss your progress with the course leader. Many slimmers find that the weekly weigh-in gives them a real incentive to stay on the straight and narrow. There is also a group discussion covering weight loss related subjects where members can share tips and ideas.

Consult your doctor or medical professional before beginning any diet or exercise plan.

What foods does the weightwatchers diet suggest?

A days eating on the weightwatchers diet might look like this:

Breakfast

• Bacon and eggs or
• Scrambled egg with salmon

Lunch

• Cheese omelette or
• Burger with salad

Dinner

• Grilled fish with veggies and salad or
• Chicken with mushrooms and pepper or
• Steak and salad

Advantages of the Weightwatchers diet

It offers an easy to follow diet system with the flexibility to swap between the two diet plans to find the options that suit you best.

Most people who use weight watchers are appreciative of the huge amount of help and support they get from both the meeting leader and from fellow class members.

If you have willpower problems (and who doesn't now and again!) the extra boost you get from being part of a 'club' and meeting other slimmers with the same goals as you can make all the difference between the success and failure of your weight loss program.