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Weight Watchers
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Weight Watchers programs have historically been excellent programs, but they are increasingly relying on gimmicks and slick marketing. The "new" plans are basically the "Winning Points Plan" with re-freshed marketing. They advertise aggressively, trying to convince overweight people that they can lose weight without sacrificing the foods they love. Many times the points-based plans control portion size by allowing calories that should be consummed on healthy food with smaller portions of potentially unhealthy food. This strategy gives the dieter a false sense of the real nutritional changes they need to make in their lives for long-term success. If one seriously wants to lose weight and keep it off in the long-term, they need to think more comprehensively about the foods they eat.
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"A key problem for Weight Watchers is attracting new members," said Citigroup Smith Barney analyst Greg Badishkanian, who recently downgraded the company's stock. "Are they more focused on sort of a quick fix? Are they more focused on going on the Internet, reading a book, or do they want to go to the meetings?"
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At your first Weight Watchers meeting, you will find out how many Points you are allotted each day. Each food has a particular Points value, which you can compute with a slide tool called a Points Finder. Any food with a nutrition label can be checked for Points value, or, you can consult your welcome book's alphabetical list for certain values. You can ... purchase a kit that includes an organizer, an extra Points Finder and two books that list the Points for various foods, including restaurant items.
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Recently, Weight Watchers sponsored a two-year clinical trial in which researchers followed participants randomly assigned one of two weight loss methods -- Weight Watchers or self-help. Those assigned to Weight Watchers consistently averaged weight losses that were about three times greater than the self-helpers. They ... kept if off more successfully. The typical self-helper was back to his/her original weight after two years. However, those in the Weight Watchers group who continued to regularly attend meetings kept an average 11-pound weight loss.
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Although Weight Watchers has been around for years, it went through a drastic change in the late 90's. Previously, the eating program consisted of an exchange diet. More stringent than today's program, participants were told how much of specific food groups (fruit, vegetables, dairy, fats, etc.) should make up their daily meals and snacks. In 1997 the program began its "Points" program known as "1-2-3 Success" which is still in use today, but is now called "Winning Points."
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Weight Watchers is markedly different from other diet plans such as the South Beach Diet and the Atkins Diet, which ban certain foods from daily consumption. Those who do not wish to exercise are allotted fewer points, while those who incorporate exercise into their daily routines can consume higher point values.
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