life, or overcoming feelings of low self-worth. These
topics are presented by the leader and often supported
with short worksheets or take-away information.
Members are encouraged to share their experiences
and make suggestions for solutions that are then sum-
marized and reinforced by the leader. Weight Watch-
ers eTools (different from Weight Watchers Online)
offers online support for behavior change along with
recipes and dieting tips.
Motivation is a big part of the Weight Watchers
program. At every in-person meeting, the member is
privately weighed and their weight recorded. Even
small successes are celebrated. Members receive rec-
ognition for every 5 lb (2 kg) of weight loss, along with
larger recognition for attending 16 weekly meetings
(the number Weight Watchers says is needed to
change behavior), losing 10% of their body weight,
and reaching their goal weight. Lifetime membership
is conferred on individuals who reach their goal weight
and stay at or below that weight for at least six weeks.
Lifetime members may attend meetings free so long as
they weigh in at no more than 2 lb (1 kg) above their
goal weight. If their weight is out of that range, they
pay the weekly meeting fee, but never have to pay a
registration fee once they have achieved Lifetime
status.
Daily exercise is strongly encouraged at Weight
Watchers, but it is not a required part of the program.
Individuals who exercise can earn extra points to
spend on food if they wish. Walking is strongly
encouraged, and Weight Watchers sells branded ped-
ometers to encourage walkers to gradually increase
their walking activity to 10,000 steps a day (about 5
miles). Some motivational exercises involve group
tracking of physical activity. For example, one group
may set themselves the challenge to, as a group, walk
the number of steps it would take to travel from the
distance from Boston to Washington DC within a
certain number of weeks.Function
Weight Watchers is a calorie controlled, portion-
controlled diet plan that is intended to change the
individual’ eating and exercise habits for a lifetime.Benefits
Some benefits of the Weight Watchers program
include:
The diet uses regular food, keeping costs low. Weight
Watchers-branded foods are available in most super-
markets, but members are not required to buy them
to use the diet plan.The Weight Watchers plan does not require or
encourage individuals to use dietary supplements.
The diet plan is designed for slow, steady weight loss
of between 1.5 and 2 lb per week (0.6–1 kg)
Dieters are given tools to explore the emotional roots
of their eating problems so that they can be under-
stood and changed.
Membership is on a pay-as-you-go system. There are
no long-term contracts or large upfront fees.
The program has an extensive selection of approved
recipes and support tools available at no additional
charge.
The POINTS system makes it possible to fit unusual
or ethnic foods into the diet.
It is not necessary to cook separate meals for other
family members. Home cooked meals that fit the
Weight Watchers diet plan are suitable (and healthy)
for the entire family.
The Weight Watchers program is recognized as safe
and healthy by many accredited medical organiza-
tions. In some cases, the member’s health insurance
will pay a portion of the meeting fees.
Weight Watchers has a special set of weight-loss tool
designed just for men.
Despite these benefits, the Weight Watchers pro-
gram is not for everyone. Some people find the group
meeting a bit too cheerleaderish to feel comfortable.
However many dieters attend the same meeting week
after week and develop relationships with other mem-
bers and a sense of accountability to the group that
motivates them to stay on the diet.Precautions
Weight Watchers does not accept children under
age 10 or pregnant women. Children under age 17
must present written medical permission to join the
program. Teens andbreastfeedingwomen must agree
to follow a special plan to meet their dietary needs.
Weight Watchers will not accept anyone whose weight
is within 5 lb (2.3 kg) of the lowest weight in their goal
range, nor does it accept people with a diagnosis of
bulimia nervosa(binge and purge disorder). The Weight
Watchers program is not intended to treat or cure any
particular disease or disorder.Risks
Individuals who are under treatment for an illness,
taking prescription drugs, or on a therapeutic diet (e.g.
lowsodium, gluten-free) should consult their doctor
abouttheWeightWatchersplanandfollowanychanges
or modifications the physician makes to the WeightWeight Watchers