My first memories of Weight Watchers date back to grade school when my mom and her friend Katie would try out new Weight Watchers recipes. I especially remember their brownies, and I remember them being very good. Over the years, the Weight Watchers program has changed quite a bit, but has remained as popular as ever.
However, their current plan, which involves counting points instead of calories or exchanges, has been around since the late 1990’s. While the points plan has gone through several phases since it’s inception, and now includes a flex plan and core plan, the basis is largely the same.
The Flex Plan
The points system is a simple way to count calories using smaller more manageable numbers. Food items have a points value that is determined using fiber, calories and fat. Participants on the flex plan are allotted a baseline number of points they can eat per day, based on age, weight, gender and baseline physical activity level.
Participants are also given a weekly allotment of extra points that they can eat throughout the week. Once on the program for a few weeks, participants are also given information on how to increase their daily points limit through exercise.
To help participants determine the points value of a food item, they are given a point finder, which reminds me a slide ruler. Using information on the food label and the points finder, you can easily determine the points value of any food item. For the items without a food label or multi-ingredient foods, they provide an alphabetical list of foods in their welcome packet. You can also purchase a more comprehensive food guide from program centers as well as a dining out booklet that lists the points value of foods at many chain restaurants.
The Core Plan
The core plan requires participants to utilize a hunger scale to help them determine when to stop eating. This plan can be a bit more difficult for people who eat very fast or eat mindlessly but provides more freedom than the flex plan.
Under the core plan, participants can eat unlimited quantities of certain foods that are low in fat and high in fiber and are also allotted a certain number of flex points to use through the week on other food items. Participants on this plan focus on getting back in tune with their body’s hunger signals. While participants must pick one plan and stick with it through an entire week, they can switch between programs weekly.
Despite the large selection of Weight Watchers products sold in grocery stores, this program does not include prepackaged foods. You can eat anything you want as long as you don’t exceed your daily points limit. However, the program does encourage participants to eat high fiber, low fat foods. They also encourage all food groups and stress healthy oils.
Participants are encouraged to record every food item eaten and it’s points value in a food journal and are also encouraged to attend weekly meetings for information and support. The program also has a comprehensive website with online food diaries, food lists and points finders as well as recipes and support boards.
However, their current plan, which involves counting points instead of calories or exchanges, has been around since the late 1990’s. While the points plan has gone through several phases since it’s inception, and now includes a flex plan and core plan, the basis is largely the same.
The Flex Plan
The points system is a simple way to count calories using smaller more manageable numbers. Food items have a points value that is determined using fiber, calories and fat. Participants on the flex plan are allotted a baseline number of points they can eat per day, based on age, weight, gender and baseline physical activity level.
Participants are also given a weekly allotment of extra points that they can eat throughout the week. Once on the program for a few weeks, participants are also given information on how to increase their daily points limit through exercise.
To help participants determine the points value of a food item, they are given a point finder, which reminds me a slide ruler. Using information on the food label and the points finder, you can easily determine the points value of any food item. For the items without a food label or multi-ingredient foods, they provide an alphabetical list of foods in their welcome packet. You can also purchase a more comprehensive food guide from program centers as well as a dining out booklet that lists the points value of foods at many chain restaurants.
The Core Plan
The core plan requires participants to utilize a hunger scale to help them determine when to stop eating. This plan can be a bit more difficult for people who eat very fast or eat mindlessly but provides more freedom than the flex plan.
Under the core plan, participants can eat unlimited quantities of certain foods that are low in fat and high in fiber and are also allotted a certain number of flex points to use through the week on other food items. Participants on this plan focus on getting back in tune with their body’s hunger signals. While participants must pick one plan and stick with it through an entire week, they can switch between programs weekly.
Despite the large selection of Weight Watchers products sold in grocery stores, this program does not include prepackaged foods. You can eat anything you want as long as you don’t exceed your daily points limit. However, the program does encourage participants to eat high fiber, low fat foods. They also encourage all food groups and stress healthy oils.
Participants are encouraged to record every food item eaten and it’s points value in a food journal and are also encouraged to attend weekly meetings for information and support. The program also has a comprehensive website with online food diaries, food lists and points finders as well as recipes and support boards.
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