 WeightWatchers was born in the US in 1963 and came to the UK in 1967. It has millions of followers of its unique concept throughout the world. It involves a personalised diet, regular exercise and lots of support, encouragement and motivation: it's a truly global approach to weight loss.
A well researched programme
The major value of this programme is a weight-loss diet that is:
- Personalised. When you sign up, your points are calculated according to age, gender, size, weight and daily exercise, and a hypocalorific diet is created for you (a lower calorie intake than your needs).
- Balance. At WeightWatchers, nothing is forbidden. Everything needs to be consumed in reasonable, balanced quantities. This means at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day, 2 or 3 portions of dairy, 2 to 3 spoonfuls of vegetable fat, carbs at least twice a day, protein-rich foods and 1.5 to 2 litres of liquid a day (at least 1 litre of water).
- Flexibility. The simple, practical points system involves no measuring or weighing food. All that is eaten and drunk is valued in unit points in relation to the level of fat and calories it contains. The points are added up daily, until the total points are reached. Today, with the new Flexi Points Plus, the diet can be even more flexible, and the PLUS option allows you to eat 18 types of food that fill you up for a number of fixed unit points.
- Evolution. It’s balanced and includes the 3 key steps to successful weight loss: slimming, stabilisation and maintenance in the long term.
The value of exercise
Exercise is valued and counts. Everyone goes at their own pace. Activity points are calculated according to weight, duration and level of intensity. If you exercise more, you can earn points each week to allow yourself a few treats. The motivational bonus points system proves the value of exercise for weight loss and for long-term weight stabilisation.
Exchange and support in meetings
The advantage of WeightWatchers over other diets is the weekly meetings where you share information, motivation and advice on making lasting changes to your eating habits.
Listening and sharing with the guidance of a group leader (who will also have followed the diet) gives you the chance to ( re)learn how to eat a healthy, balanced diet and keep your motivation going. Everyone is weighed to chart their progress, in complete confidentiality!
For those who cannot attend meetings, WeightWatchers has developed other ways to follow the programme: by post and by weekly individual interviews with a leader. Almost 6,000 meetings are held every week by 1,500 trained leaders throughout the UK.
Check out www.weightwatchers.co.uk for more info.
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The WeightWatchers diet
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