Lose Weight with Weight Watchers Online
Losing weight can seem like the hardest thing in the world at times. No matter what you do sometimes it just doesn't seem to work. Many people have found that losing weight through Weight Watchers works better for them than other diet plans they have tried.
Weight Watchers traditionally involved attending weekly meetings for motivational lectures and to be weighed. With today's busy lifestyles it can be hard to get to your weekly meetings. But, there is now an easy solution to that. You can join Weight Watchers online and have access to all the tools you would have if you attended the weekly meetings in person.
Weight Watchers Online is a pay site but it usually works out to be cheaper than if you had to pay for the weekly meetings. However, many of the options on the website are accessible for free; including the Food and Recipes section, the Fitness and Health section, and the message boards.
Food plans
There are two food plans that you can follow with Weight Watchers Online.
The Flex Plan is based totally on points. Every food has a point value and depending on your current weight, your weight loss goals, your height, and your age you are given a number of points that you are expected to meet daily. You can go over your points if you do certain exercises (different exercises have different point values that you can deduct). You also should make sure you use up all your points daily for best results.
The Core Plan is based on a balanced diet of healthy food without having to count points. Most foods suggested in the Core Plan are low in calories. You are allowed one day a week when you don't have to worry about what you eat.
Online tools
There are several interactive tools at Weight Watchers Online. One tool that helps you to keep track of your points is an online points calculator that also keeps track of your exercise, the water you drink, and several other factors. The online points calculator features most foods, and many name-brands. You can also figure out the number of points in a food depending on the calories, fibre, sugar, etc. listed on the box and add it to the general database. People add foods every day that are added to the general database.
You can only have access to the points calculator if you are a paying member.
Community
On Weight Watchers Online you will find a very supportive community. The forums are very lively and everyone is there to help each other. One of the current discussions on the forum is "adding flavor to popcorn without points values."
There are message board to discuss the two plans and to get help from people who have experienced them. Other boards include Meeting Members, Men's Health, Vegetarian and What I Ate Today.
You don't have to be a paying member to have access to the online forums.
Food and recipes
Weight Watchers online features many recipes that include point values. It features tips for healthy eating, recipes with points values, getting the most out of eating out while on Weight Watchers, and reasons why you might not be losing weight.
This is a free section of the website that is available to everyone.
Fitness and health
Weight Watchers Online features also features fitness demos, workout ideas, a health and wellness center, a science center (discussions about the science of weigh loss) and much more information on health and fitness.
It is free to use.
Marketplace
Weight Watchers Online also features a marketplace section that features Weight Watchers foods and tools, bathroom scales, books and magazines and where you can buy them.
Personal experience
I have personal experience with Weight Watchers Online. Last year I wanted to lose weight for my niece's wedding. I'd been trying for years to drop those extra pounds and decided to give Weight Watchers a try. I had tried free online sites before but just didn't get the motivation I needed; I figured if I paid for it I'd be more likely to keep it up.
I was very good at following my points for the three months before the wedding and actually lost a whole clothing size. I have since quit Weight Watchers Online but am managing to maintain my weight with the "secrets" I learned with Weight Watchers.