We have all heard of the amazing Weight Watchers program and remember Fergie boasting her weight loss after sticking to the plan, but if you haven’t done it, chances are you don’t know all of the details of this successful program. To start with, Weight Watchers encourages members to select a goal weight that results in a healthy body mass index between 20 to 25. Once a member reaches his or her goal weight using the special foods and point system, he or she begins a 6 week long maintenance period in which he gradually increases his food intake until no longer losing or gaining weight. If, at the end of 6 “weigh-ins” during the maintenance period, the member weighs in within 2 pounds (0.91 kg) of his or her goal weight, he or she becomes a “Lifetime” member. This allows you to go to meetings free of charge as long as he or she weighs in at least once per calendar month and, at any weigh-in, does not weigh more than 2 pounds more than his or her goal weight.
So what can you eat on the Weight Watchers diet? You don’t eat less, just smarter, with no foods prohibited; each food is simply assigned “points” based on its calorie, fat, and fiber content. Each person has a target Daily Points Range, calculated based on body weight and activity level; the points system helps you learn to get more value out of what you eat through making healthier food choices.
• 1 cup broccoli: 0 points
• 1/2 cantaloupe: 2 points
• 1 small bean burrito: 5 points
• 1 6-ounce steak: 8 points
• 1 3-ounce grilled chicken breast: 3 points
• 1/4 cup regular creamy salad dressing: 8 points
• 1 slice bread: 2 points
• 1 ounce chocolate: 4 points
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream: 4 points
