The Great Weight Watcher's Debate

WeightWatchers was founded in the 60's by Jean Nidetch. The premise of the program, is that once a week, people go and weigh in on WeightWatcher's scales and stay for a support group meeting. There are two eating plans you can follow. Flex, and Core.

Flex is a more flexible plan, where each day you are allotted a certain amount of points (Every food item has a points value. The value depends on the amount of calories, fat and fiber in the food.)to eat depending on your weight. You are also given 35 optional points to use during the week on whatever you want. You do not have to use them. Some people find that using them increases their weight loss, while others find they do not eat them and lose better.

The Core plan is a really healthy way of eating. You can eat as many fruits and veggies, lean meats and whole grains(certain grains, such as wholewheat pasta and couscous)and other foods on the Core foods list that you need in order to feel satisfied. You get 35 points a week to use on non-Core items such as bread and treats.

The meetings have always been the most important part of the process. For about 12 dollars a week, they offer the same beneficial support to overweight people, as AA does for Alcoholics. However, there has within the past at least eight years been another option for WeightWatcher's members. WeightWatcher's Online.

For about $16.95 a month, people can join WeightWatcher's Online and take advantage of using the message boards for support, online points tracker/journal and they do not have to attend a weekly meeting. They weigh in themselves at home and record it on the website each week.

So which is better? Neither. Although it HAS been said that people who attend meetings lose three times as much weight as those who go it alone, they are both equally great. For people that do not want to have to have anyone else see how much they weigh, WeightWatcher's Online is the best option. Perhaps they also do not feel comfortable in a group setting, and would rather not participate in group discussions and tip sessions. If this is the case, members can go onto the message boards and chat with other online members and gain support and give each other tips.

For those members that need the support of the meetings, and the little extra push that knowing someone else is going to see your weight each week to stay motivated, meetings are the best option. Many people actually find that they enjoy going to meetings, and that it is their fun social event for the week. In fact, a lot of online members actually find that sometimes after a month or two of not losing, switching to meetings helps them stay on track. On the other hand, you also have people that have been attending meetings and find out that they just do not feel they are getting anything out of them so they switch to online and do very well.

If you want the best of both worlds, you can sign up for the monthly pass, (If it is available at your WeightWatcher's location.)where you pay a monthly fee of about $40 and get WeightWatcher's Online for free, and also can attend the meetings. Since you have the pass, you can just flash the pass card at each meeting and you will have already paid.

The other major debate going on with WeightWatcher's members is whether or not the Core or the Flex Plan works better. However, just like with the meetings and online debate, one plan may work for one person, while the other plan works better for another.

The Core plan really seems to work well for people who just can't stay full on the low fat snack foods such as the 100 calorie packs or processed frozen dinners. Often times when people are on the Flex Plan, they find themselves having a hard time fitting in the healthy foods, like the 8 healthy guidelines that WeightWatchers suggests you take in daily. These would be dairy, a certain number of fruits and veggies, healthy oils, etc. Often times people find themselves skimping on those guidelines and using their points on junk like fat free pringles because they are less points then a salad with low fat dressing and some lean protein. With Core, you can eat foods that keep you fuller longer. Good lean proteins and good whole grains. Then, you still have those 35 weekly allowance points to use on some sort of junkfood you may be craving if you want. The not having to count Core foods as points really seems to help people get in the healthy guidelines and they like the freedom of only having to count non Core foods.

The Flex Plan works well for people who live unpredictable lifestyles. People who have to eat out often find that the Flex plan gives them more freedom, as they can eat whatever they want, as long as they stay within their points. For alot of members, the Flex Plan is less restrictive, and they feel like they can have their cake, and eat it too-as long as they stay within their points.