Considering the Weight Watchers diet plan? You are in good company. The program is one of the most popular weight loss programs available and most Weight Watchers reviews rate it highly. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right diet for you.
So how do you know if Weight Watchers can really work in your life for long-term weight loss? This comprehensive guide will provide you with essential Weight Watchers information to help you make a smart decision.
What is the Weight Watchers diet plan?
Before signing up for the diet, it is important to understand how Weight Watchers works. On this plan, you don’t count calories or eat commercially prepared meals, as you do on other popular diets. Instead, you count SmartPoints and earn FitPoints.
There is no food off limits at Weight Watchers. But each food receives a SmartPoint value based on the calorie count and the grams of saturated fat, protein, and sugar. Foods with more saturated fat and sugar will have higher point values. Protein lowers the SmartPoint value. In other words, there is no direct way to convert points to calories.
Each day you have a certain amount of SmartPoints that you can consume. If you eat foods that are high in SmartPoints, you will eat less food every day and you may be hungry. But if you eat healthier foods that are lower in SmartPoints, you can eat more and stay full throughout the day.
Fruits and vegetables have a zero SmartPoint value as long as they are not mixed. And lean proteins also have low SmartPoint values. So the SmartPoint system encourages you to eat foods that are nutritious and low in calories. But the system also allows you to indulge occasionally and eat foods that are less healthy.
Weight Watchers also provides you with a FitPoints goal. You earn FitPoints with exercise or other daily physical movement. The number of FitPoints you earn helps you determine your weekly SmartPoints balance and can affect the amount of food you eat each day.
Weight Watchers diet plan cost
There are three levels of membership in the Weight Watchers diet plan, and each has a different plan cost. Prices listed are current at time of publication, but it’s always smart to check the website for current offers or price changes.
- Online Plus. This option might work best for the DIYer who is comfortable using tech devices like a smartphone, tablet, or fitness tracker. The plan provides online access to Weight Watchers fitness services, recipes, and food tools.
- Online Cost Plus: If you sign up for the six-month plan, the total cost is $ 99.72. After six months, you will automatically be billed the standard monthly rate of $ 19.95. You can also sign up for a three-month plan ($ 49.95) or pay month-to-month for $ 19.95 per month.
- Meetings + Online Plus. This plan is best for dieters who enjoy social support and group encouragement. On the show, you’ll have online access to all Weight Watcher tips, tools, and recipes and access to weekly group meetings.
- Meetings + Online Cost Plus: If you sign up for the six-month plan, the total cost is $ 229.68. After six months, you will be automatically billed the standard monthly rate of $ 44.95. You can also sign up for a three-month plan ($ 114.85) or pay month-to-month for $ 44.95 per month.
- Personal Coaching + Online Plus. This plan is best for someone who prefers one-on-one private weight loss help. In this program, you have access to online tools and trackers, as well as an assignment to a dedicated diet coach to help you overcome weight loss barriers and stay on track.
- Personal coaching + Online cost plus. The total cost is $ 139.85 if you subscribe for three months. If you choose to enroll and pay monthly, the fee is $ 54.95 per month.
All Weight Watchers diet plan memberships are automatically renewed. Therefore, each month you will be charged for the next month’s membership automatically unless you cancel it in advance.
Weight Watchers offers promotional discounts from time to time and prices vary by region, so check their website for exact pricing information.