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.