Established more than four decades ago, Weight Watchers conducts more than 50,000 weekly meetings for members who are interested in shedding pounds to learn guidelines about healthy eating. The organization also provides a variety of products, publications, and sources to assist members with their weight loss plans. Here are some tips for successfully losing weight on the Weight Watchers plan from a lifetime member.
Attend meetings
Attend weekly meetings. While it may not always be convenient or you might not always feel like it, go to weekly Weight Watchers meetings. According to the Weight Watchers website, those who attend meetings shed three times more weight than those who opt to do the program solo. At meetings, share tips for what is working or not working in your weight loss plan and learn from others. Meetings provide a forum for exchanging ideas, recipes and encouragement.
Track points
Keep track of everything you eat through journaling or logging. Under the Weight Watchers program, foods are assigned a certain point value, and members are allotted a certain number of points for the week. To drop weight, do not exceed your weekly points total. Be honest with yourself and count points. If you "bite it, write it." You are only cheating yourself if you pretend that you did not eat that piece of chocolate cake. Tracking provides accountability.
Find a group for you
Find a group that works for you. Weight Watchers meetings are conducted by group leaders who are Lifetime Members and have gone through the program. Leaders are a credible source for teaching ways to lose weight. Group leaders, like teachers, have different styles of presenting the same material. If you do not like the way a leader runs a meeting, try a different group. Also group dynamics are important. If you are in a male in your thirties, you do not want to be in a meeting with all women who are recently retired. Find a group with which you have commonalities. Nothing is set in stone, so do not be afraid of leaving one group for another. You will have more success if you enjoy coming to meetings.
It's a lifestyle
While Weight Watcher's helps you shed pounds, keep in mind that it is not like a typical diet. Instead, think of the Weight Watchers plan as a lifestyle you want to incorporate by following healthy living guidelines. Under the program, no food is off limits. Use portion control methods and other planning techniques to make healthy choices. Learn from the information and knowledge shared by group leaders and other members and apply it directly to your life. Tracking what you eat and making healthy choices will soon become a habit, not a chore.
Be Persistent
Be persistent and do not give up. Everyone has an ideal weight they would like to achieve, but getting there is not always easy. Set small goals for yourself. Losing weight is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate milestones such as losing five pounds by treating yourself to something nonfood related. After achieving a goal, buy the DVD or book you have been wanting. Write down your goal on a piece and paper and refer to it often for motivation. Gaining weight some weeks is bound to happen. Do not let weight gains discourage you. Learn from failures and make needed adjustments.
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