Weekly Wellness

Weekly Wellness

by Laura Dillavou

With the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson as its spokesperson,Weight Watchers is targeting all those who just can’t commit to ano-carb, low-fat, or high-workout diet.

Weight Watchers has been one of the longest lasting diets on themarket. Starting in the early 1960s, founder Jean Nidetch thoughtof a program where you can eat what you want, but instead of fatgram and calorie counting, there is a simple points plan to staywithin.

The “Points Weight-Loss System” is one that allows dieters,based on their current weight, to eat whatever they chose, and thecontent of that food, be it high in fat, low in carbs, or full ofnatural sugar, is counted in this points system.

Foods like fruits and vegetables are relatively low in points,some having none. Other foods, like cake, regular soda, and pizza,are higher in points. What a person eats is up to them, and at theend of the day, the goal is to have the desired amount ofpoints.

A Weight Watcher member has certain tools to help them meettheir goals along the way such as a points-finder, which is like acalculator of points, food lists, recipes, and weekly meetings toencourage support from fellow dieters. All of this makes WeightWatchers one of the most successful diet programs in the world.

A key element to this plan is it’s flexibility. Nowhere does itsay what not to eat, or what to eat large amounts of. With thisstrategy, people feel in control of their food, have a choice inwhat they eat, and also learn correct portion sizing.

Many on Weight Watchers also embark on fitness plans to keepthem energized and healthy. In comparison to the South Beach Dietand Atkins Diet, this is the only plan that encourages normal,moderate exercise as an added way to lose weight.

People have found that maintaining a diet such as WeightWatchers is much more convienent and heart-smart than that ofAtkins or South Beach. People are more likely to stick withsomething when they feel that they are not being denied or forcedaway from a certain food.

Weight Watchers is also a plan that helps people of all ages andsizes. The website boasts that it can help children and adolescentsas young as 10 years old. If people are looking to lose a lot ofweight, they are put on a stringent, disciplined plan, whereasthose just looking to slim down a bit are put on a more relaxed andmoderate plan.

If you think that Weight Watchers may be right for you, thereare many groups in the Indianola neighborhood. One of the drawbacksis the cost involved. For 11 weeks, the price of membership andmeetings is $110. For some, this is a small price to pay for ahealthier body.

All information is courtesy of www.weightwatchers.com andwww.cbsnews.com.