WW formerly known as a Weight Watchers is a program to primarily help with weight loss. This program assigns foods point values. Based on your current health status, such as weight, you are allotted a certain amount of points daily. In a nutshell, this program is designed to help you track your food and make healthier choices that in theory will lead to weight loss.
WW Explained – Set Up
WW is not free, but the fee is pretty low. When you enroll you will be given access via an app or you can use their website for set up and tracking. In setting up your account you will input information like your weight, age, height, activity level, etc. This information helps WW to determine your daily points you will be allotted. Once you finsih setting up your account it’s time to start tracking your foods.
The tracking of foods is unique as you will not focus on calories, but all foods are assigned points. No foods are ever off limits. It is up to you on how you wish to use your total daily points. Meaning, you may choose to splurge and have a loaded burger with fries which may use up all your daily points. The rest of the day you, therefore, would simply just choose zero point foods.
WW Point System
WW has a huge data base of foods already assigned point values. However, you do have the option of adding foods by inputing the nutritional information and then WW will assign it a point value. Their mobile app also has a barcode scanner where you can easily scan the label and see the point value. I love the barcode scanner when I am grocery shopping. There are so many times I reach for something, check the points, and quickly put it back on the shelf.
Not all foods have points. There are many foods that are zero points – which is awesome as you can fill up on these. The idea is to help you choose more whole natural foods like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins by offering them as free.
Weekly you are also given bonus points that you can choose to use however you like. I equate this to a “cheat” day or meal. Meaning, you can splurge sometimes and that is totally fine.
WW Plans – Green, Blue, or Purple
Green – The most total points in a day, but with very limited free foods.
Blue – Less daily points, but with more free foods.
Purple – Very few daily points, but with a load of free foods.
WW Review- What I Liked
Overall, I am a fan of WW. I like how it keeps it simple to eat well by making certain foods free and I find myself eating way more fruits and vegetables when I follow WW. I also see myself making a lot of different choices than I normally would based on point value shock on certain foods. Like I mentioned above, when I go to the grocery store I scan the barcode on foods before I buy them and definitely find myself putting a lot of things back on the shelf.
Speaking of point shock, alcohol in general has a high point value. Which I actually appreciated, as I tend to stay away from alcohol when I am tracking my points. Eating better and drinking less – win win!
I guess this program is considered a “diet”, which I really hate the word. I prefer to think of it more a food tracking plan to help you live your best life.
WW Review – What I Disliked
As very active person, I really struggled with not getting additional points for being active. For example, if I would go out for a 6 mile run in the morning I would have a very difficult time properly nourishing my body while staying within my allotted points.
Additionally, certain “healthy” foods are very high point values like nuts. I really disliked this, as nuts are incredibly good for you and when I track my foods with WW I stay away from them due to their high point value.
WW Review – Take Away Message
What I hope you take away from this article is to give WW a try. It may work great for you or it may not. Like I said, it is pretty reasonably priced and it’s worth a try!