One of the longest running weight loss programs, with arguably the largest following in the world, is Weight Watchers. Some people speculate that the popularity of Weight Watchers is due to the fact that no food is restricted while on the program, while others say it is the support that participants receive from other people who are involved in the program that makes it a success. Whatever your opinions are, Weight Watchers has outlived many weight loss programs that have come and gone.
Founded in the 1960s in a New York apartment by Jean Nidetch as a support group for a small group of friends, this program has grown into an international company which operates in over 3 dozen countries. But exactly how does this program differ from other weight loss programs?
Points System Well, for one thing, at the heart of this program is a points system that is given to different servings of foods that you eat on the program. Points are given to the foods based on such factors as the grams of fat, number of calories and grams of fiber that the food contains. For example, 1 cup of non-fat plain yogurt is 2 points while a salad with low-fat dressing is just 1 point.
Additionally, on the day you exercise you are allowed to have more food points. Conversely, on the days you do not exercise you will consume foods with fewer points. Salads and vegetables are free of points and can be eaten as much as the person likes. Points are determined for each person based on the amount of weight that person wishes to lose. On the average, participants are given between 18-22 points per day. But again, this is determined on an individual basis.
No Food Restrictions Another difference between this diet program and other weight loss programs is that there is no restriction as to what foods the participants can eat. Unlike such weight loss programs as the South Beach diet where dieters eliminate carbohydrates that may not be healthy like bread, potatoes, sugar, sweets, cereals and grains, fruits, baked goods and other types of sugar containing foods, the program was set up to allow participants to eat any foods that they like as long as they stay within the number of points you are allowed for that day.
Support System Another difference that sets Weight Watchers apart from other weight loss programs is an optional support system that is built into the program. When you officially enroll in this program, you will be able to meet with a group of like-minded people who are trying to lose weight themselves. During the support groups, group leaders may deliver talks on a variety of topics and participants can share their experiences, ask questions or get advice.
Core Plan In recent times, they have added another aspect to their program which they call the Core Plan. This plan involves allowing you to eat from a certain category of foods until satisfied but not until full. Some of these foods include: lean meats, whole grain foods, fruits, vegetables and fat-free dairy products, just to name a few.
With millions of followers around the world, Weight Watchers has helped people from all walks of life to do the one thing they wanted most, lose weight. Their points system, combined with an eat-what-you-want attitude rather than a diet mentality, makes this unique diet regime a practical, flexible approach that a lot of people are finding success with.
The facts about being over-weight “The difficulty of weight loss is a condition which proves that the Lord does not help those who help themselves, and help themselves and help themselves…" Some would say this is unfair, since not all weight control problems are caused by overeating, or is it? Overweight people, especially the young and parents of children often think they have something wrong with their glands. Fatness from this cause is exceedingly rare-a busy doctor might go through his career without seeing a case. To all intents and purposes, obesity is the result of eating too much, or too much of the wrong food. There are three types of fuel in the diet, fat, protein and carbohydrates. They are to some extent interchangeable. Any unburnt fuel can be converted to fat and stored in the tissues. In practise, the excess is nearly always carbohydrate and not fat or protein. Too much fat in the diet is difficult to stomach, and too much protein increases the rate of combustion and the excess is burnt and not stored. Unfortunately, there seems to be no justice about weight control problems. Some people seem able to eat any amount without putting on weight. Others are chemically less adaptable and have to be strong-minded if they are to control their body weight within the reasonable bounds. Overeating is a common neurosis, in some way due to a sense of insecurity. In such cases the patient is not likely to reduce his diet without skilled attention to the emotional problem. Or it may be a habit acquired in early childhood and hard to break later on. The popular belief that chubby babies are healthy is fostered by advertisers of baby foods. It is a dangerous belief, chubby babies grow into weighty children and weighty adults. Exertion for the large is a trial, so they take less than enough exercise and have less control on their weight issues. On the other hand, ill informed slimming and weight-loss techniques also has its dangers. Bangkok Cure According to science, there are only two-certain ways for weight loss. One is to eat less, in particular less sugar and starch. The other is to use more energy without eating more, unfortunately exercise promotes appetite and a very little extra amount of food would cancel out most of the exercise. Health foods which include, fruits and salads and certain breads or rice, not to mention extra water intake help by filling the stomach and taking the edge of appetite without providing much fuel. The dictators of fashion are not concerned with health, and when fashion decrees that we should look like half-starved whippets, we run a very big risk of malnutrition and other diet related illnesses. Specialists tell us that we should seek medical advice when it comes to dieting, hospitals such as the Samitivej hospital in Bangkok, Thailand offer a range of services including health and weight control assessments using some of the latest state-of-the-art technology. Next time you are in Bangkok why not pay them a visit, they are open daily for consultations.
Both Patricia Zelkovsky & Hedin Johan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Patricia Zelkovsky has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hoodia, Low Carb Diet and Lose Weight. Patricia has been interested in weight loss & fitness since the early 70's and knows the difference between hype & fact. For more . Patricia Zelkovsky's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Hedin Johan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Luxury Hotels and Information Technology. For consultation, visit the Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok. See the website to find out more a. Hedin Johan's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.