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How does Weight Watchers weight loss program work?

Weight Watchers weight loss program is a commercial diet organization that offers
a variety of eating plans and aids for weight loss. Members who follow the
selection plan (an exchange-type plan) are allowed to consume a certain number
of servings from each selection group (breads, fruits/vegetables, proteins/dairy,
and fats) each day. For example, if you've chosen to eat five bread selections
per day, you can choose five servings of any item categorized as a "bread," be
it whole wheat bread, rice, a corn tortilla, or any of the other foods that
fall into the bread group. The number of selections you consume per group per
day depends on how fast you wish to lose weight; the program recommends a maximum
loss of 2 pounds per week. The selection plan allows members to stray from
the plan occasionally to accommodate special foods or events, and a "Weekends
Off" option permits less regulated eating on weekends in exchange for
smaller portions through the rest of the week.
The "Fat and Fiber" plan was added in December 1994. Under this
plan, members are instructed to limit fat intake to between 15 and 35 grams
daily (men and youths can go up to 45 g/day), eat between 20-60 grams of fiber
daily, consume a minimum of 2 servings of dairy foods daily (3 servings for
youths), eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and limit
intake of refined sugars and alcoholic beverages.
The Weight Watchers weight loss program markets several types of processed
foods, which are not necessarily lower in calories than "regular" or
other diet plan products, but are designed to fit easily into the Weight Watchers
weight loss program; use of the Weight Watchers weight loss program brand foods
is completely optional. Weight Watchers weight loss program encourages moderate
exercise in combination with the diet plan. Each member sets his or her own
goal weight based on an eight / weight chart compiled by Weight Watchers weight
loss program from several sources. A big part of the Weight Watchers weight
loss program plan is weekly meetings, which feature a "weigh in" for
each member (your weight is revealed only to you and the person doing the weighing,
not o the rest of the group) and various activities such as motivational videos,
discussions, distribution of program materials and recipes, etc. Members who
attain their goal weights become "lifetime members," and can attend
meetings for free so long as they maintain their new weights. |