Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers PointsPlus Program Updates The Science Of Weight Loss
Weight Watchers has been a leader in the science of weight loss since the early 1960s. The last time that Weight Watchers did a major update to their program loss plan was in the mid nineteen nineties. About four years ago, David Kirchhoff, CEO of Weight Watchers International asked Karen Miller-Kovach (Chief Scientific Officer Weight Watchers International) a simple question: "If the points system was going to be developed today, instead of ten years ago, would it be the same?" She answered, "No, it would be very different because we know so much more now." Kirchoff saw immediately that Weight Watchers had an obligation to its members to provide the most up to date weight loss program possible and that they were falling behind.
What resulted from this realisation were roughly four years of research and randomized clinical trials focussed on how calories from protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat provide satisfaction to a person while eating as well as how these compounds are processed by the body. From this research emerged a new Weight Watchers program called PointsPlus (or Pro Points in the UK). According to Weight Watchers the clinical studies of the new program demonstrated: "an improvement in behaviors that help people maintain weight loss and a reduction in the desire to eat when there's no physical hunger or need for food." After thurough study, the new program has finally been released to the public.
This new Weight Watchers program still uses a points based system but these points are calculated much differently than with the old Momentum program. The number of points that an individual can consume is still calculated based upon height, weight, age and sex but the foods that the points represent have changed dramatically. Unlike the Weight Watchers Momentum plan, PointsPlus calculates point values taking into consideration protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. Particular emphasis is placed on eating whole or unprocessed foods. PointsPlus is much more considerate of the modern lifestyle and includes guidance on how to succeed in the program even with the stresses and demands placed on you by children, work and temptation
Most average Weight Watchers members will see their daily points increase to somewhere around 29 but beware, the point values for some foods have increased in kind. Weight Watchers has also added 49 extra "real living points" to be used for special occasions like a special nights out or a birthday party at work. Of course, these points disappear if they are not used. Probably the most popular change is that now all fruits have a zero point value. Low starch vegetables are also zero points. This change in point value is in recognition of the holistic importance of eating unrefined whole foods and foods that are low in starch.
PointsPlus addresses the problem of "feeling full" by encouraging members to eat more proteins and fiber. These foods take longer to digest and provide that feeling of being full for a much longer time. This is very important when you are trying to lose weight and fight temptation to over-eat.
Weight Watchers has also integrated an award system for physical activity. Activity points are added for members who exercise as part of their weight loss program.
To cap off the modernization of the Weight Watchers program, they have recently released smart phone applications for both iPhone and Droid users.
About the Author
Weight Watchers has some coupons for both the meetings and online programs:
If you live in the USA you can get the Weight Watchers USA 25% off coupon here and get more information about Weight Watchers eTools
If you live in Canada you can get the Weight Watchers Canada 25% off coupon here and get more information about Weight Watchers eTools
Weight Watchers- Filling Breakfast
 |
 2012 Weight Watchers Pocket Guide and Points Plus Books Power Tracker NEW $14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers NEWEST 2012 DELUXE Member Kit + CALCULATOR + Guide + FREE BONUS $63.95 Time Remaining: 5h 20m Buy It Now for only: $70.35 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Meet Points Plus 2012 Calculator New Member Materials Living LOT $26.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 33m |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Essential Member Kit + Calculator + Plan Guide $49.90 Time Remaining: 10h 36m Buy It Now for only: $49.90 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Ultimate STARTER Kit + CALCULATOR + Instructions Purple $69.90 Time Remaining: 6h 10m Buy It Now for only: $76.90 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Pointsplus 2012 Calculator NEW free quick shipping $19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 32m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS 2012 Pts Plus Essential Member Kit PLUS Points Plus Calc NEW $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 9h 4m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers meet points plus 2012 getting started pocket guide member kit $16.99 Time Remaining: 28d 19h 7m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Ultimate STARTER Kit + CALCULATOR + Instructions Purple $69.90 Time Remaining: 6h 10m Buy It Now for only: $76.90 Buy It Now |
 2011 WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS MEMBER STARTER KIT FEEE SHIPPING LK $39.99 Time Remaining: 5h 51m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2009 Starter Kit plus calculator and cookbooks more $25.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 17h 6m |
 BRAND NEW WEIGHT WATCHERS 2012 POINTS PLUS POINTSPLUS POCKET GUIDE BOOK $7.45 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 33m Buy It Now for only: $7.45 Buy It Now |
 Official WEIGHT WATCHERS Points Counting PEARL BRACELET in Orig Box w Paperwork $26.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 44m |
 2012 Weight Watchers Point Plus Dining Out Companion BRAND NEW + FAST FREE SHIP $15.00 Time Remaining: 26d 22h 32m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Essentials Starter Kit+ PointsPlus Calculator $53.85 Time Remaining: 8h 14m Buy It Now for only: $61.85 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Essential Starter Kit with 2012 Calculator $58.95 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 43m Buy It Now for only: $58.95 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Electronic Food Scale with POINTS Value Database $15.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 19h 21m |
 PB2 Peanut Butter Powder AS SEEN on DR OZ GREAT FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS DIETS PB2 $7.65 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 42m Buy It Now for only: $7.65 Buy It Now |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS NEW 2012 POINTS PLUS DELUXE MEMBER KIT+ FREE SKIN BONUS $63.45 Time Remaining: 4d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 Buy It Now |
 NEW 2011 WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS DELUXE MEMBER KIT WITH CALCULATOR MORE $59.99 Time Remaining: 5h 56m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Dining Out Companion POINTS PLUS program $4.24 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 42m |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Ultimate STARTER Kit + CALCULATOR + Plan Guide + GREEN Case $69.90 Time Remaining: 8h 5m Buy It Now for only: $69.90 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Deluxe PointsPlus Member Kit Free Calculator $50.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 34m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers MEET POINTS PLUS 2012 GETTING STARTED POCKET GUIDE MEMBER KIT $19.99 Time Remaining: 7h 32m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Points Plus Starter Kit $40.00 Time Remaining: 12h 42m |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS 2012 POINTS PLUS COOKBOOK 320 PAGE 200 RECIPES $22.49 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $22.49 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Essentials Starter Kit+ PointsPlus Calculator $53.85 Time Remaining: 17h 14m Buy It Now for only: $61.85 Buy It Now |
 2011 WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS Complete Food DINING OUT COMPANION BOOKS NEW $29.99 Time Remaining: 5h 42m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Essentials Starter Kit+ PointsPlus Calculator $53.85 Time Remaining: 18h 14m Buy It Now for only: $61.85 Buy It Now |
 2010 WEIGHT WATCHERS POCKET GUIDE W POINTS SLIDER TRACKER DAILY TARGET QUIZ $14.99 Time Remaining: 5h 48m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Deluxe Kit includes Calculator Cookbook Case + $67.95 Time Remaining: 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $74.95 Buy It Now |
 BRAND NEW WEIGHT WATCHERS 2012 POINTS PLUS POINTSPLUS LIFETIME POCKET GUIDE BOOK $6.48 Time Remaining: 22d 4h 54m Buy It Now for only: $6.48 Buy It Now |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS Points Plus 2012 ReadySetGo Cookbook new book $5.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 20h 18m |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS MEET POINTSPLUS 2012 POINTS PLUS GETTING STARTED GUIDE BOOK $7.65 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 28m Buy It Now for only: $7.65 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Deluxe Kit includes Calculator Cookbook Case + $67.95 Time Remaining: 19h 45m Buy It Now for only: $74.95 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus CALCULATOR with Paint Splatter SKIN Free Ship $22.99 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 44m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Essentials Starter Kit+ PointsPlus Calculator $53.85 Time Remaining: 19h 14m Buy It Now for only: $61.85 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Points Plus Calculator $17.00 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Points Plus Plan Program 2012 Pedometer Brand New $10.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 10h 55m |
 Weight Watchers Smoothie Drink Mix 7 pack Your Choice Chocolate Vanilla Coconut $10.45 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 7m Buy It Now for only: $10.45 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Complete Food Companion POINTS PLUS program $5.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 40m |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Member Kit with Books Calculator Plus More $54.95 Time Remaining: 13d 4h 14m Buy It Now for only: $54.95 Buy It Now |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS 2012 POINTS PLUS DELUXE MEMBER KIT Brand New $32.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 11h 1m |
 2012 Weight Watchers Pocket Guide BRAND NEW BONUS $8.45 Time Remaining: 24d 5h 59m Buy It Now for only: $8.45 Buy It Now |
 2010 Weight Watchers MOMENTUM Member kit w Points Calculator and more $36.00 (12 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 38m |
 New Weight Watchers SkinIt Skin It Purple Flourish for 2012 Calculator FREE SHIP $4.99 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 30m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now |
 Weight Watchers Dining Out Companion POINTS PLUS program $3.80 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 41m |
 Weight Watchers 2012 Points Plus Deluxe Organizer Case Brand New $13.91 Time Remaining: 21h 35m Buy It Now for only: $13.91 Buy It Now |
 2010 Weight Watchers Momentum 2 Companions Points Counter Diary Bag NEW $0.99 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 28m |
 Weight Watchers Weekly 4 29 5 6 5 13 5 20 5 27 May 2012 Plus FAST FREE SHIP $13.95 Time Remaining: 7d 13h 11m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 Buy It Now |
 WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PLUS STARTER KIT LOT GREAT THINGS TO GET STARTED $16.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 36m |
 Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook List Price: Sale Price: $17.97 You save: $11.98 (40%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe trusted classic from Weight Watchers is back and better than ever! The most trusted name in healthy lifestyle, Weight Watchers leads the way to eating well-and losing weight. Packed with 500 recipes for every occasion, this book is delicious proof that healthy eating means you don't have to give up your favorite foods...  |
 Weight Watchers Peanut Butter Cups, 3-Ounce Peg Bags (Pack of 5) Sale Price: $12.46 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product |
 Weight Watchers Take-Out Tonight! : 150+ Restaurant Favorites to Make at Home--All 8 POINTS or Less List Price: Sale Price: $11.48 You save: $5.47 (32%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNow you can have take-out tonight and every night and still lose weight! Craving Chinese, Mexican, Thai, or even Japanese for dinner? No problem and no need to worry about the fat and calories thanks to Take-Out Tonight! Based on the Weight Watchers Winning Points® weight loss plan, Take-Out Tonight! serves up more than 150 mouthwatering recipes that reinvent all of America's most-loved take-out dishes -- all 8 POINTS or less! Few people consider, before they stop in for take-out or pick up the phone to call for delivery, how these made-to-order meals fit into their lives if they're trying to lose weight... |
 Weight Watchers Make It in Minutes: Easy Recipes in 15, 20, and 30 Minutes List Price: Sale Price: $11.38 You save: $8.57 (43%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe most trusted name in weight loss makes healthy eating fast and delicious. Perfect for everyone who thought they were too busy" to cook healthy food, these meals are ready in 15, 20, or 30 minutes -- just pick the time frame that fits your schedule... |
 Weight Watchers Mint Patty, 3.25-Ounce Peg Bags (Pack of 5) Sale Price: $12.46 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product |
 Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook List Price: Sale Price: $12.32 You save: $9.63 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Healthy Cook's Best Kitchen Companion Eating well and losing weight have never beeneasier—or more delicious! This comprehensive Weight Watchers cookbook is packed with more than 500 fresh and flavorful recipes for every meal and virtually every occasion... |
 Weight Watchers English Toffee Squares, 3.25-Ounce Peg Bags (Pack of 5) Sale Price: $12.46 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product |
 Weight Watchers All-Time Favorites: Over 200 Best-Ever Recipes from the Weight Watchers Test Kitchens List Price: Sale Price: $19.77 You save: $10.18 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis full-color cookbook is an exciting collection of the best recipes ever developed by the experts at Weight Watchers—225 tempting dishes never before presented in book form. If you’re a fan of the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook but are looking even more recipe choices, this new Weight Watchers collection will be an irresistible new kitchen companion... |
 Weight Watchers' Simply the Best : 250 Prizewinning Family Recipes List Price: Sale Price: $16.47 You save: $8.48 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIf the old saying "butter plus salt equals flavor" is true, somebody neglected to tell the folks at Weight Watchers. Simply the Best is a testament that good food need not always be accompanied by dietary guilt and that flavor doesn't have to be sacrificed in the name of health... |
 Weight Watchers Crispy Butter Cream Caramels, 3.25-Ounce Peg Bags (Pack of 5) Sale Price: $12.46 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product |
