| The decision to lose weight is not one that | | | | and excessive exercising.All members receive |
| many people make lightly - excuse the pun. | | | | a points-value guide to the basic foods in |
| Often, it has been flitting around in the | | | | Week One of the program.The Meetings:On |
| mind for years. It may even have been | | | | joining WeightWatchers, the member's height |
| reached, acted on and abandoned as another | | | | and current weight are recorded in the |
| fad diet bit the dust. Then, a rogue | | | | 'passport' document, which holds each |
| photograph appears depicting you doing your | | | | member's personal details for the duration of |
| best whale impression, or you are | | | | the program. The member retains the passport |
| unexpectedly required to move quickly | | | | and only has to produce it when being |
| (perhaps during a fire drill at work, where | | | | weighed. A general goal weight is then set in |
| everyone sees you panting), and almost expire | | | | consultation with the group leader, based on |
| from the effort. Shamed into action you | | | | healthy weight to height ratios. A more |
| decide once again that another attempt to | | | | specific goal can be set later when the |
| shed weight will be worthwhile.The good news | | | | member's weight lies within this ratio.The |
| is that you needn't do it on your own. A huge | | | | member receives the Week One support |
| range of weight-loss programs exist today - | | | | materials which included a weekly brochure |
| from independent, locally run clubs to the | | | | containing a tracker (for recording food |
| multi-national organizations- all offering | | | | intake, exercise and points) a possible |
| weight-loss plans to suit individual needs | | | | weekly menu, some words on the topic of the |
| and budgets.Arguably, one of the most | | | | week and a Quickstart DVD ( a support DVD to |
| successful of the large organizations is | | | | be used during the first six weeks of the |
| WeightWatchers. Founded in a New York | | | | program).The member then attends the weekly |
| apartment over 40 years ago by Jane Nedetch, | | | | meeting during which the leader delivers a |
| the small support group for friends has grown | | | | talk on the week's topic and members are |
| into the vastly successful international | | | | invited to share their experiences, questions |
| company that it is today. By combining a | | | | and advice.Why is WeightWatchers so |
| program of healthy eating and exercise with | | | | popular?Many devotees of the organization |
| group support, WeightWatchers developed a | | | | will answer this in just one word: |
| 'partnership' approach to dieting which has | | | | Flexibility.The weight-loss plan which runs |
| since been emulated by many other weight-loss | | | | for 24 weeks can be tailored to meet a wide |
| organizations world wide.How does | | | | range of needs. The points system allows for |
| WeightWatchers operate?Membership:After | | | | total flexibility of menu. No food is |
| locating a local meeting venue via the | | | | forbidden or compulsory and the menus if used |
| internet or the local press, members can join | | | | are written with busy lifestyles in |
| the organization for a fee of around $25-$30. | | | | mind.Meetings are also flexible; with members |
| This membership fee is often waived during | | | | being able to attend meetings at other venues |
| special promotion months, which are generally | | | | should they find themselves unable to get to |
| advertised in the media.A weekly fee of | | | | their usual meeting. Members are also free to |
| around $10-$15 is paid at each meeting, | | | | choose the level of their involvement at |
| although monthly and three-monthly packages | | | | these meetings. While some need the group |
| can be bought in advance at a discounted | | | | support each week, many people opt to just |
| rate. Membership lapses if a member fails to | | | | 'weigh-in' then leave. Either is |
| attend meetings for four weeks. Members must | | | | acceptable.In addition, WeightWatchers offers |
| pay for a missed meeting but if they have | | | | a wide range of support materials: a points |
| missed more than two, they need only pay for | | | | value guide to specific brands of foods, a |
| the first week missed and for the current | | | | Supermarket guide, the Eating-Out guide, a |
| week. Each member is allowed to miss two | | | | monthly WeightWatchers' magazine, |
| meetings in the course of the year without | | | | WeightWatchers' own food products, cookbooks |
| having to pay.When a member has reached an | | | | and scales.Like any weight-loss program, the |
| agreed 'goal' weight and maintained it | | | | WeightWatchers system does have some |
| (within two lbs or one kilo) for six weeks, | | | | drawbacks. As it is run at a local level by |
| he or she becomes a Life member and may | | | | leaders who have previously lost weight on |
| attend future meetings free of charge, | | | | the program, and current members who |
| provided the goal weight is maintained and at | | | | volunteer, the effectiveness of the support |
| least one meeting is attended each | | | | group is dependent on individual |
| month.Online membership is now available for | | | | personalities. If a new member has trouble |
| those who cannot attend meetings or who live | | | | fitting in with the existing group, he or she |
| in a rural area. A monthly online membership | | | | may choose not to return.Some people may also |
| costs around $44.The Points System:The | | | | argue that the points' system approach to |
| dietary part of the WeightWatchers program | | | | weight control is a short term method and |
| works on a 'points' system. Every food is | | | | just one of many weight-loss options, |
| allocated a point value according to its fat | | | | although none of these other options are |
| and sugar content. For example, an apple may | | | | promoted to members.Finally, for many people |
| be valued at one point, while a sausage may | | | | the weekly fee is too expensive, especially |
| be valued at five. Most vegetables and salad | | | | if the member does not like to attend the |
| ingredients are 'free' and can be eaten | | | | meetings. It does seem extravagant to spend |
| without penalty. Members are given a daily | | | | $15 each week just to step on a pair of |
| point allocation of around 18-22 points, | | | | scales.Regardless of these criticisms, people |
| depending on their current weight. No food is | | | | are still flocking to join WeightWatchers and |
| forbidden, as long as the point value is | | | | many similar weight-loss organizations across |
| factored into the daily point consumption. | | | | the globe. In today's world, weight-loss |
| Points may be saved for later in a week to | | | | needs to be less about vanity and more about |
| allow members to eat out.Various exercises | | | | health and well being, with all the benefits |
| are also given a point value. Bonus points | | | | of looking good 'thrown in'.Weight Watchers |
| gained by being active, allow the member to | | | | offers a practical, accessible and structured |
| save for later in the week, or may be spent | | | | way forward to a fit, healthy |
| on an extra treat to the value of the bonus | | | | lifestyle.Morris gathers information about |
| on that day.There are ceilings on the number | | | | sporting events |
| of points which can be saved or earned in any | | | | |
| one week to prevent binge eating, starving | | | | sporting news weekly. |