by Leann Zotis

Created on: November 04, 2009

The Weight Watchers Points Tracker is an interactive online e-tool you can access at http://www.weightwatchers.com/ to help you along in your progress at Weight Watchers. It is one of a variety of "Tracker" tools available to program members who attend weekly meetings or participate in Weight Watchers via the online membership program. The Points Tracker works similar to the Food Journal booklet that was the staple of the Weight Watchers program prior to the advent of the Internet. It provides a personalized way to track your own progress.

With the Points Tracker you are able to calculate the point value of a wide variety of foods and keep track of the number of points used throughout the day. The Points Tracker will keep you honest when it comes to knowing when you've reached your limit in terms of points and need to curb your eating for the rest of the day.

One of the benefits to using the Points Tracker is that it is useful in determining the point value of a particular food the first time you evaluate it. You can either figure the point value for yourself or check the stored listing of over 31,000 foods already stored in the Tracker. Once you've calculated that value the Points Tracker will store that food, along with the point value assigned to it for future reference. No longer will you need to constantly recalculate every meal to see if you're still in line with your point goals.

In the future, when you choose to eat that food again, you can refer back to your Points Tracker for the information. Eventually, your Points Tracker becomes your own personal reference library for the foods you eat, storing your favorites list for quick information. While you're at it, you can keep track of your activity points on the Points Tracker as well. Remember, increased activity can be rewarded with an extra point to use here or there when your daily allotment just isn't enough.

This tool can prove invaluable in helping you maintain your momentum on the Weight Watchers program. The less time you have to spend fussing over every little detail of what to eat and how to eat it, the more time you will have to enjoy the new found sense of freedom that comes from knowing you are part of a healthy lifestyle change program that will benefit you as long as you follow the guidelines.

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