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Weight Watchers is a 40-year-old program that focuses on helping individuals lose weight through education, companionship, and healthy habits. Well known for its points, Weight Watchers is an option for people who want to lose weight and get in shape, but need the support system of humans, rather than books. Here is a list of the benefits of using the Weight Watchers system, as well as a few reasons it might not be right for you.

THE PROS
Overall, Weight Watchers is based on the idea of healthy weight loss using a plan based on solid nutrition, satisfaction, and fitness. It isn't designed to be a lose weight quick scheme, but focuses rather on steady, long-term weight loss goals. The program focuses on all the major food groups so it is suitable for vegetarians and won't leave you craving carbs or meat, or getting bored with your broccoli and salmon options.

Weight Watches is famous for their point system. Each food or meal is assigned a point value, and the participant is responsible for knowing how many points he or she is allowed to redeem, and keeping track of their daily totals. Counting points and having the freedom to budget points can be an effective tool for many people. It allows them the flexibility of eating what they want with the accountability of having a limit. It also negates the need to count calories or nutrient values.

The program is also built around a long-term support system that offers advice, continuing education in eating habits and fitness techniques, and face-to-face motivation from peers and instructors. A few quick searches on the web will reveal hundreds of related resources designed by users of the program. This wide-spread understanding and acceptance of the system makes it easy to implement and share.

THE CONS
For dieters on a budget, the per-meeting fees may be a deterrent, as may the availability of meetings in their local area. Some participants find they don't like going to the meetings, or aren't comfortable sharing their needs with others. In the end, the participant must learn to outgrow the points system and make choices based on his or her understanding of healthy lifestyle habits - another hurdle for those who crave structure.

If you are looking for a healthy, well-rounded system that takes the guesswork and (most of the) counting out of the mix, while offering prevalent and optional human support, Weight Watchers is a nationally recognized program that may be worth giving a try.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Dawn Wells.
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