The Weight Watchers point system benefits dieters in many different ways. It is a great tool for monitoring the intake of food, and it teaches people what foods are best. Daily meals can be structured with a little leeway if necessary, which is excellent for someone who worries about setbacks occurring when their eating plan collides with their daily life, forcing them to grab food on the run.
Members of the program begin their weight loss journey by determining their daily point allocation. The amount of points a person is allowed to consume within a day will depend on many factors. While an individual’s weight is the main determinant, height, body mass index and the person’s goal weight will come into play. The number of points allocated to men in a specific weight category will be higher than the number allocated to women.
Each food is assigned a specific amount of points. Members of the program are provided with reference books containing point information about basic foods. If a particular item is not listed then the points can be worked out following a simple formula and the nutritional information on the package. This means people do not have to give up certain foods, as a result of them not being listed in the book.
No food is considered off-limits; however, members should not exceed their daily points allocation. They can have one day off per week when they do not have to track what they eat and they are encouraged to earn additional points through exercise. The points for physical activity are calculated depending on the activity and length of time it is performed.
Once a member has followed the Weight Watchers point system and achieved his or her goal weight, a period of maintenance will begin. This is generally a six-week period where members gradually increase the amount of food they eat, while maintaining their current weight.
