Weight Watchers Works (But Only if You Work Too)

by Georgina
(Alabama)

I tried weight watchers online while in university. I lived at home and had regular access to the internet. The website was easy to use and the listing of foods and their points values were quite good.

Points are a calculation of the calories, fats, and fibre of an item of food. What I found most useful was learning how much a regular portion size was for an adult female, and how restaurant sizes were often 3-4 times the recommended serving!

The Weight Watchers message boards were also very helpful in getting hints and tips from other people who were in the same situation as me.

They also had lots of recipes on their website that were tasty and low point value.

Using Weight Watchers, I lost 20 pounds before I decided that I didn't need to pay for the service anymore. I was able to maintain my weight afterwards (even over the Holiday season!)

Then I hit a very stressful period of my life. After that time was over, I tried to go back to the system, but I guess I wasn't motivated enough and I didn't keep track on the website conscientiously and as a result didn't lose the weight I was hoping to lose.

A useful tool I try to use is noticing how much and what my thinner friends eat and trying to mimic them.

I firmly believe that education is the key to a weight loss system, but motivation is equally important.

Once you know how to lose weight, no system or method is going to help you unless you change your lifestyle and habits.

Georgina

Note from Dr. Dan

Georgina,

You make some very good points. I like your idea about watching what you thinner friends are eating and trying to mimic them.

And your point that "education is the key to a weight loss system." If you know the right things to do, you have some possibility of losing weight.

But if you don't know what you should be doing it will be almost impossible.

Dr. Dan