The Tao of Weight Watchers Part One

Weight Watchers inspired me to change my eating habits, lose weight, exercise and, indirectly, learn to cook healthy and incredibly delicious food.

Now, I'm not affiliated in any way to the organisation, and I am not in their payroll. In fact, I am no longer going to Weight Watchers, and I am not even suggesting that you should join too. But I am telling you this because it will explain how the system worked for me, and why, and - after getting appropriate medical advice - you may wish to consider it too.

I first became seriously interested in losing weight when I reached the 99.9 kg mark (220 lb) in June 2003, with a hight of 1.67 cm (5'6'').

Several years ago I had done the Scarsdale diet and managed to lose about 10 kg, but only managed to keep slim for about 6 months.

After that I tried that diet (and several others) several times but to no avail. The diets were too harsh, and although I would lose weight one week, I would double the loss the following week. I was doing the "yo-yo" diet.

In 2003, after a friend of mine told me that I looked "prosperous", I decided it was time to do something in respect of my physical well being and followed the Anthony Robbins' formula of success:

  • Know what you want to achieve

  • Find out where you are in relation to that goal

  • Find out who has done it, and how

  • Follow the same steps, vary them according to your circumstances, and keep trying till you get to your goal.

    • I did a bit of research about the different weight loss methods out there, and somehow I decided to give Weight Watchers a go.

    Weight Watchers has been around, but it has been until very recently that they developed a special "Points" system, which consists of assigning a point-value to foods based on the amount of kilo joules, fat and (in theory) the amount of fibre each food contains. All this is estimated by using a patented formula.

    Depending on you height, weight and gender, you can have a certain amount of food points a day. If you stick to that number of points, you lose weight, gradually and safely.

    You are therefore encouraged to "watch what you eat" (hence the name "Weight Watchers"), by keeping track of whatever you consume.

    But counting your points is only a part of the whole system Weight Watchers offer. The real value of the program is that:

    • It educates you as to how food works in relation to your weight

    • It keeps you focused on your goal by requiring you that you attend to a weekly meeting to record your weight, and to share your experiences with other members.

    • It gives you access to a large number of foods, recipe books, and other tools that will help you stick to your goals.

    But Weight Watchers does not only focus on what you eat, and how much. It also teaches you to exercise to "burn" extra points to accelerate your weight loss, or to allow you the freedom to eat certain treats.

    You could say that Weight Watchers' Pure Points system teaches you to "budget" your meals, without having to worry about calories or amount of fat per portion.

    But what I love best of Weight Watchers is that you learn to cook healthy and delicious food. This, alone, makes it easier to stick to your weight loss goals because the food is delicious, and you discover how easy is to gradually include healthy food into your life.

    If you would like to how many points you need in order to lose weight following the Points system, click here to read The Tao of Weight Watchers Part 2.

    Jeff The Skinny Chef has a growing collection of free delicious low fat recipes, healthy eating and weight loss articles in his site http://www.Jeff-The-Skinny-Chef.Com.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    7 Tips for Dieting Success

    There are lots of dieters, trying every sort of plan... Read More

    Are You Confused By All The Different Diets? Heres A Quick Diet Comparison

    It would not be surprising to hear your answer is... Read More

    How To Burn 50% More Fat In Every Workout With Secrets For Weight Loss Success

    If your health and fitness are important to you, you... Read More

    After WLS: Goodbye Self-Loathing! Hello Self-Loving!

    You won't believe what happened to me today!I was getting... Read More

    The Effect Of A Low Carb Diet On Your Insulin Level

    The underlying principles of low carb diets are based on... Read More

    Why Does the Weight Come Back?

    Before many Australians recently, a devastating story unfolded on a... Read More

    Why Friends Sabotage Your Diet at Parties

    How to Say No When You Don't Want the FoodA... Read More

    Tell Me - Do You Really Like Being Fat?

    Once upon a time, I fretted about going to a... Read More

    Before and After Your Liposuction

    Although liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic... Read More

    Be Aware Of Your Reasons

    You have decided that you want to lose weight and... Read More

    Is Natural Weight Loss Really Possible?

    Natural Weight Loss Is PermanentOnly natural weight loss can be... Read More

    The Ultimate Weight Loss Red-Flag Guide

    Weight Loss Red Flag GuideDespite claims to the contrary, there... Read More

    Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #11

    You are the GREATEST, aren't you? You are focusing on... Read More

    Weight Loss - Make a Significant and Lasting Lifestyle Change

    Losing weight can make a significant and life altering change... Read More

    You Cant Lose Weight if You Listen to Your Family and Friends

    I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More

    After Gastric Bypass: Some Tough Love on Grieving Food

    New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve... Read More

    3 Easy Dieting Success Tips

    1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many... Read More

    EFT for Weight Loss - How to Stop Eating from Fear of Not Getting Your Share

    Do You Sometimes Eat Because You're Afraid You'll "Miss Out"... Read More

    Diet Pills And Safe Weight Loss: A Quick Guide To Diet Pills

    Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More

    Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

    In order to lose weight, your body must burn more... Read More

    How To Burn Fat The Easy Way...The Only Way?

    You have heard enough about losing weight with various means... Read More

    4 Tips for Fast Fat Loss Part II

    Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More

    2 Simple Steps to Effective Weight Loss

    It's agreed that if you raise the amount of calories... Read More

    Weight Loss Programs: Which Weight Loss Program Will Really Work?

    Weight loss programs often have big claims. Understand the "science"... Read More

    Compulsive Eating and Binge Eating Disaster Plan

    Congratulations on waking up each morning and greeting the day... Read More

    5 Diet Pill Free Weightloss Tips For Powerful Living

    Before you even think of taking diet pills to lose... Read More

    Reasons for Obesity

    Causes of ObesityJust like there is no weight loss pill... Read More

    Fat Is A Self-Inflicted Disease

    I just came back from three days in Las Vegas.... Read More

    3 Secrets Your Diet Book Wont Tell You

    Are you wondering why you're not losing weight? If you're... Read More

    How To Lose Weight and Stay Thin

    Diet is one of the most controversial subjects around. Bring... Read More

    Dash Diet -- Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)

    Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. Blood pressure... Read More

    Rapid Weight Loss Tips, Techniques and Strategies

    It seems everyone is looking for that magic bullet -... Read More

    The Lies You May Have Been Told About Ephedra, and How They May End Up Improving Your Life

    Losing Weight quickly and easily has become one of the... Read More