Before getting started, I am not here to argue whether or not Weight Watchers works. Many people have participated in Weight Watchers and have had success with it. What we are here to discuss is WHY it works and ask ourselves if there is a better way to diet.
What Is Weight Watchers?
Weight Watchers is a diet program that is based around allotting each member a specific number of daily points. Each food costs a specific number of points. As members eat food, points are subtracted from their daily allotment of points until they spend all the points they have available. Their points then start over the next day.
How Can Foods Be Zero Points?
Zero point foods are a controversial topic for many. While Weight Watchers members love their "free foods", Weight Watchers skeptics love to point out the fact that that there is no such thing as a "free food" because every food contains Calories, with no exceptions.
Here's the trick to zero point foods. I've stated numerous times in articles, classes, and face-to-face with clients, how important it is to choose filling foods. (You'll see where I'm going with this shortly.) If you look at the Weight Watchers zero point food list, you will notice they are all relatively high in fiber and/or high in protein in comparison to the total number of Calories in those foods. (Learn why high protein and high fiber are both extremely important for fat loss diets by clicking here.) When eating foods that are high in protein and especially fiber, you will get full quickly. If you get full quickly, you will eat less total food and consequently, fewer Calories.
Forget everything you know about nutrition for just one moment. Now let's say there's a list of foods that you can eat an unlimited amount of and still lose fat. I'd imagine if your goal is to lose fat, you're planning on centering your diet around the foods on that list. Now, let's go back to reality. This is exactly how Weight Watchers portrays zero point foods. (Do you see where I'm going with this yet?)
By giving you permission to eat an unlimited amount of these foods, Weight Watchers is tricking you into eating high protein and high fiber. This causes you to get fuller faster, ensuring you eat fewer Calories. So as you can see, a zero point food is NOT a zero Calorie food. This brings me to my final point.
Why Weight Watchers Isn't Optimal
Again, before I go into why Weight Watchers isn't optimal, I want to reiterate that I am NOT saying it doesn't work. I'm merely saying there's a better way to reach and maintain your dream body. The issue is that you are not learning what is in your food.
The goal I have for my clients is to learn what is in the food they are eating in regards to Calories, protein, carbs, fat, etc. It is not difficult when it is taught in a step-by-step manner and once you start figuring it all out, you will have that knowledge for the rest of your life. From that point on, you will never have to worry about becoming overweight again. You can fit any of the foods you enjoy into your diet and know with absolute certainty that you aren't going to gain fat because of it because you know what is in the food you're eating.
Ask any of my clients and they will tell you how empowering this is. I can tell you this from my own experience as well. I've tried the fad diets myself. This is why I do this for a living! You are not alone. You can take control of how you look and feel and eat tasty food while doing it.
Thank you so much for reading! If you found this information helpful and think others will benefit from it as well, please give this article a share on Facebook. It helps us out more than you know. If you like what I have to say, sign up below to become a Treadaway Training insider and never miss a post or video. I will be back next week with another fat loss topic. As always, God bless you AND your family and I'll see you next week.
