New Weight Watchers Program

dr.mel_PT

Cathlete
Is anyone following the new points program from WW yet? I heard it now takes protein & carbs into account along with the standard fat/cals/fiber. I was thinking about giving it another go since it seems like the new program is more well-rounded, but not sure if it's worth incurring the cost? :confused:
 
Yes, I'm following it. For me, the best thing is that fruits are now zero points!! So there is a real incentive to get your servings of both fruits and vegetables in. You don't need to enter calories anymore (no need, since that information can be determined from the fat, carbs and protein) - you need to know the fat, carbs, fiber and protein. Many foods have more "PointsPlus" values than the old "Points" values, but to make up for that you get a higher PointsPlus allowance. Also, activity earns you more Activity PointsPlus values than under the old system. There is still a weekly PointsPlus allowance - again, more points than under the old system.

I am a "new stuff" junkie so I always have to try any new WW program! I'm finding it kind of fun because it's new and different, and did I say that fruits are now zero points!!!

Stebby
 
I started following the new program and really like it. To calculate points values, you just enter protein, carbohydrates, fibre and fat - not calories. Fruits are 0 points now. Its just been a week since I started, but I do find that its a much more balanced program, encourages you to choose your foods wisely (low fat doesn't necessarily mean its good for you, if it has lots of carbs).

I was having a hard time with always feeling hungry, but this past week I haven't had that issue at all since I'll just reach for some fruit now rather than worrying about going over my points.

Plus their new look online is pretty spiffy. Lots of great meal suggestions and ideas for filling but low points foods.

Let us know if you decide to join up again.
 
I really, really love it so far! I haven't felt hungry or deprived, which I started to feel on the old program, after I ramped up my workouts (I finally had to give up on WW once I started marathon training because I simply couldn't sustain my energy on the points I was being given--even after accounting for activity points I earned!).

I've only been on it for two weeks so far, so it's too early to tell how effective it is for me in terms of weight loss. After week 1, I was still trying to figure it all out and ended up not losing (but not gaining) any weight. Hopefully over the next few weeks, I'll start to see some weight loss, but even if I don't, just the fact that I feel really great on the plan and feel that this is maintainable for the long haul makes it a solid plan to me.
 
I guess it must have been released in the US earlier since it was just introduced at my last meeting here in Canada. I was excited to have something new to focus on especially at this time of year.

I like that all fruit is now zero points. I'm weighing in tomorrow so i'll see how my first week of points plus went!
 
One question and one comment.

So, on the previous WW plans I was alloted I think 21 points? What is the breakdown of points now? I'm guessing it's still by weight?

Also, the only thing that really bugs me is they still go by BMI thing. We all workout and our weight may not reflect our actual health and body comp, ya know.
Just my two cents.

Pam
 
Pam,
They calculate your points based on your age and weight i think. I'm allowed 29 points per day now which they said is the lowest. On the old program i was at 21 points per day. They actually told me what my daily points target was, I didn't get anything to show how to calculate it myself.
The weekly points allowance went up from 35 to 49 points per week.
 
Hi Elle_p- thank you very much! That sounds much more reasonable. I might consider doing it. I'll dig deeper onto the WW site to learn more!

Thanks!
Pam
 
Hi Elle_p- thank you very much! That sounds much more reasonable. I might consider doing it. I'll dig deeper onto the WW site to learn more!

Thanks!
Pam

the points values of some foods have gone up. All fruits and most veggies have 0 point values, too.
The calculation of the points values of foods now is based on fat, protein, fiber, & carbs(not calories any longer).They encourage eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, non-fat dairy or dairy substitutes, and lean proteins.
 
Last edited:
Feel like its really working

I'm only in my first week of the new WW program, so I haven't weighed myself yet (only once a week, which for me is on Friday). But I can feel that some of my clothes fit better - not so tight. So, I'm feeling really positive about the program. Plus, as many have mentioned already, I no longer struggle with feeling so hungry as I did on the old plan.
 
Just a quick update:
I just weighed in at WW after week one on the new points plus program and I lost 2lbs!:D So far, I am really liking the zero points for fruit and the extra points allowance.

I haven't really noticed a lot of points values changing drastically either. Most items that i have recalculated have gone up 1-2points which isn't a huge difference to me. I think it depends on the foods though since some members reported more significant increases in points values.
 
Enablers!!! I may have to check it out. I wonder if WW is doable on a vegetarian diet?

Yes, absolutely! I'm mostly vegetarian (occasional eggs, milk and fish but they're not the core of my diet) and I've had no trouble. High carb foods tend to be high in PointsPlus values but if they're high in fiber and protein that balances things out. I eat lots of things like quinoa, various kinds of beans and tofu and I'm able to stay within my allocation. It really helps me that we can fend off hunger with extra fruit.

Stebby
 
Week 3 and so far I've maintained my weight--haven't gained, which is really good, but I haven't lost any weight either, which is a bit disappointing. That said, the last few weeks have been kind of "off" for me, since I got my period (TMI, sorry :)) in Week 2 and then a few days ago, I broke my ankle and haven't been able to work out since (and won't be able to for the next 3 weeks, if not a little longer).

Despite all of that, though, I really love this program and will continue to stick with it. I like the philosophy and the approach and this is a good, easy, healthy way for me to make sure my eating is balanced and my portions are reasonable. I've always been a fairly healthy eater, but I've noticed since I started following the new program, I've been even more so. I think it's all in the attitude and the relationship with food, and I'm much less anal about it now than I was before, which ironically, makes it easier for me to not stray from clean, whole foods. Knowing I have a little bit of wiggle room to indulge makes a big difference!
 
Question for those who use the online tracker for WW... When do you use the recipe builder to calculate points vs. entering things individually and then saving it as a meal? I've noticed that on several occasions, I got vastly different values for something based on whether I saved the individual items as a meal vs. when I built it as a recipe. It happened today, when I entered a whole bunch of things individually for a salad I made. I got 5 points when I did it that way, and then 9 points when I built it as a recipe.

What the heck?? And which one am I supposed to use??
 
Question for those who use the online tracker for WW... When do you use the recipe builder to calculate points vs. entering things individually and then saving it as a meal? I've noticed that on several occasions, I got vastly different values for something based on whether I saved the individual items as a meal vs. when I built it as a recipe. It happened today, when I entered a whole bunch of things individually for a salad I made. I got 5 points when I did it that way, and then 9 points when I built it as a recipe.

What the heck?? And which one am I supposed to use??

The Recipe Builder doesn't take into account that fruits and veggies are 0-Point foods, which is why you're getting the difference. In the case of a salad, I would create a meal for it, rather than a recipe. I have a salad nearly every night with dinner, with a tsp of olive oil and some wine vinegar. I created that as a meal for quick entry rather than a recipe because of the 0-Point veggies.
 
I'm sort of loosely following the program. I plan on really following it after the hollidays cause well, its so hard to stick to a program this time of year LOL!

But even loosely following it, I've managed to drop 1.5lbs this month, and I struggle to drop 2lbs a month, so I think this plan ROCKS!
 
I'm so happy that someone started this post. I stopped WW a year ago and tried to lose the weight by myself without any success - I did maintain which is a big deal to me though.

I'm going to sign up again after the holidays so thanks for reminding me what a good system Weight Watchers is, I can't wait to try the new Points method.

From a 22 to a 10 on the old Points Plan, now let's see what I can do with this new system. Exciting!!! :D
 
Are bananas considered 0 points too? They were 2 points on the old system and I know they have a lot of sugar in them.
 

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top