The Weight Watchers point list has been derided as being too strict by some, but it is a fairly easy tool to use, whether you're eating at home or eating out. With the two plan books (one for restaurants), you can easily see how many points you are eating per day, compared to how many you are allowed.
Even if you decide the Weight Watchers plan isn't for you, you can still use the points system to keep track of where you are and where you want to be. You will learn how to monitor your daily intake, and this helps you become accountable to yourself every day.
The Point list is simple to understand and use. Foods that are low in calories and high in fiber are given low point values. Foods high in calories and low in fiber have higher point values. One treat can really throw you off track, though, so you have to be careful not to “cheat”. One Starbuck's muffin may have six to ten points, and that blows your day right there. But if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables instead, those mostly have low points.
You can do Weight Watchers in person, online, or you can just follow the point system yourself. Although you won't get the camaraderie and support if you go it alone, the Point list makes it very easy to track what you eat every day. Keeping a daily food journal helps, too. You'll be assigned a target value if you join, but you can read up on the information online, to determine how many points you should have each day.
The Weight Watchers Point system concentrates on foods high and low in fiber, as well as calories. Foods that have more fiber, like fruits and vegetables, are healthier for you to eat, and they add fewer inches to your waistline, as well. This weight loss system will try to help you to move away from animal fats, and into more healthy foods. Each time you plan a meal or stop at a restaurant, you can check your book to see how many points that meal will “cost”, and how it will affect your day, points-wise.
Changing your diet to include more fiber will help you to be more energetic and to feel more full. Bringing your intake of fiber up and your dairy and animal protein down will combine to help you lose weight.
If you're not sold on the Weight Watchers Point list system, you can try the Flex Program. Within this system, you are awarded negative points for exercise, which will enable you to eat more foods each day – as long as they are healthy foods. Using the Weight Watchers Point list and the Flex program, you may be able to take weight off and keep it off.