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After over ten years of helping people
lose millions of pounds and kilos with their Momentum
weight loss program, Weight Watchers has released an
updated program aptly named PointsPlus. This new scientifically
designed and tested weight loss plan still uses those
famous Weight Watchers points but now they are calculated
in a much different way.
Weight Watchers has been a leader in
the science of weight loss since the early 1960s. The
last time that Weight Watchers did a major update to
their program loss plan was in the mid nineteen nineties.
About four years ago, David Kirchhoff, CEO of Weight
Watchers International asked Karen Miller-Kovach (Chief
Scientific Officer Weight Watchers International) a
simple question: "If the points system was going
to be developed today, instead of ten years ago, would
it be the same?" She answered, "No, it would
be very different because we know so much more now."
Kirchoff saw immediately that Weight Watchers had an
obligation to its members to provide the most up to
date weight loss program possible and that they were
falling behind.
What resulted from this realisation
were roughly four years of research and randomized clinical
trials focussed on how calories from protein, carbohydrates,
fiber, and fat provide satisfaction to a person while
eating as well as how these compounds are processed
by the body. From this research emerged a new Weight
Watchers program called PointsPlus (or Pro Points in
the UK). According to Weight Watchers the clinical studies
of the new program demonstrated: "an improvement
in behaviors that help people maintain weight loss and
a reduction in the desire to eat when there's no physical
hunger or need for food." After thurough study,
the new program has finally been released to the public.
This new Weight Watchers program still
uses a points based system but these points are calculated
much differently than with the old Momentum program.
The number of points that an individual can consume
is still calculated based upon height, weight, age and
sex but the foods that the points represent have changed
dramatically. Unlike the Weight Watchers Momentum plan,
PointsPlus calculates point values taking into consideration
protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. Particular
emphasis is placed on eating whole or unprocessed foods.
PointsPlus is much more considerate of the modern lifestyle
and includes guidance on how to succeed in the program
even with the stresses and demands placed on you by
children, work and temptation.
Most average Weight Watchers members
will see their daily points increase to somewhere around
29 but beware, the point values for some foods have
increased in kind. Weight Watchers has also added 49
extra "real living points" to be used for
special occasions like a special nights out or a birthday
party at work. Of course, these points disappear if
they are not used. Probably the most popular change
is that now all fruits have a zero point value. Low
starch vegetables are also zero points. This change
in point value is in recognition of the holistic importance
of eating unrefined whole foods and foods that are low
in starch.
PointsPlus addresses the problem of
"feeling full" by encouraging members to eat
more proteins and fiber. These foods take longer to
digest and provide that feeling of being full for a
much longer time. This is very important when you are
trying to lose weight and fight temptation to over-eat.
Weight Watchers has also integrated
an award system for physical activity. Activity points
are added for members who exercise as part of their
weight loss program.
To cap off the modernization of the
Weight Watchers program, they have recently released
smart phone applications for both iPhone and Droid users.
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