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Page 1 of 2 I recently joined Weight Watchers® again. I’ve had great success with this program in the past and was able to successfully keep the weight off. But over the past year, the weight has slowly been creeping back on. It’s only been a couple pounds here and there, but with my 5’2” stature, even just a few can be easily noticed. The wonderful thing about Weight Watchers® is that it’s not as much a diet program as it is a lifestyle change. Yes, you are tracking your food intake throughout the day. But the bonus is that you are free to eat whatever you want, as long as you stay within your allotted point limit. It teaches you to make smart food choices and get really creative doing it.
The program is constantly evolving. So when I joined this time, I was thrilled to see that it has placed even more emphasis on the important role that fitness plays in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition to each food being assigned a point value (eg. an apple = 1, a cup of pasta = 4 BUT a cup of whole wheat pasta = 3), activity is now measured in points as well. Points that I win back! Using a handy-dandy slide card, I can easily calculate that if I do 40 minutes of high intensity exercise (my Spin class, for example), I’ve just won back 4 points! An hour walk with my co-worker during lunch, and 2 points have just been knocked off! Many people enjoy the Weight Watchers® program because they equate it to a fun game. And now more than ever, it’s easier to “win” this game. Went a little overboard at dinner? Just hit the treadmill for a little longer that evening. Don’t want to miss out on your aunt’s baked ziti, which only makes its appearance once a year? Work out harder, and win back 5 points to happily feast on all that ooey-gooey cheesy goodness. Dont get me wrong. I am not an advocate of eating whatever you want, whenever you want. Because let’s face it. Some foods are so weighed down with sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and fat that if you make them a regular part of your diet, you’re going to increase your risk of some serious health problems. But what I AM saying is that life is short. And it would be a darn shame for you to have to turn down your favorite dish every single time. Therefore, this new addition to the Weight Watchers® program serves as an incredible tool. It allows me to eat what I like (within limits), but still stay on track. Ah, the perfect balance. Which reminds me…I’m late for my yoga class. 3 activity points. Nice.
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