Weight Watchers Online Vs. In-person Meetings

Disclaimer: The team of Weight Watchers keeps updating the program, according to the requirements/feedback of their members. The program has been updated many times, the latest one being the Weight Watchers 360° program, which was unveiled on the 3rd of December, 2012. The program teaches members how to manage their food environment, claiming that we tend to eat what we see. It also guides people on ways to control their temptation, and to avoid pleasure eating. Weight Watchers has not increased their rates for this new approach, and all the meetings, eTools, and apps are included in the total fee. The details of the current program are exclusively available to the paid members of Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers is an international program that concentrates on helping people lose weight and provide healthy dieting products. The program's philosophy is simple enough to understand. You eat smart, make the right food and lifestyle choices, get proper physical workout, and have the support from the program itself. Many times, when people think about losing weight, they can get a bit scared or skeptical as to how it can happen without the proper guidance and support. Not everyone has the right mindset to lose a considerable amount of weight and that become an issue for some. Which is why, it is one such program where you not only get the support but are also shown the right approach.

Once you join the program, instantly you are considered a member. There are two ways a member can introduce and work on the program―WW online vs meetings.; WW online vs. in-person meetings. But before you can make that decision, understanding this diet program is necessary. So why don't we see what these two techniques are.

The WW Program Details
WW online or attending the meetings? As a member, knowing what the right course of action is can be tough. Even though both the techniques of this program are ideal, in the end, only one of them can be chosen for yourself. And instead of basing what other people are doing or saying about the program, make the decision on your own; because in the end, you are the one who has to follow the program, not anyone else.

In-person Meetings
When you join the program, you have the option of becoming a lifetime member. After your ideal weight goal has been reached, you enter a phase called the 'maintenance period'. During this time, which is about 6 weeks, you will be asked to increase your food intake. Now the condition is that you can't lose or gain any more weight than your target weight. During the meetings, you will be asked to weigh yourself at least once a month. During these weigh-ins, if your weight is 2 lbs. more than your ideal weight, you will have to pay a weekly fee for the meeting. But if the weight is right, you get to attend the meetings free of cost.

The meetings are held locally by the organization so that the members don't have to travel far to attend them. Also, when you go for these regular meetings, you get to share your personal experiences as to how you challenged yourself to lose weight, what were some of the difficulties (if any), and also learn about other people's stories as well. When you know that other people are going through the same things as you are or have, the entire ordeal becomes much more simple to handle.

Online-only Program
Unlike the lifetime membership status that the in-person meetings method gives you, online program is slightly different. First of all, you don't get to be a lifetime member when you are following the online program. So how does WW work? Simple. There is a message board provided that the members take the opportunity to post advice, support, and words of encouragement. This message board support system is free of cost to members and for the public (you). One of the drawbacks to the online program is that you don't get to learn or follow the Points System or PointsPlus values for various foods.

In the race of WW online vs meetings, there is another program which the members of this program can utilize. It's called Weight Watchers' eTools. This is an online service especially designed for members which gives them the necessary support information and tracking tools. If you wish to make use of this service, there is a fee which needs to be paid as you go further in the program.

The Verdict

Quite frankly, both the program techniques are helpful and claim to give you desired results. But when you really have to sit down make the decision, it all depends on your will power and the right determination. In actuality, when you have a considerable amount of weight to be lost, our mind can be a tricky thing to control. When hunger pangs and the desire to eat chocolate cakes and junk foods keep crawling inside our heads, it's difficult to pick up a fruit and munch on it. Am I right? Which is why, personally I believe that when you attend in-person meetings, you get to witness others just like yourself, going through the same experiences. This makes a huge difference when you are trying to lose weight and somehow, you can find the much required push and dedication.

So, how to choose between the two programs? Simple. Listen to your heart and your mind. You know yourself more than anyone else around. If you feel that in a day or two, you begin to get demotivated and can't find the courage to stay on the goal, then attend the in-person meetings. You can make new friends, talk to them about your weaknesses (when it comes to food), and how you can improve and strengthen your will power. On the other hand, if you're confident enough that you can discipline yourself in such a way that you can set an ideal weight loss goal for yourself and stick to it, then opt for the online program. Regardless of your choice, remember to follow the guidelines set by the program and not to divulge from it.

What kind of Weight Watcher are you? With the information provided to you in the article, now the decision is up to you which to select. To make the final decision, ask yourselves this question, "If you happen to choose this weight loss program, how will you let the program change your life for the better?" You will surely find the answer you're searching for.

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