Weight Watchers is a very popular plan for losing weight, and for good reason! The program has helped millions of people lose weight since it began in 1963.
The points-based program is a simple way to shed extra weight and keep it off. But some people still struggle to stick to the plan, especially in the beginning.
To ensure you lose those extra pounds while on the program, consider these eight steps to take to be successful on Weight Watchers.
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Have a Plan
Meal planning may be boring and time-consuming, but it’s the key to being successful on Weight Watchers.
Not only will planning your meals and snacks help you make healthier choices throughout the day, but it will also make keeping track of your daily points much easier.
Take a little time on the weekend to plan out your meals and snacks for the week, then calculate the points for each item to make sure you stay within your daily points limit. After that, make a grocery list for those meals. And be sure to stick to the list to avoid purchasing tempting items that may make you go off track.
Make the Most of Zero Point Foods
The Weight Watchers Freestyle plan has a huge list of zero point foods, making it simple to fill up without using any points at all.
The zero points list features lots of protein-packed options, like eggs and lean meats, in addition to healthy choices like most fruits and vegetables.
To be successful on Weight Watchers, it’s important to take these zero point foods into consideration as you plan your meals and snacks. Creating a menu based on zero point foods will allow you to have larger, more fulfilling meals that will keep you satisfied for a longer period of time.
Make Healthy Cooking Swaps
Being able to cook healthy meals for yourself is essential while on Weight Watchers. One of the easiest ways to ensure your meals are healthy is to learn how to make simple swaps for common ingredients as you cook.
There are a variety of ways to make your meals healthier by using Weight Watchers-approved ingredients while you cook. Here are a few cooking swaps to consider:
- Lean meat (chicken, fish, or turkey) for high-fat meat (beef and pork)
- Broth for cream in sauces OR
- Evaporated skim milk in place of heavy cream
- Nonfat Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or mayonnaise
- Applesauce in place of oil when baking
- Cooking spray in place of oil when cooking
- Cauliflower rice in place of regular rice
- Zucchini noodles in place of pasta
Drink Lots of Water
Water is essential on any healthy eating plan and Weight Watchers is no exception.
In addition to keeping you hydrated throughout the day, drinking lots of water will also trick your mind into thinking your belly is full. Which means you’ll be less likely to give in to cravings as the day goes on.
Reward Yourself with Roll-Over Points
One of the best parts about Weight Watchers is that you’re still allowed to have your favorite treats – as long as you eat them in moderation.
The Freestyle plan is great for rewarding yourself for a job well done because you can roll-over up to four unused points each day. One great way to enjoy your guilty pleasures is by banking up your roll-over points and using them to indulge once in a while.
If you roll-over the maximum number of unused points each week, you’ll end up with 28 extra points you can use to satisfy a craving.
Earn Points for Exercise
While you may lose weight by simply following the Weight Watchers plan, adding in regular activity can help you lose even more.
On top of speeding up your weight loss while on the program, regular exercise also makes you feel better! And Weight Watchers rewards you for daily activity by giving you extra points each time you work out.
Be Honest With Yourself
Holding yourself accountable for every single thing you eat throughout the day can be difficult. But to truly be successful on Weight Watchers, you have to be honest with yourself each time you calculate your points.
If you underestimate your portion size or skip calculating a snack, the only person you’re hurting is yourself!
Don’t Do It Alone
Weight Watchers started out as a way for dieters to lose weight with the help of a support system through monthly meetings. And while you can still attend Weight Watchers meetings, the online plan is also a popular option.
If you’re choosing to skip the regular meetings, consider joining the program with a friend or join an online support group to have more accountability and someone to talk to when you’re struggling to stick to the plan.
Before you go…
Losing weight is never easy, but if you truly stick with it, you’re going to find yourself shedding those pesky pounds that you’ve packed on.
