Weight Watchers TurnAround Program (Core / Flex Plans)

Pros: A couple more points on the Flex Plan; no point counting on the Core Plan.
Cons: The Core Plan requires discipline; tendency to eat junk with the Flex Plan.

I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. For me eating anything I want works. When we came back from our vacation two summers ago I had gained weight. So back I went to a meeting and much to my surprise the point system had changed. Weight Watchers now ...

Pros: No special food to buy, promotes healthy choices
Cons: Easy to try and fool the system, can be tough to make permanent changes

I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I tried a variety of diets on and off since high school. Finally, with my wedding approaching I decide to try Weight Watchers. That was 7 years ago and this is my journey. The Basics ...

Pros: Shakes up the old program and does away with some of the points counting.
Cons: Did not excite me. Does not really address overeating issues.

I’ve admitted before to being a diet junkie. Since having children and large pregnancies, I’ve found that weight is a bit more difficult to lose. No longer can I simply cut out a few calories each day and lose weight. Now, I need to focus and I need to ...

Pros: even more flexibility, can avoid journaling, counting & measuring if you like! Real food!!
Cons: depends on who you are

**I am updating this review in 2008 to be sure it is up to date. Weight Watchers still works wonders. The few rough patches I've had were all me & I can always get back on track. My weight has stayed down & I can't thank Weight Watchers enough for ...

Pros: Health-conscious; wide variety; flexible; can cook for your family without giving them diet food
Cons: Dieters can go overboard if not careful; website needs improvement

I love the Core/No Counting program. I'm on it to lose my post-pregnancy weight, and have found it to be a nutrition-focused, flexible way to keep me on track. Core's premise ensures that the majority of the foods you eat are nutrient-dense, while ...

Pros: never hungry, focus on healthier foods, less of a focus on tracking
Cons: misleading advertising: you still have to track, must plan ahead

Weight Watchers has introduced a new program called Turnaround. Besides the traditional flexpoints plan, Turnaround includes an alternative approach called the No Counting plan. Both approaches are designed to promote healthy and gradual weight loss. ...

Pros: Weight Watchers is for life, not for the short term.
Cons: None that I have found.

I have always lost and gained weight. When I did lose, I never was able to keep it off. I joined Weight Watchers last September (2005) and have lost a bit over 42 pounds. It's the best place to be! I have gone from a size 20 to a size 12 (and they ...

Pros: encoraging weekly weigh in and advice
Cons: none

Lost 25lbs in 12 weeks.
Excellent to get in ont hat scale every week and see the results. Food is workable as you can allow ceratin things you love and not feel deprived.
Go FOR IT

Pros: Points, weight Watchers dessert, on line access, you can still drink alcohol!
Cons: The quantity you can eat of certain foods is very restricted.

I have tried different weight loss programmes before but this is the only only one that has worked for me. Counting points enabled me to cut down on the quantity I was eating without having to cut out very many foods I enjoy. Also I could still drink alcohol with friends at the weekend. You can save points for special ocassions or a meal out. I also love the weight Watchers desserts.

Pros: It works long term and I don't have to track points.
Cons: Nothing!

I started this program in April 2005 after asking a friend how she was losing weight. I tried it and LOVE it. I don't feel deprived. My total weight loss is 54 pounds and I have successfully maintained (within a 5 pound range) for 9 months now. No other "diet" has ever worked for me. I didn't want to go to meetings so I did it all online. I love using their tools.

Pros: Easy to understand. Simple planning.
Cons: Learning the exchange values

I grew up in a home where food was a reward and comfort. My mother was a dietician and knew we were not on the right track nutritionally. She brought home the Weight Watchers program when I was only 15 years old. This helped my family and I to learn the importance of balancing our daily food intake. To this day,as a mother of three,I have retained an invaluable lesson through what this program teaches about nutrition.

Pros: Caring staff, fun exercises and meetings
Cons: "Bookkeeping" connected with the flex plan (but it worked)

I have been able to lose about 35 pounds in approximately three months, which is a bit faster than Weight Watchers likes it to go; but I had a note from my doctor saying it was OK. I have new respect for Weight Watchers for requiring me to consult my doctor on this subject before letting me proceed. My doctor, in turn, says that Weight Watchers is the only weight loss plan of which he approves because Weight Watchers encourages eating at least a little from each food group each day and because Weight Watchers combines diet with exercise. (Neither my doctor nor I has any financial or professional connection with Weight Watchers.) I am now in a six-week maintenance program that, if successfully completed, will make me a lifetime member. I have never felt any sense of deprivation in either the weight-loss period or the maintenance period, perhaps because I have learned to change some of my habits and attitudes while in the program.

Pros: No more counting points.
Cons: Your limited to a strict list of foods.

In my opinion, I prefer the CORE program to the Flex program. While I'd admit, the CORE program is not for everyone it works for me. I am a former Atkins follower and eating all that high fat food got old really fast, which made the program hard to follow for long periods of time. The CORE program does limit the types of foods that you can eat, but what I like about CORE is that the foods are foods that are healthy.

However, like everyone else I enjoy sweets and treats from time to time. I have 35 points a week for such splurges. Not to mention the activity points that earn. Over all I feel it is a well rounded program and I am very happy with it.

Pros: Health
Cons: Requires a desire for good health, not a fast fix, to be effective

Although I can agree with the previous reviewers' basic explanation of Weight Watcher's Core Plan, I feel that it's necessary to say that this is NOT A LOW CARB DIET!!! The Core Plan does strive to eliminate refined and overly processed carbohydrates (white flour and sugar), but it encourages healthy carbs (whole grains and fruits). The sole purpose of Core is to encourage healthy eating patterns that one can stick with for life, not some quick fix diet to help you drop ten pounds for that wedding or class reunion coming up next month. If you want fast, temporary weight loss, try Adkins. If you want to become healthier, go Core.