Tips on Using Your Weight Watchers Points

Weight Watchers is a great plan for people who need a little help getting started when it comes to getting healthy. The plan relies on the use of points, which are designed to help you lose weight and get fit. However, it’s a little bit difficult to understand if you’re not already familiar with the plan. Here is a simple overview with a few tips and tricks designed to help you use your Weight Watcher points.

How Points Work

Weight Watcher points are the value of each food you consume. Every food is counted differently in terms of points, and every person has a different allotment of points each day. For example, you will look at the nutritional information on each food you consume and enter that into a specialize calculator that will determine the number of points you are using. This is based on your weight. To figure out your daily point allotment, you will use your weight.

Less than 150 lbs –  20 points
150-174 lbs – 22 points
175-199 lbs – 24 points….and so on
You will add two points for every 25 lbs. you weigh.

Exercise for Extra Points

You don’t have to deprive yourself of happiness and fun just because you’re using Weight Watcher points. You can exercise and get fit to earn more points. For example, the more you exercise, the more points you can consume without guilt. If you have a special occasion (anniversary, vacation, birthday party) coming up, you might want to exercise and earn some extra points to help you indulge a little without guilt. You’ll need the activity calculator to determine your extra points.

Download the Calculator

The PointsPlus calculator from Weight Watchers is going to become your new best friend with this diet. You’re going to need it to figure your daily points when you eat. While some foods flat list the points on the Weight Watchers plan, others don’t, and this calculator is going to help you make this much simpler.

Snack Right

The best way to eat is to include as many fruits and vegetables into your diet as possible. Why? Because they’re not only healthy and good for you; they’re also 0 points. You can eat as many carrots and piece of cantaloupe as you want throughout the day without worrying about your points going out the window.

Keep a Notebook

The best way to succeed on this diet is to keep a food journal. Write down everything you eat, even if it’s just one M&M from the bag your kids are consuming in the back seat. Write it down. Make it a habit. It helps you keep track of your points, and it helps you keep track of your accountability when it’s time to figure out how you can lose more weight or why you’re not losing what you thought you would.

(Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)