Does WW (Weight Watchers) Work?

Richard J Yun
Dec 12, 2019
3 min read

What is WW

WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers is a commercial diet and comprehensive program for weight loss based on a point system, meals replacement and counselling. It is a leader in the commercial diet industry.

This diet produces weight loss comparable to other diets supervised by a nutrition professional.

In 2018, Weight Watchers was ranked 1st in "Best commercial diet", "Best Weight-Loss Diets" and "Best Fast Weight-Loss Diets" and 2nd in "Easiest Diets to Follow".

On it's website it claims that WW is the #1 Doctor Recommended Weight Loss Program*

WW Program Details

Unlike other diet methods, you get to eat what you want, though the program steers you toward healthier foods with a new color-coded system that designates foods as ZeroPoint foods. Your SmartPoints budget is then adjusted accordingly so that the fewer ZeroPoint foods you have to choose from, the larger your SmartPoints budget, and vice versa.

There are three options in the myWW program, each based on a certain color. In the green plan, you can choose from over 100 ZeroPoint foods with a large SmartPoints budget to spend on other foods. If you’re following the blue plan, formerly known as WW Freestyle, you’ll build meals around over 200 ZeroPoint foods and a more modest SmartPoints budget than the green plan. Meanwhile, the purple plan consists of over 300 ZeroPoint foods and the smallest SmartPoints budget. (Webmd)

You’ll then follow the program via the WW app where you can track everything from your SmartPoints budget to your daily meals, and even build your community. You’ll be guided not only on what to eat but how to move, too. Should you desire, you can add one-on-one meetings and personal coaching.

Even with the launch of myWW, these plans still aren’t a diet as much as they are a lifestyle-change program. Each plan, after all, includes just-for-you recipes, activity suggestions, and science-backed mind-set skills to help you lock in behavior and lifestyle changes. (Webmd)

WW Cost

Cost. There are three ways you can follow myWW, all of which require a starter fee of $20 to join (taxes vary by state). Subscribe to the digital content for $19.95 a month (which includes access to the Weight Watchers app and 24/7 chat with a live WW coach).

For $44.95 per month (or $14-$15 per week if you’d rather pay as you go), you can choose the workshop option, which gives you access to the app plus unlimited in-person workshops. There’s also a personal coaching option for $54.95 per month, which includes one-on-one support with a coach and access to the app.

Does WW Work?

WW is one of the most well-researched weight loss programs available. And yes, it works.

Many studies have shown that the plan can help you lose weight and keep it off.

For instance, a study from The American Journal of Medicine showed that people doing WW lost more weight than those trying to drop pounds on their own.

WW ranked first both for “Best Weight Loss Diet” and for “Best Commercial Diet Plan” in the 2019 rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

Overall, it's an excellent, personalized program that focuses on wellness and building healthy habits. Weight loss is just a part of it. The WW program meets you where you are on your journey and helps you create a community of support. (WebMd)