Weight Watchers Online Reviewer's Comments

Weight Watchers is one of the most respected names in the weight loss industry. Unfortunately, the more basic tools provided by Weight Watchers online pales in comparison to some of our higher ranked products. They do not offer custom meal plans, shopping lists or exercise programs. Weight Watchers does encourage exercise; however, their online program only provides a few tips and articles about exercise programs and regimens.

Food:  

One very beneficial tool is “Weight Watchers On–the–Go” this is a program that can be downloaded to a portable handheld device, which allows you to track your points and look up restaurant guides without being at your computer. The online program also offers recipes for the points and core programs, as well as restaurant guides and cooking guides.

They offer two plan options; their original “Points Tracker”, also known as the “Flex Plan”, which allows you to eat just about anything you want as long as you stay within your allotted points for that day and the “Core Plan”, which is a traditional diet program that encourages you to eat healthy food without counting points. Weight Watchers’ main focus is on the food you eat. Since they avoid the calorie counting system, you can get away with having a few sweets here and there. The diet makes you feel in control.

Excerise:  

The Weight Watchers program highly encourages all members to exercise. The Fitness and Health section provides tips, stories and news about fitness and working out. It helps you understand the importance of fitness, but they they do not help you create custom workout regiments like our higher ranked services.

Community:  

Weight Watchers has always been about support and community. The support you would get from going to weekly meetings has been carried over to their Internet program. The strongest aspects of Weight Watchers online are the message boards, which allow you to swap recipes and get to know other dieters in your area.

Additional Tools:  

One of the best tools offered by Weight Watchers Online is the ability to access account through your portable phone or PDA. using their “On-the-Go” program. Weight Watchers Online does include a weight tracker and BMI calculator, but we were surprised they didn’t include a daily journal or shopping lists.

Ease of Use/Support:  

We found this service friendly and easy to use. However, like many other online diet services, they do not provide you with much access to the website and features without signing up for a membership first.

Summary:  

The Weight Watchers online service is not a bad program, but it is probably better when used in conjunction with their traditional program that involves weekly meetings in your local area.

The initial cost of Weight Watchers online is $16.95 a month, but there is a $29.95 start up fee. You can choose to follow the plan month by month or for a three–month program. The three–month program is $65.00 plus the start up fee.