Weight Watchers: focus on Health or Weight?

This week I want to discuss my issues with Weight Watchers and their products.Why are Weight Watchers a go to source for weight loss information?Why do Weight Watchers guide you to eat their own products?What does Weight Watchers teach us?The Weight Watcher diet plan is based around calorie restriction and portion control; with every meal you eat being awarded pro points. I don't think this is a bad thing as the fundamental rule of weight loss is establishing an energy deficit to loose "weight". However, weight loss does not simply equate necessarily to fat loss.Weight Watchers have established themselves as the industry experts in weight loss through getting results in the short term and marketing themselves very well. Most people who go to Weight Watchers will lose weight in the short term but in the long run are likely to regain the weight previously lost. The reason for this being they are fed up with counting points. This is the same reason why the majority of people do not achieve sustainable long-term weight loss. If your diet is reliant on counting calories or points what are you learning about good nutrition? Any nutrition plan should be based on whole natural foods, which have been minimally processed and only when this is achieved should calories be looked at.Weight Watchers don't educate their members about how to make their diets sustainable and what the next steps after Weight Watchers should look like. I constantly make sure with my own clients and whoever I talk to about nutrition to make sure that their current nutritional plan is sustainable. If you can't see yourself eating like you currently are in 5-6 years time then what they are doing is not sustainable and they are most likely to relapse into old habits.I always believe that your diet needs to be as simple and as unprocessed as possible with the exception of a few meals during the week (I like to follow the 10% crap:90% healthy ratio). The majority of the Weight Watcher items that I have been exposed to are either microwave meals or meals out of a packet. You may use the excuse of "I have no time to make my own meals" or that the weight watcher meals are convenient. This week I have been using Jamie's 15-minute meals and although I am certain some of them are impossible to do in 15 minutes, it does show you how quick and easy it can be to make fresh and healthy meals in a short space of time.So this week leave the Weight Watchers (and similar ideas) on the shelf and choose something that is going to nourish your body, make it something fresh and simple based on a 50% vegetables: 25% protein: and 25% carbohydrates ratio. And please make it something you enjoy; healthy food does not have to be miserable. Have a great week,Tom www.bear-drills.comFacebook: bear drills fitnessInstagram: bear_drillsTwitter: @bear_drills