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What Is the Weight Watchers Core Program?

Weight Watchers was founded in the early 1960s by Jean Nidetch. It all began when she formed a group of friends to meet at her home once a week to discuss the best methods for weight loss. That group has since expanded to a world-wide company offering weight loss services to more than a million people. The "Core" plan (now called the "Momentum Program") was rolled out to offer increased flexibility and choices.

  1. The Concept

    • Founded on the premise that dieting is only one piece of the larger puzzle for successful long-term weight loss, Weight Watchers helps members to explore ways to adopt a healthy lifestyle (improving physical health along with mental and emotional heath). Advice, encouragement and tracking success are part of the formula that has stood the test of time and helped many overweight people learn more about proper nutrition and exercise.

    The Plan

    • Weight Watchers offers choices for those looking to lose weight. One plan, the "Points Plan," allots dieters a specific number of "points" per day. All foods are assigned a corresponding "points" value. The other plan, the Momentum program (formerly referred to as the "Core" plan) designates a specific group of nutrient-dense foods that can be eaten without having to keep track of points. Anything not on the approved list will detract from a set amount of "points" that you have on reserve.

    "Core" Goals

    • The goal of the "Core" plan is to encourage members to eat healthy, wholesome, nutritious foods that will satisfy hunger and encourage smart food choices. Additionally, this is the perfect time to learn how to eat proper portions. There are three rules that must be followed. First, eat as much of the core foods as necessary to feel satisfied. Second, if you want anything that is not on the core food list, you must use your weekly allowance of points. Third, strive for eating plenty of veggies and fruit; choose whole-grains over processed carbohydrates; include healthy oils each day (like olive oil, flaxseed oil or sunflower oil); limit sugar and alcohol and drink plenty of water.

    What Is Allowed?

    • Core foods are from all food groups and include vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned), fruits (fresh, frozen, or canned), broth-based soups (no creamy ones), whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, potatoes, grains, high-fiber cereal, lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fat-free milk and milk products, healthy oils, coffee, sugar-free beverages and condiments (like soy sauce, salsa, mustard, vinegar and hot sauce). The idea is to eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied.

    How Do I Get Started?

    • You can go to meetings in your town or sign up for online access. The Momentum Program ("Core" Plan) is designed to get you making healthy choices, start moving and exercising and living a healthier life. Weight Watchers has been around for more than 40 years with a successful track record. If you think that this sounds like something that would work for you, visit the Weight Watchers website to learn more.

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