What to Expect When You Start Weight Watchers

Did you recently join the new Weight Watchers program or are you considering joining? Here’s a helpful explanation of what you can expect when you start Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers Success

I’ve participated in Weight Watchers for many years, both attending in-person meetings and using the online program. In fact, I lost most of my 100 lb weight loss as a Weight Watchers member, so I totally believe in the program. You can find weight loss success!

Sara “before” picture

My “after” picture. 100 lbs lighter and feeling great at the end of a 3 day cycling event in the Colorado mountains.

See more: 100 lb Weight Loss: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ),

What to Expect When You Start Weight Watchers

As a Weight Watchers Member, these are things you can expect as a standard part of the program no matter where you participate.

Meetings

If you signed up for in-person meetings, you can expect tons of support.

Meetings are a great way to be held accountable with weekly weigh-ins and chats with other members about what you’re doing right, what you may be struggling with, and more. Being able to meet up with like-minded individuals is priceless. You will find many will become your friends, too.

When you go to your first meeting, you may be nervous, but don’t be. Many of the members have been at it for a long time and even though they’re Lifetimers, they still go to the meetings to make friends and stay accountable.

Your group leader will be an amazing resource if you have any questions at all, as will other group members. If for some reason you do not like the meeting or the members, there are usually a few Weight Watchers meeting options within driving distance.

After the weigh in, there will be a 30 minute meeting where the leader discusses a topic as well as hands out charms for people who reach certain weight loss goals.

Weigh Ins

At each meeting, you will weigh in. Weigh ins can be a bit nerve wracking but they typically take place in a private location so the only people who know your weight are you and the leader. All Weight Watchers leaders start as members, so they understand the joys and struggles of facing the scale.

If you are participating online, you will choose a day each week to weigh in at home and record your weight. Make sure you have a good scale that is relatively accurate.

Some people choose to weigh in daily at home, but I find the ups and downs give me too much anxiety. Once a week is the right amount for most people.

Online support is available.

If you signed up for online only, you will find all the information you need on the Weight Watchers website.

You can use free Facebook groups in place of meetings while still getting the support you need. Search “Weight Watchers” on Facebook and many groups will come up. Online Weight Watchers is great for those who do not have time for in-person meetings due to schedule conflicts. You can browse the group at your own pace, on your own time, and not worry about missing work or kids’ activities because of it.

The downside to online meetings is that they don’t have official weigh-ins like in-person meetings do. However, some groups do have weekly chats, which are extremely helpful.

You won’t be hungry.

Usually when you start a diet, you feel super hungry, right?

Weight Watchers isn’t a diet, and you won’t be hungry! There are 200+ zero point foods that can keep you full without you going over your points.

You can eat basically any food you want, with moderation. Be sure to check this post for Weight Watchers food finds. These ideas are foods that are low in points but still feel like a splurge. Some of my favorites are Premier Protein (which I use for coffee creamer), Kodiak baking mix (high in protein and great for things like mug cakes and pancakes), and PB2, a powdered peanut butter to use in place of peanut butter.

I’m also a big fan of using your Instant Pot for healthy cooking: How to Lose Weight with Your Instant Pot

Premier Protein 30g Protein Shakes, Variety Pack (Pack of 12)Kodiak Mix Pancake High Protein, 20 oz PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Bundle, 16 oz (Pack of 2)Instant Pot DUO Plus 6 Qt 9-in-1 Multi- Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Egg Cooker, Sauté, Steamer, Warmer, and Sterilizer

Improved digestion.

While improved digestion may not happen for everyone, you’re naturally going to be eating more fibrous fruits and vegetables when you start Weight Watchers because they are zero point foods. When you increase your fiber and water intake, your digestion will improve.

Other positive side effects of improved digestion can include a happier mood and outlook, and clearer skin.

Exercise optional.

Exercise is important to any healthy lifestyle, so I’m not in any way saying you should skip exercise.

But unlike with many weight loss programs, with Weight Watchers you can lose weight without killing yourself at the gym every day. If you follow the recommendation for your daily points allowance, expect to lose weight.

However, it’s still important to add activity to speed weight loss and for the many health benefits. There are many ways to get exercise without going to the gym. If you have a FitBit, starting by working up to getting 10,000 steps each day. This is a great way to jumpstart your weight loss.

Working out at home – either on a treadmill or with bodyweight exercises – can improve your strength, stamina, and increase the amount of weight you lose each week.

Exercise will also naturally increase the amount of water you consume, because you’ll be thirsty when you work out.

So while exercise isn’t required, it’s recommended, even if you’re just taking a few steps at a time. No exercise is too little or too big. The key is to get started.

See more: How to Exercise When You Don’t Feel Like It

It’s not a diet.

You will probably hear this a dozen times (or more!) as a Weight Watchers member.

Weight Watchers is not a diet.

Weight Watchers is a lifestyle and a program you can stick with for the rest of your life if you choose. There’s no counting calories, carbs, or macros so it’s easy to stay on track long-term. Tracking what you eat truly is as simple as scanning your food into the app, so you can do it from anywhere.

There are some Weight Watchers members that have been active with Weight Watchers since before most of us were alive, as a matter of fact. That is proof the program works and people love it.

Do you have any Weight Watchers tips? Leave them in the comments!