Weight Watchers Canada

 

Weight Watchers Canada is a commercial weight loss program that focuses on balanced low fat nutrition, exercise and group counseling. It is virtually identical to the American version, but it utilizes a Canadian website as its main organizational artery.

Its latest diet creation is called "TurnAround" and is based on its previous successful plans. The dieter has the choice of the points-based plan ("Flex Plan") or their new "Core Plan," which focuses simply on eating a healthy combination of foods without counting points or calories. On the points-based plan, every item of food from pizza to ice cream to carrots to bread has a points value based on its nutritional content. You may eat as you like as long as you stay within your daily allotment of points for specific foods. You are assisted by a points "calculator" and recipes provided by Weight Watchers Canada. To assist the dieter in their lifestyle changes, all members are encouraged to attend group discussion and counseling sessions, mostly in person, at centers in your local province. An online option is offered as well.

Although the Weight Watchers Canada programs are excellent, they rely too heavily on gimmicks. The points plan does this by allowing calories that should be consumed on healthy food with very small portions of potentially unhealthy food. This strategy gives the dieter a false sense of the real nutritional changes they need to make in their lives for long-term success. The program also does not put a priority on exercise which is the most important aspect of long term success. The benefit of group therapy is also in question as it probably doesn't help in learning to be self-reliant and disciplined in regards to lifestyle changes.

But Weight Watchers Canada is one of the good guys in this industry full of scam artists and "experts." It is the place to go if you feel you need face-to-face support. The program is offered by a local Weight Watchers Canada center or online for the cost of C$61.90 dollars for the first month and C$21.95 for each additional month. There is a discount for long-term memberships. Meetings are often extra. The program is a great choice, but if you are interested in the online route, our favorite program eDiets is similar in focus without the gimmicks and inconvenient counseling sessions.