Getting Started with Weight Watchers Simple Start
Hi, I’m Virginia and I’m and overeater.
I sometimes feel like I should go to AA. I guess Weight Watchers is my AA. Same support team; same ‘quit what you’re doing to make your life better’ kind of atmosphere.
I can’t lie, I love it.
I tried other weight loss programs, and schemed up ideas to loose weight fast, but nothing worked the way Weight Watchers has. I lost 70lb. and it felt awesome! I maintained that weight for two years… until I got lazy and started sitting in front of the computer 40 hours a week. Needless to say, the scales have started to creep back up. Not reeeeally bad, but I’m up nearly 20 since my last weigh-in in 2012.
So this past week I waltzed back into a meeting and stepped on the scale. To my surprise my weight loss leader still remembered my name and asked how my kiddos were. She hadn’t forgot how hard I worked, that was just the encouragement I needed to get back on track!
If you’ve never been to Weight Watchers it works on a points plus system where each food has a value based on 4 components- fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. But don’t worry, you don’t need to know how to decipher labels, there is a great points plus calculator to do the work for you. Plus, if you sign up for Weight Watchers Online e-tools you can get the calculator right on your smart phone!
Since attending back in 2011 they have rolled out a new program called Weight Watchers Simple Start. I like it, it takes some mental adjusting when you’re used to the old program but I’ve settled in quite nicely. The basis of this two week beginner program is to jump start your body into ‘diet plan’ mode. During this time you won’t have to calculate points. You can eat as much as you want, but they have to be power foods, meaning whole foods. Below is a list of foods that you can have during this 2 week start. In addition to the list, you have 49 (or 7 per day) free points you can use on whatever you like.
**The above list is recommendations, please attend a Weight Watchers meeting for the full plan.**
Here are my suggestions for getting started on Weight Watchers Simple Start:
- You will receive a Simple Start menu, USE IT. There are some great meal ideas, grocery-shopping list, snack ideas, and answers to common questions.
- Use a smaller dinner plate, and a smaller fork. Plate size has got out of hand these days, trick your brain and satisfy your stomach by using a 10” plate. By using a smaller fork it means less going in your mouth at a time, which leads to your meal lasting longer.
- You’re given 7 ‘cheat’ points a day, USE THEM. It doesn’t have to be on a chocolate bar, but you could have real butter, or extra sugar in your coffee. But by all means if you’re craving the chocolate bar, indulge a little. You can read all about my favorite weight watchers snack ideas here. Under eating on weight watchers is just as bad as over eating.
- Become good friends with fat free Greek Yogurt. There are so many flavours out there you’ll find one you love (I love coconut). It’s generally low in points and it’s a power house of protein. Plus you can use it for lots of other things like dip, and salad dressing.
- Drink LOTS of water. If you have a hard time remembering- fill a few water bottles in the morning, when they are gone you know you’re on track.
- If you’ve eaten not that long ago and find yourself going to the fridge, drink some water. Sometimes I find myself thirsty and not really hungry. Reach for a piece of fruit if you are actually hungry (I love frozen fruit when I need to mix it up).
- Prepare yourself for stumbling upon the kids Halloween/Easter/Birthday Party stash. Have lots of healthy alternatives on hand, so you can run from the bag.
- Exercise- this is where I fail at consistency. But when you pass these 2 weeks of simple start you will earn bonus food points for time spent exercising. Take the stairs, or add a hill to your already regular walking routine.
- Have someone else clean up from meal time. I am notorious for picking, cleaning up is just another opportunity for me to put more food in my mouth. It’s alright to leave food on your kids plate, just because they didn’t eat it, doesn’t mean you have to. Plus, what a better excuse to pass the buck?!
- Brush your teeth after a big meal. This might seem silly but it is my best trick because I won’t eat anything with toothpaste taste in my mouth. It will last long enough for you to forget that you want something sweet after a meal.
- Remember for these first weeks you don’t need to track or count points. You can eat as much as you want of the foods on the list above (Power Foods). However, you need to listen to your stomach to know when you’re full.
That concludes my ideas for getting started on Weight Watchers. I plan to be back with more ideas, it will hold me accountable if nothing else!
What do you think? Do you have any ideas to add to the list?
I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Check out these other Weight Watchers posts
Top Weight Watchers Snack Ideas
Thank you. I wish I could join WW but am unemployed and broke. I need to loose about 50 lbs and am frustrated. I love the smaller plate and smaller fork idea. I am lactose intolerant, do you have suggestions for a non dairy snack?
Hey Denise, I think just the same as AA realizing that you need to do something about it is the first step. Give the food suggestions a try that I mentioned in this post and you should be on the right track for the first couple weeks. I feel like I ate a tonne of food the first week, and I still managed to loose 4.6 lbs! There are loads of dairy free snack ideas- fruit salad, jello topped with berries, popcorn, veggies with salsa, plus any of the pre portioned 100 calorie snack packs are a good idea for portion control. Good luck, I’d love to hear if you give it a try.
I too am unemployed and need to lose about 60 to 80 pounds
This posting seems to have come at just the right time! I’ve lost 30 pounds on WW about 3 times and need to do it again. It’s so easy to get off the wagon, and WW is by far the best way to do it, as it really works if you stick with it! Thanks for the motivation!
Thanks for this, Virginia. This sounds like a great program for me!
Hi i have just joined ww online again as i have gained 1 1/2 stone after quiting smoking and being off work for two months after surgery. I couldnt excersise at all for the 2 months so comfort ate and gained the weight. Im now ready to shed this weight and i think im goong to try the simple start instead of pp as its a bit differant and mainly clean foods which is great. Thanx for the tips and comments it has inspired me and i will keep you posted on my progress x
So glad to hear you’re getting back on the program, please let me know how you make out!
I have been a Weight Watcher for many years, I went, lost weight, stopped going, gained weight, well you know the story. I too, started back, Jan. 8th., 2014, 16 weeks ago and I’m down 19.6 pounds. Weight Watchers is a wonder weight loss program, this time I will go, forever. LOL We have wonderful meetings and our leader and fellow Weight Watchers are such an encouragement. Best of luck to you, we’ll enjoy this journey together!!
The meetings are wonderful! I love the people that go to mind, such friendly faces and all so supportive… even if you spend the weekend with your face in a cheesecake they are there to help you back on track! Congrats on the weight loss thus far, keep up the good work! Thanks for reading!
Great tips! I need to pay attention – especially to the drinking more water and exercising tips! And I like the idea of having someone else clean up! 😉
I just re-joined Weight Watchers after trying to diet on my own and failing. I love the new Simple Start program! I’m finding it extremely easy to follow and never hungry. This is my first week on the plan and I feel successful, even before my first weigh in. The hardest part was to make that decision to walk through the door!
I totally agree Helen! The first step is the hardest… and remembering to track! Good luck, stick with it!
Hi, Shelley here. I also need to get back on track. Being disabled I am no able to get to the meetings. With joining online you need a credit card. Do you know of a way you can pay for 6 mths by debit, maybe at a meeting place?. but thank you for posting the 2 wk jump start. That really helps.
Hi Shelley, so glad you stopped by!There must be a way to submit payment, I’m not sure but you could call the 1-800 number and I’m sure they would be happy to help you out. The jump start is so easy, and you will loose a good chunk of weight to start out with, good luck!
You can sign up online with your debit card, I did it. Just know that every month you will have a draft coming out of your bank account for the monthly fee.
Good to know Ashley! Thanks for the tip!
I have the best friend ever who told me all about we and now we simple start. I lost 45 just by listening to her tell me all about the OLD wow and that worked awesome. That was 2 years ago. This last jan, 2014 I thought I was ok so I got complacent about watching what I ate, so here I am trying again. The simple start program sounds awesome, I lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks woohoo!. BUT I HAVE TO SAY, WRITE IT DOWN!!! Whatever you eat write it down, it is better than any teacher/ leader/ or meeting, especially if you can’t join. Try that faithfully even writing down water. Track it all and you will see where exactly you went wrong, day by day. I luv this site and good luck to all.
Write it down is definitely the key message! Keep up the good work, the program certainly pays off! You certainly sound like you’re on the right track!
Loved this very helpful starting tomorrow
Awesome! Best of luck with the program, I’m sure you’ll have success!
I started WW last Dec.
I started WW in Dec. for the last time. They don’t call it Simple Start now, but it is the same thing. I have trouble with drinking enough water and I quite drinking Soda’s. I don’t have the income to join but need to lose for my health, I am 65 and on SS so very fixed income. I started looking at it like it was a prescription that I desperately needed and have worked it into my budget. I am down 11 lb. and feeling better every day. I also got the active link to keep track of my sleep and activities. I have knee and back problems I also live in the country so can’t get to the gym. I enjoyed reading your and look forward to reading on a regular basis.
Thats great Gail that you are able to work it into your life. I had really terrible knee pain and my feet were always sore before I shed some weight, now I don’t think they have bothered me in a year! Keep up the good work! Thanks for following along
Virginia, I too have been to Weight Watchers before and lost. My last attempt with the new Points Plus left me discouraged. I don’t know if I didn’t understand the plan or what. I am 68 so not a young chick, but I know it works. Your posts have encouraged me to try again. Thanks for the info.
The plan is constantly changing as their research improves. I do believe it works, and glad to hear you’re not giving up!
Hi – I didn’t see anyone else mention this one minor thing about Simple Start or Simply Filling (past the first two weeks). You don’t eat ‘as much as you want’. You eat until you’re SATISFIED – not full or stuffed! The method works, but you have to eat slowly and recognize when to stop!
That is a really good point, Slowing down is half my problem. Recognizing your limit is hard to do, but eating right goes a long way in the battle. Good luck on the program!
I am a long time fan of WW. I first joined when I was 11 years old, almost 40 years ago?. I maintained my weight loss through the birth of my first child. I have been on a roller coaster of diets for the past 20+ years, but always come back to WW. If you commit to the lifestyle it does work. I prefer to look at it as a lifestyle instead of a diet. If you can’t afford to join, just try to follow the guidelines and try the recipes. The recipes are wonderful and if you have kids, they will never know the difference.
Found your post on Pinterest. I am currently trying to follow WW online but really miss the weekly meetings. I live in Dubai and WW doesn’t exist here. Your post has inspired me to focus again. Thank you.
I’m glad it could help you out Lesley. Wish you all the best
Thanks! Maybe your “pointers” will be what I need- I also did WW years ago & lost ALOTTA wt—- kinda unsure how or why I got away from it- because if I’m in WT LOSS MODE- I can look at foods & remember it’s “X” points literally I got good at calculating them in my head- (yes I checked them periodically if I 2nd guessed but usually if anything I charged myself ‘1-2’ points more!
LOL- I went when CARROTS were still a free food & POTATOES were NOT!!!!! Haha thanks again I needed this kinda GOOD WT LOSS MEMORY today to kick me in the butt!?
Thank you so much for the information you have provided above. My husband and I are beginning a Weight Watchers program within the next week for the first time. You have given a succinct write-up on what we can expect. Looking forward to going through this journey together. Thanks again!
can you have bread wiith simple foods?
you can have bread, you just need to factor it into your daily menu
Thank you for the tips. I hope to read more in the future.
Is this the freestyle program?