Weight Watchers is one of the leading weight loss products and fitness programs in the country. Established in the early 1960s, Weight Watchers has been a driving force ever since in the weight management industry. With a special line of food, diet programs and weekly meetings, Weight Watchers offers a full-service approach to losing weight.

The company started when founder Jean Nidetch started inviting her friends to her home in Queens, NY once a week to discuss ways to lose weight. From there, that group grew to the millions of men and women worldwide who use this program to lose weight and stay healthy. Weight Watchers is not a short-term diet, it is a way of life for millions.

The Weight Watchers Plan
When you sign up as a Weight Watchers member, you can decide to manage your food intake in two ways. Their points program, also called the Flex Plan, offers a series of numeric points daily, valued differently for each food item, to maintain a pre-established daily caloric intake ideal for your weight-loss goals. ''Cheating'' is okay, as long as you don't go over your allotted points. The No-Counting program doesn't require you to count points, but you do have stricter guidelines on what you can eat. No cheating here!

Weekly meetings are required as a part of the full fitness program, as well as weigh-ins to monitor your progress. The company focuses on these meetings being helpful and supportive, not judgmental. All food regiments are monitored and supplemented by an exercise program. Weight Watchers advises all their clients to exercise at least three times a week for a sustained amount of time (it's different depending on the plan). If you exercise more and are on a Weight Watchers points food plan, you can gain points with more workout time.