So the short answer to “Should I eat my weekly points?” is yes, you should (can) eat your weekly points! They are there for you to utilize and to help keep you on track without feeling deprived. Weeklies can help keep you motivated and in the habit of counting the points, even when you are “splurging”. They also give you a “cushion” so you can have a little extra here and there and still lose inches. Weight Watchers is a lifestyle, not a crash diet, so you've gotta keep the long-term game in mind. This may mean utilizing your weeklies so you don't feel like you're starving.
Should I Eat My Weight Watchers Weekly Points?
Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. — Tony Robbins
Exercising on Weight Watchers
The amount of exercise you get – along with your point and water intake – is directly proportional to the amount of weight loss you'll experience. In other words, the more you move your body, the more calories your body needs to maintain a certain weight. So with more consistent exercise, you can eat your weekly points and still lose weight.
Most people can lose weight while eating their weeklies, and though there are exceptions to this rule, they're few and far between. To lose weight while using your weekly points, you have to move more! Exercise more, drink more water, and keep your zero point foods in check to keep the balance of burning more calories than you are taking in. Calories in calories out, it is a balance thing.
Maintaining a balance of exercise and diet is the key to consistent, effective weight loss. Weight Watchers makes it easy to track points (and Fit Points) to stay on track. If you eat your weeklies, make sure you drink plenty of water! Also, don't skimp on the exercise – even if it's just walking – to balance out the added points.
A quick 10 minute walk will do wonders for your waistline but more importantly for your self-esteem because, even though you ate some of your weeklies (or all of them), you will feel better because you know you are also exercising more. This helps with mental stability and keeping you on track and losing weight. This is not a sprint to a finish line, it's is a life changing, body altering journey to a better healthier you.
Weight Watchers not working?
Read about my (successful) Noom experience!
When you consume your weeklies 1 or 2 times a week you will probably still lose weight without having to exercise, but if you're over 40 or have other issues that may slow your metabolism, you will probably find it difficult to lose while eating them unless you exercise. If you consume all of your weeklies, you need to increase your exercise and water intake to compensate for the extra caloric intake.
Remember, it is all about balance. The more caloric intake the more exercise needed to balance it. You don't need to kill yourself just up your movement, though. For example, park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the store. If you have a FitBit, this is an extra 50-100+ steps times 2 (there and back). Regular everyday activities with a little thought can be turned into calorie burning, weight busting events.
So here lets talk about FitPoints. Track your FitPoints and use those before your weeklies. This way you are automatically maintaining the balance. You have to earn your FitPoints and this helps you to balance eating and exercise.
I'm not in the best shape, but I want to prove to myself I can do something that seems insurmountable and inspire others by showing them no matter where they are in their fitness goals, they can do it, too. — Ruben Studdard
If you are using your weeklies, your net loss may be less – meaning you may lose at a slower pace. This depends on your metabolism and where you are in your weight loss cycle. A loss is still a loss. Every body is different, so some will lose more than others. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. No matter what, remember you are a unique beautiful person and you are on this journey to achieve your goals. Always share your journey and experiences to help motivate others as well as yourself. Don't beat yourself up, don't lose focus, don't quit, don't ever give up.
Your weeklies are there to help you get through events, too: birthdays, parties, a bad week at work, etc. It's okay to use them, just use them wisely and balance with exercise. If you're using your weeklies to binge eat salty, fried food on the weekends when your weigh in day is Monday, you're going to be extremely disappointed with the scale! Eating your weeklies shouldn't be done all in one day if it can be avoided. Yes, you could still lose weight this way, but it's a gamble… especially if it's close to weigh in day. Weight loss is an adventure; there are ups and downs, but even a roller coaster reaches its goal – it just has to keep going.
Never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey.
Weight loss is a result of steady, consistent goal-oriented planning. Weight Watchers makes this easy! You will lose weight at different intervals (fast at first and then more consistently as time goes on), but a loss is a loss. The key is to never give up and once you reach your goal weight, continue to follow Weight Watchers principles to maintain Lifetime. The ride doesn't have to be described as a roller coaster, it is an adventure! Your goal is just the end result of the positive journey you are on to better health and a slimmer you.
I am Active
There is another person who needs to eat their weeklies. If you are active and find that you have hit a plateau consuming more calories may kick start your metabolism and get it burning again. You may need to eat a little more to wake your metabolism back up and start moving towards your goals. Only you know your body the best. Once you are sure you have done everything and you still can't seem to lose that next 5-10 pounds, or are you losing and gaining the same 5 pounds over and over again? Eating your weeklies may help get you over the hump and back on your way to your goals. Good luck with all that you are accomplishing and please share your journey so others will know they can do it to. 🙂
Thanks for the great advice! I’ve lost almost 100 lbs weight watchers, so I’m a huge fan of the program. I love reading these tips and ideas to stay motivated.
I’ve been on WW 21/2 wks now. I eat each day my allowed 23 points. I’m not Hungary at all and still go out to lunch with my friends 3-4 times a week. I’m 73,will be 74 in December.First what 252,then lost 5.8,then 6.2, lost 12 lbs. Drinking more water. No good exercise yet but that’s coming. Love my WW group.
Awesome 👏🏽 that is so GREAT! Thank you for sharing. Best wishes in your continued success!
Thank you… This is helpful. I have been on weight watcher twice before and lost a lot of weight. I have noticed this time my weight it coming off very slowly. I read someone’s post stating that you have to use your weekies in order to see the weight loss. I have lost a total of 15lbs since 5/28 I walk about 10,000 steps a day and I have NEVER used one single weekly point since I started. My app usually shows over 60 points available by Sunday of each week. I understand I’m older now and had a hysterectomy since the last time I was on weight watchers. Should I use the points? I’m discipled and I’m okay with not using them but I really want to see more weight drop off. Can you provide advise?
Losing 15 pounds in less than 2 months is great! I’d keep doing what you’re doing. If it stops working or the weight loss slows down, try using some weeklies and mixing it up. Sometimes we have to give our systems a little “jolt” to remind them to work better. 😉
I started WW at the beginning of May 2020 and am now near the end of my fourth week. I have 30 daily and 28 weekly and I still often find myself hungry often. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I’ve lost 2 lbs each week, but I feel like I’m starving myself and am worried about my body going into starvation mode.
My friend is also in weight watchers and she never ever uses her weeklies. I use all of mine and still feel hungry.
I’m also having a hard time planning meals as to try and use all points wisely. Any tips or advice?
First I am glad to hear you are losing weight. That is awesome. I would say make sure you are adding more protein to your meals. Protein helps us to feel full longer and sustains us through snacking periods. When I started I felt starved because I was used to eating so much more. There is an adjustment period that is different for everyone. Remember each person is different and your friend may do very well not using her weeklies and you may have to. I personally use my weeklies when I notice that I am plateauing. Remember your journey will be different than those around you. Never give up on yourself and keep moving forward you got this. Here are some meal plans I created for a 23 point day you can protein-based snacks such as built bars and nuts, which also add healthy fats to your diet. Meal plan 1 Meal plan 2 Here are some other resources for meal plans that I have found very helpful. Slender Kitchen I hope these help you and I look forward tto reading your succes story soon 🙂
I am a former WW member who has gained a few pounds over the Covid pandemic. From reading the suggestions you made, I joined itrackbites today. Can you help me sync my Apple watch activity rings/ data with the app for itrackbites? Thank you!
Hi, Sue! Sorry for the delay in replying. Email [email protected] if you haven’t yet. They can help! 🙂 If you haven’t upgraded to PRO yet, be sure to use COACH_SMILEY as your promo code at checkout to save $$!
i have lost 60 lbs even through covid when everyone else was gaining and now reached a plateau! someone in the itrackbytes comments page said to do the wendie system to get back on track…well i tried that and GAINED 12 pounds…now i can’t lose it even though i am now a couple points higher on the food than before…I am allowed 35 points…
I was told to exercise only a couple days a week instead of my 7 days! (I was walking up to 3 miles a day) so i went down to 3 days…
I worked so hard to get that much off and now i have gone backwards but I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP! is there anything i can do that i haven’t tried yet? thanks
Hi Cindy, I am happy to attempt to help. My wife and I have both had to figure out how to power through plateaus and weight gains and losses. A few questions to start off. Do you keep a journal? We recommend journaling so you can keep track of what you are doing and what you have done. It helps to keep track of your wins and losses as well. My journal has places where I have hit a plateau and what I did to start losing again. Next, I have never stopped exercising or slowed down exercising to lose weight. I love the way I feel after I walk, bike, or work out at the gym. That is enough to let me know I don’t want to stop those activities. Exercise helps us to remain healthy and strong. Exercise helps us to keep our metabolism running as it should also. My suggestion is to get back to the basics. What were you doing when you started this journey? What were you eating? Are you still drinking enough water every day? My suggestion is to do what you were doing when you were actively losing weight. I love that you stated you have not given up. I am happy about that and I hope you never give up. You are awesome and amazing and you will achieve your goal I know you will. You have a winning attitude. Keep trying until you get it right. Check out this article from Healthline.com Thank you so much for writing and following us here. We appreciate you. Let us know if we can help in any other way.
I am 49 and have been on the plan since November. I’ve gone down up down up since then. I’m always hungry and craving certain high snack foods. I’m eating my weeklies and my earned points as most days I walk 10,000 steps or aim to. I had covid 2 weeks ago where I couldn’t eat, but them I’m back to feeling hungry and wanting to snack. I eat fruit, veg snacks and low cal choc bars to curb cravings. I don’t know what to do.
More protein! 🙂