When you want to lose weight, choosing which plan might be right for you can be challenging. With the myriad of options available, all promising results, deciding which one you want to try can be overwhelming and even frustrating. You need something that can not only help you lose the weight, but keep it off. But how do you choose? How do you sort through the noise online to find what really works?
Finding the right weight loss plan is essential to your overall health and wellbeing. Weight Watchers (WW) and Atkins are two popular options, but they are not the only ones. Our nutrition coaches at EW Motion Therapy encourage their clients to build healthy habits over time, so they can experience sustainable results that they can maintain over time. Even if you choose not to pursue nutrition services with us, we still want to educate you on some characteristics of weight loss plans.
This article uses WW and Atkins to discuss what makes popular weight loss plans unique, whether they work, and when you should seek out more personalized advice. With this information, you can continue your research and find the plan that works for your lifestyle.
What makes these plans unique?
Let’s compare WW and Atkins to see what makes each of these plans unique among their competitors. We’ve linked their websites so you can do some research for yourself.
WW has been in the weight loss game for many years, and millions of people have found success from its methods. WW uses a point system to track your caloric intake, and they assign different point values to different foods, as well as incorporating zero-point foods (many fruits and vegetables fit this category). Based on your starting weight and your goal for weight loss, you will get a varying amount of points per day, and you track your points through their app. WW has recently revamped their program to make it much more personalized, with many more lifestyle considerations going into your points calculation and a coach for you to chat with in the app.
Atkins is a popular low-carb diet plan that emphasizes increased protein consumption. Similar to a keto diet, their goal is to train your body to burn fat instead of sugar as fuel. Atkins offers many branded products for their customers, including frozen meals, shakes, and protein bars, so they can more easily shop for items that work with their plan. Like WW, Atkins users are encouraged to track their food, and the plan can be adapted for many different diets and eating lifestyles, like keto or intermittent fasting. You can also choose the amount of net carbs per day that you start with (20, 40, or 100) so you can make an easier transition as you limit your carb intake.
Both WW and Atkins encourage a limited amount of calories per day, as well as food tracking, so you can see what works for you on a daily basis. They also both provide their users access to recipes and other products that already have point or carb values calculated.
Do these plans work?
It is difficult to make a sweeping determination that WW or Atkins would work for someone, because whether it works is determined by personal preference and commitment to the program. Many people have found success with both WW and Atkins, but there are a few factors that may make them not as sustainable for some.
Atkins can be more affordable than WW, since Atkins is free to use, and WW requires a membership fee. Also, Atkins can be more restrictive since it focuses on reducing carbs, and for those of us who love pasta and bread, this way of eating can be difficult to sustain over time. It can also be difficult to be a vegan or vegetarian on an Atkins diet, since they emphasize protein intake over other food groups, and plant-based eating lifestyles limit options for natural protein.
WW is fairly adaptable, able to accommodate all the major food groups and different eating lifestyles. However, you might not want to pay for it or use their point system, which can sometimes take more time away from your daily life than you want. If you are willing to pay for it and learn how to navigate the point system, WW can be a great option for a balanced, sustainable weight loss plan.
When should I get more personalized advice?
Now you know more about two examples of weight loss plans and some reasons why they might be right for you. If you have tried plans like these before and failed, it might be time to seek a more personalized approach. Nutrition coaches, nutritionists, and registered dietitians are all nutrition professionals who can work with you to develop a customized weight loss plan that works with your lifestyle and gives you the results you want.
When you begin to feel overwhelmed by the number of options in the weight loss market, just take a deep breath. Remember that the best option for you is one that you can afford and that teaches you healthy habits you can continue for a lifetime. Our nutrition coaches at EW Motion Therapy develop plans just like this for their clients, and we want to help you reach your health goals in a healthy way. If you are interested in nutrition services with us, fill out the Request an Appointment form on our website, and someone from our staff will contact you within 48 hours with your next steps.
