You've probably seen the commercials with Oprah or heard your neighbor talking about their "points" for the day. It’s been around forever. But in a world where everyone is suddenly talking about Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, you have to wonder: will Weight Watchers work anymore, or is it just a relic of the 90s?
Honestly, the answer isn't a simple yes or no. It depends on whether you want a quick fix or a lifestyle shift that actually sticks when you aren't looking at a scale every five minutes.
Weight Watchers, now officially called WW, has survived for over six decades because it adapts. It isn't just about counting calories. It’s about a proprietary algorithm that turns complex nutritional labels into a single number. But let’s get real for a second—the weight loss industry is messy.
The Points System: Why It Actually Clicks
The core of the program is the PersonalPoints system (or whatever iteration they are currently running, as they tweak it often). Most people fail at dieting because they try to be perfect. You cut out bread, you're miserable, you eat a loaf of sourdough in a moment of weakness, and then you quit. WW stops that cycle.
By assigning points to foods based on protein, fiber, and unsaturated fats versus added sugars and saturated fats, it nudges you toward better choices without banning the "bad" stuff. You want a slice of pizza? Cool. It’s 10 points. You just have to balance the rest of your day with ZeroPoint foods like chicken breast, eggs, or lentils. It’s basic math disguised as a game.
It works because of "behavioral economics." When you have a budget, you think about your spending. When you have points, you think about your eating.
What the science says about long-term success
We shouldn't just take their word for it. A major study published in The Lancet showed that people referred to a commercial weight loss program like Weight Watchers lost more weight than those receiving standard care from a doctor. Why? Accountability.
It’s the meetings. Or the app. Or the community.
📖 Related: Why the EMS 20/20 Podcast is the Best Training You’re Not Getting in School
Having to track what you put in your mouth creates a psychological barrier between "I'm bored" and "I'm eating a bag of chips." However, a 2015 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine noted that while WW is one of the most effective programs, the average weight loss after a year is often around 3% to 5% of total body weight. That might sound small if you’re hoping to lose 50 pounds by summer, but clinically, that’s enough to significantly drop your risk for Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Will Weight Watchers Work if You’re on GLP-1 Medications?
This is the elephant in the room. In 2023 and 2024, the company made a massive pivot. They bought a telehealth provider called Sequence. Suddenly, the "just eat less and move more" company was prescribing Wegovy.
If you are using medication, will Weight Watchers work as a companion?
Actually, it might be more necessary than ever. These drugs are incredible for suppressing appetite, but they don't teach you how to eat. Many people on GLP-1s struggle to get enough protein to prevent muscle loss. WW now has a specific "GLP-1 Program" that focuses on protein intake and hydration rather than just hitting a point deficit.
If you lose weight on a drug but don't change your habits, you’re looking at a "rebound" the moment you stop the injections. The program acts as the training wheels for the lifestyle you’ll need once the medication is gone.
The dark side of the scale
Let’s be blunt. For some people, WW is a nightmare.
If you have a history of disordered eating, tracking every morsel can become an obsession. The "points" can start to feel like "morality." You aren't a bad person because you ate a 15-point dessert, but the app’s red numbers can make it feel that way.
👉 See also: High Protein in a Blood Test: What Most People Get Wrong
Also, it’s not free. You’re paying a monthly subscription for what is essentially a glorified calculator and a social network. Some people find they can do the same thing for free using MyFitnessPal or just eating more whole foods.
Realities of the "ZeroPoint" Trap
You can’t just eat 50 eggs because they are "zero points."
I’ve seen people stall for months because they were overdoing the "free" foods. Zero points doesn't mean zero calories. It’s a shorthand for "this is hard to overeat." Most people won't binge on plain chickpeas or chicken breasts. But if you do? You won't lose weight. Period.
The program assumes you have a modicum of common sense, which, let’s be honest, is a big ask when you’re hungry and frustrated.
Comparing WW to Keto and Paleo
- Keto: High fat, ultra-low carb. Great for fast water weight loss. Terrible for anyone who likes fruit or eating at a restaurant without feeling like a burden.
- Paleo: If a caveman didn't eat it, you don't eat it. Good for whole foods, but annoying to maintain in a modern world.
- Weight Watchers: You eat what you want, just less of it.
The flexibility is its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. Keto provides a very strict "do" and "don't" list, which some brains crave. WW is all about "shades of gray," which requires more decision-making energy every single day.
How to actually make it work in 2026
If you’re going to sign up, don't just download the app and hope for the best. That’s a waste of $20.
First, you need to find your "why" that isn't just a number. Maybe you want to hike with your kids without getting winded. Maybe your joints hurt. Write that down.
✨ Don't miss: How to take out IUD: What your doctor might not tell you about the process
Second, use the community. The "Connect" feature in the app is like a filtered version of Instagram where everyone is on the same journey. It’s less toxic than most social media and provides actual tips for what to order at Starbucks or Mexican restaurants.
Third, move. WW gives you "Activity Points" back for exercising. Don't eat them all back. Think of them as a bonus, not an excuse to eat a donut because you walked for 20 minutes.
The verdict on the points
Is it worth it?
If you need structure but hate being told exactly what to eat, yes. If you want a program that has been peer-reviewed by actual scientists rather than some "wellness influencer" on TikTok, yes.
It won't work if you lie to the app.
Ghost-tracking—where you only track the "good" days and ignore the weekend bender—is the number one reason people claim the program failed them. The points don't care about your feelings; they just track the energy.
Actionable Steps for Success
- Audit your pantry before you join. Don't start a subscription with a house full of "trigger foods." Get rid of the stuff you can't stop eating at 10:00 PM.
- Commit to three months. Your body needs time to adjust to a new metabolic rhythm. One week of tracking won't tell you anything.
- Focus on the "Blue Dots." In the app, you get a blue dot for staying within your healthy eating zone for the day. Aim for 5 dots a week. Perfection is the enemy of progress.
- Prioritize Protein. Regardless of your points, if you don't hit at least 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight, you're going to be hungry and lose muscle. Use your points on high-protein options first.
- Drink water. It sounds cliché, but thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Drink a glass of water before every meal.
Weight Watchers works because it’s a system of boundaries. It’s not magic. It’s just a way to make the hard work of weight loss a little more organized. Whether you use the digital version or go to the in-person workshops, the goal is the same: becoming someone who makes conscious choices about what they consume.
Start by tracking one full day—no matter how "bad" it is—just to see where you actually stand. Knowledge is the only way to change the outcome.