Happy Tuesday all! This time of year is one of my favorites as Weight Watchers rolls out their new and/or updated program materials. It is the official “hit the restart” button every year that gets everyone all motivated again and helps to give me that extra push through the holidays. Yep, I am a total Weight Watcher geek and I can admit it – I LOVE getting new books, reading the same info even if I saw it last year and you know what, I am OK with that!
So, what’s new with the Weight Watchers Program in 2015?
Before I jump into sharing my thoughts, I want to say, nothing is changing about the Weight Watchers Program in 2015.
It’s still the same program whether you are counting points+ or following the Simply Filing Technique….they’ve just added to their tool kit to help you become more successful at creating a healthy lifestyle!
It can be summed up in 3 things:
1) Simple Start is gone and the app is no longer being supported ~ I think that everyone realized that Simple Start just wasn’t so simple for everyone. Instead the new “Getting Started” book is now called “What To Eat”.
2) Personalized Coaching ~ You will be allowed to have your meetings 1:1 with a Weight Watcher Coach as well as attend the group meetings if this approach works better for you.
3) 24:7 Chat ~ Chat anytime, anywhere with one of the online coaches.
The focus this year is really on helping everyone work on their relationship with food to make it easier to sustain the new healthy lifestyle changes you are making. This is what you find as the meeting themes in 2015.
Here are a few highlights of what is inside the new book you will be getting this week:
There are 4 Simple Steps to the Weight Watchers Points Plus Program to guide you to success.
1) Follow the Points Plus Program
2) Use this new “What To Eat” book to help you get started with a few recipes you can make and learn how to put your meals together using the “build a meal” section.
One thing I was a little bummed about was they didn’t refresh the recipes they picked – it’s the exact same recipes you all saw in last year’s Simple Start booklet. Too bad as there are so many great recipes on the Weight Watchers website – so go there to get even more ideas.
I still love the build a meal section as it’s a great way when you are short on time and looking for quick healthy foods to eat.
I love the addition of the Meal Combos to help you figure out how to put all the foods together for one tasty meal. There is a selection for Snack Time and Smart Splurges just like you saw with the Simple Start Program.
3) I also totally dig that Weight Watchers is recognizing that their members do have special dietary needs and are flagging recipes to let them know what works if you are gluten free, vegetarian, low-carb (for diabetics), etc..
My favorite two sections ~ Lower Carb and Simply Filling!
The Nearly No-Cook section will be great during the holiday season when time for cooking is limited.There are little symbols at the bottom of all the recipes in the book to let you know which category this recipe falls into, SF=Simply Filling, GF = Gluten Free, etc. I like the thumbs up tips too!
4) The final piece of the program that I think is key whether you are working Points+ or Simply Filling is to be Portion Smart.
I think it’s awesome that Weight Watchers is helping everyone balance out their meals by making sure they know not only how to build a meal but what portions should go on your plate to ensure all the Healthy Guidelines are met. There will even be a plate available this year that shows you how to fill it with protein, veggies/fruit, lean protein and whole grains.
The book shows you how this visually works on the plate so you can replicate it. I am definitely a visual person so seeing it in a picture works more than reading about it.
The Weight Watchers Simply Filling Technique is still in full swing and it looks just like it did last year – yeah! Summarized in 3 Steps or you can check out this post and this category to see how I work the Simply Filling Technique.
Keeping with the theme to help everyone learn how to make the food portion of the program work there are two pretty cool sections in this year’s book….like
What To Eat If…..
- You are following the Simply Filling Technique
- Need Lower Carb (diabetic options)…..
- Gluten Free…..
- Vegetarian…..
- Or really just do not want to cook…..Grab and Go Options!
“Five Things To Do” with…..giving you recipes and/or quick meal ideas…..
- Five Things To Do With Black Beans…
- Five Things To Do With Cooked Chicken…
- Five Things To Do With Whole Wheat Pasta….
- Five Things To Do With Convenience Foods (for the Nearly No Cook Option!)
If your dining out, there is a section that helps you navigate the menu and the book finishes by helping you plan out your first day with What To Eat Tonight….
You didn’t really think I’d stop there, did you? I can’t help myself….I had to feed my cookbook addiction with the newest Love It, Cook It, Eat It! Cookbook out this week too!
There are two full pages of recipes that work for Simply Filling!With so many recipes I can’t wait to make. While there isn’t a picture for every recipe (my preference!) the pictures like this Spicy Turkey and Mango Wrap (hello Sriracha sauce!) make me want to dive right in.
The Meatless Mushroom Pasta is totally going on this year’s Meatless March Menu too!
There are also some great updates including syncing your FitBit, Jawbone and of course, the new Active Link devices to automatically track your Activity Points.
The “Official” Weight Watchers Roll out is in January 2014 so I have no doubt you will be seeing more about the new program soon.
Seriously ~ Fun Stuff ~ It is one of my favorite times of the year because regardless of whether the program changes completely or gets refreshed ~ it always jazzes me up for another year to try something new and have fun with it ~ MOTIVATION!
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What is one healthy holiday recipe you are making this year?
I can’t wait to make Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes! Oh and Persimmon Cookies (recipe coming soon!)
Have a fantastic day all and I will catch up with you all soon!
Thanks so much for the recap! I was wondering what changes were taking place to know if I should take the step to rejoin. I love the idea of the 1:1 coaching & 24/7 coaching.
Glad to see that you’re back. Thank you for the WW update. I hope you’re healthy and feeling positive. This can be a tough time of year after a loss.
All Best to you!
Ate you able to go pick up the book at one of the WW locations of you use WW online?
Hi Cindy,
If you’d like to get a copy of the book I’d recommend attending a meeting during free enrollment and paying for just the first week.
Thanks,
Danica
Can you e-mail me ww info
Thank you very much. Since the updates I’m down a pound!!!!
Thanks for the 2015 WW update. Our Sat leader has not shared this info yet. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Now on to Holiday shopping and avoiding those tempting free “goodies.” Have a great day!
Want this book
Since those of us who follow Weight Watchers online do not get a book, is this same info available to us online?
Hi Bonnie,
The book is only available in meetings however they should post similar data online soon. If you’d like to get a copy of the book I’d recommend attending a meeting during free enrollment and paying for just the first week.
Thanks,
Danica
I truly appreciate your blogs. Thank you so much for sharing. After reading this, I am THINspired to get back to WW in the coming week.
Great info! Thanks 🙂
Hi! I have been doing weight watchers for 15 years and thought I had read every blog out there! Glad to have found you! Hopefully will find the encouragement I need to FINALLY find lifetime!
Is there a way through to get this book or to access the book online if I join WW online but don’t go to meetings?
Hi Ashley,
The book is only available in meetings however they should post similar data online soon. If you’d like to get a copy of the book I’d recommend attending a meeting during free enrollment and paying for just the first week.
Thanks,
Danica
Loved this post! Guess I’m gonna have to go to a free meeting 🙂 I’m collecting my recipes….some WW friendly, some not 🙂
I would like to join Weight Watchers (again!) online. Do you know if the book you have featured in your blog (What to Eat) would come to me in the mail, or do you think they will wait until the new year to send it? Right now, it looks like the website if still featuring Simple Start. Advice?
Great review! Can’t wait to get my materials.
Did you get yours a week early? I did not think they were available yet.
Thank you!
Glad to see you back. You have been missed!!
how can an online member get the what to eat book? it has lots of great info!
Thanks,
Betty
I just found this site from message board on weight watchers. Very informative. Nice site.
Curious as to the cost of the kit? I am on such a strict budget, but being that I just started this week and am having a difficult time with limited tools/information I’d love to set aside the cash to grab one Monday evening at my meeting!
thanks for the new update for 2015 very informative
Thanks to you I am excited to start the new year. Love it. Will get back to lifetime this year!!
Great info!
I am doing fine on simple start. I hope I like this otherwise I will stick to last years plan. So far it works for me.
Thank you so much. I just love the descriptions of the assistance with Simply Filling method. I have recently switched to it and for me it spells “freedom” from dieting control. You have inspired me to get excited again!
I’m excited about the updates and new option of 1:1 counseling and
24:7 chat with the on-line coaches. We’ll get our at our meeting on Friday.
Thank you for informing about 2015 plan. I did not expect there to be much of a change. I am starting over once again but I am not rejoining, I’m just going at it myself. If I don’t I think I might die. Got to get this excess weight off, Drs. orders.
Thanks for sharing! Your similar post last year inspired me to jump in — and between the day after Christmas and April, I lost 45 pounds doing Simply Filling!
Unfortunately, after maintaining the loss most of the year, these last few months I’ve given up all sense of willpower and gained 20 lbs back — BOO!
So the day after Christmas, I am once again diving into SF. I’ll track my progress on my blog, and stay in touch with your site for wonderful recipes and tips! 🙂
Hi, my husband and i joined weight watchers in 2004 and we lost all the weight we had planned on. Now, we would like to do it again. Question, i bought two weight watchers plus calculators online, can we use it to lose weight, and not join weight watchers, and just follow the targeted points.? Thanks, hope to hear from you soon, starting tomorrow.
Thank you for this information, I am a “Lifer” and have been since the 70’s with some ups and down along the way. I had maintained my weight for 20 years then I joined a church that did a lot of “food” fellowship and then I acquired a heart condition and I gained 10 pounds in 3 years so I went back on the program. I decided to work the program and let it work me no matter how ever long it took, I lost 15 pounds. I have incorporated QUINOA into my program, it is a great source of protein. Here is a great website: simplyquinoa.com if you are interested.
I have been considering re-joining WW. I typically join ever so many years as a way to keep my weight down. I discontinued my membership last (about 2 or 3 years ago) b/c every time I only lost less than a pound or gained a half pound the person manning the scales always had to make a stupid comment like: “Aww, did you have a bad week?” I don’t want to hear that. I just want to get weighed and have them hand me back my record without any comments. Is that possible?
Which bread is allowed in the simply filling technique
I am a nebbie, and your site is very motivating. It seems that you have helped a number of people. Have you been able to loose weight, or to maintain what you have lost? BY THE POST,It seems that everyone is missing you. Are you still actively communicating on the blog? Seems like a very inspiring group. Such a wonderful service that you have provided.
Hi there. My daughter and I are planning to start the Simply Filling program with Weight Watchers. I am a lifer with Weight Watchers but have not attended meetings for several years….too long. I am at my heaviest ever now and not feeling good about it. So happy I stumbled upon your website and look forward to following it.
Hi Everyone…I haven’t attended weight watchers for many years and am a life time member. I was successful in losing over 50lbs. Now after 1 year of ‘not smoking’ the pounds have piled on. I am having such a hard time getting motivated and feeling depressed so I have decided to join again. I know that going to the meetings every week were really kept me motivated.
I would like to join WW again but it has gotten so expensive.
I’m going to watch for a free enrolment
Special so I can get the latest book and info. If anyone is willing to share recipes and tips, I would love to read them.
I love Weight Watchers….but, it has been the same old for several years now. I never liked points, give me that old time selection/exchange plan.
i see pictures of pancakes, burgers, etc. what does it end up being? Two bites?
Hello. I’m new here and was wondering if there are any simply filling crackers
I just started weight watchers 4 weeks ago. Today at my meeting they told me that the program has changed. I was unable to stay for the meeting today. I am now left with no info and an app that hasn’t worked in 48 hours. How has the program changed?? Help!!
Hi Ellen,
You can access your account on the actual weight watchers website and on weight watchers mobile.
Here are the changes
http://danicasdaily.com/weight-watchers-2016-update-smartpoints
Thanks,
Danica
HI! I KNOW IT IS 2019 ALREADY BUT I DID THE BEST ON THE PROGRAM THAT I STARTED IN MAY 2015. I HAVE NOT HAD SUCCESS ON FREESTYLE AND I WAS LOOKING AT MY WEIGHT JOURNAL AND THINGS STARTED GOING KAPUT AROUND DECEMBER OF 2015. I HAVE KEPT MOST OF WHAT I LOST OFF BUT I NEED TO LOSE ABOUT 20 POUNDS. I HAVE JOINED WW AGAIN AND AM A MEMBER OF RETURN TO 30 BUT I AM NOT SURE IF THAT IS THE ONE I WAS ON OR THE PLAN RIGHT BEFORE FREESTYLE. CAN YOU HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT AND GET A LIST OF FOODS. I LOOKING AT I TRACK BITES AS WELL BUT I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS THE RIGHT PLAN. THIS TIME I ONLY DID IT ON MY PHONE AND IT JUST CHANGED IMMEDIATELY AND I DIDN’T HAVE ANY LITERATURE. ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!