Weight Watchers DECLARES KILOJOULES ARE DEAD!
Next generation weight management now available to all New Zealanders

Sydney, Australia – The new era of Weight Watchers is here. Today Weight Watchers has announced it is launching a revolutionary new weight management plan, its biggest innovation since it first introduced the POINTS® System 15 years ago.

Based on the latest scientific research, the new ProPoints Plan™ goes far beyond traditional kilojoule counting and guides New Zealanders towards food choices that are healthy and satisfying.

Weight Watchers Australasia Program director Kate Cody says kilojoule counting alone is dead and obsolete: “We want to change the way New Zealanders view and select their food. This is a new approach that will help transform eating habits to be fundamentally healthier and more satisfying and give New Zealanders a new weight loss edge.”

The new formula for the ProPoints Plan takes into account the energy contained in each of the components that make up kilojoules – protein, carbohydrates, fat and fibre – and it factors in how hard the body works to process them (conversion cost) as well their respective eating satisfaction (satiety).

Cody continued, “There are many passing fads in weight loss, but Weight Watchers is about a responsible approach to health and lifetime change. Our heritage in weight management means we truly understand what works. The ProPoints Plan is the exciting result; a plan that could make a positive impact on the 62 per cent[i] of New Zealanders who are currently overweight or obese.”

In addition to the new ProPoints Plan, 2011 will see other exciting initiatives from Weight Watchers including an iPhone app, new branded food roll-out, social media initiatives and more.

This modern approach is all about a new direction, and flexibility on the weight loss journey. The program even includes a new weekly allowance of 49 ProPoints values which can be used for treats, bigger portions or nights out.

Weight Watchers nutrition advisor and Accredited Practising Dietitian Emma Stirling said the ProPoints Plan helps people learn lifelong eating habits that are realistic, sustainable and most importantly, balanced.

“Weight Watchers understands life can be unpredictable and spontaneous. Feeling restricted and deprived of the foods you love does not equate with long-term weight loss success. We teach our members lasting skills and the art of flexible restraint – how to enjoy a spontaneous slice of birthday cake or a dinner out with friends, while still losing weight and then keeping it off.

“Research from independent clinical trials shows that the ProPoints Plan delivers significant weight loss as well as improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, healthy eating habits linked with long-term weight loss and even changes in peoples’ innate response to hunger and food – ultimately aiding in long-term success.”

Cody concluded, “With 40 years experience and close to one third of New Zealand women saying they have done Weight Watchers[ii] at some point in their lives, we can honestly say that our successful program is now even better.”

Key features on the ProPoints Plan

1. An entirely new method of calculating the values behind the system (ProPoints values), based on how the body processes key nutrients – protein, carbohydrates, fibre and fat – as well as their eating satisfaction
2. The identification of Filling & Healthy Foods and nudging towards natural foods rather than those with excess added sugar or fat
3. Assigning fruits and most vegetables a ProPoints value of 0
4. Additional weekly ‘spontaneity stash’ of 49 ProPoints values, to teach the importance of balance while still allowing flexibility for treats special occasions and eating out

The ProPoints Plan is available at over 1000 locations around Australia and New Zealand through community meetings, the At Work program, one-on-one consultations at select locations and online at www.weightwatchers.co.nz.

For more information about the new ProPoints Plan please visit: www.weightwatchers.co.nz.

-ENDS-

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