(Updated 11/15/22)
Will Weight Watchers Have a New Program for 2022 and 2023?
Yes. Weight Watchers updated its program in November 2022 to a simplified streamlined version of Personal Points, the plan launched just one year ago. The WW 2023 Plan App updated Monday, November 14th. Everyone will be enrolled in the new plan on December 12th.
Turns out the insights, Dish with Dee Youtube Vlogger shared based on communication she has had with a WW Staffer who was just informed of the coming 2022/2023 plan changes was right on point.
- There is now a single zero points food list for everyone except those on the diabetes specific program.
- You will no longer earn points for drinking water and eating non-starchy vegetables.
How Will The New Weight Watchers Program Be Different?
Here are my notes about the coming 2022/2023 plan changes after watching Dee's Vlog:
- WW new plan will be more simple and streamlined with fewer choices. It appears that the customized approach where no two plans were the same and everyone's zero points foods were different was too complex and confusing.
- Everyone except for diabetics will be on the same plan with the same zero points foods list.
- A recipe's points will once again be the same for all members.
- Zero point foods (for non-diabetics) will include non-starchy vegetables, fruits, lean poultry and fish, tofu, nonfat, plain Greek yogurt, nonfat cottage cheese, eggs, beans, peas, lentils, corn, and popcorn. This is essentially the Weight Watchers Blue Zero Points Foods List plus air popped popcorn and non fat cottage cheese.
- The PersonalPoints algorithm, described as more advanced than SmartPoints values because values go up with added sugars and saturated fats but also go down with fiber and unsaturated fats, will stay the same.
- You will have a daily points budget and a weekly points budget calculated based on sex, age, height and weight.
- You will still be able to earn additional points for physical activity.
- You will no longer earn additional points for eating non-starchy vegetables or drinking water.
- This plan appears to be similar to the previous myWW Blue Plan (2019/2020) and Freestyle (2018).
Weight Watchers Personal Points Reviews
This informative video from Barrett Pastor, who lost here weight on the Weight Watchers Freestyle and myWW Blue Plan confirms what Dee had to say about coming changes. She also provides a good review of the Personal Points Program and why it didn't work for her. She shares my concern that the biggest thing that was lost with WW most recent programs was the sense of community.
New 2022 Date for Updated WW Plan Changes?
The new plan launched on Monday 11/14. Everyone will be enrolled in the new plan on December 12th.
Weight Watchers 2022/2023 Program Changers Confirmed by CEO, Sima Sistani
In WW International, Inc. Q3 2022 Earnings Conference Call November 3, 2022 5:00 PM ET CEO Sima Sistani confirmed that the weight loss company would be rolling out changes to their program in the coming weeks. Here is what she said:
"...As we noted during our last earnings call in August, our analysis has shown that personal points could have and should have performed better. After challenging ourselves to understand how members behave through analytics and a laser focus on activation rate, -- we implemented the following actions, uncovered and diagnosed issues with our current program to inform a new direction, for the first time ever, rolled out an AV test to a subset of new members to inform a food plan change through data and further validated the results. Early member survey results show that the simplified plan outperformed personal points on MPS, supporting our decision to scale quickly.
And we did it all in under three months. Because of this tremendous effort, we plan to begin rolling out the simplified program in the coming weeks. We believe the changes will make Weight Watchers easier to follow and help members achieve their weight loss goals. We announced this decision to our coaches recently and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. And this has been what their members have been asking for.
We will be retaining certain key elements of personal points, including the ability to deliver a program for members living with diabetes and a point algorithm that incorporates the latest nutritional science, including advances in fiber, healthy fats and added sugar...."
My Thoughts on Weight Watchers 2022/2023 Personal Points Plan Changes
I've been a lifetime member of Weight Watchers since the early 1990s, losing my weight on their food exchange plan that predated Points. I've seen the plan change many times through the decades as nutritional and weight loss science have evolved.
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash
Whenever a new plan is introduced current members experience angst over the impending changes. It's human nature. Change can be a challenge. The healthy approach is to try to welcome the change, to be open to it.
The magic of Weight Watchers has always been the support structure it provides. Without this integral component it becomes just another diet.
While WW connect and online meetings are good they are not a replacement for the human to human connection and energy of folks sharing a common struggle getting together in real life.
To be most effective a diet should be as simple as possible to understand and to practice. It also should strike a just right balance... not too restrictive, but not too permissive either.
The Initial version of Personal Points launched last fall (2021) erred on the side of being too liberal, trying to be all things to all people. With its "no two plans are the same" overly customizable approach it gave its members too much freedom resulting in reduced weight loss. It also set up an environment where its member could no longer easily support each other with shared low or zero points recipes and success strategies.
Fortunately Weight Watchers new CEO recognized these shortcomings and is taking quick action to correct course.
The new plan appears reminiscent of the past WW Freestyle Plan and myWW Blue Plan with a single zero points food list shared by all members except those with diabetes. It's a simple, streamlined plan that will be easier for it coaches to support and easier for its members to rally one another around.
How Will These Changes Affect Simple Nourished Living's Personal Points Recipes and ECookbooks?
Because we now provide links from our recipes and ecookbooks directly into the WW Recipe Builder, everything should stay current with whatever changes WW makes. Fingers crossed!
I'll continue to update this post as I learn more.
More Resources For Weight Watchers
- 101 Essential Links & Resources for Weight Watchers
- Why I Think the Old WeightWatchers Food Exchange Plan Was Better Than Points
- What Was the Old/Original Weight Watchers 1960s Plan Like?
- How Skipping Breakfast and Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Lose Weight
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Weight Watchers New Personal Points Program (10/2021)
When I logged into my WW App this morning I was greeted with the following:
I've spent most of the day on the WW site and with the App getting familiar with it so I could put together this post outlining all the details of the new plan, PersonalPoints, for you.
This newest WW program has been totally personalized....
"No two people are alike, so no two plans are alike. When you join WW, we'll ask you a series of questions via our PersonalPoints Engine, then we'll design your unique PersonalPoints Budget and ZeroPoint™ food list."
SmartPoints have been replaced with Personal Points
SmartPoints are gone. They have been replaced with PersonalPoints which are calculated using calories, fiber, protein, added sugars, saturated fats and unsaturated fats.
How are PersonalPoints different from SmartPoints?
Now, values go up with added sugars and saturated fat, and go down with protein, fiber and unsaturated fats.
Consequently, the points values of many foods have changed. For example a cup of cooked white penne pasta has 4 PersonalPoints per cup, but whole wheat penne has 3.
No two PersonalPoints plans are the same
Everyone gets a customized plan with a personalized Zero Point Foods List based on your likes, dislikes and most commonly eaten foods.
When you you begin the Personal Points program you will answer a series of questions via WW PersonalPoints Engine, which builds your unique ZeroPoint food list and PersonalPoints Budget to ensure you can eat what you love and still lose weight.
You will be able to take this quiz again and again if you want to switch up your ZeroPoint foods and see its effects on your budget. (I took it at least 6 times today.)
To re-take the quiz you'll just go to Profile > Settings > Food Settings > Food Plan and re-answer the questions.
In addition to your daily points allowance, you will also get a weekly points allowance and you will still be able to "rollover" points.
Personal Points Complete Zero Point Foods List
The ZeroPoint Foods from which to choose include:
- non-starchy vegetables (the only group that will be ZeroPoints for all members)
- fruits
- avocado (new!)
- chicken and turkey breast
- eggs
- fish and shellfish
- tofu and tempeh
- plain, nonfat yogurt and cottage cheese
- oatmeal
- potatoes
- corn, including air-popped popcorn
- beans, peas, lentils
- whole-wheat pasta
- brown rice, quinoa, other whole grains
While ZeroPoint foods lists will be different from person to person, the PersonalPoints calculation of a food will be the same for everyone. So, while you may have eggs on your ZeroPoints food list and another member may not, if a food does have points for both of you it will be the same number of points on all PersonalPoints plans.
Earn Additional Points!
Based on groundbreaking nutritional and behavior-change research, WW rewards you for healthy habits so you stick with them! For the first time ever, you’ll earn Points for doing healthy things—like eating veggies, drinking water, or moving more.
Ways to Earn More Points
You can now add to your PersonalPoints Budget by eating non-starchy vegetables, drinking more water, or carving out time for activity. Building healthy habits has never been more rewarding:
- Eat Your Veggies!
For every cup of non-starchy vegetables you track you’ll get 1 Point added to your daily budget. This is an unlimited. If you track three cups of veggies you will get three additional points added to your daily points budget. If you're wondering what non-starchy veggies include, it's basically the vegetables that were zero points on MyWW Green. So, yes to carrots and butternut squash, no to peas, potatoes and corn.
- Drink Water!
Tracking 60 ounces of water in a day will earn you one PersonalPoint added to your daily budget. You can only earn 1 point per day for drinking your water.
- Get Active!
You can also earn PersonalPoints by tracking activity. You can track activity manually or passively by connecting to a compatible fitness tracker. Points earned will be added to your weekly budget.
My Take on PersonalPoints
Change is never easy. If you are comfortable with your current WW plan and it is working for you, learning a new plan can be especially challenging.
Take a deep breath and focus on the positive. You have a lot more choice and flexibility with the PersonalPoints program.
Keep doing what you have been doing. Track and notice what's different. Give yourself some time to adjust.
I've been a WW lifetime member for over 30 years. I first joined back when it was a food exchange based plan, before Points. I have lost track of how many times WW has changed and updated its program since then. If you follow the Program it will work. I'm living proof.
I'm excited about the incentives to engage in healthy behaviors. Tracking my water, activity and non-starchy vegetable consumption to earn additional points feels more like fun than effort. It's just the kick-start I need right now.
Frequently Asked Questions about WW Personal Points
How Do I Re-Take The Personal Points Quiz?
To re-take the quiz you'll just go to Profile > Settings > Food Settings > Food Plan and re-answer the questions.
Will We Still Have The 3 Colored Plans To Follow—Blue, Purple and Green?
No, the MyWW program with the 3 colored programs to choose from will be no more, it will now just be known as The new WW PersonalPoints™
Is There A Specific Plan For Those With Diabetes?
The first question in the personalization quiz is, "Are you living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes?" If you answer yes that will factor into the customization of your plan and which foods will appear on your ZeroPoint foods list.
Will The Recipes and Foods I Added In The WW App Automatically Convert To PersonalPoints?
Yes. I checked my recipes this morning after taking the quiz and they updated to the new PersonalPoints.
Are any foods totally off-limits?
No. On WW no food is off-limits. It's one of the reasons WW works for me. As soon as I tell myself I can't have a food it's all I think about. My latest low/no carb experiment lasted one day! Of course some foods are 'very expensive' so you have to plan for them and eat in moderation.
Am I counting calories on WW?
No. Current nutritional wisdom suggests that not all calories are created equal. on WW you count Personal Points. A personal point considers more than just calories. The algorithm also considers carbs, added sugars, fiber, protein and saturated vs. unsaturated fat in making its points determination.
Can a vegan or vegetarian do WW?
Yes. WW will work for people with all kinds of dietary limitations -- vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.
How will Personal Points Affect the Recipes on Simple Nourished Living?
Because no two plans are the same and different folks will have different Zero Points foods, recipes will no longer have the same number of points for everyone. But there is a solution.
Instead of providing a specific points value on my recipes, I will provide a link to my recipe in the WW recipe builder. If you are logged into the WW site/App, it will automatically show up with your PersonalPoints value.
You can then save or track the recipe in your account. This also will allow you to edit the recipe within your account, without having to build it from scratch yourself.
Here's an example of what I mean:
To see your WW PersonalPoints for my slow cooker chicken & gravy recipe and/or track it in the WW app or site, click here!
I will continue to provide the nutritional information for those who find it helpful.
I will be updating my current recipes with WW recipe builder links as quickly as I can, but with hundreds of recipes it is going to take some time.
Please let me know what you think about PersonalPoints. I'd love to see your comments and questions.
Thank you so much for your support!
What Makes Weight Watchers Such a Successful Weight Loss Program?
There are hundreds of weight loss programs out there? What makes Weight Watchers stand apart from the competition? Where does it stack up when compared to other diet plans?
- Weight Watchers has been ranked by U.S. News #1 in Best Weight-Loss Diets Overall for 12 years in a row.
- Weight Watchers scored the highest for overall weight loss and fast weight loss, and experts say it’s a smart, effective diet, according to Health US News.
- Weight Watchers is the Number One doctor recommended weight loss program. It has been for decades. My mom's doctor suggested it to her back in the 1970s.
- Clinical trials have demonstrated the statistically significant effectiveness of the Weight Watchers diabetes program on weight management, as well as overall health and well-being of patients with diabetes.
- Abbott has partnered with Weight Watchers to integrate WeightWatchers' diabetes-tailored weight management program with Abbott's portfolio of FreeStyle Libre® products to create a seamless mobile experience that will give people living with diabetes the information and insights needed to make healthy adjustments to their diet, improve their glucose levels, and, ultimately, gain more control of their health.
If You Liked this Post About the WW Personal Points Plan You Might Also Like:
- Why I Love the WW Simply Filling/No Count Technique
- Why I Think the Old WeightWatchers Food Exchange Plan Was Better Than Points
- What Was the Old/Original Weight Watchers 1960s Plan Like?
- How Skipping Breakfast and Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Lose Weight
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
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Lee Dusing
Thanks for this quick update. I had left a message earlier today, but you sufficiently answered it right here. I love your recipes. Keep up the great information and recipes.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, Lee!
Charlene Laakonen
Will you leave the calculated points for the points, points plus, smart points, etc up in addition to the new link? I was in WW for 10 years, but quit last spring when they abandoned the meetings across all of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I never did like the Zoom meetings that were with groups outside of my area. My WW meetings were key element of the program.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Charlene, I will leave all the calculated points for SmartPoints, PointsPlus, etc. on all the old recipes. For new recipes, there will be no way for us to calculate SmartPoints. ~Martha
Barbara Icovitti
Hi Martha - I’m amazed at how slick it was to put your recipe in my personal profile - I love being able to do that! You are a remarkable person and this is more than helpful for everyone - Thank you - I wish I could help you convert your recipes -
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, Barbara!!!
Debra
It will take a while to be comfortable with the new plan and decide if I want to tweek it a bit more. I've already taken the assessment multiple times to see how daily points will fluctuate etc. One WW Connect member dhallakx7 is figuring out which options to select if a person wants to remain on Blue, Green or Purple. I did Green more often than Blue. So helpful to have a WW link to your recipes.
LB
Is there some way to take the quiz before you join? This new plan sounds interesting!
Martha McKinnon
Hi LB, no I don't think so! It is interesting and exciting. For the first time in a long while I feel excited about tracking my water, activity and veggies, LOL. ~Martha
Helen
At day 2 I’m loving this plan. It has given me the kickstart I need! It seems that changing things up will keep my metabolism guessing. Thank you for the links to the recipe builder. Really helps!
DKA
My husband and I were on WW prior to the covid close and are considering a return, the problem is he does not have, nor does he want a smart phone. Does this new program have a way to allow for this?
Martha McKinnon
Hi DKA, you can to the plan from the WW Website without a smartphone. ~Martha
Rhonda
I love your recipes ND I don't like cooking lol I'm also on green and clicked on the link. Was it automatically supposed to show up or do we need to do something else. Mine did show up so I did a search. No results so I backed out and a slow cooker chicken and gravy recipe popped up with 5pts is the Green circle. Is this right??
Martha McKinnon
Thanks Rhonda, It should show up automatically, but the site could be having some hiccups given how new it is. Once you switch to Personal Points it should show up with your Personal Points Value. I'm going to update the recipes in WW Recipe Builder so they all start with "Simple Nourished Living" so you will know you have the right recipe. Hope this helps! ~Martha
Judy
Will you be leaving the blue, green, purple point values on your recipes? Some of us are not going to change completely to PP, but will kinda use a “hybrid” of our own. I love your recipes and would hate to lose this info.
Thanks for all you do.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Judy, We will keep the green, blue, and purple point values on all our old recipes. However, we won't have the means of calculating them for new recipes. ~Martha
Jane
Just when I finished buying all the cookbooks for the blue plan, the program has changed yet again. AARGH!! Unfortunately I haven't been able to get on the WW Site for a couple of years. Despite the help offered by their staff, I've never been able to load their app, hence all the cookbooks.
I'm delighted that you will continue to provide information on the previous programs. I still have all the information from the original Smart Points so hopefully will be able to translate the new to the old.
But even if not, yours will still be my place to go!
Vivian Colemire
So far I am liking the new plan. I only took the assessment once, just because I thought I was answering as correctly as I could for my foods. I did not want to tweak or change anything right now, I want to give what I was offered a couple of week to see how I do. I think I needed this change as a jump-start. I feel like I've got the excitement back that I needed just like I was a brand new member. It is like a new love that you get all excited over....I'm liking that in my weight loss. Thanks for all the work you do for us....we love your recipes!!
CINDy
When I clicked on the link to save the recipe I got the ingredients but there was only a link back your site fir directions and the link didn’t work. Were the directions supposed to be there too?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Cindy, You can get the entire recipe on my website. I only enter the ingredients into the WW Recipe Builder for Points calculation. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Charlene
Will we get any paper copies of the new plan and our zero point foods?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Charlene, I believe they are handing out a booklet when you attend an in-person meeting. A pdf version of it is on the WW website. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Diane
I have joined W/W both digital and meeting plans (pre COVID) at least 3 times but I have never been able to understand the digital program or the WW app or learn how to easily and thoroughly navigate and track easily on my IPad, and therefore, I just quit W/W in frustration. How can I make the best use of the program and the digital plan when I cannot seem to understand how to navigate the online program? I have joined meetings too in the past but found that the leaders were always too busy to give me the one on one assistance I seem to need. Am I the only one?
Kimberly Hildebrand
Diane I agree!! I too have trouble with the digital program. The app is confusing for me. I've given up on WW many times because I don't find it simple at all! I miss the 1 and 2 pt WW cakes, cookies and ice cream deserts! I'm hoping this newest program will be easier and actually fun again!
Judith Holmes
Hi Martha,
I prefer the old program.The new one took away 1 point from me and increased foods with corn and beans.
I love your recipes and make them all the time. i have bought several of your recipe books on line.
My friend attends the WW meetings and brings me her new recipes. I have also earned 3 WW recipe books. I must honestly say none of their recipes appeal to me but all of yours do! So keep up the good work and thank you for doing it for us.
lynda
Hi, At this moment, I am very very frustrated. I have NO idea and I can't find where or how to access my zero point foods or anything else. You posted a chart Personal Points and Old ways. I try to click on it and it goes to a light color and I can't do it. Also I have tried to click on your one for chicken something on this page and again it went light and I couldn't do it. I have logged in but again it won't accept ID or PW. I am ready to give up and just go back to what I remember with the old way. If you can point me in the direction where I can find out this information, I would be very happy.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Lynda, I'd love to help, but I'm just a blogger who posts some WW friendly recipes. I don't think I posted a chart on Personal Points and Old Ways. I don't have an ID or Log In on this site. If you are talking about trying to log in to WW you will want to contact them directly. Sincerely, ~Martha
Jennifer
First, I want to thank you for your website! I re-joined WW in September (was Points/PointsPlus about six years ago), and found Simple Nourished Living about a month ago. I appreciate the recipes and encouragement!
As far as changes go, they make me groan. I do think this one is good--why should I change my preference on my smart phone to have chicken instead of fish? Wouldn't they therefore come out the same for weight loss purposes? But they do it SO OFTEN that it makes me feel like they just want to sell more cookbooks and pre-programmed scales. One of the reasons I gave up on meetings a year ago was because they were becoming sales pitches. I'm digital only now but I do miss the camaraderie.
Marj Boyd
Hi Martha!
I have been a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers for a number of years. I find myself in need of some help. Since I became a Lifetime Member, I have also become a diabetic. I have been checking out the zero point foods and read that they are not suitable for diabetics. Is there somewhere I can find foods/recipes suitable for a diabetic?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Marj!
Weight Watchers has a modified list of 0 Points foods for those following their Diabetes Tailored Program. Here is the list of 0 Points Foods: https://simple-nourished-living.com/latest-weight-watchers-zero-points-foods-list/ Those foods that are NOT 0 Points for folks with diabetes have an asterisk and include fruit, corn/popcorn, and dairy products. Hope this helps. ~Martha
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Lori Thomas
Hands down the best WW plan they ever had was the "Fat & Fiber" plan. No points to figure out and it was just so easy to count your F&F grams. Not only that, but I always had good weight loss on that plan, week after week. On the Points plan, I ALWAYS felt hungry. On the Fat & Fiber plan, I never felt hungry. You ate until you were satisfied. I never understood why they took it and morphed it into yet another Point Plan. Ugh.