There's a new Weight Watchers® plan and we can't wait to share all the details with you!
As any Weight Watchers® member knows, every few years WW introduces a new program and this year is no different. The new program, which will be called myWW, will be launched on November 11, 2019 in the United States.
This program will be unlike any WW has offered before as it will have three different options for members. There will be Blue, Green, and Purple plan options that provide a range of options for members.
For anyone who has been with Weight Watchers® for a long time, this new WW plan, will actually look pretty familiar. WW is bringing back two plans from the past to add to the current Freestyle Smartpoints™ plan.
Here's how it will work. For those who currently use the Freestyle Smartpoints™ plan, this will now be called the Blue Plan. Additionally, WW is bringing back the previously retired Simply Filling plan, which will become the Purple Plan. Lastly, the former Smartpoints™ Beyond the Scale plan is coming back as the Green Plan.
Members will have the option to follow any plan they choose or they can let WW help them choose the best plan for them based on a simple assessment.
One important note: The specific details of this program haven't been released from WW yet, but we wanted to share everything we know so far since so many people have questions. All of the information below is based on what's out there and comes from reliable sources. Once the official rollout happens, we will update this page to reflect all the new information so bookmark this page and check back often. We will be adding tons of information and recipes for each new plan!
What is the newest Weight Watchers® program?
The newest program from Weight Watchers® is called myWW. This new plan is the first time that Weight Watchers® has ever offered its members three different options when it comes to weight loss. On the new WW program, there will be Green, Purple, and Blue plan options. Each plan will follow a slightly different philosophy when it comes to Weight Watchers®' signature points system, created to help members choose a plan that will maximize their results.
Although the new plan can feel like yet another change coming from Weight Watchers®, long term members will quickly recognize that this new version is actually just bringing back previous Weight Watchers® plans to give members more freedom and choices. In fact, the Blue Plan is just a new name for the Freestyle Smartpoints™ plan that Weight Watchers® has been using for the past year. Members who like that plan will be able to continue using it. The new Purple plan is a rebranding of the Simply Filling plan. Lastly, the Purple Plan is bringing back the Smartpoints™ Beyond the Scale program that was originally introduced in December of 2016.
Is Weight Watchers® changing in 2019?
As of November 11, 2019, Weight Watchers® will have a new version of its popular program called myWW. In this newest update to Weight Watchers®, they will be offering members three different weight loss plans for the first time ever. Members will start by taking a short assessment about their goals, lifestyle, eating habits, and activity level . Based on their responses, WW will recommend either their Blue, Purple, or Green Plan.
To better understand the three different options, it can be helpful to think about them on a spectrum. The Purple Plan (formerly Simply Filling) offers the greatest number of free or zero point foods (about 300) but offers the lowest number of daily points. This plan is best for someone who doesn't want to worry about counting everything they eat, tends not to overeat free foods, and wants an easy way to stay accountable for indulgences like a glass of wine, cookie, or a dinner out.
In the middle is the Blue Plan (formerly Freestyle Smartpoints™). This plan has fewer zero point or free foods (about 200) than the Purple Plan, but offers a higher daily points limit. It provides some freedom from counting points but provides more accountability since there are less free foods.
Last up is the Green Plan (formerly Smartpoints™ Beyond the Scale). This plan offers the fewest number of zero point foods (about 100) but provides the highest number of daily points. This program is best for someone who wants lots of accountability since you are tracking almost everything you eat.
What is the blue plan? Who is it best for?
On the new Weight Watchers® program, the Blue Plan is basically just a continuation of the previous Freestyle Smartpoints™ program. Under this plan, members will be given a daily points target of at least 23 Smartpoints™. This number will adjust up based on weight, height, age, lifestyle, and goals.
In this plan, there will be about 200 zero point foods that members can eat that don't count towards their daily points total. These zero point foods include fruit, vegetables, lean proteins like chicken breast or ground turkey breast, most seafood and shellfish, beans, lentils, eggs, and nonfat dairy. All other foods are assigned a points value based on their nutritional makeup. Foods that are higher in fats, sugar, and calories usually have higher points. Additionally, members get weekly flex points and can earn fitpoints.
Generally speaking, this plan is best suited for someone who wants a good mix of freedom and flexibility. With so many zero point foods, there is a lot of freedom in this plan, that may not be a good fit for someone who thinks that may overeat zero point foods.
Also, it should go without saying, if you have been losing weight and enjoying Freestyle, then there is no need to switch! Stick with it if it is working.
What is the green plan? Who is it best for?
The Green Plan on Weight Watchers® is a revival of the Smartpoints™ Beyond the Scale program from 2015 and 2016, which was when Weight Watchers® shifted from PointsPlus to Smartpoints™.
Under this plan, members will be given a daily points target of at least 30 Smartpoints™ and there will be about 100 zero point foods. These free foods are mostly fruits and non-starchy vegetables. All other foods will have a points value under this plan, with lower points for healthier items and higher points for items higher in saturated fat and sugar. Like other plans, there will also be weekly flex points and fitpoints.
This plan is best for someone who wants the maximum amount of accountability. With the exception of fruits and vegetables, everything needs to be counted and tracked on this plan. For anyone who tends to overeat or needs a more restrictive option, this plan provides the most structure and boundaries.
What is the purple plan? Who is it best for?
The Purple Plan on the new myWW, is similar to the former Simply Filling plan with some enhancements. This plan was retired when WW shifted to Freestyle last year but now it is coming back.
The Purple Plan is based on a much larger array of zero point foods and many people think of this plan as the "No count" plan since there are so many free foods. In this plan, there are over 300 zero point foods including fruits, vegetables, most lean proteins including beef, most seafood, fish, nonfat dairy, beans, lentils, eggs, tofu, whole grains, potatoes, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, and oatmeal to name a few. However, with this expanded list of zero point foods, there is a lower daily point allowance that starts at 16 Smartpoints™.
The Purple Weight Watchers® plan is best for anyone looking for lots of freedom, who doesn't want to count points all the time. However, it is critical that people using the purple plan do not overeat and truly listen to their body. It is easy to overeat free goods under this option. At the end of the day, if you eat too many calories, you will still gain weight.
How will I know which WW plan to follow?
Weight Watchers® has created an assessment tool to help members determine which plan is best for them. Members will also have the option to choose the plan they like best. Members will have access to all the plans and can switch freely between plans but are encouraged to give any plan at least two weeks before changing.
Why is WW changing?
There a few theories out there about why Weight Watchers® is making these changes, but it's important to remember that WW constantly updates their program based on the most current science and research to help their members lose weight. To me, this newest version is just a combination of all their best thinking. I love that it is giving members choices.
Another reason WW is likely expanding their options is that some people struggled to lose weight under Freestyle due to the large number of zero point foods. Some members struggled not to overeat zero point foods. At the end of the day, weight loss is about calories in and calories out so if someone overeats free foods, they won't see the results they hope for.
The new myWW lets members tailor a plan that will maximize their results and is most likely to work for them. Personally I think that's a really good thing and makes a lot of sense.
Will I still get weekly points and Fitpoints?
Under the new plans there will still be weekly points and the ability to earn Fitpoints. For those new to WW, weeklies are extra points you are given each week that can be used for a special treat or night out. They are in addition to your daily points allowance. Fitpoints are points earned from working out. It also looks like there may be a new option to roll points over from one day to the next. Some people are suggesting that this option will replace weeklies.
How many Smartpoints™ will I get on the 2019 plan?
The number of Smartpoints™ for your daily points target is based on the plan you choose (Blue, Green, or Purple) and based on your weight, height, age, goals, and lifestyle.
- Under the Purple plan, there is a minimum of 16 Smartpoints™.
- On the Blue Plan, there is a minimum of 23 Smartpoints™.
- On the Green Plan, there is a minimum of 30 Smartpoints™.
What foods are free on Weight Watchers®?
Under the myWW plan, there will be different zero point foods for each different plan. Here are the basics:
- Purple plan: fruits, vegetables, most lean proteins including beef, most seafood, fish, nonfat dairy, beans, lentils, eggs, tofu, whole grains, potatoes, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, and oatmeal
- Blue plan: fruit, vegetables, lean proteins like chicken breast or ground turkey breast, most seafood and shellfish, beans, lentils, eggs, and nonfat dairy
- Green plan: fruits and non-starchy vegetables
What can I eat on Weight Watchers®?
One of the things many people love most about Weight Watchers® is that you can eat anything you like! There are no off limit foods on Weight Watchers® no matter which color plan you choose. You just have to make sure to track the points for the foods you eat and stay within the target.
With that said, most people on Weight Watchers®, try to stick to lower point recipes and foods. Here are some of our favorites:
- Zero Point Taco Soup
- Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan
- Three Ingredient Banana Pancakes
- Asian Ground Turkey Stir Fry
- Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup