Some Dieters Find Support On Weight Watchers

ORLANDO, Fla. -- If you believe all the ads, losing weight is a snap -- eat this, take this pill, wear this gadget, and you'll lose the weight you want in no time. In reality, losing weight is one of the toughest things you can do.

Many people who try to lose weight often start and then stop their diets because it's just too hard. What they may need is support, and one diet offers a lot of it.

"I couldn't breathe right. I felt terrible all the time. I was afraid I was going to die ... I didn't go to the theater because I didn't know if I could sit in a seat," Norma Stewart said.

It took a Christmas picture to convince Stewart that she had to lose weight.

"I saw myself on the screen and just started to cry," Stewart said.

But today, 13 months later, Stewart has made progress.

"I've lost 72 pounds, lost 50 inches," Stewart said.

How did she do it?

"I started Weight Watchers," Stewart said.

It's one of the oldest and most popular diet plans. It's even traded publicly on the New York Stock Exchange. Dieters can eat just about whatever they want, carbohydrates or otherwise, but portions are limited.

Each and every food is assigned a point total. For example, a serving of barbecued chicken is six points, broccoli is zero points, and a scoop of ice cream is four points.

Stewart is allowed 28 points a day.

"Of my 28, a cup of this will be two points," Stewart said of her taco soup, and she won't be eating alone.

"I shop for everybody. I cook for everybody. I eat their food, they eat my food, and I just have to make wise investments with my points," Stewart said.

A growing number of low-carb refugees are showing up at Weight Watchers meetings, complaining that they can't keep the weight off on the other diets. The one missing ingredient could be support. They get it at weekly meetings where they're weighed, get lessons on how to make healthy eating choices, and hear how fellow members are surviving the ups and downs and cravings of dieting.

"You set up mini goals and milestones, and when you make it, it's a big thing, and they celebrate," Stewart said.

Exercise is also emphasized. Stewart tried Weight Watchers in the past but never exercised. She said working out three days a week has helped her stay on course.

Weight Watchers can be costly. It usually costs about $25 to join. A special promotion waives the fee until March 13, but you'll still pay $11 a week to attend meetings. The business also sells a lot of food items with points already figured. Stewart doesn't buy the products but said the money for the meetings is worth every penny.

"Face it. If I could have done it myself, I would have done it a long time ago," Stewart said.

There are no specific health problems related to this diet, but misusing your points could backfire if you don't eat all day and save points for your evening meal. Even if you don't eat all your points, your body might react by holding onto the fat calories just in case you do it again.