By now you have probably heard the rumor circulating that the WW (formerly Weight Watchers) program will be implementing changes in November 2021. Yes! This is correct. MyWW will soon change and we are here to share what we know about the updates, so far.
2021 WW Plan Changes
Every two years, in November, WW (formerly Weight Watchers), changes things up and has an update to their plans. In the past we have experienced this change from Points Plus to SmartPoints, to the individual color plans we currently use with the MyWW options of Blue, Green, and Purple. As it has been two years since this change, we are now jumping into another update headfirst with excitement.
The New WW Personal Points™
The first thing was noticed earlier this fall when it was verified that WW had trademarked the name WW Personal Points™ in June 2021. While that had many speculating on changes, nothing was set in stone until we began seeing the updates taking place in Australia and New Zealand. As is usual in these changes, Australia and New Zealand began the changes in October 2021. You can see all about those changes on the country-specific website HERE.
With this and information gained from various WW affiliate leaders and those who are currently using the new plan, we know that it will begin the week of November 8, 2021, in the United States and changes should automatically show in your WW account and via their app.
What Should We Expect with the New 2021 WW Plan?
The motto of WW that keeps coming to mind is:
“Live WW in a way that works for you!”
This is definitely what you should keep in mind when thinking and planning for the new updates to WW Personal Points™ this year. The changes are made every few years as a means to update to the healthiest options for individuals. This includes different structures for the points, more mindfulness, and rewards based on healthier choices. Below are some of the things that are coming this year that you should be aware of and excited to see happening.
More Personalized WW Plan
In years past, the WW plans have been pretty single-minded in that while you got different points for different amounts you needed to lose, there was a line where everyone would get the same things. When it was announced that the MyWW colored plans would be implemented, this made a lot of people happy because it used the basics of the three plans of years past. But it still didn't address that each of us is unique and may need more or less each day to thrive.
The WW Personal Points™ program is all about personalization. From my understanding at this point, that means there won't be such strict/set numbers of points but a more tailored to YOU individually option. Each person, new or old WW user, will be given a personalized assessment that builds the right plan for your specific needs. This will take into account the foods you naturally gravitate toward and your struggle items to account for them as well as allow you to continue eating what works best for you.
No two people are alike, so no two plans are alike. When you join WW, they will ask you a series of questions via our PersonalPoints Engine, then they’ll design your unique PersonalPoints Budget and ZeroPoint™ food list.
What About ZeroPoint™ Foods? Are They Changing?
One thing about this to remember specifically is that it has been said the ZeroPoint™ food list is in fact different for each individual according to their individual plan and needs. So, while vegetables would be zero points for most, fruit may not be for someone who is diabetic and needs to be aware of their sugar intake. I am not sure how this will change recipes for us moving forward, but we are still excited to see this plan in action and more tailored to individual needs.
You can read more about this here on the WW Australia website, but it states that what will be considered zero is truly unique to each person. So, while we will develop recipes to share here, some of the points may vary depending upon your own personal plan. Again, this is speculation according to the plan updates in New Zealand and Australia and may be different for the US.
Get Rewarded for Healthy Choices
This is a huge thing that many of us are especially excited about. When you make healthy choices like drinking more water, exercising regularly, or eating more vegetables, your points will increase as a reward. While I do not know as of yet how that will work and how much the reward is, I do know this is not just a great incentive for us to eat healthier, but a way to show they understand changes mean you may need more points to fuel your body.
Specific Updates For Diabetics
Yay! This one is one that I am thrilled to see. While diabetes is a disease that often requires medications, it can also be well controlled and helped by diet alone. That WW is now seeing the need to make a plan that works better with the protein, fiber, and carbohydrate needs of a diabetic is huge. During your assessment, you will have a chance to let them know you are diabetic and it will direct you to the correct options for your body.
Can I Still Use the MyWW Colored Plans?
If you plan to remain a WW member, your app and account will no longer have the information or points for the colored plans you currently use. Instead, everything will be changed to the new WW Personal Points™ system.
What If I Don't Want to Change to The New Plan?
While we believe the new plan will be better and for the best in most cases, change is hard. That is why we will continue to share points from all of the older plans on our recipes as well as make updates to fit the new plan points. We can also recommend using the iTrackBites app for the older plans. While it is not at all WW, it has a similar algorithm that closely aligns to past plans such as Points Plus, SmartPoints, and the colored plans of recent years.
You can also check out some of our past meal plans that may be helpful including the MyWW Blue meal plan, this Weight Watchers SmartPoints meal plan, as well as this Vegan WW meal plan.
Get Started With These Recipes
While they aren't updated to the latest points yet, below are a few of our favorite lower point recipes to get you started! These are healthy and satisfying foods that are sure to be perfect on your menu and work no matter what points program you use.
- Zero Point Simple Turkey Chili Recipe
- Vegan Zero Point CrockPot Bean Soup Recipe
- Zero Point Muffin Tin Eggs
Diana Rhima
I am not happy about this as the
Purple plan has been working great for me and switching to another app will not cut it for me…I will no longer support WW. What they need to do is leave the app for blue, green and purple the way it is and add the new program as an option…I think people will be a lot happier this way!
Katie Hale
This option will give you something very much like purple depending upon how you answer the personal assessment. Don't give up until you give it a try at least 🙂
Amy Weaver
That's how I felt when they took away Simply Filling. I had lost 52 pounds on that plan and when they took it away I gained 48 of it back.
Kati
I'm so excited about the new plan. I never really liked the smart points plan. I hope the new personal plan will get me back on track 😉.
Nancy
I agree!
Joyce raby
I am not happy either .I have just got my points on purple down I have been on weight watcher since Sept 19:2021 this is my 3 th time on weight watchers I lost 50: lbs in 2012 and the purple is working I have lost 15 let us stay on what we know how to do
Jeannette
I agree!!! 💔 Makes it harder and now makes you want to quit. I'm not a quitter !!!! Just let me do green. I want to count my points! 😥
Sally
Same with me, I want to count all my points on green, blue and purple did not work for me and that’s my fault because I abused the zero point grains, I’m hoping I answer the questions correctly so that I’m able to count all my points as I did on green, nothing is zero to me.
Michelle
I totally agree with you, I like my blue plan been lifetime for 2 years and it works for me
Vicki
My weight gain has already begun after two short weeks on the new plan. Reducing my list of zero point foods and changing the entire system to count points has affected my success. I have been a WW member since 2006 and I am a lifetime member and am quite disappointed. Offering me the option to manually count points outside of WW is hurtful to say the least.
Katie Hale
I'm sorry you are struggling Vicki - have you reached out to one of the coaches with WW?
5questions
I much prefer the former opportunity to personally track activity points for myself without using a "tracking device", an idea which I abhor. I will be looking elsewhere for a program that allows me to do so, and encourage WW to create bring back former options for their users.
Mary
I think this will be more helpful to myself currently on blue but it takes me forever to lose weight Iam a long time we member but if corse not at my goal weight as much as I do not like change anything to speed up loss I’m willing to try
Laurel Ryan
I love the idea of special consideration for diabetics, but will there also be some help for those of us on a low salt diet?
Katie Hale
From what I can see there is nothing specific for that, but your personal assessment may allow for changes that would help with specific dietary needs.
Sandy
While this sounds interesting, this isn’t enough information for me to want to change what I’m doing now.
I appreciate your time and effort to try to explain the new plan!
Ken Hobbs
I have to say, while I appreciate the personalization, I have found that if I honestly track everything I put in my mouth and move more than I did before, the weight loss is steady and sustainable. The plan was already personalized to individuals by giving different plans to choose what works for you and different points based on your weight, which is science. Great idea to keep updating but the update should be an option, not a replacement, I am very unhappy with this.
Jenn
I’m on green and have lost an encouraging amount of weight. WW becomes their own worst enemy when they do these stupid changes that cause upheaval.
Jeannie
This is going to be interesting. On purple I had 300 0 point foods and now I'm going to have to pick between things like brown rice and whole grain pasta?🤔
Renee
^ I love all my zero carbs! Brown rice, brown pasta, air popcorn, potatoes. I will be going ballistic if everything but one of those now has points attached. I guess we'll see next week. I don't think those six questions really personalize much. I'm glad they added something for diabetics, but ask me if I'm a vegetarian, a vegan, a pescatarian. Ask me if I'm gluten intolerant, if I have allergies. I can't see how this is going to be very personalized.
Kasey
Im willing to try the new and hoping for a jumpstart but would love it if the purple option was available if Im mot keen on the new plan!
Gloria
I have been with WW for 8 years at LT and Goal. I get use to change even if kicking and screaming. Now it’s time to learn a new plan again. But I think these changes are what have helped me not get in a rut and gain weight.
Deb
My initial reaction was very negative but I’m trying to go forward with an open mind. I think, by carefully answering the questions, we will be able to come close to what we have now.
I think with every change and “personalization” it gets harder for someone to use the program without being a paying member…fair enough 🤷🏻♀️…WW is a business and has invested time and money in developing their tools etc.
Evelyn
I am not happy as I do not have a cell phone as they do not work in my building and I cannot use any of the things on the apps, I cannot change my personal program at all. I can not even use connect to post and that alone has been very disturbing as I cannot use it only to read what others are doing, but I am not part of it.. all i can do is track my food, yet I pay the same price as those that get all the benefits , on the Apps I do not think that is right, I am not sure if i want to stay with WW as I am paying the full price and not being able to use anything, no new updates at all. I have thousands of points and I cannot even use them. I do not believe it is fair that I pay the same price as the others who can use everything. I have watch all the new things that have been added to the apps and cannot use them. And that made me fell left out, Now this new program I still cannot use any thing but track. I guess WW is for Apps only as they get all the new benefits and I do not.
Katie Hale
Have you contacted WW directly and asked about solutions or if they have areas on the website that might allow you to access that? They are often very helpful on their online chat or phone customer service.
Marge
I’m not happy with the change either. I have been on WW for 20 years and each time they change a plan my weight goes berserk. How can a plan be personalized when no one knows my triggers? The points allowance is more than I currently use. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
Susan duBois
I am a lifetime member (first went to WW in 1972) and have gone through many changes. I can adjust to the Personal Points easily but it is the scanner feature on the app that I like the most because I can check points on items in the grocery store. Will the app adjust points on items based on my Personal Points plan??????? If not, has this feature become worthless or is there some adjustment I can make myself?