Weight Watcher’s Original Diet Plan

3/1/2013

A lot of people have expressed dissatisfaction with the new Weight Watcher’s Points Plus system and requested information about their original plan. They say they lost tons of weight using the old plan and just can’t seem to lose weight using Points Plus. So, by popular demand, we present to you a revised Original Weight Watcher's Diet Plan. It’s revised because it's been passed through several hands but it is basically true to form and should be very effective in helping you shed pounds quickly. Most people who successfully lose weight say dieting is most effective if you have a support system (even if it’s just one person) and that it’s imperative that you carefully record the food you eat. We can help you with the support system: follow along and comment at will on some of our personal endeavors to shed a few pounds. Also, we've found a really great, printable Food Tracker for you so you can get started without having to dig one up for yourself. If you're ready to switch things up a bit and jump start your weight loss, check out the Cupcake Time Diet. If you use it first and then move into this diet plan, you'll watch the weight come off even faster!

Menu
Breakfast: 1 egg or 1 ounce hard cheese or 2 ounces fish or 1/4 cup cottage or pot cheese
1 slice bread, No rolls, bagels, biscuits muffins, crackers, cereals, or special breads were allowed.

Lunch: 4 oz. fish or lean meat or poultry, or 2/3 c cottage cheese or 2 oz hard cheese or 2 eggs.
All you want of unlimited vegetables (any not listed on the restricted list below)
1 slice bread

Dinner: 6 ounces lean meat or fish or poultry
1 portion restricted vegetables (see list below)
All you want of unlimited vegetables

Required Snacks: A total of three fruits, one of them an orange or grapefruit
2 cups skim milk

Still Hungry? Eat unlimited amounts of bullion broth, vegetables not on list, calorie-free bevereges.

Permitted Fruits
1 apple
1/2 cantaloupe
1/2 grapefruit
2" wedge of honeydew
1 orange
1/4 medium-sized pineapple
(One kind reader provided additional information regarding fruits, the following is a list of fruits you may also use. Thanks, Carol!)
1 cup of strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries or blueberries
1 peach or nectarine
2 apricots
1 plum

Forbidden Fruits
Bananas
Cherries
Watermelon
Grapes
Dried Fruits

Restricted Vegetables
Artichokes
Bamboo shoots
Beets
Brussels sprouts
Carrots
Eggplant
Green beans
Okra
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Pumpkin
Scallions
Squash (yellow)
Tomato
Tomato juice
Turnips

Fish was to be eaten at least five times per week, liver at least once a week, and beef, lamb, and dark meat turkey no more than three times per week.

In a Nutshell, the Diet consisted of:

Protein 4 (70 calories each)
Milk 2(90 cal. each)
Bread 4(80 cal each)
Fat 2(40 cal each)
Veggies 3 (unlimited if non starchy)
Fruit 2 (60 cal each)

You also had the option of choosing 7 floaters (weekly) from any of the food groups as well as 750 optional calories.

Feel free to comment if you have more information regarding this diet, can offer a personal comparison of the two, or any questions. And feel free to follow the diets with us along the way; what have you got to lose?

100 Comments

Diane Tregoning

07/03/2013 3:53am

Oh, what joy to find the original diet plan AND the food tracker. This is the version that worked for me. I hate the points plan - too complex.

Weight Weight Don't Tell Me

07/03/2013 6:11am

Glad to be able to meet your needs! Best wishes to you on your weight loss.

Christine P link

08/25/2014 1:22pm

Wait a minute! You forgot to mention that the portion for limited vegetables was a half cup. Also, in the 1960's, there were no floating choices, or 750 extra calories. That came much later. Fish 5 times a week. 12 oz. of tomato juice a day was free. No fat of any kind. Liver was required once a week, although I never knew anyone who had it.

Carol Frilegh

07/08/2013 4:54am

Incorrect. The allowed fruits listed here actually are only the Vitamin C fruit required. Other fruits are allowed like strawberries, blueberries and others. French stye green beans are unlimited.

Weight Weight Don't Tell Me

07/08/2013 5:57pm

Thanks so much for the clarification, Carol! Are the allowed berries allowed in unlimited amounts, too? I'd never heard about the french style green beans - do you know why they're unlimited but normal green beans aren't?

Carol Frilegh

07/08/2013 6:23pm

Other fruit choices,1 cup of strawberries, 1/2 cup raspberries or blueberries, 1 peach or nectarine, 2 apricots, plum, and I cannot remember what else. The French cut beans have the seeds falling out . Cauliflower was unlimited .so were kale and spinach and celery, radishes, lettuce, cabbage , mushrooms ( we "dry baked" them into :peanuts"
We made jello from diet pop and whipped skim milk in to make a mousse, put it back in the fridge to set. I am so sorry I gave my book away form the mid 1960's last year.

Jackie

06/16/2014 11:04am

French style green beans were unlimited because they had immature beans in them. They are also sliced lengthwise.

Donna Matthewman

01/27/2015 11:01am

I wish you could print the original book...or one similar and sell it.

Donna Matthewman

01/27/2015 11:00am

I know I so wish I still had my original weight watchers book too.

Stephanie Klein

02/05/2015 4:58pm

Do U remember the weekly menu plans they gave us? I've been trying 2 find a few because as a clinical type, I do better following a script. I lost 8 Pds in a 7 day week, (4 being water weight), but still. Where did they go? U could mix any breakfast with another mid morning snack?

phyllis

12/11/2013 7:03pm

Why does the daily menus differ from the exchange list in a nutshell..daily menus have two breads and 9 oz protein and three fruits ..exchange list in a nutshell has 5 breads four oz of protein and two fruits and two fats. Confuu
Sing

Dan

08/08/2014 8:20pm

There was a difference in menus depending on gender and youth. If I recall, women were allowed less bread and fruit than were men and children. You may be looking at the women's chart and comparing that to the men's program.

LeeAnna Fitzgerel

01/24/2015 1:21pm

Men got 5 fruits a day and 8 oz of meat. They also got two more servings of bread a day. Flour could be exchanged for bread, but I don't remember the quantities or rules of using flour or corn meal.

Stephanie Klein

02/05/2015 5:00pm

Can't find any copies of those weekly menus? Got any. Been looking for 2 yrs.

JoAnna Mastersw

01/09/2014 6:43am

I have done both the original and the point system diets. They both work very well however I am more partial to the original because it promotes more healthy eating habits. The point system allows for too much junk food. You can eat a huge piece of fudge cake a day as long as you count the points which means there's less points for sfoods that have good nutritional value.

Forward Motion 411

01/09/2014 6:21pm

I agree with you completely, JoAnna. The points system gives people freedom but that freedom means they may never understand the importance of getting calories that provide minerals and vitamins. (Me, I ate all sorts of treats at first and weight loss was slow and I was always hungry. Once I gave up on that and started eating better food, I lost weight more quickly but I don't really think I needed to lose all of the time in the learning curve.) Also, current research is showing that having 1 sweet per day with breakfast correlates with higher weight loss over time and that weight stays off better. So don't feel like you have to completely deprive yourself of sweets.

KATHIE link

01/28/2014 1:14pm

As I recall, in the 70s, prior to their point and/or exchange system, the list of restricted veggies included starchy ones, such as peas, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, all legumes, yellow squash including pumpkin, beets. onion (too much sugar in them, I guess) Don't know why carrots, brussels sprouts, tomato, eggplant, green beans, scallions, okra were on the restricted list. Very low in calories, and carbs in general. The diet to be followed by diabetics is very similar to the WW program that I was on then. Also, doctors treating my diabetes have stated that if someone eats more veggies, and fruit, and less meat, it will be good for the diabetes, as well as shedding weight. For anyone who is a bit (or a lot) obsessive compulsive, any program that encourages one to count points is likely to make for an obsessive attitude about food in general, and also encourages the person trying to lose weight to focus on food more and more. I venture to say that about 80% of dieters have that affliction, and are unable to successfully lose the weight and keep it off. I have tried all of the programs, and find myself now, once again quite overweight, and trying to focus on healthy servings, and healthy choices, not the light at the non-existent end of the tunnel. Because there is no end to the need to eat healthy. Once those adipose tissues get small, they are simply waiting to get filled up again. Hence the yo-yo effect.

Forward Motion 411

02/15/2014 2:10pm

Thanks for your comment, Kathie! I agree with you that it isn't very helpful to have to obsess over points and to focus on food in an unhealthy way. That is one reason i think this particular diet is one that can actually help you re-think how you eat, adjust it, and move forward in a healthy way. I'm sorry the weight came back; I absolutely hate that! Good luck to you in your newest move to improving your health and lifestyle. You can do it! Please keep me posted!

Suzanne Otterbacher

02/14/2014 6:54pm

I thank you for confirming what I remembered of the original plan. When my doctor said my blood sugar was getting too high (and if I didn't lose weight I would definitely be diabetic) I immediately went on my remembered weight watchers plan from the 1960's. I dropped weight and my blood sugar dropped too. After visiting the dietitian/diabetes counselor I loosened up, and stopped losing weight. This gives me the confidence to go back on the plan and lose those extra pounds. Thanks again.

Forward Motion 411

02/15/2014 2:04pm

Happy to be there for you, Suzanne! I think part of life's adventure is to keep trying while knowing everyone is rooting for us. The beauty of this particular diet is it's structure, don't you think?

Stephanie Klein

02/05/2015 5:05pm

Do U have any copies of the weekly menus? It's the only way it works for me. Being a clinical type, doing points simply doesn't work for me??

Linda Evans link

02/25/2014 6:19pm

So glad to find this site...Thank you for the "original" WW..i lost 45 lbs years ago and kept if off for a long time...i have gone to the new ww program and just can't wrap my mind around it...i like the simple plan alot better... Linda

Forward Motion 411

02/27/2014 1:52am

We're glad you found us, too! So many people seemed to succeed at losing the weight with the original plan. It's surprising WW moved on and left this plan behind. Tonight I was chatting with a friend and she mentioned she was dying to get some ice cream tomorrow as she is going on a liquid diet starting on Saturday. My response? "Ummm ice is a liquid if you leave it out long enough."

Now you understand why most of my diets fail. hahaha But the WW Original plan didn't provide loopholes and kept me on track so I saw success! You might want to check out the Satan Diet on our website to kickstart your diet plans. It's very short term - but you see results that push you more quickly toward your weight loss goals. Good luck to you!!

Mary Svoboda

03/12/2014 10:28am

As I recall,the daily limits were 6 protein,2 bread,3 fat,3 fruit,2 skim milk,unlimited veggies from the list. Starchy veggies had to be exchanged for bread.

Forward Motion 411

03/12/2014 12:46pm

Thanks for your comment, Mary! I think you are referring to the Weight Watcher's Exchange Plan that came after the Original Diet Plan (this one) and the Weight Watcher's Points Plus plan. Am I correct?

I really don't understand how the Exchange Plan worked, except that it was rumored to be based on the diabetic diet put out by the American Diabetic Association. Can you tell me a little bit about how it worked?

Dan

08/08/2014 8:26pm

My recollection is similar to Mary's. You were allowed to trade a couple of slices of bread for a starchy vegetable up to two or three times a week. Potatoes or rice could be a simple trade off with bead once in a while. Just watch out for the butter, sour cream etc.

Kelly

03/22/2014 10:52pm

I have the entire program exchanges. I will post it if you want. Let me know.

Dianne

03/23/2014 6:11pm

that would be excellent Kelly.

Forward Motion 411

03/24/2014 1:34pm

Yes, Kelly. Please do! The more options everyone has, the greater chances for success. Thanks so much for the offer!

Deena Rhodes

06/20/2014 11:32am

I would very much appreciate the exchange list. Please email me.

Penny

08/30/2014 8:57am

Please post the program exchanges, this is the only diet that ever really worked for me. I followed it in the early 80s. I've recently been contact by a friend who did this with me and she was looking for it also. So we are gonna try to do it again almost 30 years later. Any help you could give me would be appreciated. Especially allowed vegetables, fruits, seasoning. Thanks ;)

Nancy

09/05/2014 7:50pm

Kelly.... I don't see the posted entire program. If memory serves, additional floaters were allotted according to exercise..... Does anyone recall that?

Deb

12/31/2014 6:09am

Kelly, I would really like to get a copy of the entire program ....is there anyway you could email it to me? Thant would be great as I have been looking everywhere for it. Please let me know. Thanks
My email is storandt@centurylink.net

Nancy

01/04/2015 7:06pm

Kelly, I did the original program. Swore I still had the materials, but I don't. did you ever post this? I would love to have the list of allowables/exchanges. thank you

Jan link

01/08/2015 9:31am

Did you ever post the entire program exchanges? I did very well with 1973 WW, but haven't done well with any of the newer WW programs (1980's - on). I would think I'm not the only one. Since Jan. 1, I've been trying to stick to what I remember of it (1973 WW), but there were subtle 'rules' the leaders encouraged - such as, 1) don't eat an apple the same day you eat a pear, 2) eat salad with dressing on the side and just dip your fork into the dressing before spearing some salad, and 3) certain fish should only be eaten on the lower amounts (4 oz.) - like salmon and any of the other 'oilier' fishes. So far I've lost 4 lbs.. I'm also trying to be more aware of my cravings, and look at my college picture as motivation (it was my lowest weight of my adult life.).

Elizabeth

03/30/2014 6:21am

I recently bought on eBay the original WW book, as well as the revised plan WW came out with in 1973. I'm not sure which one I'm going to attempt. To tell the truth, what's holding me back is the incredible amount of fish you're supposed to eat each week! Any suggestions on that? Does anyone know how important it is that I stick to that part of it? Seems to me that I could substitute some of that fish with lean meat, don't you think? I'm totally new to WW but from what I've read, those early plans were definitely easier to follow and quicker weight loss. Plus, I like the clarity and checking off little boxes throughout the day :) But what about all that fish??

Brooke link

03/30/2014 9:01pm

Hey Elizabeth I've got to say I'm with you there! I have always hated fish, like every type of fish including shrimp and lobster. I've started trying to eat fish for weight loss and also because it's just supposed to be so good for you. Mostly I have been just trying to suck it up and eat fish like I eat brussel sprouts, just suck it up and hurry through.

I have found two ways of eating seafood that are acceptable though. 1) Things that are pan seared and have some kind of citrus (usually squirt lemon or lime on them before you cook them) are much less awful tasting and 2) This recipe http://www.forwardmotion411.com/2/category/cilantro%20roasted%20salmon/1.html makes salmon actually tasty (as insane as that sounds) I'd reccomend trying it and if you hate it put it into a taco with black beans to mask the flavor of fish. and 3) put some horseradish on it. I swear it makes almost any fish at least edible.

Quick reminder :if you do buy salmon don't buy farm raised or atlantic (sneaky way of saying farm raised) because they are full of mercury and antibiotics and all sorts of nasty things.

As to switching out to other lean meats, it may work but I would try cilantro salmon first. If you look at past posts in the fitness tab on this website they talk about chelation and how cilantro helps your body detox.

Elizabeth

03/31/2014 4:33am

Thanks, Brooke. Your answer wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear (yes, you do have to eat all that fish) but at least you made me laugh as I read your reply :) Oddly enough, brussel sprouts are the only vegetable that I absolutely can't stand and will not eat. Funny that you brought that up.

I copied the Cilantro Salmon recipe down and plan to try it soon. And yes, I've become aware in the past couple of years of the differences between wild-caught and farm-raised fish and try to always buy wild only.

Oh well, I guess I have to suck it up and eat fish, dang it.

Elizabeth

03/31/2014 4:33am

Elizabeth

03/31/2014 4:34am

Dan

08/08/2014 8:31pm

I found that tuna with salad fixings made a terrific lunch and an easy way to fill the weekly fish quotas.

Phyllis

09/02/2014 4:49pm

Is there any way I could get from you a copy of the revised 1973 ww plan? Either you could scan it to me, or make a copy and I could paper your the materials and postage. Thank you phyllis.oleary@gmail.com

joyce campbell link

04/07/2014 7:28am

is the the orginal

Forward Motion 411

05/06/2014 9:14pm

Hi Joyce. It was called the Original Plan when I ran across it. However, I remember (sort of - I was really young and just listening to old people talking) hearing about some plan that required you to eat about a gazillion bananas. So...maybe? If you want one where you eat gazillion bananas that is very effective at helping you lose weight - check out the Satan Diet and the Cupcake Time Diet on this website. Banana lovers unite!

Trish

04/09/2014 6:09pm

How many points are you allowed on the old points system? Does anyone have that piece?

Elizabeth Fitzmaurice

04/10/2014 3:26am

Trish: No idea. This article's about the Original Weight Watchers Plan, not the Points system.

Forward Motion 411

05/06/2014 9:20pm

Hi Trish. I'm sorry, but I don't. I know a lot of people felt that program was superior to the Points Plus but I never did see the old points system in action. Good luck to you!

Gene

11/06/2014 9:39am

Hi Trish: On this blog opening page, go to the right hand column and scroll down to Archives. Pick the April 2013 and hit it. The original points description shows on that page if you scroll down to it. Points allowed were determined for each person as they chose the rate and number for their goal. But in fact it almost always turned out to be 24-26 points unless you were very obese then it went up to 29-30 points per day. Also it differed for men and youth. Also, you could earn 2 points or more per day depending on how much exercise you got over the basic 20 mins required per day.

Catherine

04/20/2014 1:10pm

The food exchanges plan was the very bestest! I joined WW in 1982, lost weight, kept it off and became a WW leader. I sure wish I had all my program booklets. I went back to WW in 2010ish and all they talked about was how many chocolate kisses they could eat for all their daily points. Geeeeeeeeze! Does anyone have the extra booklets that spoke to out to eat???

Forward Motion 411

05/06/2014 9:18pm

Hi Catherine! Thanks for your comment. The chocolate kisses thing is why I really prefer the Original plan over the Points Plan. I tried both and I am really just too irresponsible to be told I can eat my points in cake and candy. That just really didn't work for me. I know the exchange plan is based on a diabetic diet. If that was your favorite and you can't find it, you may want to google diabetic exchanges and use that to guide you. Best to you!

Gene

10/28/2014 1:48pm

I used the older plans as well for weight watchers and became a life time member in the 1970's. The point plans did not interest me and I still dig out my exchanges when I need to make a correction to return to my goal weight. I trained in their instructor programme as well in the 70/80's. Remember; as we age our goal weight has to be adjusted as well, check with your doctor or dietitian. Tops plan still offers the exchange system identical to the old WW ones. Richard Simmons old Deal a Meal also was an exchange plan mostly the same. On the tops web site and at their meetings you can find the old WW type journal sheets for keeping track of your exchanges and substitutions allowed as optional calories and personal choice fruits or milk or bread or protein extras. Richard simmons web site also has a journal for keeping track of exchanges. He still uses the exchange basics only he began to close windows on food groups in a handy hand held counter. WW allowed various levels which changed according to how fast or slow you wanted to loose. Levels were different too for men and youth. And yes you could always substitute for the many fish meals if you could not stand fish, but you had to have less volume of the alternate protein in order to keep the calories the same. Exchange plans are really a fancy way to keep track of calories to make it easier to plan and keep to a set caloric total for your age, height and goal. Originally exercise was optional and now as WW includes more calories under their point systems exercise is required to loose at the same rate as of old. PS I am still pretty healthy for an old gal too and WW old system works.

Daryl link

05/06/2014 10:02am

Back when i did this originally i hated fish .. substituted 3 oz cans of tuna in water … i lost 25 lbs (gained after stopping smoking when i was 30) in 25 weeks and kept it all off for over 30 years … recently i gained 10 lbs and want it gone so i Googled and found this .. thank you for sharing it .. i am now back on WW and hope to lose the 10 lbs as easily as the original 25 …

Forward Motion 411

05/06/2014 9:11pm

Glad you are a fellow fish hater! The tuna idea is a great way to get the benefit of fish without having to actually eat fish. You should check out our Salmon Patty recipe on this site - it is another painless way to get fish if you couple it with the Corn Fritters!

Your weight loss on this plan "back in the day" was fabulous! And I do think this diet actually gets us thinking about how to eat healthy so we can keep the weight off. Let me know if your 10 lbs slide off as easily this time! Best to you!

Connie

05/19/2014 8:36am

To my knowledge, there was never a WW plan called the original plan; if there was it was from the mid-1960s and it definitely did not contain "floater" exchanges and optional calories: that was a creation of the 1980s.

Just like there have been multiple versions of the points plans, there were multiple versions of the exchange plans. What you have posted seems to be a combination of the earlier 60s/70s plan with the later 80s/early 90s plans. I do not recall a plan that ever allowed that much protein PLUS 7 floaters and 750 optional calories. Nor was "all that fish" required by the 80s/90s, and there weren't many, if any, restricted veggies and fruit by then either.

I do not have time right now to drag out all my old materials from the 70s and 80s, but will try to do so later if you have specific questions or are otherwise interested.

mary

06/25/2014 7:28am

Sooooooooooo excited I found this site....can't lose an oz with new WW....

Forward Motion 411

06/25/2014 4:44pm

Welcome, Mary! We firmly believe that everyone is different and that is why we try to cover a variety of diet options that have worked for someone we know (no rumors of success; only true success). So glad you found what you needed!

mary

06/26/2014 4:04pm

Does anyone if mustard is allowed...there was a list of free foods...I also lost 100 lbs 25 yrs ago and kept it off until this year said 25 combo of menopause n quitting smoking...ugghhhhhhh thanks for any help

Phyllis O'Leary link

06/28/2014 1:28pm

I loved the old revised original WW plan of 1973. I lost 50 lbs. and kept it off for years! Have never done well on points..wish we could all have an original (or revised) online support group weight loss group here.

Forward Motion 411

06/29/2014 9:03pm

This is a fabulous idea, Phyllis! Anyone who would like to participate in an online support group - drop us an email at forwardmotion411@outlook.com and we will set up a private site to hold an online support weight loss group. Talk to you soon!!

esther lucchese

06/29/2014 10:07pm

I too lost a lot of wt. on the plan from WW in the 80's. Now i once again need to shed wt. and have failed miserably on the points system. Do you have a copy of the ww plan from the 80,s?

Gene

11/05/2014 2:52pm

Esther, go online to Amazon or any book ordering web site and search for the older versions of the Weight Watchers Program books. Some are used, ebay may have them too. I ordered from amazon the Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook and Program Basics written in 1994. In this they give the plan summary, some exchange lists and include recipes that all work with the plan. Be sure to order a book prior to their points system, so to not include those newer analysis on the recipes and plan.

Forward Motion 411

06/30/2014 4:20am

I'm sorry, We don't have any other WW plans other than the 2 posted on this website. Good luck in both your search and your future weight loss!

Patty

07/17/2014 5:50pm

Yippie.......found information I have been searching for? Starting on the old plan Monday and looking forward to losing weight. Finally.....do not like the plans over the past 30 years and know that this one will. work for me.. Thanks

Brenda

09/02/2014 10:22pm

I am starting my Old Weight Watchers. I lost 77lbs once. It only took me about 5 months to do it. I was amazed at how fast I lost the weight. I walked 3 to 5 miles 6 days a week. I worked out everyday. And I didnt eat after 7:30pm..I was really committed. I gained the weight back because of cortisone and steroid injections due to back surgery. I do know that it works. I love the old way much better. I got confused with the new system. Too much to do. I never had to change anything that I ate. Good Luck All!!

victoria

09/05/2014 1:27pm

So glad to find this. I did WW in 1992 and was so surprised at how easy it was. I did not like vegies...and this plan helped me discover ones that I liked. I lost 15 lbs on it. The new plans have never worked as well. As others here have said, it seems like people are trying to figure out ways to keep eating junk. This planned helped me become a healthier eater. I need to take off 5-10 again. I think I will give this a try.

Theresa Lewis

10/11/2014 11:46am

From what remember the original plan allowed 3-4 ounces of meat for lunch and 4-6 ounces for dinner.2 dairy ,2breads and 3 fruits and 3 fats per day. Points system was too complex I became too obsessed with the points and exchanges. Never had a lot of success with it. Last year when I moved I had aloof weight to lose. I started The original plan again and of this year and have lost 63 pounds.i am also walking 3-4miles almost every day.this also helps!

K Reeser

10/15/2014 7:14am

Kelly you stated you were going to post the Exchange Program but I dont see it???? I would really like it if you posted it please.

Dianne C.

10/26/2014 8:06am

Thank you for this! Back in the 1970s my parents and my aunt went on the original plan and lost so much weight among them that it added up to an entire other person, and they all kept it off. In fact my aunt, now 98, is still keeping it off, even though she is the best cook in Texas. Naturally I had great hopes for WW, but the points system never worked for me. I can't even remember how many times I started WW with high hopes and failed after initially losing a few pounds and finding that I was always hungry--probably because I was using my points for the wrong foods. It didn't help that they were always trying to sell me tasty carb-laden 2-point treats and giving me free samples. The new WW gives me more freedom than this compulsive over-eater can handle. I absolutely cannot eat sweets and lose, and I don't know anybody who can. But this approach give me some real hope. It's too bad WW didn't stay with it.

Liz

11/05/2014 1:18pm

Does anyone have a copy of the tracker from the Freedom Plan? Or even a homemade version? I like having the little boxes to check off for each exchange. Thanks.

Gene

11/05/2014 2:39pm

Liz, the older versions of Weight Watchers many plans had lots of journals with the check off boxes for the exchanges count for each day. If you go on Richard Simmons web site you can get a similar print out of an exchange system journal sheet and it has boxes too. Also TOPS clubs ( Take off pounds sensibly ) has the same sheet for counting boxes of exchanges and is available on their TOPS web site as well. I just take the old WW plans system tracker with box check off sheet and copy many more days and sheets for me to keep track from my old Weight Watchers material. Easy to make up your own on 8 1/2 X 11 sheet and copy a few.

Shirley link

11/17/2014 7:11am

Does anyone use the TurnAround plan from several seasons back? That worked great for me, but I don't have it and want to go back to that. Every year weight watchers seems to revise their plan. Wonder if they plan to do that.

gene

11/17/2014 8:37am

Shirley, yes weight watchers changed or modified plans every year and likely still does. It is meant to keep up with science as new info becomes available from the weight loss studies. It also helps then sign up new members to keep recent and members wanting the latest plans. I think the turnaround was an early points system I recall. You can go online to eBay and amazon and search for people selling their old material. There are plenty of older packages there.

lynn slade link

11/19/2014 11:34pm

I love this diet. I actually lost weight on it. Weightwatchers wouldn't give it to me. THANKS.

Gene

11/20/2014 12:13pm

Lynn hi and welcome. You can get all or most info on the Weight Watchers older version diet from the book: " The Weight Watchers complete cookbook and Program Basics," with year round recipe bonus. It comes in hardcover and three ring binder form. It can be ordered used, from Ebay or Amazon or online book site or a book store maybe could get you one used. It was published in 1994 by Macmillan Inc and was written by Weight Watchers international. It has a description of the plan, menus, and some exchanges. They published it prior to the introduction of their points plans so it has the older information. You will have to draw your own food journal sheets and copy them, to check off squares if you want to track exchanges, though one similar is on TOPS websites and Richard Simmons web sites. Be sure to get the exact title, and year as they wrote others that look similar. Tops still uses a similar plan as one of its options. Good luck

Forward Motion

11/20/2014 2:57pm

Glad we had it for you! Let us know how you are doing as you go!

lynn slade link

11/20/2014 10:09pm

Any chance of getting a copy of the exchange program posted by Kelly on 8th August 2014. Is this possible? Thanks.

Forward Motion

02/16/2015 7:26am

Hi Lynn. We have been looking for you. The bad news is we had no luck in locating that BUT we did take everything we learned while looking for and wrote a few articles just for you! The exchange lists are located here: http://www.forwardmotion411.com/fitness/exchange-your-diet-for-healthy-eating. Let us know if it helps!

Nancy Herring

12/10/2014 6:59pm

I too lost a lot of weight in 1982 (after first baby) on the Original non-points WW version and have been searching for the old red booklet and the weekly food diary. Does anyone please have the booklet scanned and the food diary? It was the only diet that has ever worked for me.

Forward Motion

02/16/2015 7:27am

Hi, Nancy. No luck. Sorry! You might want to check ebay and see if anyone has a copy for sale.

Donna

12/27/2014 1:14pm

Hi,
I have been looking forever to find the old Weight Watchers plan to no avail. I came upon your site and I see the menu at the beginning, but the one I did I had 19 points a day and when I typed in the food it told me how many points. Do you have a list of foods with points?Thanks

Forward Motion 411

01/07/2015 11:17am

Hi Donna,

Here is a food-to-points converter that we ran across http://www.calculatorcat.com/free_calculators/weight_watchers_calculator.phtml It looks as if it's calculating based on the last 2 points systems WW used. Where you had 19 points available, I'm betting you were not using the PointsPlus system.

This post is about an older WW system where you just had to eat different foods. If you scroll to the top of this page, you will see a box that contains reviews of a few different diets.

We hope this helps!

Nancy Herring

01/04/2015 8:03pm

Beverly Eames

01/07/2015 5:18am

I found my lifetime Membership Book from 1991 and a meal Planner/Daily Tracker Sheet (7 day) today. I have wanted to start the old WW diet for years, as it is the only diet that worked for me. I enjoy food that is fresh, not from a box. The old plan was very easy to follow. I do not have any of the instruction books only the Daily Tracker sheets. Thank you for this site.

FowardMotion411

01/07/2015 6:48am

You are very welcome! I'm like you in that I prefer fresh food. I wish you well!!

VickiD

01/11/2015 5:45pm

Hi fellow weight watchers! I was so glad to find this site and spent the last week working SO hard at trying to follow the old program which worked great so many decades ago. Now it's the weekend and I completely blew it, so of course, I'm so disappointed in myself. I feel like I spent hours planning and tracking and then I can't keep it going Sat & Sun. Here's hoping I can get back on track tomorrow!

Forward Motion 411

01/13/2015 8:23am

Welcome! You can get back on track - we're sure of it. Be proud of your self for starting on the road to your success. All roads have a bump or two - no worries. Here's hoping this week is a good one for you!

Rosa

01/12/2015 7:11am

thank you so much for posting this! the OLD WW plan was the only one I was ever successful with...and now need to get back to!

Forward Motion 411

01/21/2015 4:32pm

You are, of course, of so very welcome!!

Valerie

01/21/2015 9:34am

Thank you so much for providing the planner and menu outline. I used it successfully when I was in high school and now my high school aged son and I will be using it together to shed some extra pounds.

Forward Motion 411

01/21/2015 4:34pm

Well this is just awesome! My college-age daughter and I are doing the very same thing right this minute.

barbara

01/28/2015 12:44pm

I lost 6 stone 40 years ago with the old weight watcher plan. I loved it. I have rejoined weight watchers and hate the new points plan. There is no discipline. When I see ''free foods'' I just eat them all day, that's no good to me. I am going to use the old way.

Forward Motion 411

01/30/2015 3:47pm

I'm with you! This is the WW plan that I prefer (and I'm glad they have a variety of plans so we can all pick and choose). If you get a chance, check out the Satan Diet that we've posted here. It's a healthy way to jump start your weight loss. I started with the Satan Diet and moved nicely into this WW plan with 7 lbs already gone. It felt good and I was able to continue losing weight. Success!!

barbara

02/16/2015 8:26am

Hi, would love to try the satan diet. can you tell me what it is please. sounds fun!

Karen

02/09/2015 8:58am

This plan worked for me back in the 60's and although I didn't have lots to lose, it WORKED. I tried the points system twice..too easy to eat things one shouldn't and hardly lost a thing. I have been thinking about the original plan for a while now and could remember some of it but not all. Thank you all for posting what you recall. Very helpful. Going to set it in motion!

Forward Motion

02/16/2015 7:22am

Hi Karen! Is it working? We wish the very best to you!

Shelly Pinney

02/14/2015 6:24pm

any chance someone could email me the Food List for the exchange program?

curly_q67@yahoo.com

Forward Motion

02/16/2015 7:21am

Hi, Shelly. Try this http://www.forwardmotion411.com/fitness/exchange-your-diet-for-healthy-eating. It is here on this same site. There are actually 2 articles which were written just last month. Hope it helps!

L K

02/18/2015 4:58pm

Thank you for resurrecting the old WW plan. In 1968, I was a chubby 13-year-old when my dear mother sent me to my first WW meeting. It cost $2 per week and I was the youngest member. We sat in a hotel conference room and I recall that most of the ladies always had a can of Tab or Fresca. I am not a fish eater, so eating fish every other meal was daunting. I won't even mention the liver. It was very hard, at that age, but I lost 35 lbs. My mother was very supportive, even though she was an exceptional cook. She often fixed my special meals while cooking the "regular" meals for herself and my sister. Undone by what I felt was a monotonous diet, I gave up and regained most of the weight over the next two years. I ended up going back and trying the different "improved" versions every other year since. I will soon be 60 years old. I am now facing a do or die health situation and do not need the freedom of these everything-goes plans that are out today. I have been encouraged to have surgery by a couple of doctors who clearly do not understand the psyche of career dieters. Cut-and-fix solutions only work if the individual understands what and how to eat...every day for the rest of their life. The old WW is spot on. Short story long :-)...with the original plan, I hope to move in the direction that will save my life! Thanks again and pray for me. :-)

Forward Motion

02/19/2015 7:17am

You are quite welcome! Hopefully this diet plan will help you make positive life choices to move you in the right direction. There are a few other articles on my website that you might want to peruse to get some other ideas regarding how to lose the weight and keep it off. Here are 2 tips that I think are the most helpful: 1) Stay away from non-food foods as much as possible. When you make dinner start with fresh ingredients to ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs to keep you healthy and craving free; 2) Only allow yourself to eat during an 8-12 hour window each day. The clock starts with the first item you put in your mouth in the morning. This will help you cut down on the nighttime snacking that destroys so many of us! On those nights that you absolutely MUST have something to eat after your time limit has expired, limit your choices to vegetables only. Check in every once in awhile and let us know how you're doing...we're rooting for you!!!

L K

02/20/2015 8:38am

Thank you! I will stay in touch!

Weight Watcher’s Original Diet Plan

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