It’s been weighing heavily on mind lately how and where Weight Watchers and Paleo intersect and if they can be complementary to each other.
You all know that I joined Weight Watchers after the birth of my son and lost 55 pounds (If not, read about it here). That is why I started this blog in the first place, to share Real Food Weight Watchers recipes for those out there like me, who need the structure of a weight loss program but aren’t willing to compromise on eating clean, real food.
I hit a plateau in my weight loss and it just seemed that no matter what I did, I couldn’t lose anymore weight.
I upped my exercise, restricted my calories even further (and was quite miserable about it), started taking a closer look at wine consumption and Point heavy meals. After months of tweaking and tweaking, it just seemed that nothing was working.
That is when I decided to try an elimination diet to see if there was something in my “healthy diet” that was affecting my blood sugar or ability to lose this last 20 pounds.
A few friends had recently completed the Whole30 and I, like everyone else, had been incessantly hearing about the magic of the Paleo Diet. I was really apprehensive about the whole Paleo thing when I first heard about it – honestly, I thought it was a crazy fad. That was just ignorance on my part for not really digging in and learning more about the science behind it.
So, in January I started to slowly eliminate a lot of grains from my diet. Then I started reading more books. Some of my favorites are It Starts With Food and Practical Paleo (highly recommend). I kept counting Points Plus and managing my portion control and did see a little bit of weight movement (down) but not as much as I was hoping for.
The more I read, the more conflicted I started to become. Weight Watchers restricts fat and calories and is all about moderation – which is a concept I really like when applied to a Whole Foods diet.
Paleo is Whole Foods, all the time, without exception. No processed anything – including grains, legumes, refined sugars and most dairy. Paleo advocates for high food quality (something I already feel strongly about) and eating to fuel your body and maintain stable blood sugar levels.
About 7 to 10 days into the Whole30, I started sleeping solidly through the night. The food cravings I used to have for crackers, chips, cheese and crunchy, salty foods were completely gone. My skin started to look bright and fresh and people were stopping me and asking me what I was doing because I looked, “so refreshed”.
Fast forward to today – I’ve done a Whole30 and have been eating 95% Paleo diet and guess what?
The dry skin I had on my hand is pretty much gone, those stubborn pounds I have been battling for months and months are coming off and most importantly – I have to say – I feel better than I have in a long time.
Am I Paleo? I don’t know. I don’t know that I need to label myself.
Am I still doing Weight Watchers? Sort of. I still have the rest of this weight to lose.
So, what does that mean?
As for Weight Watchers, I am still going to the meetings for accountability and for the most part eating “Simply Filling” minus the grains, dairy and legumes, which is Weight Watchers alternative to counting Points. If you aren’t familiar, it is basically eating real, whole foods until you are full, anything with a green triangle next to it in the food book or in eTools.
I will still provide the Points Plus for all of my recipes because I know so many of you are counting Points and I want to be able to count on me for Real Food recipes that help you eat better and get healthier!
As for Paleo, I don’t like the idea of assigning a label to myself because there will be a time where I eat dairy or grains or sugar. But as you have already seen, my recipes are getting cleaner and cleaner and more “Paleo” friendly.
I think that is a good thing thought because it means that more and more of us are eating Real Food and that has always been my mission!
Sylvia says
Wow!! great information @EVERYDAYMAVEN!! must say..like your post..I was searching for some niche weight loss blogs and I found yours..absolutely worth to share!! Thanks for Sharing such information!!
Alyse Stone says
The new Weight Watchers Smart Points program is a huge change that focuses on clean eating, lean proteins and healthy fats. I have been a Lifetime WW member for almost 40 years and have been eating a Paleo diet for the past three years. The two now intersect beautifully!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Alyse! Can you tell me more? How do you reconcile eating a good amount of healthy fats (Paleo Style) with it eating up all of your Smart Points?
Alyse says
I find that the very low point lean proteins leave me enough room to add some butter and definitely avocado everyday. The best part is I am simply not hungry and I was always hungry on the old program, Paleo or not! One of my favorite meal add-ons is the individually packaged guacamole that I find at Costco, Goodfoods brand, it is very flavorful, only three points and the perfect addition to just about anything.
Danie says
Ah good to know! I have been a lifetime member and just switched to Whole 30. I am not losing anything… !
I am on day 19 and I am thinking of finishing it out and then going back to WW. I was nervous though about it all!
Any Advice is welcomed!
Barb says
I agree! That was part of the reason I rejoined last year. I just recently started a paleo centered version of WW and have already started to see results! Its so nice to see that I am actually within points everyday and get to eat butter again! I don’t feel hungry after eating like I used to and suprisingly no cravings for bread!
EverydayMaven says
That’s great Barb! Is the paleo centered version part of the new program or a group that you found?
Barb says
No I was talking about how they raised the point cost of carbs and sugars and lowered the points for lean proteins and healthy fats. It’s not a huge difference but it certainly makes it easier on those of us who are more whole30/paleo and doing WW. There are people on the app in connect that share recipes and are whole30 or paleo you just have to use the hashtags to search for them! 🙂
Barb says
Oh and I meant I recently went paleo while on WW. Lol
EverydayMaven says
Gotcha! Good to know Barb – so happy that it is working for you!
Francis says
Hi Barb,
I’ve been doing WW since for 11 months (previous lifer – 20 years ago) and I focus mostly on Paleo and Whole30 clean eating. The only issue I have is the fats(olive/coconut/avacado/oils, ghee, nuts, etc) as they are high on points but a necessity for healthy eating. Following WW has kept me in line (mostly, but not at all times).
I’ve managed to lose over 30lbs in the last 11 months and have kept my lifetimer status for WW.
Sassy says
Lady Maven, I just wanted to say Thank You. Thank you, thank you! Your bio resonates with me on so so many levels and the reason I stumbled on your website today was because I was looking for cleaner WW recipes to incorporate in the weekly meal plan for my family. I restarted the PointsPlus plan on 4 January and like you, I’m all about eating real food and if it wasn’t for my experience with and knowledge of the Paleo lifestyle I probably wouldn’t have come back to WW because I find it to be very grain and processed food heavy. Because I have a lot of weight to lose, the WW plan will provide the structure I need but I prefer a cleaner approach. Thank you for your website. Thank for being another ray of light in my weight loss tunnel. Bless you.
EverydayMaven says
You’re so welcome Sassy! I hope my recipes help you and wish you much success on your journey!!
Susan says
Thanks for this. I’ve searched Paleo combined with WW too. I’ve done Paleo for over a year and know I feel better on Paleo . I started with a whole 30 and lost all my body pain in those 30 days, what a relief. But my cholesterol went up! My blood pressure went down so much my doc is considering lowering the meds:) Because of the higher cholesterol I’ve added oatmeal to my diet. It didn’t make me sore so I can have a big bowl for 4 points.
Yet I haven’t lost weight! That’s why I searched for the combo. I’ve signed up for your newsletter ( thanks for providing it). Now I’m going to search your recipes.
Susan
EverydayMaven says
Hi Susan! It’s frustrating isn’t it? I hope my recipes are useful for you along your journey and thanks for reading 🙂
Ebrown1015 says
Thank You! I did awesome on Whole 30 but I have high cholesterol and took a break. WW worked great for me in the past and was more practical to do with my husband. It also was easier to follow while eating out. But I love Whole 30 and feel awful when I eat grains and processed food. I recently made the decision to follow WW with my hubby while eating clean. I will add legumes for protein because I am trying to avoid red meat and chicken. Wish me luck!
EverydayMaven says
Good luck with your plan!
Brooke says
Thank you for this! I googled looking for Paleo and WW. I’ve had success on WW before – lost 30 pounds at one point but always ended up putting it back on because I was just trying to fit the points with my busy lifestyle. Recently, my father lost a limb to diabetes and it was a huge wake up call! I’ve been looking into Paleo for a few months but haven’t really wanted to commit because its seems to strict. I can commit to going gluten and diary free which is what I’m trying to do now, and eating as little processed/chemical foods as possible and cutting back on refined sugars. I’m about 5 days in and I already feel better! My body is cleaning out and I already have more energy! I’m just hungry all of the time! I feel like my WW points just aren’t enough to keep me full with the high protein/fat foods that I’m eating. I would love to hear more about what your’e doing! Keep up the great work!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Brooke,
I think it’s very difficult to eat paleo while on Points because of the very reason you said – the fat. I hope you find a happy medium and stick with what works. Good luck!!!
Billie Hutchings says
Great site!!!! Due to hypoglycemia I’ve abandoned the low carb diet. Pale works great for me due to food allergies, however the structure of WW is beneficial. How do I sign up for you recipes?
EverydayMaven says
Hi Billie – there is a sign up form on the right sidebar (scroll down). Thanks for reading!
Jessica says
I’m trying this as well because I feel so lethargic on 100% paleo and think my body actually nerfd a fee more carbs to keep me going. So I thought reverting back to my weight watcher ways would help. Do you ever noticed that you go over on your points plus because you were using a lot of fat? Like coconut oil and avocado? I know if try to have my bulletproof coffee in the morning I’m over on points quicker. Do you find an issue with your healthy fats?
EverydayMaven says
Hi Jessica,
I don’t actually follow WW Points anymore – mostly for the reasons you brought up. There isn’t really a way to reconcile eating healthy fats without blowing out the PP for the day / week.
P.S. My husband also drinks bulletproof coffee and loves it!
Kellie says
I am so grateful for this site. I googled combining Weight Watchers with Paleo. I have always done Weight Watchers(and am successful when I put my mind to it). I have gained quite a bit of weight back, and decided to try Paleo. I’ve been feeling great, and trying so many more “clean” recipes! But, Ive only lost 3 pounds in 3 weeks. I may be eating too much of a good thing. So, I was so excited to come across your website. Thank you so much! We can also enter Paleo recipes in Recipe Builder, and figure out points that way.
EverydayMaven says
Hi Kellie – everyone is different but for me, eating Paleo doesn’t mean letting go of portion sizes. I know that works for some but I am (unfortunately!) not one of them. Make sure you aren’t eating too many “paleo treats” or huge portion sizes. If you are still hungry, always up your veggies and healthy fats (avocado, etc.). Good Luck!
Stephanie Graham says
Thanks for crafting this post. Im going to have to signup for your recipes! I found you today when i was searching the internet for reviews on Weight Watchers new one on one coaching and people who have used Weight Watchers with Paleo. I need the accountability and right now at 60 bucks a month for unlimited coaching Weight Watchers is most affordable, but I know that I need to eat better foods and learning the Paleo lifestyle is so appealing. Anyway thanks for all your doing and keeping the points because im going to need your wonderful resource
Steph
EverydayMaven says
Hi Stephanie,
So glad you are finding this helpful and I wish you much success on your new journey! 🙂