it's those things but made deliberately 'confusing' so hams feel like they need weight watchers to understand it. that's how they make money. they do have weekly meetings to discuss nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, health, etc. according to studies, people lose weight and maintain weight loss better in a support group environment, so it could technically work in that sense if they committed to the program, but  243   the majority of hams on weight watchers just show up, get weighed, get their book stamped, and leave to go post 'progress' pics on the internet.  part of my job is analyzing stuff like this (to speak very generally/intentionally vaguely), and the only real value in weight watchers is the support aspect, but people almost always skip that part to go for quick/easy/temporary weight loss instead of a life change.