Keto Vs Weight Watchers or WW – My experience of combining the Ketogenic Diet and Weight Watchers, tips for switching from a low carb diet to Weight Watchers whether it’s freestyle or one of their new plans.
Keto Vs Weight Watchers
It’s been AGES since I’ve shared an update on my Weight Loss journey. (You can read my 1 year Keto Weight Loss Update here.) I debated long and hard about sharing an update but felt that others may benefit from my experience. So, here goes.
My Keto Diet Journey
In September 2016 I came across the Keto Diet, researched and jumped in. I strictly followed the Keto Diet, without a single, teeny tiny cheat for about 8 months. I lost a fortune of weight and felt like I could maintain the diet forever.
That was, until I couldn’t. I started to feel weak and that something just wasn’t working.
So, in the lead up to a trip to Japan, I started to slowly increase my carbs so I wouldn’t have to think about counting carbs, or feeling awful from consuming carbs, while on holiday.
On return from my trip, I tried to get back into Keto, but with each attempt I just felt too weak to stick with it and knew that my body just needed extra carbs.
Enter Intermittent Fasting
My happy medium was introducing Intermittent Fasting. (Read Intermittent Fasting For Beginners Guide.)
I got into the routine of having a Keto Breakfast, anything goes lunch and then fasting until breakfast the following morning.
This strategy helped me keep off the weight I lost while on strict Keto. I’ve been maintaining that routine for about a year now.
Technically speaking, your body goes into Ketosis following a 14+ hour fast, so I’ve still been benefiting from the benefits of Ketosis without consuming low Ketogenic Diet levels of carbs.
As I’ve spent the past year maintaining, I finally feel like it’s time to try and shift some more weight. Yes, strict Keto worked for me in the past, but with each attempt since it just hasn’t.
That’s not to say that strict Keto isn’t for everyone, I prefer a day or so of Keto here and there and taking advantage of the Ketosis benefits of Intermittent Fasting.
Keto Vs Weight Watchers
I had great success with Weight Watchers (now known at WW) about 10 years ago, between having my first son and falling pregnant with my second. I tracked my points every single day for a year and lost a significant amount of weight.
As I’ve had success with both Keto and Weight Watchers, I decided to look closely at both and see if it’s possible to combine the two in some way.
The two diets suggest similar protein levels but the fat and carbs are considerably different between the two – Keto being high fat and low carb while Weight Watchers encourages following a diet with the opposite – low fat and high carbs.
Combining Keto, Weight Watchers and Intermittent Fasting
Now, this may not be for everyone, but the past couple of weeks I have been experimenting with combining the 3 strategies together. I intermittent fast, eating between the hours of 8am and 4pm.
I try and fill my day with as many zero points foods as possible, while using my points values as much as possible for healthy fats like butter, full cream dairy and nourishing avocado. And yes, I’m having fruit, sourdough bread and other carbs in small amounts too. (Here are my go to low carb zero point snacks.)
It may sound like a complicated strategy, but it actually combines the best of each diet and I’m feeling great. In my first week I lost 2.5kg or 5.5lbs – a great result for me.
Switching From Keto To Weight Watchers
In my opinion, it is possible to transition from Keto to Weight Watchers. It’s just about slowly moving the slider from fats to carbs, without going overboard too quickly.
Recent Weight Watchers changes and plans have meant that there’s a HUGE choice of zero points foods that can make up the bulk of your diet and then you should be able to still enjoy healthy fats, albeit in smaller quantities than on Keto.
An example meal is the above pictured Green Shakshuka, which is full of mostly zero point weight watchers foods and also Keto friendly.
The key is to take it slow and see how you feel with each change. Of course if Keto is working for you and you’re happy and healthy, then just keep doing what you’re doing.
Long Term Plans?
What are my long term plans? I firmly believe in mixing things up from time to time, but for the forseeable future I’ll be combining together Keto, Weight Watchers and Intermittent Fasting.
My blog, however, will remain focused on Keto Diet recipes as that’s the core of my eating. And, I just love working with and creating low carb and high fat recipes for you. Check out my recipe index for more inspiration.
While this strategy continues to work for me, I’ll be continuing to follow this way of eating and sharing updates from time to time too.
I believe that there is no one way to lose weight and what works for one person might not work for another, so I encourage you to experiment and find what helps you feel healthy and happy.
Keto Diet Vs WW Video
Here’s the video where I talk you through thoughts of Keto Vs Weight Watchers or WW. Hit play below or click here to watch on YouTube.
Disclaimer – this post is meant for informational post only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health professional before making any dietary changes.
Disclosure – this post contains affiliate links.
