New Weight Watchers program: Fruit is 'free'

"How was your holiday?" asked a slim and stylish Jeanne Castaldini, radiating enthusiasm while standing in front of 25 souls slumped into folding chairs. "Was it overly festive?"

"It was overly festive," said a sweater-clad Joe Macejko, 46, of Lindenhurst, sitting in the front row next to his wife Vicki - and mumbling something about cannoli.

Others nodded. This was, after all, a Weight Watchers meeting - one of more than 600 weekly in Nassau and Suffolk counties - and they'd come to the West Babylon office on a recent Wednesday night to make sure they got back on track. And Castaldini, 48, of Bay Shore, who leads 11 Weight Watchers meetings a week across Suffolk County, was there to help.

"What are our hopes and dreams for 2011?" asked Castaldini, who is an office manager for Aramark, a food service company at Farmingdale State College.

"You just have to focus and be determined," said Madeleine Migné of Lindenhurst, a sales associate at The Home Depot, a former Weight Watchers member just returning to the fold.

Migné and others might have an easier time losing weight this year, Castaldini told them, because of Weight Watchers' new PointsPlus program, introduced in November and now being explained in packed post-New Year's meetings.

One reason is fruit. A cornucopia of it. Virtually all the fruit you want - for "free." Apples. Blueberries. Even . . . bananas!

SEE PHOTOSHow did these 150 LIers drop up to 320 lbs. each?

The-more-the-merrier fruit is one aspect of PointsPlus, the first major change to the Weight Watchers' plan in 13 years.

The venerable weight-loss organization, founded in the 1960s by Jean Nidetch in Queens, changed from "Points" to "PointsPlus" because its former plan "was based on what we knew about nutrition 13 years ago," Castaldini said.

PointsPlus now suggests foods based on their nutritional value and density - fat, fiber, carbs and protein - and identifies "Power Foods," such as non- or low-fat dairy and whole grains. Most fruit and veggies have a rating of zero. Exercised is emphasized.

Members at the meeting seemed pleased with the change - even though it's taking some getting used to.

"I'm working on it, because I was so strong on the other program, but I think I'm going to enjoy it," said Patti Paladino, 58, of Lindenhurst, a supermarket cashier. "I like it because I eat lots of fruit and now fruits are no points."

Castaldini congratulated Paladino for attending 49 meetings straight. "My goal was to lose 75 pounds by Christmas, and I hit 75 pounds," a beaming Paladino said to applause, adding that her 2011 goal is to lose 75 more.

Joe Macejko was positive about the new plan. "I'm highly active, and I'm trying to find the right balance between my activity and my points," said Macejko, who's in construction. "I have to refocus, and everybody here helps me with that."

Ed Scholl, 52, a deli owner studying to be a chef, and his wife Janet, 57, a legal secretary, also of Lindenhurst, have lost 70 pounds and 20 pounds, respectively, since joining Weight Watchers two years ago. The new plan has "more points, and it gives you more flexibility," she says. "It's a learning process. You learn how to have what you want to have and still be successful."

What counts

Essential points about Weight Watchers new PointsPlus:

1. There's more to eat. You can have as much fruit as you want, and most vegetables. (Dried fruit and juices, though, aren't included.)

2. Calories still count in configuring daily points, but they're no longer the heart of the plan, as in the past. Foods choices are now suggested based on their protein, carbs, fat and fiber, too. Sugar and sodium are taken into account as well. (The problem with calorie counting, according to a Weight Watchers spokeswoman, is that ". . . a 100-calorie apple and a 100-calorie bag of chips are not an equal choice - the chips are comprised of 'empty calories' with added sugars and fats.")

3. "Power foods" - fat-free or low-fat dairy, lean protein, whole-grain breads, and more - are emphasized. Some higher-fat choices are gone.

Weight Watchers

COST: From $14 per week for "Pay As You Go" to $39.95 per month for unlimited meetings

INFO: weightwatchers.com; 800-651-6000

For more

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a weight loss program focused on support meetings that predates Weight Watchers - it was founded in 1948 - is also active on Long Island, with 13 chapters in Nassau and Suffolk.

TOPS doesn't promote a specific diet, says Margie Valentino of North Bellmore, area captain for Long Island, although it provides guidelines used by dietetic and diabetic organizations. (Some members follow Weight Watchers guidelines, she said.) TOPS requires members to visit their physicians to set their weight loss goals.

"It's basically a support group," she said. "People are great, and it's people helping people."

All leaders are volunteers elected by their groups. The organization crowns "kings" and "queens" who've lost the most weight, locally and even internationally. And members who keep their weight off are promoted to KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).

COST Dues are $26 a year, and meetings range from 50 cents to $2 weekly

INFO tops.org.