I'm also doing WW online. I know without it I wouldn't have the dedication to journal what I'm eating everyday and truly be accountable for each bite I take. I did find the formula for points within the message boards - but the simplest rule is 1 pt is about 50 calories.

WW does a lot of the math for you, so you don't have to. You track what you eat - and many of the foods are already in their list, if not you simply add them to your own list. You get a set number of points each day (based on your current weight) and as your weight goes down, you have points taken away. You also get 35 flex points per week to use as you see fit. Then there are activity points which are earned through exercise, the theory being the more you exercise the more you get to eat.

Of course, WW also has a CORE plan where you focus on eating a certain prescribed list of foods. It tends to be concentrated in things I don't like to eat, so I stayed away from that option. I prefer the flex points option because it gives me the freedom to eat anything I want and forces me to make compromises if I go for a high point treat.

For me it works - I know others it's worked for as well. In the first month I've lost 8.5 lbs and that's without adding a bit of exercise to my routine - simply making better choices of what goes in my mouth.

The one thing that I am sure has helped me is my ability to be prepared and plan ahead. My house is now stocked with lower calorie and lower fat foods. Many of them items of convenience so that I'm not tempted to going out to eat. Right now I know that is my weakness.