How to lose weight online

5 reasons why the WeightWatchers® Core membership is the perfect health and weight-loss option for you.
Published 7 March 2019 | Updated 9 January 2023

How does WeightWatchers® online work?


In our increasingly digital lives, many of us tackle our to-do lists online. Shopping, banking, socialising: tasks once requiring face-to-face contact can now be completed at the click of a button, wherever we happen to be. Such convenience is the cornerstone of the WW Core membership, explains online coach Marianne Parker. “There are no set times or appointments to keep,” she says. “Everything our members need is right at their fingertips.”

The WW Core membership is a completely online weight-loss program. Here is what's included:

From 6,000+ recipes to simple tracking tools, not to mention awesome additional features like mini meditations and live virtual events, the WW app has everything you need to build and maintain healthy habits right at home.

When you become a WW member and download the WW app, you get 5 apps in 1. Check out this brief overview of all the amazing features on offer, then scroll down for more details.

  • Trackers: Log food, water, sleep and activity, plus a barcode scanner for easy shopping
  • Recipes: 6,000+ WW-approved recipes filtered by dietary needs, prep time, and more
  • Mindset: Mini meditations you can do anywhere
  • Community: 24/7 Live Coaching from WW experts, plus our members-only network Connect


>> Not a WW Core member? Check here for our latest offer



1. Easy to use WW app


Track your food, weight, activity, sleep and water intake with our easy-to-use tracking tools. There's even a built-in barcode scanner that lets you find the Points value of any food in seconds! Plus, you can sync your activity tracker to the WW app for automated activity and sleep tracking.




2. 6,000+ recipes and meal ideas


Get access to over 6,000 healthy, simple and delicious recipes in the WW app. We've grouped them into handy collections including 'Member favourites', 'Meals for one' and 'Quick & easy' so you can find something that suits your tastes and lifestyle. Vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free? We've got recipe collections you'll love.


Spicy pancetta and cherry tomato pasta



3. 24/7 support from a WW Coach


No matter the question, our WW Coaches are online to answer 24/7 via live chat. Coach Vanessa Watkins says: “We cover all kinds of topics, whether it's helping members find something on the website or giving advice about healthier takeaway options.”

Shift workers and stay-at-home parents are just some of our members that stand to benefit from 24-hour support, Watkins adds. “The round-the-clock online chat tool is perfect if you're really busy or have to wait until the kids are in bed to get things done,” she says.

“We get everyone, from breastfeeding mums chatting to us in the middle of the night to commuters who connect with us on their way to work. Members know they'll get someone who can provide direction and offer support whenever they need it.”


4. Members-only social community


Connect is our digital community for members. It's a positive and inspirational space to share tips and recipes, and make new friends. Share your photos and progress, and follow other members on their journeys. It's the best place to hang out for a motivation boost! And with Connect Groups, you can follow like-minded members from pet owners to foodies.



5. Additional features, including virtual experiences


Explore members-only content including meal plans, shopping lists, how-to app guides, mini meditations and weekly techniques that help you to eat healthier, shift your mindset and move more. We've also introduced an exciting range of live virtual experiences in the app, including cookalongs and workouts.

Frequently asked questions

Different membership options appeal to different people. Some might thrive upon the structure of visiting a WW Workshop – meeting with the same coach each week and learning from the experiences of fellow members. For others, a digital experience provides a more private and flexible alternative, allowing you to choose how much you interact with the WW community.

But digital members needn't go it entirely alone, says Parker, adding that there's plenty of assistance available should they choose to utilise it.

“Touching base online with a WW Coach once a week, perhaps on your weigh-in day, is a useful way to keep on track,” she suggests. “We can talk things through – whether it's been a successful or not-so-great week – and coach you over any hurdle you may be facing.”

“Some members connect to thank us for our advice or to share their success stories,” says Parker. “They come back to us after a week or two to let us know they've done what we advised and that it helped.”

Check out our Premium option

Parker explains that, as with all WW programs, WW Core is an affordable option, with standard prices starting at just AU$42.50 per month for membership and full access to the WW app. “We get quite a few people asking us, ‘How much does it cost to use the WW app by itself?’ But a Core membership is inclusive of the app and website,” she says. “It's an exclusive member privilege that can greatly enhance your experience and accountability on your wellness journey.”

Like Workshops, Core can be a great source of motivation, Parker continues. “It's the difference between plodding along by yourself and having the accountability you need to reach your health goals,” she says. “We're here to help in any way, shape or form that we can.”