Holistic or horrifying? Not everyone loves Weight Watchers' new programme

Washington

HEALTHIER, happier, holistic: This is how Weight Watchers brightly describes its recently revamped weight loss and fitness programme.

To which a vocal group of dieting devotees responds: "Hooey" and "horrifying" is more like it. Not to mention "humbug". Just in time for December's onslaught of decadent holiday parties, festive cookie platters and creamy cocktails, cultural oracle Oprah Winfrey and corporate diet titan Weight Watchers have rolled out the company's redesigned and personalised "Beyond the Scale" programme.