How dieting is like a video game

Posted at 2:40 PM Aug 19, 2008

By Bonnie Ruberg

How do you make weight loss fun? Turn it into a game, apparently.

Wired's Clive Thompson points out that Weight Watchers, which uses a daily points system, is a lot like an RPG -- a type of video game where you level up, use health, and generally have to keep track of your progress. That, according to Thompson, is what makes it so successful, the fact that dieters can play along instead of getting bogged down with depressing weight loss jargon.

It's a valid point, but I'm more entertained by how excited Thompson sounds about Weight Watchers. He says he has a female friend who's been doing well on the plan, then proceeds to spend several paragraphs enthusiastically explaining to readers how the whole thing works. You get points each day! You get extra points for the week! You lose weight and it's easy! Adorably enough, Thompson is stuck somewhere between being a Weight Watchers ad and a girly, excited new member. Need to lose a few pounds, Thompson? Join us. We'll braid your hair while we teach you the recipe for zero-point soup.