Part of today's discussion was the importance of weighing in after reaching lifetime status, and that leaders and staff often still struggle when emotional eating tempts them. If it were easy to get it off and never look back, there would be very few people who are overweight, right?
My husband and I recently heard that Weight Watchers has lost money and may be scaling back on personnel, locations, etc. Fitbit and diet plans promoted at gyms are likely to be part of the reason for this. I get that. People don't want to spend money in multiple places with the same goal. I would never tell anyone that WW is the only way to lose weight. Weight Watchers does encourage exercise and many members have gym memberships, use Fitbit or other monitors. I just hope people don't give up on WW because it has been around a long time and doesn't sound trendy.
If anyone is reading this who doesn't know me personally, I can only tell you what holds true for me:
Quick fixes in the form of drastic diets (eliminating entire food groups, extremely low calorie counts, and weight loss supplements) don't work in the long run. They may get you to goal, but if you don't change the habits that got you overweight in the first place, you aren't going to maintain the loss.
I am not a fan of prepared meals that some programs require or strongly suggest you eat. The funny thing about this is that I've become very lazy about cooking and this idea, in theory, should appeal to me. There are a few things I can't eat that seldom bother others, cucumbers and garlic are two that make me miserable. There are a few things I really don't care for, such as peppers and zucchini. Then there are prepared meals that don't contain any of these things but I don't like how they taste when prepared by the XYZ company and delivered to my door or frozen food department of the nearby grocery store.
Even if I did like these foods, is it realistic for most of us to think we will eat these foods for the next 15 years? Probably not, especially if you live and dine with other people. Prepared foods are a convenience and there is nothing wrong with that, but if you don't learn how to choose and cook for yourself, what will happen when the freezer is empty?
Most people know at least one person who underwent bariatric surgery but didn't maintain the loss because they didn't change their habits. I am a lifetime WW member and didn't maintain my loss. Old habits crept back into my daily life. I was too embarrassed to weigh in at 8 pounds over goal so I stubbornly stayed away and gained much, much more.
Don't we all know people who have joined gyms but rarely use them a few years later? I'm not knocking them at all, but the reality of people around me is that few people maintain the level of commitment that gym advisers recommend. Life gets in the way at times and just like not weighing in as a lifetime WW member, it becomes easier to sit in the chair than get to the gym or embarrassment of work out gear that has gotten too tight keeps us home while we fool ourselves into thinking next Monday will be easier to get back on track.
My point is that WW can work for anyone who wants it to work, mainly because there is flexibility in your choices. I don't plan to work for the company. I have nothing to gain by encouraging anyone. I am just sharing what I know to be true for me.
Fifty-six less pounds means I move better and am no longer on blood pressure medication. It also means I look better. I have always liked myself so I wasn't negative about my appearance in the dress on the left. My son's wedding was a glorious day and happiness trumped my dress size. Shopping is a lot more fun now, as is playing tag with my 5-year old grandson....even if he cheats.
Onward and downward!
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