I recommend Weight Watchers to anyone and everyone that asks me about how I managed to lose 170 pounds. I'ts a shocker to people that havent seen me in the past year, so the family reunion was interesting.
There's a handfull of reasons why I feel it's been so successful for me:
1. They offer two differnt plans (Flex & Core) I chose core because it was better suited to my own life. I cook, and I have a family that depends on me to make the food choices for them. So when I make dinner it fits into the core plan and they eat it and love it. I struggle with portion control every day of my life, so with the core plan I'm not as concerned with the quantity I eat, but the quality. Most of the foods that are core have a high nutritional value with a low caloric value. Flex, in my opinion, is an awesome plan for people on the go. You know what your daily points are and you choose how to spend them. If you want fast food, it is possible to make it work with your plan and still lose weight.
2. Weight loss, for me, was at one time, a very personal battle. I often felt like I was alone in my struggle. I was the only person I knew that worried about sitting in chairs and breaking them, not being able to fit into airplane seats, not getting to go on the rides at theme parks because the safety bars wouldn't fit over my body. What weight Watchers offered was a fellowship of people (all shapes and sizes) who were struggling with the exact same issues. I think this is one of the most valuable asset Weight Watchers offered me. I was NOT alone in this. The support meant everything to me.
3. The leaders are leaders because of their success. They know what you're going through because they have been there (some of them - more than once). My leader is fantastic. She's funny, realistic, hates excercise, loves chocolate (who doesn't?) and has a talent for making the meetings interesting. I hit maintainence in Feb, and I still go every week because the information she gives me, in her very "no - nonsense" style stays with me throughout the week and becomes very relevant to my every day life.
4. You get good information on nutrition, recipies, portion sizes, and a sense of accomplishment when you weigh in. Most importantly, we look back at our old habits and try to figure out why we got there in the first place. That's essential for keeping the weight off forever.
One thing to keep in mind:
It's fantastic that you want to help her and she'll be so much healthier for it, but all the encouragemnet in the world can't force her through the doors to the first meeting. It only works if she makes it work. Give her all the information you can, and when she's ready it will happen. Until then keep being what you are now - A great and caring friend.
Start weight: 310
goal weight: 150 (reached in Feb.)
Current weight: 137 (and holding)
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