What do you think?

A friend of mine in PA had a substitute leader a couple of weeks ago. This woman told the group, "I've been looking at people's progress since they've started and at the rate they’re losing and I can see that some people will just never reach their goal!”

This really made my friend (a steady - but slow - loser) feel terrible. I was outraged at such a discouraging statement by a leader. I encouraged her to write a letter to her local WW organization protesting such an attitude from one of their leaders.

She has still not heard back from WW about this. I am really surprised that they haven't responded to her.

What is your opinion of the leader's statement and the lack of WW response?

I am so grateful for my own wonderful leader (you know who you are, Monica) here in NJ.

I agree that it was totally inappropriate. Weight Watchers is the one place many of us can go for the support and motivation we need to be successful. If I could not find it there, I would be so lost! I would have been completely appalled if i had been in that room!

I can't believe that a leader (who has been through the program like the rest of us) would be so cruel. There are some people who lose slowly. Your friend should have called the 800 number instead of writing.

That is TERRIBLE! That leader should NOT be a leader in my opinion.

I would call the 800 number and DEMAND to talk to someone in upper management and give them all the information. Writing a letter is good - but if you don't get a response - take it to the phone. And I would call and call until I got someone to listen.

That is just apalling. I would be livid! (can you tell?)

Good luck!

Tara

Last year I was going great guns with WW lost 85# but my leader was an absolute idiot!! I was bound and determined not to let her ruin my 'goals' I had set for myself. I called to WW and voiced my concerns-never received a call back-called again, same nonresponse. I work 10 hour days so my time off is very limited and every single other meeting, time and location, SHE was there! It was as if she had mutated! I ended up just not going.
Shame on me, shame on Weight Watchers for not responding to my very valid concerns.
Good luck. WW has a fantastic program, I wish they would monitor their leaders more and listen to the input from their customers.
debbie

Wow:

LM and Debbie you are so right. We need to speak up.

WW leaders should be held responsible. But the HeadQuarters may be too far removed to get a real response.

You probably already either did this or suggested this... but have you tried to get in touch with the Regional Director in your area ? I found mine to be much more accessible. And if the leaders aren't doing their jobs, it comes out of the Regional Director's pockets.

Ask either through the 800 WW number who this is and get a phone number or try asking at the reception desk - you could use the ruse of I'm thinking about becoming a leader / receptionist and want to talk to the regional leader. Could work.

I'm one of the fortunate ones now... I've got a great leader. But about 10 years ago I moved from NY to LA and that WW leader was mousy, insipid and depressing - I didn't go back for 10 years and put 30 lbs on. I wish I knew what I know now, back then.

I've been thinking of becoming a leader and one of the things the WW mentor told us was you have to be "there" for the members. Not just physically, but mentally and very aware at how fragile they (us) all are. Especially about losing, plateauing, or gaining.

Those WW leader's who do the opposite, should get the boot.

Patch

All the information you got from all the above readers is right on target. In fact, we've just completed a round of staff meetings where we've all been coached on Sensitive and appropriate behavior at weigh ins! (She evidently did not attend that session in her region.) Another way you can effectively complain, is not only to the 800 number, but get the number for her service manager, which should actually be posted in the meeting room. If not, ask one of the receptionists or weighers for the name of the individual. then, you can call the 800 number and leave a message directly w/ the service manager's voice mail. We all have one. Good luck. I am so sorry about that experience. That sort of thing should never ever happen...

Thank you for your responses, everyone. Now I know I'm not crazy or overreacting. I have forwarded your suggestions on to my friend.

Not being there to hear the tone of the conversation, I can't say for sure. Of course, saying people will "never reach goal" is not productive. It sounds like a least one person (your friend) didn't take it well. However, it struck me that maybe the leader was trying to get people to really lose weight and commit to the program. Some leaders (in my opinion) enable members to make excuses. I am amazed at the number of people who attend meetings for a long period of time and don't lose any weight. I know that some of them aren't working the program. Maybe, in those cases, a good leader would call it to their attention and question what is really going on. Why aren't they losing? It sounds like the message wasn't received well, but I can see a possible reason for the point to be made. I attend a meeting that the leader is proud to proclaim has the highest rate of members making lifetime in the state. There is something different going on in that meeting. People really commit to the program.

WTG -

Can't say I agree with you. There have been plenty of times when the scale didn't do what I wanted it to do, despite the fact that I was OP, exercising, etc. I was just losing slowly or not at all. If my leader had even implied that it was because I was screwing up, I would have been really upset. Instead this wonderful woman has always encouraged everyone in a general way, "Just keep trying and you will reach your goal". And for the times when someone (including herself) overindulged, her philosophy is, "You're not bad, you're not a failure, you're human. Just get back on track."

That attitude is so supportive and encouraging. It got me through several long plateaus.

I personally think that commitment has to come from within, but a helping hand is always welcome. I have spent enough time being told by doctors, family members, "friends", and total strangers that I have to do something and lose weight - and I don't mean in a loving or caring way - I certainly don't want to hear that from a WW leader!

Just my 2 cents!

Please keep in mind that this was "passed on from a friend".you didnt hear it first hand and it may have been taken entirely out of context!

Sometimes Leaders publicly "examine" why some will not make it to goal.........I dont think they talk about specific members......it could have been used as a teaching method.

Certainly if it wasnt taken out of context.I would suggest she send in a confidential evaluation form that most meetings have on hand or call the 800 # and leave a message for her territory manager.
WWCIN