Questions about WW/meetings
 

Hello all, I'm fairly new to these boards. My name is Gina, I have probably about 120 or more pounds to lose and I'm not sure if WW is right for me. I'm somewhat familiar with the points plan because a couple years ago, two coworkers of mine were on it and talked about it ALL THE TIME. Hehe.

My mother has offered to pay for me to go to WW meetings if I want to. (I think she's trying to lose weight vicariously through me.. lol) I'm just a little wary about it. She thinks it would be a great way to meet new people. Does anyone here attend meetings regularly? Do the people at the meetings actually socialize and whatnot? My coworkers used to sort of run in, get weighed, and sneak out.

I've dieted/exercised successfully in the past by just watching my calorie, fat, and sodium intake and increasing my level of activity. I'm not sure if Weight Watchers is right for me.

Anyone that could tell me what meetings are normally like, I'd appreciate it.

Gina

You can meet people and make friends if you stay. It isn't a social hour. I go and weigh and leave (too busy).

W/W works if you work the program.

I've made a few friends at WW, (I even met my husband at a meeting - he was picking up his sister). Especially when beginning, I think it's better to stay for the meeting. You get food tips and a sense of belonging. It's not for everyone, but I definately miss it the weeks that I just run in to get weighed. Try it, you literally have nothing (and everything) to lose... :)

There are plenty of people who come, weigh-in and leave without attending the meeting. IMHO, that's wasting your money. The best part of WW is attending the meetings and getting tips and support from others (you get some really great ideas from the other members!). If you just come to weigh-in, why not just buy a diet book and a scale? It's a lot cheaper in the long run. But that's just my $0.02. If that works for you, then there's no reason to do something you don't want to do.

Personally, I enjoy going to the meetings. They are social in the sense that you are getting out and mixing with people that you share a common bond with and you can laugh at shared experiences and when you've had a success, people will congratulate you or encourage you if you're being challenged. I haven't made friends in the sense that I call them up and we go out and do girlfriend things, but there are people that I chat and am friendly with each week, and that's pleasant for me. I have observed others making good friendships at meetings and doing things together or working out together.

I think, too, that different meetings have different characteristics. Years ago, I used to go to a lunchtime meeting in a business district. The meeting was full of other people using their lunch hour for the meeting. The attitude was get in and get out and get back to work. I go to a Saturday morning meeting now and it's much more leisurely. A lot depends on the time you go and your leader. If you attend a meeting that you're not quite comfortable with, try another day or another leader and it may suit your style better.

I think you get out of the meetings what you put into them. If you go and you're friendly and you're looking for someone to bond with, there's no reason why you can't do that by being friendly and striking up a conversation. If you just want to sit in the back and listen to the meeting and go, you can do that, too. It's up to you.

Josie :)

I agree with ST. You get out of the meetings what you put in. If you weigh in and leave, you get nothing. I've found the more I participate in the meetings, the better I do on program. I would take your mother up on her very generous offer. If you make the choice to make program work for you, it will be the best money she ever spent.

Keep in mind also, that every meeting, every leader is different. I've had some I just didn't click with. If you go to the daytime meetings, mostly seniors and stay at home moms. The evening meetings are mostly middle aged working people. The Saturday meetings are a broad mix. Some have special meetings for teens, men or those who need to lose 100+ or what have you. Call your local chapter and get information.