I’ve joined Weight Watchers more times than I can count. But, I’m NOT joining it now. And, in fact, haven’t joined it for 7 years. So this post isn’t a response to their current programs. I don’t have any idea what specific plans they’re promoting these days. My reluctance to re-join Weight Watchers isn’t because of their plans. You’ll lose weight at Weight Watchers. Their plans, almost always balance out to about 1200 calories a day, and any of us will lose weight if we stick to that sort of plan.
My problem with Weight Watchers is that it’s fundamentally phony.
It’s all hugs and kisses when we’re giving them our cold-hard-cash (or credit cards) but, when we’re ready for that long-awaited-lifetime-membership? Nada. Nothing. A quick – “Any Lifetime Members here? Stand and Wave” and that’s it.
Well, I’m here to tell you that anyone can lose weight. If you’re determined enough you can focus for 6 or 8 months and lose A LOT of weight. So what? It’s the keeping it off that’s the life-long challenge and Weight Watchers sucks at that. (sigh) I say they suck but, I’m guessing they’re doing just fine at it from the corporation’s perspective.
Because the Weight Watchers corporation doesn’t make money on the Life Time Members. They don’t make money off them until they “backslide” by gaining more than 2 pounds. At that point we get to start writing the checks again. How’s that for a money tree? EVERYONE backslides more than 2 pounds now and then.
I’ve been much more successful since joining my Eat4Today/Blogging Community plan. I’m part of a world-wide support community. And it’s free.
10 Comments
“If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Then give up. No use being a dang fool about it.”
Like you said, losing weight is relatively easy. Keeping it off? Heh. Life has a way of getting in the way; especially when everything is going well. I suspect that in the end, those periods of weight gain actually indicate a more rounded person. Only those bordering on the monomaniacal could keep that laser-focus basically forever.
I lost much of my weight last year during Eating Season, simply by loading up on veggies & bread, taking it easy on the meat & dessert, and avoiding the fried stuff almost entirely. ‘Course, bread is the diet-killer for some people, so what works for me isn’t necessarily the right move for someone else.
Dang, it’s good to see you getting back to E4T again! I think I need your external daily prod to keep my own focus…
(giggle) I wish I’d thought of that. Just. Give. Up. Wait, I did that for years! That’s how I got where I am!!
I’m glad I’m back too, FAR. It’s too easy to lose track of time and goals when I don’t touch base here everyday. It’s that daily renewal of my commitment, I guess. . . .
I know what you mean about the laser-focus detracting from the quality of life. But, we’ve got to find a balance. Something between a constant focus and a slide to the worlds heaviest girl. And since I started Eat4Today, I’ve been more confident that I’m unlikely to win that particular prize.
At least anytime soon.
I know what you mean about paying out our “cold hard cash.” I know I could have sent myself through college again for what I’ve spent trying to break my food addiction.
For what it’s worth, I found Overeaters Anonymous to be a great program and totally free!
Cheers.
Tony, Thank you for the reminder about Overeaters Anonymous. I looked into it several years ago but the meeting times didn’t work for me. At this point, I’m pretty set in my ways of a virtual community. But, OA might work for some of our readers.
Hellooooooooooooo KB.
It’s so good to see you back. I’ve missed you very much!
SO how’re ya doing, what ya been doing, what’s going on, how’s the weather, what’s been going on? Only a few questions.
It’s good to see ya KB.
Take care.
FM
Helllloooo, {{FamilyMan}} You’ve been in my thoughts recently too. I know this must be a very difficult time for you. I’m so sorry.
I’ve been adapting to a life of retirement. Learning to find a new balance has been surprisingly difficult. But, I think I’m getting better. Less lazy, more productive. Setting the goal to write something here everyday is a great focusing technique.
Nancy and I are looking forward to seeing Beth tomorrow — that’s the big news. And I’m sure well all be talking about it. We saw each other last spring but, I was sick (I didn’t know it at the time but, I had plurisy)
So, I’m really looking forward to seeing her when I’m not on the verge of fainting!
I figured out that you were here, after reading FM! I’m so pleased that you haven’t faded out into the ether. EFT has been on my google page for such a long time now, and I guess it just froze at the same point.
So you’re retired. and just as election season is past – does that change how you feel? In any case, it’s great to see you out and about.
Heh, I meant give up on WW & try something else. My somewhat cynical take on WW, Jenny Craig, and the others is that they help you lose weight by siphoning your grocery money.
Give Beth a big hello & hug for me!
Hi katie
Can speak only from indirect experience with WW here. Possibly their attitudes have changed in some way more recently, I know their incorporation of a lowcarb option is relatively new. All I know is that four friends of mine, in two different towns, all of them supremely disinterested in rah-rah and hyper suspicious of anything that smacks of bait and switch.. have found in the past 2 years at the WW groups simple, low-drama support and effective structure for their weight loss. For what that is worth.
My 6′3 340 friend is down 75lbs in ~6 mo. on their low carb and still falling, his wife is down 55; my other friends have been in and out of WW, using it to guide their long term eating habits as they find it helpful, but all found the support and the structure there friendly and constructively reinforcing.
All four of them have successfully lost weight on their own in the past, sometimes large amounts, but they are less distressed over the process when they participate in WW.
I think that face time is more positive for many than blog time, it could be as simple as that.
Best
Are your friends still Losing Weight? or are they on Maintenance yet? It’s the Maintenance phase where Weight Watchers traditionally lets people down.