We’ve all seen the commercials, maybe even read the magazine; but who knows what really goes on in those Weight Watchers meetings? We have called on our resident expert and Blog Editor to share her experience with PLN.

My reason why

The first thing I will say is that I didn’t go willingly. My mother decided that she was going to do Weight Watchers and she wanted my sister and me to join her ‘for support’. Well, that was her story. In reality, it was a nice way to let us know that we were both getting married the next year and we should really get healthy before the big day.

We decided to join together and go to a meeting every Wednesday night. I remember cringing before my first weigh-in, which was about 35 pounds more than I wanted to be. I took solace in knowing that my mom and my sister (as well as most people in our meeting) were on the same weight loss journey, and that made it much easier to face.

My first weigh in

Each meeting starts with a weigh in. My mom, sister, and I would famously make sure to use the bathroom right before our turn on the scale, so we were as light as possible.

Instead of focusing on the number on the scale, we would celebrate the number that we lost that week.

Our leader, Pam, was amazing at motivating us. She would start each meeting by inviting our group to share their victories that week.

Whether it was making healthier food choices, being active, or losing weight, we were able to share and support each other.

Our meetings were focused on sharing tips and tricks to help stay on track (such as attending an event or finding healthy substitutes) and staying accountable even when life gets busy.

Weight loss made simple

The best thing about Weight Watchers is the fact that you don’t have to stick to a rigid eating plan. I was able to enjoy what I wanted when I wanted it, as long as I stuck to my points.

Weight Watchers gives each type of food a point value based on calories, saturated fat, sugar, and protein. You get a number of points to “spend” each day as well as bonus ‘weekly points’ for special occasions each week. You also earn  points for activities you do, called FitPoints.

For me, this system meant that I could choose to eat what I liked but within my points allotment. I was still enjoying my favourite foods and losing weight.

Fitting into the dream dress

Before I joined Weight Watchers I bought a size 12 wedding dress. My mom got a deal and had the alterations thrown in with the cost of the gown. As time went on the dress was altered smaller and smaller. By my wedding day, it was the equivalent of a size six.

By my wedding day, I had achieved ‘lifetime member’ status, which means that I had reached my goal weight and maintained it for six weeks. It also meant that I could attend any meeting I wanted for free.

A pregnant pause

Shortly after I was married, I became pregnant with my first daughter, and I stopped attending my meetings. When my daughter was about three months old, I knew it was time to go back to Weight Watchers. As a lifetime member, I was able to attend for free even though I was not at my goal weight.

After you give birth, you have a ‘grace period’ to attend meetings without paying even though you are not at your goal weight.  It was the perfect time for me to refocus on my health.

I was able to slip away once a week and spend some much-needed adult time with my sister and mom, and focus on my own self-care.

Focusing on health not weight

As a breastfeeding mom, I was given extra points to compensate for all the calories I was burning. This point bonus made me feel like I could do the program without depriving myself or my daughter. I was able to hit my lifetime status by four months so I was not only feeling great, but I also was able to lose my baby weight with support at no additional cost.

Choosing Weight Watchers was the right choice for me. It’s no wonder there are so many success stories, according to a study by the American Psychological Association, participants were able to lose three times more weight using Weight Watchers than dietary advice alone.

So what are you waiting for? Take the first step towards better health today and check out what is new with Weight Watchers. Right now Weight Watchers is giving one lucky PLNer the chance to win a free membership for 12 months! Imagine all the positive changes you could make by focusing on your health for a whole year!