On Friday, I was talking about the new WW plan with a coworker, who is also doing WWs, and a different coworker, an elderly man, overheard our conversation and said something along the lines of, "I can't believe you waste your money on something stupid like that."
Well, that ticked me off. So I simply told him that WW has enabled me to make some positive changes in my life and helped me to lose a good amount of weight. His response: "Well, if you hadn't let yourself get so big, you wouldn't of had that problem."
Now, I realize that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and that many people (particularly healthy people) might think that spending $40 a month on a program that essentially teaches you how to eat right/ exercise is a waste of money.
But at the same time, WW is not some diet gimmick that claims it can make you lose weight fast with little effort/ lifestyle changes. Instead, WW helps you to slowly change your eating and exercising habits to become a healthy person. As someone who has struggled with weight issues for most of my life, I can tell you that change is difficult. You don't simply wake up one morning and decide that you're doing to eat healthy from now on. Instead, you need a manageable plan (along with a strong support system) to help you achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Prior to joining WW, there were so many mornings where I would wake up with a dry mouth and feeling disgusted with what I ate the night before. Those mornings, I'd swear to eat healthy for the rest of the day. So, I'd eat lightly for the morning and afternoon, only to binge at night and repeat the same cycle the next day. WW helped me to change those habits, by setting small, attainable goals. I started out trying to eat 1-2 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and to go to the gym twice a week. Now, nearly eight months later, I generally eat 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and workout 4-5 times a week. But that didn't happen overnight.
Real change is incredibly difficult to accomplish. And for those of us trying to transform from junk-food addicts/ couch potatoes to healthy eaters/ athletes, we can use all the help we can get. Even if that means spending $40 a month to attend meetings, get weighed in, and use WW's e-tools.
Great post, Katie. I think its hard for a lot of people to understand what its like to struggle with your weight and try to be healthy. It doesn't come natural for some people, and its not like anyone WANTS to be overweight and struggling. I went through much of the same as you - swearing to spend the day eating healthy only to be overcome with hunger and eat everything in sight and then suffer from extreme guilt for overeating. Weight Watchers was essential for me and helped me make the small changes over time that added up to huge ones.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is entitled to their own opinion, but theres also a line called "rude" that your stupid coworker crossed without question. Mind your own business!!
I have had that same argument with myself: Why celebrate that I've lost X pounds, since I never should have gained X pounds to begin with!
ReplyDeleteBut... I can't change the past. Just like I'm proud that I quit smoking (even though I shouldn't have ever started smoking) I'm proud that I've lost 60 pounds (even though I never should have gained 60 pounds).
That old guy can stuff it.
I actually had a conversation with a friend of mine last friday night that was sort of like this. We have a friend on WW, but from what she tells me, she treats it more like a diet than the program intends (she told me I shouldn't drink beer, and she NEVER cheats and eats her weeklies.)
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine was telling me how she doesn't feel counting points is healthy, and sends people the wrong message that they have to watch everything they eat in order to lose weight, when it is as simple as diet and exercise. I spent a good amount of time talking to her about how it has helped me, and if it were that easy, I would have been able to lose on my own, but I wasn't. I tried on my own. I gained weight. It isn't for everyone, but I definitely agree with you that a lot of people percieve the program very differently than what it actually is.
Katie, your progress is amazing. WW has also helped me change my habits and take off a good amount of weight. I think some of us need the structure of WW to obtain our goals.
ReplyDeleteGood post. Just a few days ago I heard my mother tell me why waste money or silly things like WW.
ReplyDeleteThanks mom for the support!! I know it works, why because I've done it before without her help. Yes mom I can do things by myself for me!
Sad thing is my mother is severly overweight and has numerous health issues. No matter how much I beg her to eat right and go for a walk all she has are excuses.
I can't believe that guy said that to you.. that's really rude and it's none of his business!
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with everything you said. I like WW a lot and I think it's a great program.
What a buttface!
ReplyDelete