First of all… is that REALLY a product???
I was making a comment on Tony’s post when it got a little long, so I thought I would just make it a post. The comment is in response to NEW FatBlogger Matthews’ comment. Check out his blog when you get a chance… antiMattr.
That’s exactly why I don’t go to WW meetings. After hearing what I’m sure was a motivating and moving story, they’re getting all excited about a pair of undies? Rather than listening to someone who has made great strides in changing his lifestyle to become a healthier person, they’re focused on a gimmick. No wonder so many people gain their weight back. No wonder so many women complain that it’s easier for us guys to lose weight. Ugh.
I’m with you (partially) on this one. I’m thankful for my Leader. Jan is in her late-50′s, isn’t the greatest public speaker, and she isn’t as professional (read: hardass) as I’ve heard other leaders are. But she is inspiring. She has lost over 100 lbs and uses it, and the stories of members past and present to inspire and correct. If I were Tony, I would find out who that idiot was and report her to the next level up, people get away with that crap because no one calls them on it.
I have the benefit of having 2 other guys in my group, I work for the same company as one of them, the other is a teacher. They don’t always stay for meetings, when they don’t, Im the only Y chromosome in the room. Fortunately, the inappropriate conversation don’t happen too often, when they do… I get up an leave.
I am a HUGE believer in the benefits of doing what they call, Working the Program. That means:
- Tracking your points
- Attending meetings
- Exercise
I bounced up and down on the same 20 lbs, all the while paying WeightWatchers for the use of their scale each week. It wasn’t until I got serious and worked the program, that the pounds came off and stayed off. I’m not saying WeightWatchers is right for all, I’m just saying don’t use the high estrogen level as a reason to write off the program.
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Those are all valid issues.
I have involved myself in a number of diet plans. In regard to the ‘cool whip’, the attitude of “how can I maintain my addiction while on the plan” is universal.
Personally… the accountability and support that I get from my group AND the knowledge that I couldn’t do it by myself (or else I would have) is what keeps me there.
I was a WW member several years ago. I worked the program for about a year. The program itself, I have no problem with.
Like the other WW guys I’ve come across, I too was the only guy in the group. I read the books, did what they said, attended the meetings religiously. I lost a lot of weight quickly…without exercise. Exercise was talked about in the books, but not a lot of exercise talk in the meetings.
It was not until I started exercising that I started to loathe WW. The first week I lifted weights, I gained 7 lbs. I told my WW leader that the only thing I did differently was lift weights. I had my journal right there for her to see. She seemed to think I was lying in MY OWN journal.
Weeks after the exercise, I plateaued. I was up and down in the weight category despite the obvious fact that my body was changing. I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I clothes were falling off me. Yet I wasn’t losing weight. The WW staff seemed to think I wasn’t working the program correctly.
Eventually I got over the plateau and the pounds came off just as rapidly if not quicker than they did the first few weeks to months. Boom 100lbs lost.
The problems I had with the WW meetings were:
- They treat you like a 5 year old instead of a thinking adult
- Fat Free Cool Whip was the answer to all life’s problems
- Way too much talk about periods and other female issues
- Way too much “Buy our ‘Magically Lose Weight’ Bars and Snacks”
WW is great if you work the program. Even better if you have a good leader. It’s just not for me.
I’m on WW, and I love it, but I’m an online only member. I use the message boards for support and encouragement. I just can’t imagine myself going to physical meetings, based on what I’ve heard about them. I also belong to a men’s support group for another addiction, and they offer their support as well. I’d love to find more men here in Denver, whether on WW or not, to get together informally for support, and I’m working on building that group.
I used the WW online too, but I also attended meetings. I will say the WW online community is pretty damn good.