Day 18 - Why We Left Weight Watchers

One of the best ways to lose weight is through Weight Watchers. Karen and I belonged to it for over a year and I lost almost 40 lbs. (Karen lost an undisclosed amount of weight - suffice it to say, she was very successful.)

Both of us have gained most of our weight back. I've gained 29 of those pounds back.

Why did we quit?

First of all it was way too expensive. Not only did we pay $13 each every week, there was pressure to buy Weight Watchers product: it didn't matter that there are better (and better for you) snacks, tastier options, scales and books with just as good information. If it wasn't Weight Watchers' inflated prices, you couldn't refer to it in meetings or say that it worked for you.

Secondly, the leader was incapable of answering our questions without a canned line from Weight Watchers. I know she wasn't a dietician or she didn't have a background in healthy nutrition, but people who come to Weight Watchers need someone who can answer their questions with knowledge and example.

More times than I can count, I would ask a question in the meeting and there would be one of two responses: A) She would ask the rest of the group what they would do or what they would say; or, B) She would turn the question around to ask me what I thought I should do.

Thirdly, when I hit a plateau, there was no guidance off it. There were platitudes and the same old canned answers, but nothing that helped me get off dead-center. When I had lost 25 lbs., I was half way to my goal weight. I plateaued and in the next six months only lost a few pounds. Our leader was in such a rush to leave the meeting, she was rarely available for individual consultation. When she was available, she was dismissive and trite.

Next, she was rude (the consultant I mean). She laid her watch on the table behind her and constantly turned her back on the group to check the time. She scolded our friend about her daughter in front of other members. She scolded the same friend for some friendly joking she was doing with me before the meeting. She wouldn't leave my feet alone: the Church we met in didn't (and doesn't) mind barefooting but every week she made an issue of it.

When I called the W.W. Office in Fort Wayne to complain (twice), I was basically told that our consultant was rushed and that our meeting was her last of the day and she probably wanted to get home. I was told that her towing the company line was a good thing even though it wasn't helpful.

I have gained most of my weight back, but I do not regret leaving Weight Watchers. It was a negative experience, and I feel negative enough about my weight.

Here's today's journal:
Weight: 238.2 - up 2/10, but not bad at all considering the eating out I did yesterday
Breakfast - a banana and a SoBe water
Snack - animal crackers
Dinner - Chef Salad without dressing and a salmon patty
Supper - Turkey Reuben sandwich, cottage cheese, a whole tomato, cole slaw
Snack - pretzels, cucumber dip

I walk-jogged 1.6 miles. Estimated jog distance a little over a mile. It was incredibly hot for 6 a.m. and very humid. Today ended up being 95 degrees and a heat factor of 103.

I also led chair aerobics (25 min.) and chair Tai Chi (20 min.) at work, and walked a lot delivering mail in the Neighborhood Homes.