February 26, 2014

New Weight Watchers meeting

I am SO glad that I went to the new Weight Watchers meeting today! I was super nervous to go, because of the issues I've had with my local center. Whenever I would have to go weigh in there, I'd get bad anxiety. Today, I decided to try a different center, so I was still nervous, but only because I didn't know what to expect.

The meeting started at 9:30, and I got there a little after 9:00. I handed the receptionist my weigh-in booklet, and told her that I'd already weighed in this week, but I wanted to attend the meeting. She was very friendly, and I explained the situation to her--that I felt very uncomfortable and unwelcome at the other center, and that I would like to switch my WW "home base". She had me fill out a form, and then took care of everything to make the switch, so now I don't ever have to go back to my previous center!

I sat down for the meeting, and was surprised how many people showed up, especially for a meeting at 9:30 on a Wednesday morning. At my previous center's meetings, I only ever saw about 6-10 people show up. Today, there were about 25.

I had assumed I would have to go to a few different meeting times, with different leaders, to find a leader that I clicked with, but I'm sure I found her today. One of the things that drove me crazy about the WW center that I had been going to was that the leaders seemed to make up their own rules to the WW plan. For example, one of the leaders told everyone that if you eat more than two servings of fruit in a day, you have to count each additional serving as 1 PP. That's not a WW rule! Fruit is 0 PP, whether you have 2 or 10 servings. But when I mentioned that I liked to snack on grapes, eating several servings a day, she told me that I need to count those servings, which I knew wasn't true. And I lost weight just fine, thankyouverymuch.

Anyway, at today's meeting, someone brought up eating too much fruit, and I LOVED the leader's response: she said that it's entirely up to each individual person and what their body can handle. Some people can eat tons of fruit and lose weight without problem (like me); others can only eat a couple of servings before it makes weight loss difficult; etc. We just have to experiment to see what is best for our bodies. As soon as I heard her response to that question, I was sold on her.

One of the things that I really liked was that she is doing a challenge for March. We are supposed to take a picture of a clothing item that we hope to be able to fit into by the end of March, and hang the picture on her bulletin board. Then, at the end of March, if we wear that item into the meeting, she'll enter our names into a drawing for some WW stuff. I thought that was a creative idea! I can still fit into all of my clothes (at least I think so!), but a couple of pairs of jeans have gotten uncomfortably tight. So I chose a pair of (non-stretchy) jeans for my goal item. I want them to be comfortable enough to wear to the meeting by the end of March.


After the meeting was over, I went up to thank her and to introduce myself. I explained my situation about switching WW centers, and she was excited to learn how much weight I'd lost. She asked if I minded if she shared that with everyone, and I said of course not. I didn't think she meant right then! She called for everyones' attention as people were getting ready to leave, and made a big ta-da about my weight loss. My face was beet red, and I was embarrassed, but at the same time, it felt good that she was excited for me.

I left the meeting feeling fantastic, and very excited about going back next week. I really wish I had switched centers ages ago; but regardless, I'm glad I went today and gave it a try, because it worked out very well.

After I left the meeting, I stopped at the mall because I had a coupon for free Victoria's Secret panties. I browsed around a little, hoping to find a cute nightie or something, but nothing really sparked my interest, so I didn't end up buying anything.

I headed to the nursing home to see Mark, and stopped at Starbucks to get him a latte. It was 11:00, so at the last minute, I figured I should get him lunch, too. Usually, I pick up McD's for him, but I was hungry, too, and I really didn't want McD's, so I stopped at Subway. I had no idea what kind of sandwich to get Mark, but he's not at all picky, so I just chose the best I could. I got him a soda and chips, also.

Once I got to the nursing home, Mark wasn't in his room. I walked up and down the halls looking for him without luck. Finally, I stopped and asked at the nurses station, and they said he had an appointment with the doctor today, and he'd just left at 11:00. I was disappointed, because I had the food and drinks for him, but I asked the nurse if they could keep it and give it to him when he got back.

So, I didn't get to see him today, but I'll plan on going again Friday. I have to remember to call first, and make sure he's going to be there!

24 comments:

  1. I did weight watchers online for the first 30 pounds I lost and it was nice, but I wish I would have gone to the meetings! It would have been really nice to have a good support system. Even now that I am down to the last couple of pesky pounds, it would be nice to know a couple of people going through similar things. That's why I love your blog!

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  2. So glad your new WW meeting is a winner. I went to my meeting last night and got some very disturbing news... they are closing my location! I have been lifetime now for 4 1/2 years and no way do I want to let that go... so looks like I'll be going to a meeting 30 minutes away at an inconvenient time. Boo! I need to stay positive though.. maybe it will turn out to be for the best.

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  3. I'm so glad you've found a center that is more comfortable for you. It sounds like it's a good fit! Good luck on your jeans goal! I'm sure you'll rock it!

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  4. I've been doing WW since the middle of November. I went to my first meeting on a Saturday morning and didn't click with the leader. The next week, I went on a Friday morning and LOVED that leader, I still go on Fridays just because she's so insightful.

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  5. I'm so glad you found the right leader... that really makes all the difference! And it will be worth the 30 minute drive to go to a meeting you enjoy.

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  6. I've been a leader of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) several times. We always encourage the other members to be very welcoming when a new person walks in and leaders are prepared with meetings that we hope click with the members. We try hard to help everyone but sometimes the chapter in the next town does happen to be a better fit.

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  7. Glad to hear you loved it! It's probably good that she made you share your story right then and there- you didn't have an entire week to ruminate over it!

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  8. Wow! I'm glad you were able to find a leader you liked so quickly! From what you've said about your previous center, I'm not surprised the attendance was so much lower than the one you visited yesterday. I really hope this new one is a great fit for you!

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  9. I'm happy for you that you found a meeting with a good connection for you. Tgat is so important. I like the March challenge idea. I have something similar in place for when i have my two-month post op appointment,

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  10. Katie…..
    As a Weight Watchers member and now a WW leader (for the past 3 1/2 years), I am so sorry to hear about the connection you didn't have with your previous leader and for the misinformation she was giving out. I am truly sorry about that. And yes, it makes the journey so much better if you click with your leader, as well as the other employees or whoever is weighing you in. No member should EVER feel bad anxiety when they are being weighed in. Well, except for the normal apprehensive anxiety because really, who ever wants to be weighed in front of someone else, right! :-)
    But in all seriousness, no one should have to endure or feel like you did at your WW center. No member should ever feel that way. PERIOD. Weight loss is already a stressful and emotion journey. Going somewhere for help, guidance and support should be just that. You should always, ALWAYS feel welcome when attending a Weight Watchers meeting.
    If I could give you some advice, I would call the 1-800 number and let them know about your previous leader and your experience at that center. I would hope like hell that if I ever treated someone that way or was giving out misinformation, I would want someone reporting me. And I am being serious. You can call the number at 1-800-651-6000. Chances are, if you felt that way, so did other members. And if, as members, we speak up about these issues, something can be done about them.
    I hope that makes sense.
    Again, as a WW leader, I apologize for the experience you encountered at your center. AND……I am so very happy you found another location that was more welcoming and better suited to you and your needs.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Sincerely,
    Celeste Edenloff
    Weight Watchers member and Leader (lost 60 pounds on WW)
    Alexandria, MN
    celbeam@gmail.com

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  11. Katie--I had a similar experience in high school at my WW center here in town. The leader asked what our favorite "splurge" treat was and when I told her it was a mini-dairy queen blizzard, she really kind of acted judgmental about it--she was like, "oh my, that IS a lot of points." It really made me feel like something I liked to eat was unacceptable and it made me feel like I already did every single day in high school when I felt judged by my fellow classmates for being overweight.

    With all that being said, I am SO glad that you have clicked with this new meeting center. I have no clue if the leader at our WW center is the same, but I'm not able to afford meetings and have been successful with their online program. Someday when we are more financially stable, I hope to be able to join the group when I'm in maintenance :)

    --Kelly from In It To Lose It

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    1. That's awful that she reacted that way! I think a mini DQ Blizzard sounds like the perfect splurge!

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  12. my weight watchers meeting i was told to limit my fruits to 3 per day. but they never said what to do if i had 4 servings a day. (plus i think it is right see what works for YOU).

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  13. So glad to hear about your great success at the new WW center. It makes such a difference feeling comfortable in your meeting and with your leader.

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  14. Katie,
    How are you doing on McDonald's bucks? Do you need any gift cards replenished? I'd like to help, if you are using your own money for Mark's treats!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Prairie! That's super generous of you to offer. I think we're set for at least a month or two right now. :)

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  15. I am so glad to hear your new meeting location was a positive experience! :) Something should probably be done about the other location. I wonder how many other people have been unsuccessful with WW because they were discouraged after visiting that center? How sad.

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  16. So glad you found a place that you like and a leader that you feel comfortable with! I think I am going to try that challenge, on my own. There is definitely a pair of jeans in my closet I would like to get into more comfortably--like you, I can get them on, but they are tight.

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  17. A good WW leader is mucho importante! I'm glad this one clicked for you! We've had substitute leaders and it's never the same. I think I'll do that March challenge myself! :) Thank you for the idea!!!

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  18. Totally unrelated to this specific post but I know that you are looking for good shows on Netflix and I just wanted to recommend Chuck, it is hilarious!

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  19. I agree with all about the importance of clicking with your WW leader and group but wouldn't you admit that you liked the attention just a teeny tiny bit? :-)

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    1. Of course! That's why I said that it felt good that she was excited for me. :) I was embarrassed at the attention, but it was the good kind of embarrassment!

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  20. I have a pair of jeans that are too tight lately. I can still put them on but there is no way that I'd wear them in public! I've been saying that I need to get back into them. I AM going to be wearing them again by the end of March!! Thanks for the idea!

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  21. Hi Katie,
    I have recently rejoined W.W. First, I'd like to say congratulations on your success! Very inspirational. Regarding your meeting experience though, I can totally relate. I have had reservations about the program this go-around due to my meeting but your blog helped me to remember that each meeting has a different personality so to speak and that I should not settle for a negative experience in any way. I love the leader, and it is not that the people are necessarily mean, but I am not connecting with anyone. The meeting is very crowded and loud (I live in the Chicago metro. area). I guess with W.W. closing some meetings and considering the population base where I live - that is what you are going to get. The problem is that I feel like I am invisible there. As you know, its important for the meeting to be at least a neutral experience because it is difficult enough to lose weight. I'm going to carefully monitor how I feel and make necessary adjustments instead of thinking about quitting altogether.

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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