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Weight Watchers May Help You Lose Weight, Keep It Off

Posted on: Sunday, 29 January 2006, 03:03 CST

By Mary Lynn Tucker

Are you one of the millions of Americans whose health goal is to lose weight and/or maintain a healthy weight? Whether your healthiest weight is 20 pounds lighter or 100, the challenges are the same.

The media bombard us with a barrage of diet plans, supplements and weight-loss programs. The "before and after" pictures used to sell products are often enticing. Perhaps you've bought into some of these plans. Maybe you've had good results with weight loss using them.

Not to discredit any of these products or programs, but the true, long-term health issue is weight maintenance, not loss. Staying healthy and maintaining a healthy weight are lifelong commitments, requiring lifestyle changes and the knowledge to make healthful decisions day by day. Making healthy food choices and creating an exercise program that fits your schedule and style are the keys to long-term weight management.

Weight Watchers is the banner program in promoting both weight loss and maintenance. To find out more about this program, I interviewed Helen Short, a group leader for Weight Watchers in Roanoke, Rocky Mount and at the lake; Lynda Imirie, a group leader in Bedford; and Ruth Mitchell-Golladay, a member of the lake group. All have had success with Weight Watchers.

"We don't use the word 'diet,' " Imirie said. "Rather, we learn how to make permanent lifestyle changes in food choices, attitudes toward eating and activity level. These are not overnight changes, as the weight didn't come on overnight."

"I admire the Weight Watchers guidelines to lose no more than 2 pounds a week, so that new habits of shopping, food selection and eating are ingrained to ensure long-term maintenance," Short said.

The program is flexible and enables you to eat anything, while encouraging balanced food guidelines from all food groups. There are two options: The Flex Plan educates participants to make better food choices by using a "points system" that enables you to choose any food, as long as you control how much you eat and keep track of your daily intake. For those who would rather not count points, there is a Core Plan, which establishes guidelines for eating wholesome foods from all food groups, teaches you to enjoy satisfying eating without empty calories, and allows for an occasional treat in controlled amounts.

"The Weight Watchers program is totally adaptable to any lifestyle," Mitchell-Golladay said. In her work as an equine physical therapist, she travels daily and packs lunches and snacks with several choices so she can decide throughout the day what she wants to eat. Additionally, she finds that going to the meetings is a great opportunity to learn from the leader, as well as other members.

"The camaraderie is a very important part of this program," Imirie said. "It builds confidence and provides encouragement while members share ideas, strategies for dealing with social situations, and work together to change attitudes toward eating."

Short decided to lose weight six years ago, after having been diagnosed with hypertension. She lost 63 pounds over a year's time, became a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers, and started to work for the organization because it had made such a difference in her life. Imirie lost 40 pounds over time and has maintained her healthy weight for two years. All the Weight Watchers staff are also members, which provides additional encouragement and role models.

Increasing physical activity and having a regular exercise program are as important to long-term health and weight maintenance as making healthy food choices. Imirie walks three miles a day and has learned to enjoy this as "my quiet time." Mitchell-Golladay finds that walking on her treadmill at home fits best into her busy schedule.

Exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy weight, as it revs up your metabolism and builds muscle, which is more metabolically active than fat. Additionally, it strengthens the heart muscle, works to keep healthy bones and joints, and is an excellent stress management tool. According to Imirie, "What makes this program work is a combination of what you do, what the leader teaches and the support you receive from other members."

The Weight Watchers program is open to anyone who wants to lose at least 5 pounds. A doctor's referral is needed for participants younger than 17. You can get more information about this program by visiting the Web site, www.weightwatchers.com, or by calling (800) 651-6000 to find the meeting nearest you.

Source: Roanoke Times & World News

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