How many of you have ever joined or followed weight watchers for health reasons?

@rx4life (1930)
United States
December 18, 2007 2:08am CST
Sound like a boring discussion? Well today as I was talking to a friend about some health issues she has been experiencing, she mentioned to me that after all the medications she has tried and all the illness she has faced in the last 2 years, that losing a mere 20 pounds has alleviated about 50% of the pain and suffering she has been experiencing. I know that we usually think that one would have to be fairly obese to experience pain and medical issues directly related to weight gain.. This is not true..the doctors are astounded that such a relatively small change has affected so much change in her body. She is actually enjoying reasonably good health right now and hasn't felt this good in 2-3 years..She is NOT extremely overweight at all..in fact to see her before she lost this 20 pounds you would never have considered her heavy...Now she looks very normal ( not anorexic) and is so much healthier. It made me start thinking about my own health problems which they have stumbled with diagnoses for several years...and last year I began to follow weight watchers to see if my cholesterol would lower...and after just a 9 pound loss it was several points lower...I kept working at the new lifestyle and in all lost over 25 pounds..I was feeling very good and numbers looked good..my shoulders were even better and didn't require surgery...now due to an accicent and a lot of stress my auto-immune disorder has flared up and required me to take high doses of steroids for a few months...I have gained 20 pounds back in just 3.5 months...and I am back to bad blood work, bad feelings and not taking good care of myself...So tomorrow I begin to take the control back and slowly but surely will get this weight off..no obsessing about it..but I can't go on feeling this badly when I know how good I felt. Do you ever gain/lose weight and see a direct effect on your life? Have you ever joined or followed weight watchers and had success or failure? I don't like diets...I like to change habits...but I know that this past year it was very hard on my body to endure the weight loss and then in only 3.5 months gain most of it back...I need to be on top of this...for good health is everything..and without it I definitely suffer!! How about you? Making changes? Always in balance? Need to make changes? Where do you stand?
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4 responses
@nichole1983 (1187)
• Canada
18 Dec 07
a few years ago a gf of mine was drastically obese... to the point everything she did caused her to loose her breath... when she was in her car accident they did blood tests and they said she was close to becoming a diabetic.. i joined weight watchers with her cause it is a known fact that if you workout with someone you tend to lose the weight and feel motivated to do so... she had more of a stricter guide line than i did.. i have more muscle toning and muscle strenghtening.. i have always been a small girl.. and i truly looked great after all the workouts.. my gf has lost 130 pounds to date.. not only does she feel better but is healthier and she looks great..
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
18 Dec 07
Good for you to be such a great friend...what a gift you have given her and yourself!! Weight watchers is just a sensible eating plan...it really is easy to follow and just becomes a lifestyle change.. I never really needed it until I developed thyroid tumors and then had the auto immune disorder begin..which puts me on massive doses of steroids once or twice a year..then the pounds float out of nowhere and land on my thighs ! LOL
1 person likes this
• Canada
18 Dec 07
there are some great exercises that you can do for the thighs.. i got a few from when i had surgury.. i can send them over to you if you like.. im sure you got a bunch already though...
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
20 Dec 07
I'd love it...send them on!!! I appreciate all the help I can get right now!!!
• Saint Lucia
18 Dec 07
i have never had a problem with my weight before. i've always managed to stay in shape and fit. so i have never joined or followed weight watchers for health reasons. to stay in shape i ride a bike i alos play sports like soccer and basketball.
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
18 Dec 07
I am an avid walker ( 5miles a day) for 11 years now...and I have always been fit...now I have some issues with health that have radically changed things...I now have to be very vigilant about my eating ...but I will get back to my old self with some hard work and hopefully won't have to take the steroids anymore!!! Good for you keeping fit and being active..it is so good for us all!!
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• Romania
21 Feb 08
I am not in weight watchers either because I don't need to, but I think they are very good. They have a program and it helps to have other people trying to lose weight with you. It is easier when you are not alone.
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
19 Dec 07
This is by no means a boring discussion! I think most of us are interested in our weight, one way or the other, because it's to do with our health. I joined WeightWatchers years ago with a friend, and I lost 28 pounds in 6 months; I excercised every day - rode a bike to work, I swam twice a week, and walked most days. It was easier doing it with a friend, because we were less likely to cheat! We compared notes, discussed what meals to cook, and were there for each other if temptation rose it's ugly head! (And it did from time to time). Losing all that weight made me feel so good - my cholesterol dropped, I can walk without getting out of breath, and I look great! It also gave me more confidence about myself. I found WeightWatchers very easy to follow, and still live by the diet - it has become every day routine to me (except when I have visitors) lol! We have just had visitors from Canada for the past two weeks and I've put on a few pounds, (and I can feel it), so I will get back into the diet and it will soon be gone! I urge you to get back into it Linda, you need to for your health's sake; steroids are awful, and play havoc witho your body. Good luck.
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
19 Dec 07
And I did!!! Today I have followed it perfectly and am readying myself to go down and get on my treadmill for a 5 mile walk...it will take time..but like we agreed..it's a lifestyle not a diet!!! I am excited and feel better already just knowing I'm headed back in the right direction!!! Thanks for the encouragement...I'll be checking in and letting you know if I need a good scolding!!! LOL
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@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
19 Dec 07
Good girl!! Don't forget to keep us posted on your progress.
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18 Dec 07
well i myself is physiotherapist so i try to manage myself with the matter of weight control however i m not over weight but i always be attentive for my weight
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@rx4life (1930)
• United States
18 Dec 07
I never had to worry about what I ate before..now with some health issues I have to take steroids and that really puts the pounds on..Just means I need to really work hard at being compliant..
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