I will never forget the feeling of stepping on that scale for my starting weigh-in. I was horrified. A little old lady wrote down my weight, handed me my books and then looked me square in the eye. She could tell I was about to cry. She said nothing to me except the following words:
"Honey--You never have to see that number again."
She was right.
I know I usually do a lot of joking around on this blog, but as I approach my 12 year anniversary as a proud WW member I want to get serious for just a moment...
Many people ask me why I am so enamored with Jean Nidetch and all things Weight Watcher. I can only answer that question by explaining how Weight Watchers truly changed my life. There was a time when I woke up every morning dreading the day ahead of me. Everything was hard. Everything was embarrassing. Everything was a major bummer. Food controlled me, and my weight was rapidly getting out of control.
But the day I walked into my first WW meeting, all of that changed. I didn't even have to lose single pound... Just being there I felt more confident. I felt happier. I felt like I was understood. I felt like I fit in. I felt in control.
I could have signed up for any other diet program out there. But thank goodness I didn't. I lost over 40 pounds and I haven't missed a week in 12 years.
A few weeks ago, as I was checking my blog stats, I noticed that several people stumbled upon my blog by searching Google for ways to contact Jean Nidetch and send her a thank you note. I realized that there must be millions of people out there just like me who owe so much to this great lady and want to let her know.
So...If Jean were reading this blog, what would you say to her? Here are just a few of the folks who stepped up to the plate to offer their thoughts...
"Thank You Jean! Your program saved my life!" -- Lynn at Hill Warning
"Thank you aunt Jean! I love your books and I use them as a Bible, as my personal diet plan! I love the way you lost your weight. I love you!" --Mar Si at I Want to Be Thin
"Thanks! - You helped people help themselves and changed lives forever" --Roz at Weighting for 50
"Thank you for Changing my life" --Cilla
"Really Jean, Liver?!" --Leanne at The Skinny Architect
"What's the #1 reason for the obesity epidemic in the US?" --Diane aka Liver Lover
"Thank you, Jean, for proving to us that 'It's choice, not chance, that determines your destiny.'" --- Nacho Mama at Nacho Mama's Blog
As for me? If I could say one thing to Jean it would simply be: If you are ever in the Pittsburgh area - stop by. I can whip up a killer Fluffy Mackerel Pudding, some Coffee Bubblers, and we can invite a few of my WW buddies over for a good old fashioned WW meeting in my living room. I even promise not to gush too much.
OK. Maybe just a little.
Anyone else out there wanna chime in? What would you say to Jean Nidetch?
5 comments:
I love Weight Watchers and it has helped me so many times to lose weight. Even though I had weight loss surgery many of the ideas from weight watcher help me now more than ever on my journey.
ps, your first meeting was the day my 1st son was born which changed my life for the better too! So I think that it just much be an amazing day
Hi, I just discovered your blog. It is at once entertaining and motivating! I too am on WW. I have lost 42 pounds so far, but I have been stagnating at that weight since November. Grrr! I keep telling myself it's okay, at least I'm not gaining, but I am definitely on a mental plateau and trying to get motivated to lose the last 30 pounds. Maybe I'll shake things up by trying a few of your retro recipes!
Have a great day.
All kidding aside as well, I thank her everyday for making weight loss accessible. No gimmicks, no pills, none of that, just empowerment to know that I can change myself and I have control of that. Without Jean I wouldn't know what I am capable of. So thanks to her I can say I am 60lbs lighter and have gained a ton of self confidence and self esteem.
So thanks again, Jean, for teaching me that I don't have to do it alone!
Actually I want to say something to *you* which is *congratulations* on finding success with Weight Watchers! Now as far as Jean goes, I think she's a wonderful lady but I would have to ask her what's up with all of the gelatin recipes???
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