And like every other Tuesday, as I walked into the room, the Weight Watchers leader was finishing packing up all her Weight Watchers swag after the meeting.
I usually just say "hi" (don't know the leader's name) and she's usually out of the room within a few minutes.
Well, guess what happened this Tuesday?
I said more than "hi."
I asked her this one burning question that I've always wondered about:
"Can people with weight loss surgery join Weight Watchers?"
Why did I ask this?
Because everything that I've read on the interwebs on this topic has always been:
Don't tell WW that you have weight loss surgery. They won't let you join.
They don't like weight loss surgery.
But guess what that WW leader did when I asked that question?
First she looked at me like I had grown horns.
Then she said "Of course! Only pregnant women can't do Weight Watchers. We welcome everyone to join who is looking to lose weight and get healthy."
Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit.
That rumor is officially squashed.
Now you know the truth:
Weight Loss Surgery peeps can go to WW meetings.
I've always said that my lifestyle with the Lap-Band is similar to Weight Watchers:
- I have to track my food choices and water intake
- I have to exercise
- I have to take vitamins
- I have weekly weigh-ins for accountability (in my bathroom at home).
No matter our method of getting healthy, we are all trying to achieve the same thing: Weight Loss. And how awesome is WW for having a weekly meetings (support groups) and the accountability of a weekly weigh-in? That's the bomb dot com.
PS: The WW leader also wanted to clear up another rumor that's floating around out there. She made it very clear that the weigh-ins are done individually and privately at the WW meetings. Weigh-ins are NOT conducted 'Biggest Loser' style on a huge mega-TV screen for all to see. Just. Not. True.
I had never heard either of those rumors. I'm so glad I decided to give up on WW and get the band. I never could stick with WW for more than a few weeks and for some reason never saw results. And paying each week to gain a pound, lose a few ounces, etc. was so frustrating. It works for like everyone in the world, but me :(
ReplyDeleteThey can also join TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), which is far less expensive, btw. :D
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard those rumors either -- too bad they're going around because WW and other places can offer great support for people losing weight and maintaining weight loss. And weighing like that...can you imagine? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have as many members as they do if that's what they did.
ReplyDeleteI've found WW so helpful for tracking in the past. I'm not sure if you've done this lately, so if you have just direct me to the post, but what is a typical food day like for you lately (obviously not a Fat Girl Friday...loved that post!)
ReplyDeletePre-band - I had lost the most I ever lost on WW. I loved their system however in my opinion I couldn't count points for the rest of my life. I like tracking on MFP better cause I just put in that I had 2 hard boiled eggs and it counts everything for me. : ) I just make sure at the end of the day I am close to target with my calorie, protein, and fiber targets. : ) Same results as WW tracking, but easier in my opinion. Though I suppose WW has online tools you can use now too that calculate your Points (tm) total for you etc. So not too different. I loved the weekly meetings and topics for the week. I always felt renewed after support group. I don't get that from my WLS support group.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dispelling the rumor. I hadn't heard it, but I can for sure understand why some may think that. Forums I used to visit that were pro-WW were very anti WLS. /frown
Huh, interesting. I had not heard either of those rumors. In fact, I think a person with a life long weight problem can have a good combo with WLS and WW together. Good for you for asking!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I think it is important to recognize that no matter the method we are using, we just have to do what works for us!
ReplyDelete