We've got something a little different today. Peter and I are beginning to experiment with video.
Sometimes it feels easier for me to talk about a topic than to write about it.
That was the case a while ago when he suggested I share my Weight Watchers Story with you.
Because it's kinda long, he's broken it down into 3 separate videos and included transcription for those who prefer reading to watching.
While my story might not be as dramatic as some, I think it's representative of what a lot of us struggle with as we work to resolve our issues with food and weight.
And it helps to illustrate why I'm forever a fan of Weight Watchers.
I hope you find it helpful.
2018 WW Freestyle - Updated Program & SmartPoints Tracking
Martha McKinnon's Weight Watchers Story Part 3 of 3
Martha McKinnon's Weight Watchers Story: Part 1
Martha McKinnon's Weight Watchers Story: Part 2
Video Transcription:
Martha: "About six or seven years ago, I had one of these a-ha moments in my mid- to late-forties. I said you know what, I just don't want to live like this anymore. So I got to the point where I decided that I just didn't want to keep doing the yo-yo thing anymore. I wanted to adopt a lifestyle. I wanted to lose the weight and keep it off. I wanted to feel good about myself.
So I stepped back into Weight Watchers and I committed to staying. I committed to living the program. I committed to really losing the weight and keeping it off. And just doing what the expectation is of lifetime. So I do, I continue now, several years later to weigh in every month. And I try to do it the first week of the month - I think the discipline of that is really important. To just set it in your calendar and do it. And not sort of play it and game it.
The first week of every month I show up at Weight Watchers and I weigh in. Low and behold, and I really am kind of proud of this, I’m not trying to be cocky, but I really, really am proud of the fact that I've reached this point at 51 - soon to be 52 - I’m not only living my goal, I’m actually under my goal. And this is a goal I set when I was 28 years old. A goal that I felt good about.
And now I'm several pounds under the goal and I feel awesome. I feel in control. I feel in charge. You know, I'm on the brink of facing all those things and the scary talk around menopause. But I feel in a position where I'm going to be able to deal with that and I really have Weight Watchers to thank. And the Weight Watchers plan and the Weight Watchers program. Because Weight Watchers really isn't a diet. Weight Watchers is about teaching you how to manage your relationship with food.
That's what's really lacking in a lot of other diets and other approaches to weight loss.
I love the saying, I mean we all know that we've all had this experience where we've lost weight successfully. I think probably with any weight you can lose weight for the short-term and I think I've done this a lot. And I think a lot of people do it, you know give up carbs, or eat six times a day, go on the vegan raw food plan.
We can all do things that are really radical and really extreme for a short time and lose a little bit of weight. But what tends to happen is that we then revert back to our old behaviors, we try to continue to live our life and we gain it back.
And the difference with Weight Watchers is that you know it's really not a diet in the fact that it's really trying to teach you how to manage your relationship with food in whatever way works best for you.
There's no food to buy, there's no special foods. It'll work if you're gluten-free. It'll work if you're vegetarian. It'll work if you want to be low on your carbs. It'll work if you want to eat six times a day, or if you want to eat three times a day.
What you're really doing is you're adopting the same philosophy you have to adopt if you want to keep your finances under control. It's a food management system or a food relationship management system. The same as a fiscal or financial management system. So nobody's going to tell you exactly how you have to do it. They're going to provide the framework. They're going to provide a budget for you.
In this day it's all about PointsPlus, where every food is assigned a PointsPlus Value. And you get assigned so many PointsPlus Values for the day, plus you get a weekly bonus, that a lot of people like to call their Happy Hour Points. Their Weekend Points. Their Splurge Points.
And so what it's really teaching you to do is to live within your means, within your dietary means.
I am a Weight Watchers geek at this point. I'm a Weight Watchers advocate and I love the plan. I love the program. I love what's done for me in terms of my confidence. In terms of my health and my wellness. And I love to share what I've learned and experienced with others. And I love to share recipes out on my website.
One of the difficult things can be to take the time to figure out your PointsPlus Values for the food you're going to eat. And for your recipes. So what I love to do is to do all that work for you. I'm cooking anyway. I love to cook. I love to eat. And now I love to share those recipes out on https://simple-nourished-living.com where I’ve kind of taken the work out of it for you. All you have to do is cook it and track it. You don't have to do all the work of putting it in your recipe builder and figuring it out.
So thanks for taking the time to watch this. If you have thoughts you'd like to share about your Weight Watchers experience, I'd love to hear those and see those comments here.
I love what I do. I love what Weight Watchers has done for me. And I love sharing recipes on Simple Nourished Living. If you have an experience that you'd like to share about Weight Watchers, or what's worked or not for you, I'd love to hear about that."
Martha McKinnon's Weight Watchers Story: Part 1
Martha McKinnon's Weight Watchers Story: Part 2
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Sheila
You should be proud what you have done. It's never easy for anyone.
I going thru my own struggle right now, but I'm taking it slowly, and hopefully one day I will be at goal.
Thanks so much for sharing I know it's hard
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, Sheila. You are right, losing weight and keeping it off takes work, but the rewards are worth it. Best of luck with your journey!!
Marge Morrison
Just watched the entire video trio - and it's GREAT! Noted that you became more relaxed within minutes after starting the series and shortly were entirely relaxed! What a great way to 'begin the New Year' a bit early! I applaud both the documentary as well as the camera-man! Excellent! Great introduction to the wonderful recipes that are contained here.
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, Mom 🙂
Glynis Cooper
I did was a member of Weight Watchers in the 1980s and achieved my goal weight of 8stones and 8 lbs which was set for you in those days. It was the original plan where food was broken down into categories and I must say it was much easier for me to lose weight then. My mother also came to the class and lost weight and had a lower goal weight than I did. I gained weight again but lost it again when I went back on the plan. I have been to Weight Watchers a few time since and tried to follow their plans but it hasn’t worked as I don’t find the meals satisfying and all the products they sell just make me want more of their junk food. If I could find a copy of the original plan I would stick to that as it worked for me. Your website is very difficult to watch as there are so many ads that pop up.
Charline Bridgeman
Hi,
Thank God I found you. I too got cocky and threw all the old Weight Watchers material away. I thought I had it
memorized enough that I didn't need it. To my regret, that was not true. I KNOW IT WORKS. Just finished cleaning out my cabinets of food that is not on the list and the food pantry will benefit from that. Frig is next. Will go grocery shopping when it gets daylight. My very best to you.
Charline Bridgeman
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for your kind comment Charline! I'm so glad we found each other 🙂 That cocky thing happens to lots of us! The good news is that WW is always there to welcome us back. My very best to you too!!
Barb J
Thank you for sharing your story. I never had a weight problem until after my third baby. To deal with the extra 30 lbs. I went to a weight loss clinic run by a doctor. It worked well. I think my daily calorie intake was about 900-1000. However, as you've said, it was easy to go back to old habits, and the weight came back. I should have known better. Anyway, I have recently had my "aha" moment and I'm trying to change in a healthy, long term way. So thank you for your recipes, your emails and your encouragement. I appreciate you doing the work for me with recipes.
Kimberly
Thank you so much for sharing. I have never really been on a diet and I am 46. I should have been, but didn't. I signed up with ww this week and have been very depressed after realizing how much I had been overeating. I was thinking of giving up and my husband also obese encouraged me to quit. You have inspired me to keep going. I now have complete faith in the program and know if I keep at it, I will be healthier emotionally and physically. I will also be a good example to my obese daughter who is doing it with me.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kimberly,
Congratulations on deciding to stick with it!! There's nothing really to beat yourself up about! Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to make different choices. Just focus on one day at a time and one meal at a time. Changing your habits takes work but the benefits are so worth it! Please know that I am cheering for you!!
Marta Guthier
Hi, I been reading your site and I am so glad to have listened to your history with weight watchers, would like to try the clean eating program, would also like to find the book with the original program and read it, thanks for the ideas and recipes.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Marta, You are so welcome! Best of luck with the simply filling program 🙂
Carlene Hawes
Good Morning , Thank you ever so much for sharing your videos etc. Why do we have to learn the hard way. Rejoined and blessed to be a part of the new program. Awesome, Awesome, the program has come a long way. Do you know how to change points plus into smart points that is now used in the new program. Thank you in advance for your help.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Carlene, Welcome and best of luck with WW this time! Sometimes we need to learn our lessons again and again before we get it! Unfortunately, you can't really change Points Plus to Smart Points. They both use different variables in their calculations. Points Plus is based on grams of fat, carbs, protein and fiber. SmartPoints is based on calories and grams of sugar, protein and saturated fat. Hope this helps.
Rose
I read that you have a Simple Start version you made. Where can I get that. I'm going to order your ebooks because I just hate looking for easy recipes and figuring Smart Points. I too am a lifetime member since 1974 and have fallen off the wagon too many times. I have returned this past year but have recently been diagnosed with lung disease and sometimes just don't have the energy or inclination to cook.
You also mentioned the program from the 80s, do you still follow it or are you doing Smart Points.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Rose, I have a 28-Day SmartStart eCourse/eBook in my eBooks bundle: https://simple-nourished-living.com/slow-cook-yourself-slim-ultimate-book-bundle-weight-watcher-friendly/ While I loosely follow SmartPoints and love the electronic tracker, I still find myself thinking in terms of servings of "bread" "meat" "fruit" etcetera, which is what I first learned with WW back in the late 80s/early 90s. Hope this helps. Warmly, Martha
BETTY B
HELLO MARTHA,I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST PUT IN MY 2 CENTS WORTH.I AM 67 YEARS OLD .YES THAT OLD.HOWEVER I TRY TO STAY YOUNG.I HAVE BEEN ON AND OFF WW SINCE THE 60S.BUT THE LAST 12 YEARS HAVE BEEN REALLY HARD NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE..YOU SEE ALL THE DIET SITES I READ OR LOOK AT NEVER EVER TALK ABOUT WOMEN IN MY SITUATION.I TAKE PREDNISONE A WELL KNOWN STEROID.WELL WHAT THIS PILL DOES TO YOUR BODY IS UNREAL.IT RE-ARRANGES YOUR BODY AND CHANGES YOUR WHOLE METABOLISIM AS YOU KNEW IT.IN 12 YRS I HAVE GAINED 65 LBS.I DON'T EAT OUT EVER DON'T EAT JUNK FOOD EITHER IT IS JUST THE NATURE SIDE EFFECT OF THIS PILL.I GUESS WHAT I AM TRING TO SAY IS PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE ONES OUT HERE THAT HAVE NO CHOICE REALLY WHAT THEIR WEIGHT IS AS IT HAS BEEN HYJACKED BY MEDICATION.THATS ALL I WANTED TO SAY,THANKS BETTY
Martha McKinnon
Hi Betty,
Thanks for sharing your experience. There are so many medications that can mess with our metabolism. Another important consideration when you are trying to lose weight and eat better.
Doreen
Was successful with the 1980s program in England and reached my goal weight in 1990, managed to keep it off for 4-5 years. The weight has gradually crept back plus more. I have been trying to find the basic program information again and have some of the materials. I also have the cook books ( there are some all time favorite recipes in them) My problem is some of the foods are just not available here in the US,where do I get fromage frais and quark here? added to which all the recipes are in lbs and ounces or grams and kilos not cups, any suggestions?
Charlie
I have been getting your newsletters for some time, but the one last week about the book, MINDLESS EATING, I am really enjoying. I have been going to WW for five years or so, lost a lot of weight, however, gained some back. Still go to the meetings and now that I am reading the book, I understand everything I have been neglecting. Thanks so much for the mention of the book and I look forward to the discussion of the first two chapters.
Judith Connolly
In the 60’s I went to WW w and lost 4.1/2 stone, became a Gold member. I kept the weight off until this last year. I have tried the newer orogramme(s) but they do not work. We calculated by using a card with a slider inserted to do the points. I have lost part of this calculator. Can anyone copy me theirs please. I would b3 most grateful. You can see, I do not mess about hav8ng v9ntrolled myself after all 5gese years. An6 help I would be grateful.
Brenda
Tomorrow I'm going to start on the Quick Success program. I bought the book after reading the blog you wrote about it. It is the first ww program I ever tried. So here we go!! Wish me luck!!
Noelia
Good luck Brenda! I am positive you will manage.
Noelia
Hi Martha,
I am in a similar position. I successfully followed WW about 10 years ago but slowly but surely I got back few pounds which I cannot get rid of. I am a very determined person and yesterday (on my week holiday) I started my WW diet. I came across your videos googling WW old plan points. What a great find! Thank you for being such a great inspiration.
Kim Buckley
Hi, I am 69 and live in Australia. I first joined WW in 1978. I lost 43 pounds and became a lifetime member. I eventually put all the weight back on plus more. I returned in 1993 and once again lost a lot of weight...I actually saw a lot of ladies who had lost weight in '78 who also had rejoined. I did try the points system, but I found the quick success ? much esier to follow. Her I am in 2021...heavier than I have ever been..suffering with arthritis and foot problems...I have to lose weight. I want to follow the program from '93.... no points, just the easier way...I don't mind weighing the protein. I remember just about everything except the 'extras...does anyone remember these.....also is WW Ice cream counted as dairy or extras ? If I could find a full copy of the program it would be great. Wish me luck......
Janet Robins
Hello, i did WW in the late 70/80 and got to life time member. I kept the weight off for a lot of years. I have been back to the point system but find it not as good for me. I was wondering if by any chance do you or anyone have the diary plus a few menus to follow of the earlier books. I found I liked the structure of having the plain when it was in front of me. Any help with this would be much appreciated please.
Janet
Martha McKinnon
Hi Janet, I think you will find this post helpful. It refers to a couple of old WW Books that include recipes and menus based on the old plan. Hope it helps. https://simple-nourished-living.com/why-i-think-the-old-weight-watchers-food-exchange-program-quick-success-was-better-than-points/