I didn't Always Appreciate The Gift of Weight Watchers Lifetime Status.
I achieved this milestone back in the early 1990s. I was 28-years-old. I had lost 30 pounds. I felt amazing and was on top of the world.
What can I say except I was young and overconfident, yes cocky, after losing the weight relatively easily. I was sure I had the whole "weight/food" thing figured out and no longer needed the support WW provided.
If I could go back in time I would love to have been able to tell myself, "When you reach WW Lifetime Status treat it as the gift it is. Keep it. Hold it dear. Do what you need to keep it active. I know you will think you have your weight and food issues all figured out. That your weight will never be an issue again. That you are strong enough and smart enough to go it alone. You are not. Your journey is not over, not by a long shot."
It would take me a couple more rounds of gaining and losing before I would finally take hold of this amazing gift and embrace it for all it is worth.
I could if I would. But I can't.
Instead I can try to convince you.
Do as I should have done. Avoid my struggle.
Because the truth is you are not done when you reach your goal.
I now realize that learning to maintain your weight is as challenging as weight loss, maybe more so because you no longer have a clear goal your aiming for.
What is WW Lifetime Membership?
Lifetime Membership is a valuable benefit that meeting members can receive when you reach and maintain your goal weight.
Once you achieve the status as one of Weight Watchers Lifetime Members, you are considered a permanent part of the Weight Watchers family. You receive a Lifetime Membership Recognition Award, along with the additional benefits of a complimentary eTools subscription and unlimited meetings (provided you weigh-in once a month at no more than two pounds over your goal weight).
You're awarded Lifetime Membership once you reach the following criteria:
- You select and achieve a weight goal that is within the Weight Watchers Healthy Weight Ranges (or above Weight Watchers weight ranges if a note from a physician has been provided) and at least 5 pounds less than your initial start weight.
- After you reach your goal weight, you must complete the maintenance phase of the program — remain an active, paid member throughout the next 6 weeks, weigh-in at least twice and be within 2 pounds (+/-) of your goal weight at the final maintenance weigh-in.
Benefits of Weight Watchers Lifetime Membership
There are many benefits to achieving lifetime status at Weight Watchers. As a lifetime member you may attend as many meetings as you like anywhere in the world, provided you weigh-in once a month at no more than two pounds over your goal weight. You also are entitled to a free online eTools account subscription.
Once you are a Lifetime Member, you are FOREVER a Lifetime Member. You will never have to pay the joining fee as a again. You can walk in after years of being gone and be welcomed back with open arms just by paying the going rate of that single meeting.
Valuable Advice and Tips from WW Lifetime Members
Lifetime members are a valuable asset to meetings. They are living proof that the WW program works. Although they are only required to weigh in once a month, they are encouraged to attend as many meetings as they need and weigh in more often if it enhances their maintenance experience.
You'll get valuable advice and tips like...
"Keep tracking SmartPoints values even after you've reached goal. It's too easy to increase your portion sizes if you don't."
"Enjoy every day you are on plan. Laugh at your mistakes and celebrate your successes."
"Eat only what you truly love and the plan will be a joy."
"Keep yourself busy so the focus of your life isn't food!"
"Be intentional about your healthy lifestyle. Don't leave it up to chance."
"Lifetime membership is the greatest gift. I encourage my co-workers to please hang in there, because earning lifetime status will keep them fit for life. I have remained faithful to my goal because Weight Watchers helped me change the way I eat for life."
"Anyone can lose weight—we've done it a million times—but the key to keeping the weight off is to embrace your new lifestyle. Tell yourself, 'I love the new me!'"
"The Weight Watchers website is so helpful to me as a lifetime member. The success stories remind me that the journey I began two years ago will never be over. I remain just as alert and dedicated as I was as a beginner to avoid pitfalls. Sometimes it's difficult when there is no goal weight left to aim for—that's when I hit the site for a boost."
Source: What is a Lifetime Member (Weight Watchers)
You might also like:
- My Journey to WW Lifetime Member
- 3 Reasons Smart People Struggle with Weight Loss
- Why September is the Best Time for Weight Loss
- Stop Expecting Perfection with Your Weight Loss
- 7 Steps to a Winning Weight Loss Mindset
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Deborah Mansell
My husband and I were lifetime members abt 30 years ago, how do we find our numbers so we can rejoin?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Deborah, I was able to get mine from Weight Watchers. You'll want to call them. 1 (800) 651-6000. - Martha
Monica Gupta
I have another question if you don’t mind.
So if a member who was once a Lifetime member, wants to join WW back,does he/she have to pay the monthly fees?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Monica, WW lifetime members that are over their goal weight are required to pay the monthly fees until they are no more than 2 pounds over their goal. They also have to pay the weekly fee anytime they fail to weigh in at least once a month. Hope this hlpes.
Janet Jensen
Im a lifetime member way over goal wt and want to come back. Am I required to weigh in every week and what about meetings. What is the cost for meetings now.
Nancy
I also became a lifetime member in the 90’s. Is it still true that you never have to pay a joining fee again? I wanted to join recently and was on the phone with them for over 45 minutes before I finally hung up. They seem to have forgotten about this benefit.
Donna
I'd recommend you read Dr. Jason Fung’s book: The Obesity Code. The scientific research does no support this assertion that’s in your blog:
“But when it comes to weight loss they should just trust that it’s really as simple as eating a little less and moving a little more…”
It’s an old worn out false claim.
Martha McKinnon
I'm a fan of Dr. Jason Fung, as you can see here: https://simple-nourished-living.com/dr-jason-fung-shares-perfect-treatment-diabetes-weight-loss/. Unfortunately the idea of intermittent fasting is scary to many people and not endorsed by WW. Each person needs to find their own way to eating better and losing weight.
Sara
I'm a little confused about the requirements for lifetime membership. Do you need to stay +/- 2 pounds of your goal weight in order to keep your lifetime membership active? If so, that's SUCH a tiny window! I can fluctuate 4 pounds almost daily, depending on water-retention, time of the month, etc. I can understand the 2 pounds OVER the goal weight, but if I'm 3 pounds UNDER the goal weight, would I lose my lifetime status until I gained a pound?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Sara, The requirement is that you be no more than 2 pounds OVER your goal weight. It's fine to be under. Hope this helps. ~Martha
Sara
Yes, that makes a lot more sense. Thank you!
Elizabeth Jane Smith
Hey Martha,
I am a lifetime member from the 90's. I've got on and off of the program for ears. Finally, at 59 I decided to lose once and for all using Weight Watchers on line. I am 60 now and within 5 lbs of my goal weight. My question is, can I manage maintenance online? Am I always going to have to count points? My goal now is to never have to go thru weightless again but feel uncertain about how to keep the weight off and falling back into old habits and developing taste for foods that I use to eat. Also, I don't want to go back to my old eating habits, but at times miss having certain foods. I avoid them so as not to deal with it and am afraid that is my recipe for disaster. It took me 1 year to go from 210 to 124, my goal being120lbs.
All of my cholesterol, liver enzymes, sugar, etc. numbers are on target or below. I am still on BP meds, but have been decreased by half and hoping to get off.
I enjoy the way I feel and the progress I made but I struggle with what to do next.
Sincerely,
Janie Smith
Martha McKinnon
Hi Janie,
First off congratulations with your impressive weight loss! That's awesome! Your question about maintenance is a good one. And one I wish I had asked and better understood long ago. The reality is that life in maintenance mode really isn't much different than in losing mode. You still need to pay attention. I'd suggest you continue to manage maintenance on line. I've come to think of it as "weight management" which is a lot like "financial management." Once you get to goal you can adjust your APP settings from "weight loss and healthy habits" to "healthy habits" which will adjust your points allowance. I'd continue to count points until you've successfully maintained for at least a year. Then you'll just have to test the waters for yourself. Everyone is different. I don't track most of the time. But when the scale begins heading in the wrong direction I get back to it until I'm back within my healthy weight range. Hope this helps! ~Martha
Georgia bower
I am a lifetime member and was .4 over my goal. My credit card was charged 44.95. I assume for my app. Us that for 1 month?georgia
Martha McKinnon
Hi Georgia, you'll want to contact WW directly. You have mistakenly left a comment on my blog! ~Martha
vickie lowery
So I was lifetime member like 4 years ago. But after I got there,, they took my coupons that my employers and my medical paid for. (Which was not theirs to take I am told by my employer) .. ,, so I quit going ,, now I’ve gained my weight back and my work still will pay for me to come as I do not have the $ to pay fees that you want ,, so my question is can I get the insurance to let me have the. 6 weeks paid coupons and start over with weight watchers or go to another program that my insurance will pay for
Kathy S.
I lost my weight and became lifetime probably thirty years ago. I used weight watchers digital to get back down to lifetime weight. Now I want to use the app free so I want to start weighing in monthly. My question is.....especially the first time I go to weigh in.....do I need to go the first week of the month or can lifetime members weigh in anytime/any week? I wanted to go this Saturday but it is the second week of the month. Or, do I need to wait until the first week of December. Thanks for any information.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kathy,
Here's how I understand it, keeping in mind that I don't work for WW. This is based on my experience. The first time back after a gap, you will be charged the weekly fee. I paid $14 when I weighed in at goal last week because I had been gone all summer to Wisconsin, where there are no meetings available within a reasonable driving distance. Moving forward as long as I weigh in once a month at my goal weight or no more than 2 pounds over, I can attend for free. At these monthly weigh-ins, I'm given a certificate with a code that I can enter into the settings on the WW website to keep the App free of charge. I don't have to weigh in the first week of the month, just once sometime during the month. Hope this helps. All the best. ~Martha
Ann
I so agree with you! I lost 90 pounds over 15 years ago with WW and have kept it off except for gaining a few lbs here and there. I always regretted not staying with meetings and just doing online. So a few months ago I wanted to lose 5-7 pounds so i joined meetings. I just got my lifetime yesterday and I feel so blessed!
Gloria
I am a lifetime member and have to weigh in for April but because of the Covid19 I can't weigh in this month. Will I have to pay when I go in may or june?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Gloria, I don't believe so but you will want to double check with WW to be sure. ~Martha
Pudgfdee
Thanks for this helpful info! How is your goal weight determined? Based on BMI?
What if my goal weight isn’t the same as the WW determined goal weight?
Martha McKinnon
WW provides a healthy weight range. I believe that a weight outside their suggested range is fine with a doctor's note.