Whether it is avoiding the Freshman 15 or shedding those last 10 pounds, “Weight Watchers at Work” is an affordable resource available at UP for students and staff.
By Gao Na Yang, Staff Writer -- yang11@up.edu
What is Weight Watchers at Work?
Weight Watchers is a weight-loss program that strives to help members make changes and develop healthy habits in 17 weeks to benefit them for a lifetime.
Weight Watchers offers a healthy and effective plan that aims to help members lose weight and keep the weight off through exercise, flexible eating choices, healthy habits and a supportive environment provided by group meetings.
"Weight Watchers at Work" simply provides a more convenient access to assistance for those who want to lose weight and develop and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Carol Welch, assistant director of Human Resources, introduced "Weight Watchers at Work" to UP after several employees expressed interest in the program.
"It's a structured program so that people don't go on starvation diets," Welch said. "It provides tools and knowledge and a group leader to help people stay focused and motivated."
Weight Watchers is not a diet, but a program to help develop a healthy lifestyle.
The service offers support and accountability, which are key factors to losing weight, Welch said.
How does the program work?
Group leader Shelley Anderson, who led the summer session on The Bluff, will lead a 17-week program starting Sept. 9.
Weight Watchers is an ongoing process does not have to end for members after 17 weeks, she said.
"I've lost 137 pounds and kept it off for seven years and counting," Anderson said.
The program features free e-tools for 19 weeks where members can track calorie intake and weight loss progress.
A typical meeting consists of a confidential weigh-in and a discussion on the topic of the week. The environment of group meetings aims to enable friendship, trust, and sharing among members.
"I facilitate discussions with questions and encourage ideas and support, which is the foundation of this program," Anderson said.
Anderson focuses on setting goals each week, not end-goal results. It is important for members to know what they want to achieve each week, she said.
Weight Watchers indicates that there are no required foods, meetings are fun and sharing within the group is encouraged but not required.
How much commitment is required, and who is it for?
Everyone — male and female staff and students—is welcomed as members. If students are interested, the members could form different groups, Welch said.
While Weight Watchers emphasizes the importance of attending group meetings, members may attend at their convenience.
The summer session included about 22 members whose attendances varied due to schedule conflicts. Some merely wanted access to the e-tools, Welch said.
Members vary from lifelong members, those who are preparing for a special event and people who just want to lose those last lingering pounds.
"Anybody can do it," Welch said. "Everyone has different reasons for Weight Watchers."
