Why support is important for weight loss

WeightWatchers® is built on the foundation of support. Learn how you can find different ways to get the support you need.
Published 4 November 2015

Support and weight loss

 

The woman who created WW was Jean Nidetch. In 1961 she invited six overweight friends to her home to talk about weight loss. They had such a good time that they returned the next week, bringing three of their friends along. More people came as the weeks went on and, within two months, 40 people were gathering weekly, in Jean’s apartment. With all that support, it’s no wonder Jean lost 33kg.

Two years later, in 1963, Jean decided to turn those informal meetings into a business – that business was WW. Now, more than 50 years later, an estimated 1 million people worldwide meet weekly to help each other lose weight.

 

WW has the support you need


Each person’s weight-loss experience is unique, but there’s also commonality in our efforts to shed kilos. WW Workshops are the foundation of WW because members can find support from coaches and fellow members who are facing similar challenges.

Members benefit from meetings by learning new tips each week, talking about what works, laughing about what doesn’t, and giving and receiving support and encouragement. It’s okay to remain quiet and keep your experiences to yourself. Just by listening to other members’ revelations, you might find you’ve been in similar circumstances and feel relief in knowing others have faced similar challenges.

Support doesn’t just have to be face-to-face, either. You can find others just like you in WW Connect community, and you can contact our coaches online via live chat or call whenever you need a motivation boost, or have a question.

You can find support outside of WW, too, by asking for help from family, friends and co-workers.

Try these strategies to get the encouragement you need:

  • Plan for the specific help you want or need: Do you want emotional support, tempting foods removed from view or a workout buddy? It’s easier to be clear about the type of support you need, if you’ve thought things through in advance.
     
  • Anticipate how others might feel about your weight loss: If you’re in a positive frame of mind about weight loss, other people in your life will be more likely to cooperate with your efforts and get on board with what you’re trying to achieve.
     
  • Ask for help: Ask your significant other to keep unhealthy snacks in another cupboard, ask your mother to look after the kids and find a friend to exercise with you and keep you motivated.
     
  • Show others how your new lifestyle will benefit them: Tell your kids that you’re giving up the family’s nightly ice-cream indulgence so you’ll have more energy to participate in activities with them. Plan a fun, active holiday you can work towards, to support and reward your weight-loss efforts.
     
  • Be prepared to stand up for yourself: Even if it seems that your friends are encouraging you to eat unhealthy foods with them, tell them no thank you and that you’d appreciate them respecting your healthy food choices.