*People following the WeightWatchers weight-loss program can expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week.
As told to Katerina Gkionis
Getting sober in my 20s was a major accomplishment for me. At that point, my drinking had been an issue for several years. I’d have beer and booze most nights of the week, just chasing an experience of feeling different. I was fortunate to find a support system through my church, along with a counsellor who helped me begin to live a healthier life. I stopped drinking alcohol completely.
As part of that process, I realized I also had food issues. During my drinking years, I had taken to eating large portions that weren’t exactly good for me—think: two sandwiches and a full bag of potato chips. Those habits hung on after I quit drinking. Sometimes I’d try to rein myself in with an extreme diet that cut out all carbs or all sugar. But my attempts to lose weight never worked out. I’d slip up, have one piece of bread, and throw in the towel, feeling like a complete failure. Back then, if you had said to me, “Be kind to yourself,” I would’ve laughed.
Ten years into my sobriety, in early 2020, I had to admit it was time for another big change—and not just for me. I had a wife and two kids by then. I needed to be healthier for my family, especially since I didn’t grow up in the healthiest home myself and knew how hard that could be on everyone.
A close buddy of mine, Jeff, happened to be joining WeightWatchers at that time and asked if I wanted to join, too. Jeff and I have known each other for years and went through similar struggles when we were younger. I was thankful for the opportunity to get healthy for our families together. I decided to go for it.
A strong start
It was March 2020 when Jeff and I went to our first Workshop, and from there I was off and running.
My wife and I shared the responsibilities in our home, but joining WeightWatchers nudged me to step up my involvement in meal planning. That first week, I made a pulled-chicken ancho chile and black bean soup I had seen on Connect, and it tasted really good. I also spent some time using the Recipe Builder on the WW app, playing around with some of my family’s favorite meals to see how different ingredients affected the Points® values. It was kind of fun. Who knew I could get so excited about a trip to the grocery store?
What Donald ate then vs. now
Breakfast
Then: Fast food breakfast sandwiches; homemade waffles; large coffee with cream and sugar.
Now: Protein shake with almond milk, frozen fruit, vegan protein powder, creatine, chia and hemp flaxseed; scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, black beans, and everything bagel seasoning, plus a side of blueberries, strawberries, or a banana.
Lunch
Then: Large peanut butter and jelly sandwich; protein bar, chips, fruit.
Now: Cauliflower rice stir-fry with turkey kielbasa and veggies; summer salad with black beans, pinto beans, tomato, jalapeño, and celery.
Dinner
Then: Cheesesteaks; pizza; wings.
Now: Garlicky seared shrimp with rice and broccoli; frittata with bacon, tomato, and spinach.
Snacks
Then: Chocolate or peanut butter candy; bags of chips.
Now: Pretzels with WW Light Jalapeño String Cheese; carrot or pepper slices with tzatziki; protein bars.
Navigating the new normal
Social media wasn’t really my thing when I first signed up for WeightWatchers —the big platforms had too much negativity for my taste. Connect proved valuable in ways I didn’t expect.
Though I joined WW planning to attend in-person workshops, everything changed the week after I signed up, when much of the country received stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I switched to Virtual Workshops and began to rethink what community might look like for me under these new circumstances.
From the get-go, I found so much positivity on Connect; everyone really builds each other up. The hashtag #wwbros definitely spoke to me, as it enabled me to find guys who were working toward similar goals. At first, I felt self-conscious at the idea of posting about my progress. Seeing other guys do it encouraged me to join in.
Home-grown success
Still, I worried about my eating habits when I started spending so much time at home. My all-or-nothing thinking sort of kicked into high gear: “How will I control myself? Will I mess this up?” I had to keep in mind that I’d be developing tools to stay on track toward my goals.
As it turned out, social distancing was actually good in certain ways. My kitchen was fully stocked with healthier foods. I didn’t have the challenge of eating in the “outside world”—no restaurant platters of buffalo wings or parties to attend. My wife and I were cooking every single meal at home. This not only raised my kitchen game, it gave me a chance to build confidence in myself.
Throughout the spring and summer months, my friend Jeff and I stayed connected through weekly texts, trading stories about our progress. I also continued to use Connect to broaden my virtual community. In August 2020, I reached my goal of losing 36 pounds*.
The power of finding your people
When I first joined Connect, I tended to focus on my small victories, like racking up blue dots each week. And don’t get me wrong: Sharing those moments felt good. But the community also showed up for me when I was struggling. Not too long ago, I wrote an accountability post about a day of indulgence that snowballed into a full week of overeating—not my best stretch. I received so much encouragement for my openness and honesty. Members jumped in to lift me up again.
It’s amazing that I joined with one “real life” friend and now have over 800 fellow members following my journey on Connect. Whatever path you’re on, finding people who understand your goals and difficulties can make all the difference.
By being part of this community, I’ve been able to get away from my fear of failure and my narrow definitions of success. I’m kinder and gentler with myself because that’s the message I get from my support network. This has given me the space to learn new patterns and behaviours to carry forward. If I slip up, for example, I know that sometimes it’s a cue for me to take a break. I can come back from that. Or if I want to indulge in a plate of hot wings, I enjoy it, track it, and move along. I think that’s what’s helped me stick with the program.
When I look at my sons today, I feel proud of the example I’m setting for them. I want them to see that it’s possible to face challenges and transform your life in lasting, positive ways. Change can happen. It starts with that simple belief.
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For information and support concerning alcohol- or other substance-use disorders, visit WW’s mental health resources page.