*People following the WeightWatchers weight-loss program can expect to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. Cat lost weight on a prior program.
As told to Katerina Gkionis
Inspired by my 81-year-old grandmother, who found success on WeightWatchers years ago, I tried WW in college. But over the years, I fell into a pattern of crash diets that weren’t sustainable. As a full-time grad student, I’d reached a point where I didn’t want to go out with friends because I couldn’t find any outfits that made me feel good. I said to myself, “I don’t care how long it takes me; I just want to keep the weight off.”
When I joined WeightWatchers for the second time, my goal was to like the way I looked.
After three weeks of following the program on my own, I was playing around in the WeightWatchers app when I decided to join Connect, WW’s members-only social network, and to create a dedicated Instagram page for my journey. The biggest game changer for me was these virtual communities where I found like-minded people who I could relate to. They made me feel like I wasn’t alone on the journey and shared some super helpful recipes and eating tips.
The more comfortable I got following the program, the more I began to share my own tips, like adding frozen kale to canned soup to bulk it up without adding Points®. I also began making grocery lists to stock my pantry and my fridge with healthy ingredients and used the WeightWatchers app for recipe inspiration.
What I eat in a day:
| Then | Now | ||||
Breakfast | Fast-food breakfast sandwich with hash browns | Eggs cooked over-medium with sautéed spinach and a slice of multigrain toast | |||
| Lunch | Takeout chicken wings, fried rice, and French fries | Brown rice bowl with grilled chicken, black beans, and grilled veggies | |||
| Dinner | Chinese food like sesame chicken | Baked salmon with farro and squash with a side salad made of mixed greens, onions, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and oil and vinegar | |||
| Snacks | Cookies, chips | Carrots with hummus or tzatziki; cottage cheese with fruit | |||
My daily menu isn’t the only thing I changed completely: In an effort to get more active, I took a look at my social calendar and realized that I was spending a lot of time sitting. Now, instead of having a glass of wine with a friend, I’ll suggest walking through a vineyard or going apple picking and hitting up a brewery after. I’ve also started taking my dog for longer walks and approaching new activities with an open mind.
While there have been times when I’ve eaten out and gone completely off track, I’ve realized that putting in less effort affects my results. To stay motivated, I tell myself I want to finish what I’ve started: I’ve lost 55 pounds* to date, and I have about 25 pounds to go until I reach my goal.
“ I want to finish what I started”
Now that I’m more confident in the way I look and have the tools I need to reach my goals, I’m proud to reflect on how far I’ve come. There’s no better feeling.