How I Weight Watchers: Jess S.

Even though Weight Watchers member Jess S. had struggled to lose weight and keep it off for years, it wasn’t an easy decision for her to start taking a prescription GLP-1 medication. She worried about the potential side effects, thought she’d be judged by others, and felt she should just be able to lose weight on her own. But late last year, she pushed aside fear and shame to start a prescription for semaglutide and join the Weight Watchers GLP-1 Success Program. 

Even though she’s losing weight, she’s still herself — a lives-life-out-loud mom of two embracing bold prints, imperfections, and a different ice cream flavor every night. Now, she just feels a whole lot better doing it. Here’s how she lives the program. 

As long as it’s not raining, I like to go on a walk in a nearby park to move my body. Sometimes I go before work, but if I go after work I bring my two boys with me — one is 11 and the other is 13. It’s a chance for us to chat about whatever’s on our minds. We change up our routes too. We live in New Jersey, and in the summer our favorite walk goes through a cow field and then to an ice cream shop.

I purchased some free weights — sets of 5-pound, 10-pound, and 20-pound dumbbells — so I could strength train twice a week at home. I usually do Mondays and Fridays because those are my days off work, but I’m super flexible and if I miss a day, I just fit it in another time. I focus on upper body one day and lower body the other so I know that each week I’m hitting all my major muscles.

I notice a definite connection between how focused I am on my journey and my side effects from taking the semaglutide. When I’m doing everything I should, like prioritizing fiber and water, I feel energized and good! But when I stop, I get backed up and feel exhausted. Whenever those side effects happen, it’s a good reminder to refocus and make sure I’m coming close to hitting my goals in the app.

I’ve always liked fruit, but didn’t eat it super often before joining Weight Watchers. These days I’m much more likely to grab fruit over other snacks since they’re zero Points. I try to pair it with protein as an easy way to make a filling snack or breakfast. So I’ll do string cheese with an apple or clementine, protein bar with a banana, and Greek yogurt with berries. It’s nothing complicated, but it works.

I track pretty much every “normal” day. Occasionally if work is super crazy or it’s a holiday or birthday, I skip it. I do love having a streak, but I’ve learned not to obsess over it. In the past I would miss a day and want to throw in the towel. Now I try to just go with the flow and track most days. 

At first I was nervous to tell people about my decision to start taking semaglutide — especially my mom. She’s always been a naturally thinner person and I thought she’d be judgmental. But she’s been so supportive, which has helped me be open about it with other people too. I’ve lost enough weight in the past six months to be noticeable. I’m a hair stylist and some of my clients comment on my weight loss. When that happens, I’m not embarrassed to tell them I’m on a GLP-1. It feels good to break the stigma and not keep it a secret. If they want to ask more about it, they can. If not, I don’t have to give any more details — I don’t want to hide it or feel like I’m lying to people. 

My style is kind of edgy with checkered patterns, lace, band tees, and kind of a 90s grunge vibe. I was still dressing cute at my highest weight, but I wouldn’t wear anything form-fitting. Now that I’ve lost weight, I feel more confident to be able to wear what I want. Talk about non-scale victories! I was a tight size 18 and now I’m a loose 16. 

I used to follow tons of people online, but I would see someone talking about how “huge” they were and they weighed less than me or were even at my goal weight. I started comparing myself too much to other people. So over the past year I started unfollowing anyone who made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. I still follow fitness accounts, but only those whose values align more with mine. Positive people only!

I feel like I’ll be on semaglutide for at least a couple of years. I’m hoping eventually I can come off it, but if not then it is what it is. I see people compare GLP-1s to heart or depression medications that you’re on your whole life. The way I think about it is: If it’s something that works for your lifestyle and makes you feel good, it’s worth doing it once a week for as long as needed!