Leslie lost 30 lbs*
*At 6 months, participants in a clinical trial of the WW weight-loss program lost an average of 9.7 lbs (5% of body weight). And, people who track their food more often lose more weight. When actual WW members track their food at least two times a week for 6 months they lose on average 16.6 lbs. (7.9% body weight). Leslie lost weight on a prior program and is continuing on WeightWatchers. Watch this mom of four’s journey of discovering her adventurous side in the video below.
In Leslie’s words:
I put on weight during each of my four pregnancies. Increasingly, when my husband wanted to have fun with the kids and me outdoors here in Oregon, I found myself saying, “I’ll stay home and take care of the baby.” But I didn’t like how I was always saying no to family moments, so I decided to join WW.
How Leslie prioritized herself
Finding time for myself
Being a mom of four kids under the age of 10 makes life pretty busy. I was worried about trying to find something that fit into my lifestyle, and I had tried a few different diets. But I realized I needed a program that allowed me to be a mom, to run around with my family, to still be able to go to restaurants with my family. I found that WW allowed me to keep living the same life I was living.
Stay-at-home-mom success
I’m home a lot, so I would find that sometimes, I just wound up in the kitchen when I didn’t need to be. My biggest obstacle was tackling nighttime eating. My family would go to a bed, and I’d grab a bowl of ice cream — I didn’t burn the house down and everyone survived so I should be rewarded. Through the program, I learned that food is meant to fuel your body for the life you want to live, not for eating when you’re bored.
Progress, not perfection
I had been attending WW Workshops but I wasn’t losing weight. One day, I was honest with my WW Coach, and I said, “I don’t know why I’m here. I come every week, and I’m just not ready.” She said to me, “I came for a year before I lost any weight, and then it clicked.” And I said, OK, I’m going to commit to attending a Workshop every week, and eventually, it clicked for me and I found my momentum. I discovered the value in making small changes and putting in a little effort consistently over time.
How Leslie’s success with WW has improved her life
Embracing adventure
Before I lost weight, I was missing out on life a little bit, and I just don’t feel like that anymore. I discovered a yearning to experience everything the world has to offer, from hiking to skydiving. We go rafting as a family at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge. Usually, I’m the one who falls out, but now I can hop back in the raft easily.
My me-time
My husband loves riding motorcycles, and I used to ride them as a kid — and he got me a motorcycle so we could ride together. It’s a street legal dirt bike, and I love riding it. When I’m on my dirt bike, I don’t have to think of anything. I drive a 12-passenger van every day, so when I can leave the kids at home, get on my motorcycle and not have a care in the world, that’s the best feeling.
The sky’s the limit
Honestly, for the first time in my life, I believe I can do anything. I can take on goals related to creativity, business, parenting, and travel. I have a healthy, happy family; I’ve rekindled romance with my husband; I feel stronger than ever. I’ve realized that I have the power to live the life I want to live.
