Tag Archives | Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers is Now A Healthcare Company?

By on April 2, 2013 in Weight Watchers

Last night on my commute home from work I heard some interesting news that stopped me in my tracks. At first I thought it was a bad April Fool’s Joke but as it turns out this is serious, money-making business.

According to various reports Weight Watchers is re-branding themselves as a healthcare company. It seems to be a multifaceted approach.

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On the one hand, it is clear that this is a strategic move to remain competitive in the face of all of the free calorie counting and weight loss apps on the market. Weight Watchers is shifting consumer’s focus more toward the long term capacity of the program and helping with not only weight loss, but maintenance.

Additionally, they are scaling up and looking toward healthcare providers to partner with.

‘”We are viewing ourselves more and more as a health-care company,” Weight Watchers International CEO David Kirchhoff said recently during a panel discussion on a study called “The Truth About Wellness,” by McCann, the marketer’s ad agency. As health care moves toward more emphasis on preventative care, “we are positioning ourselves to be good community-based partners,” he said.’ (source)

I find this move compelling. It’s clear the face of the weight loss industry is changing. I’m proof positive of that. I went from paying $40 a month of Weight Watchers for over a year to counting calories for free on My Fitness Pal. Like most people, I don’t have a lot of money left to burn at the end of the month. So why pay for something when I can use something similar for free?

I know there is a loyal following of Weight Watchers out there. And I get it. If the program is right for you it can absolutely work and change your life. That said, I personally believe it is a bit of a stretch to call Weight Watchers a healthcare company. I’m not sure I will be able to see it as anything beside a weight loss program.


Question: Do you think Weight Watchers can successfully market themselves as a healthcare company? Would you trust a healthcare provider that recommended this program to you?

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Down but not out

By on March 3, 2012 in Weight Watchers

I know it’s been a minute since I have last posted but once again, life has gotten the best of me. I have been giving my everything at work which has left me pretty wiped by the end of the day. It’s that whole “I’d rather stare at a blank wall than touch my computer” thing.

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(Breakfast all week: 1/4 cup oats, 1/4 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and peanut butter.)

Despite the exhaustion from work, I refuse to let the ‘work is life’ mindset creep back in. In all honesty, my job is just not that stressful so I need to recognize this and stop being so dramatic. I remained committed to my early morning yoga class by attending the 6AM Power Hour at the studio on both Monday and Thursday.

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Waking up at 5AM blows, but it is oh so worth it when I leave the studio feeling calm, energized, and ready to take on the day.

The work week was pretty standard. We have been crazy busy so I have consumed one too many meals at my desk, but if it allows me time to take my lunch walk it is worth the sacrifice.

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And per usual, when things get hectic cupcakes magically appear in the office.

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I caved and ate the icing off of a maple one. So good, soo good.

On the Weight Watchers front I am ridiculously frustrated. Despite my best efforts to track everything, get active, and remain in control it is just not working. I was up 1 lb this week and I can’t sit here and say I don’t get it, because I do, but I’m just not sure where to go from here. I will stay on program because it is helping me not sink into oblivion, but I just want to have this figured out. Meh.

In happier news, I am finally putting more effort into cooking for Josh and I. Last night, we made sweet potato chickpea burgers with all of the fixings.

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The burgers weren’t that great. They were very sticky and the flavor just wasn’t there. But the remainder of dinner definitely made up for it.

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Roasted vegetables…there are plenty of leftovers/

After dinner we watched the first episode of Downton Abbey. Oh man, I can tell this show is going to be great. I can’t wait to see more. We only made it through one episode before Josh headed home and I passed out for 12 hours. Sickness, be damned. I am going to kick this, asap.

Question: What is the best meal you have made recently?

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The end of a long week

By on February 17, 2012 in food, food preparation, frozen yogurt, portion controls, roasted vegetables, routine, Valentine's Day, vegetarian, weight, Weight Watchers, work

I have seen way too many sunrises on my way into work early this week.

(If you squint you can see the Washington Monument.)

Overtime is in full effect and sleep/exercise have taken a BIG hit.

Rather than dwell I have been focusing on the good, no, great things in life. Like Valentine’s Day, which began with heart shaped apple slices in my breakfast…

…and ended with 2 dozen multicolor roses and a homemade dinner by yours truly.

(Dinner: Leftover Lentil loaf, roasted vegetables, nutritional yeast, and plenty of ketchup.)

We ended the day on a very sweet note as all valentines should, with a trip across the street for fro-yo.

(In the cup: cake batter, chocolate vanilla swirl, m &ms, sprinkles, mini waffle cone, and the obligatory blueberry…for the antioxidants, ya know?)

The next morning (err, yesterday), I was up to do it all again. Long work hours may be exhausting, but I must say they are surprisingly good for my weight loss efforts. I eat breakfast right before I leave in the AM and eat the normal 11AM snack salads before returning my full attention to work.

(Spinach, tomatoes, clementines, egg whites, and balsamic vinegar.)

(Spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, lentils, and balsamic vinegar.)

Once lunch rolls around I am more than ready for a break. I’ve been trying to cook leftovers of all of my dinners and I have been mildly successful in this endeavor. Granted my portions are pretty small as I like to eat at night, but whatever that is not the point.

(Sauteed garlic and onion kale, shrimp, and feta cheese)

(Lunch o’ leftovers: roasted vegetables, black bean burger, and fresh mango)
Snack time this week has been nothing if not repetitive. You see, I used to eat a variation of this prior to running so I figured bringing it back may re-inspire me to lace up my shoes.

(Snack: rice cake with sunflower seed butter and a banana)

No dice. I have ventured no farther than yoga this week. I just don’t have it in me. If I didn’t cook dinner and leftover’s for the next day then it is safe to assume I am eating a smoothie.

(Frozen spinach, banana, strawberries, and Vega protein powder)

In much more exciting news, I went to my Weight Watchers meeting last night after skipping out last week and learned I was down 1.2lbs. I really did not have high expectations, what with the not exercising and whatnot, but a loss is a loss and I feel really inspired and motivated to stay in control this week.

So there’s that.

I have a very fun weekend in store and I am more than ready for some fresh air and free time! TGIF!

Question: What is your favorite leftover lunch meal?

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Weekend Wrap Up

By on January 29, 2012 in cleaning, eggs, going out, reflection, running, shopping, vegetarian, Whole Foods, workout, yoga

This weekend I finally felt like my old self again. 3 days of workouts, healthy foods, and great people have left me feeling refreshed (a little hungover) and ready to conquer a new work week.

Friday

After work I came home and put on my workout clothes despite it being just about the last thing I wanted to do. I made it all of 40 minutes of the treadmill before I quit out of boredom and then did a fun little legs video that made me feel the burn. Oh yeah!

After a quick change and some dinner I headed out on the town. It’s been a while since I had a night out in DC and we had a blast!

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<3 my co-workers!

Saturday

Uh, slow start to the morning. That’s all I have to say about that. The majority of the day was spent with my butt parked on the couch with my roommate discovering the hilarity that is Jenna Marbles (warning: lots of foul language in these videos!) and watching Sh*t People Say videos. Productive indeed.

Truth be told, I did scrub my apartment, make brunch for my roommate and I, and manage to complete a 45 minute yoga podcast that left me feeling very relaxed.

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Saturday night was spent with Josh and Gatsby. Think dinner, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s (Yes, both. Don’t you judge me!) and many many episodes of Arrested Development. My favorite kind of weekend night.

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(Gatsby loves to cuddle.)

Sunday

Sundays are for brunching. No doubt about it. So we started off at my favorite place, Busboys and Poets, where I proceeded to order the exact same thing I always do.

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(Veggie egg white omelet with vegan cheese with hash browns and toast)

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(Fruit, duh)

We took a little trip to a new place today. In theory, this was a great idea.

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In reality, not so much as I wanted to take home every.single.animal. That said, I think we are going try to figure out some way to do volunteer work for the shelter. Gotta give back some way, ya know?

After regaining my composure I headed home to do something that has not happened in a really long time.

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That’s right. I went running outside. Big moves for this really lazy girl. I literally had to wipe dust off my Garmin. It wasn’t far by any means, and I certainly wasn’t fast, but I did have fun and that is the key to getting my ass in gear.

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Mazel tov to me.

Time to wrap up this post, finish watching 2012 (I am going to have nightmares!), and pack up food for tomorrow!

Question: What was the highlight of your weekend?

Comments { 7 }

There is no alternative!

By on January 27, 2012 in overeating, weight, Weight Watchers

After work last night I dutifully reported to my Weight Watchers meeting to weigh in. With sweaty palms and a palpable amount of anticipation I lined up to face the scale.

I did everything right this week. No throwing away extra points on peanut butter Oreos (uh, no comment), no incidents of “it doesn’t matter I’ll just count this later…”no, I kept my head down and mouth shut (see what I did there?). I planned each meal, made smart choices when Josh and I went out to eat and expected to see great results.

As I mentioned (or stealthily tried to avoid mentioning rather) I was up last week. A combination of deadly factors were to blame and I knew I had to do better. So I did. I attempted to shake it off and try harder. Stepping on that scale last night I was looking for validation of my effort…and I got it, kinda.

I lost, which is great. But I did not lose a lot, or even the amount that I gained the previous week. In my mind this equates to failure. And thus those thoughts of “what’s the point” and “why do I even bother” came flooding in. I wallowed in that for a few hours. Allowed myself to be upset and let the frustration in. But then, well then I read Sarah’s blog post. Although she clearly has a lot more going on then I do I relate to the same challenges she faces and wanting so badly to conquer this battle while continually feeling like we are falling short.

The facts remain that I refuse to go backwards. I refuse to give up on myself and let my struggles control my happiness, my self worth, and my life. So despite the fact that the weight is not falling off as quickly this time around and that the program takes a lot of time and effort I am not quitting. Because I know it works and I choose this hard.

 

Comments { 3 }

On this last day of 2011

By on December 31, 2011 in appreciate, D.C., decisions, intentions, new job, not drinking, perspective, random thoughts, reflection, sappy, temptation, weight, Weight Watchers

On this last day of 2011 I have been quite reflective. My life has changed more in the last year than I ever imagined possible. It’s quite amazing when I try to take it all in.

Yesterday at work I had the opportunity to interview candidates for the same position I hold within the company. In just 6 short months I am on the other side of the table. It was a surreal experience as I remember so vividly the day I interviewed. I had just arrived in DC after packing up my car with all of my things and saying goodbye to all of my friends and family in Arkansas. I was beyond nervous and had done everything in my power to be as prepared as possible. By some stroke of luck (or fate) I landed on my feet and was offered the job. And now, well now I am forever grateful for this company and what it has done for me. Sure every day is not all sunshine and roses (it is a job after all) but I can’t quite express my gratitude in a way that seems meaningful enough. But I know that my life here is what it is because of the people I get to interact with everyday and the hard work and dedication we all put into our work everyday.

Now it is time to look forward (and subtly change the subject). There is so much opportunity at every corner it really boils down prioritizing and staying motivated to go after what you really want.

In my meeting last week (in which I had a BIG loss!) the leader talked about change. How we must look at what we have done in the past, both successes and failures, in order to be our best possible selves in the future. It all comes down to the choices we make that will either propel us forward or hold us back.

And since I am all kinds of motivated these days, I am learning how to adapt, because it is not realistic that I am going to be able to control my surroundings at all times. Temptations will arise, menus won’t have what I want, and I won’t always be prepared. But that is life. The last time I attempted Weight Watchers I was successful in my weight loss efforts, but I was not really living. I gave up going out many times during my senior year of college under the guise that I was tired because I didn’t want to drink (and drunk eat). I rarely went out to eat with friends and as a result became closed off.

This time around it is different. I have a very full and happy life here and the program is going to have to fit into that. Because what is the point really if it’s not feasible in the long run?

Last night, Josh and I had dinner at Busboys and Poets (our favorite) before the Capitols game at the Verizon Center. I planned all of my food out for the day and tried to make good choices at the restaurant. Sure, Josh was probably annoyed that I altered pretty much the whole dish, but I stayed on plan and felt good about my decisions.

(Tilapia with cous cous and a tomato sauce.)

 

(Grilled asparagus)

 Although it was a long day it was also tons of fun! I got a really cute Capitals T-Shirt (a must since I was in work clothes) and got to watch grown men beat the sh!t out of each other. I think hockey is growing on me…

After work we are headed for another nice dinner at a local place called Cava. I plan to check out the menu ahead of time, have a game plan just like last night, and focus on enjoying the company moreso than the food. Post dinner we are spending new years eve watching Jersey Boys which I could not be more excited about! I have wanted to see this show forever (or at least since Smutha Mutha got me hooked on the music) so I am pumped!

Life was good in 2011 and if that is any indication as to what is in store then I say bring on 2012!

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