|
|
|
 |
| Success with Weight Watchers |
|
I was the skinny Minnie who always tried to GAIN weight – till I stopped chasing kids, took an office job, and turned 50 . . .
I was really stuck, because I had no idea how to lose weight – at my max, I topped out at just under my full-term pregnancy weights. Because of the WW Online program, I have been able to be accountable for what, how much, and when I eat. Since meeting my goal, I have continued to monitor my eating behavior and have maintained my weight.
Today is my first day back from 2.5 week Mexican vacation. Although I was not able to access a computer and record my food and activity points, I did record what I ate in a little notebook every day. I weigh exactly what I weighed before I left for vacation . . .
The Online Plan is GREAT for me.
|
Since I first started WW in 2004, I have lost 131 lbs. I have put weight back on, but still attend weekly meetings, and like any battle with addiction, the program only works if you work it. I owe a lot of my life to WW and I just want to say that I value this benefit—more than probably any other—in my daily life, and I hope to see it continue beyond November of this year.
Many thanks for your work to make it happen. I believe it has lead to a healthier and happier workplace.
|
Thank you PEBB and the decision makers for setting Weight Watcher's up as a benefit for us. I lost 40 pounds on my own 1200 calorie diet; then joined Weight Watchers for support and accountability. I've lost another 33 pounds, with about 30 pounds remaining.
Weight Watcher's is a wonderful program with lots of support, encouragement and invaluable information. This has alleviated my arthritic pain, increased my stamina and encouraged my exercising - I know I'll reach my goal!
Thanks so much!
|
After many years of working out and getting no where, I became very discouraged about my weight. So, when Weight Watchers became available to us, I was hesitant about trying it; I didn't want anymore failures. Then I decided, 'Why not give it a try?'. I am pleased to say that I have lost over 20 pounds and am feeling better than ever.
Thanks PEBB for giving us this opportunity. Now my husband is considering giving it a try.
|
I’m a much smaller person now, thanks to PEBB, Kaiser Permanente, and WeightWatchers. Just after New Year’s, I saw in the PEBB newsletter that WeightWatchers was now a covered benefit for Kaiser members, so I decided to give it a try. Free is a very good price, right? I’ve lost 25 pounds, hit my goal, and am now a lifetime member of WeightWatchers! I guess the only downside has been the effect on my wallet – I needed a lot of new, smaller, clothes. Thanks for making this benefit available.
|
Finally, I have surpassed the 10 pound mark! When our at-work group started a second 13-week session, we eventually received the 16-week golden hands. I was a little disappointed because I hadn’t reached 10 pounds. I was stuck between 8.4 and 9.8 pounds. My colleagues shared how they had lost 10, 25, 17, 30, 27, etc. Finally, I did it too! In the 18th week and with two 45-minute sessions of water aerobics behind me – that put me over 10 pounds. And now with another week and two more sessions of water aerobics I have lost another pound. What a wonderful feeling!
|
I'm living proof that the program works. Since January, I have lost 41lbs and my medications have been cut in half. My doctor is so pleased. She stated that I would like much longer with a weight reduction. My diabetes is better and I now take only one metformin at night instead of one in the morning and one at night. I also reduced my high blood pressure medication and cholesterol medication. That saves the insurance company [PEBB] lots of money for drugs. I hope to follow the diet and continue with friends in the office to weigh in until the new year comes around. I want to thank you very much for the privilege of being part of the WW program.
|
I started Weight Watchers online 1-8-09 and have lost 70 lbs so far! Thank you so very much!
|
I joined in January, 2009 because I wanted to make a positive change. To date I have lost 70 pounds. I am thankful that PEBB made the decision to provide this service it has been life changing.
|
I, too, have just started my second session with Weight Watchers and can't praise the program and PEBB enough. I've lost 31 pounds and on my way to another 19 and lifetime membership (my goal)! I know I can do it with the support of Weight Watchers. An added bonus--my husband, with severe heart problems, has lost 30 pounds. After his checkup this morning, his doctor was very pleased and said keep up the good work.
I couldn't afford to join Weight Watchers so I'm very happy PEBB is having this as a benefit and hope they continue to do so. Thank you.
|
My quest for weight loss and heath gain began in December of 2007. At 210 pounds, I was at my heaviest and very unhappy with the way I looked and felt. It affected my everyday life, leaving me with little self-confidence and a growing list of health issues.
Having struggled with weight since my middle school years, I knew that if I didn’t follow healthy steps to weight loss I would just gain it back down the road. This time I wanted the change to be permanent. I started with small steps – going for walks in the evening and during my breaks at work, keeping a food diary, and counting calories. When my (now) husband moved here from England during the spring of 2008, I had already lost over 20 pounds. Since he was already a gym-rat and ate healthy portions, my good habits kept growing and soon we were going to the gym 5 days a week.
I had dropped a total of 40 pounds by our wedding in late-July but began to hit a plateau. After the holidays came and went, I decided I needed something extra to help me get over the hump. After hearing that PEBB members were eligible for free Weight Watchers sessions, I decided to give it a try. I liked how the program didn’t rely on pre-packaged meals or meal-replacement shakes. It gave control to the people using the program, providing guidance on healthy eating and exercise.
The inches began dropping again after just a few weeks in the online program. It was easy to follow and gave me encouragement with weight charts and a food/activity log. I could see my results every time I logged in.
I feel great about myself for the first time in years, now 75 pounds lighter than when I started this journey in 2007. I didn’t diet, deprive myself of the foods I love (I have a total weakness for Indian and Thai curries!), or go hungry. I just changed my lifestyle and became very aware of how the food and exercise choices I make impact my body. I stopped officially using Weight Watchers after I reached my “goal weight” a few weeks ago. I use quotes around those words because to me “goal” denotes a final destination – a stopping point. I look at this as a starting point to a new, healthy life.
The best part of my success? Digging into the back of my closet to find those old clothes from my so-called “skinny days” and having them fit better than when they were first purchased. Nothing beats that feeling!
|
I have had diabetes for 13 years. Last year I had a minor stroke and a heart attack. I have tried diet after diet with absolutely no success. When PEBB came out this year with Free Weight Watchers I thought the only thing I have to lose is my life. I would give it a try! I am just finishing my second round with Weight watchers. I am down 51 pounds! I am off of my insulin and cut Lantus from 200 units a day to 50. My blood pressure is so low the doctor has started to reduce my blood pressure medicines. That is after the first 50 pounds. I can actually jog now which was totally impossible to even walk very far before! I still have 92 pounds more to goal and I have to wonder what life will be like then! I want to watch my 3 grandkids grow up! Thank you PEBB for giving me my life back!
|
I just want to say thank you so very much! I have been overweight my entire adult life, and have hopelessly tried to shed pounds! Weight Watchers has been so great, I have lost nearly 40lbs since January, and am continuing to lose weekly. I have a ways to go, but I have hope and determination! Again, Thank you so much!
|
Thanks so much for Weight Watchers. Since January first I have lost forty pounds and have gone down two, almost three, dress sizes. I feel great. It is a great program!
|
I started in February of this year and so far I have lost 38 pounds! I feel so much better and I now know that once you lose 10 percent of your body weight, your heart and other major organs are happy too. Also, with the economy at this time being so tough, I am so grateful for this program and our benefits giving us the opportunity to do this without paying out of pocket. I hope others out there will give this program a try!!!
Good Luck And Don't Give Up!
|
I am so grateful that PEEB has offered Weight Watchers for weight loss and control. I feel so much better and my blood pressure has drop to within normal range. A co-worker enticed me to join making a bet that another co-worker (a long time smoker) would most likely stop smoking before I would lose any weight! Boy was he wrong. Since I started the program January 6, 2009, I have lost 44 lbs. I am about 11 lbs from my goal weight.
I have come to the conclusion that most people know how to eat healthy-we just eat too much. Over the years our potions have increased incredibly.
|
I have never been over weight, but as all folks in their 60's, I have gradually gained weight over time with the probability to increase more in later years.
My husband has always been overweight and he has tried every program ever invented (in addition to not eating) to loose weight (at one time I could not get my arms around his waist for example).
For the first time in our 42 years of marriage, I have been able to help him loose weight. Since I started Weight Watchers this year at work, I have lost 7 lbs. and my husband 17. And thanks to our WW coach Martha, I bring home valuable information that I receive at the weekly WW meetings and my husband and I together have changed our eating and nutrition patterns....which is now a life-long goal for both of us rather than a short-term goal for him. We are thinking that Weight Watchers should be called "Nutrition Watchers".
|
I am in the program and have as of today lost 36 lbs! I feel so much better than when I started in January. I am watching my co-workers shrink before my eyes and they are in turn feeling much better and are excited with the results. Without them for words of encouragement and kudos I would not be doing this, they are a blessing to me. Thanks again for the opportunity to join WW and have our weekly meetings at our branch. Kudos to all of the other offices statewide who are also enjoying this benefit. Maybe we can add up all of the weight totals and see how much has been lost statewide! That would be awesome! Again Thank You.
|
I was facing the prospect of living my "golden years" fat and disgusted with myself. My feet hurt all the time; my flexibility was gone and my joints ached. The addition of the Weight Watchers program in our health plan took away my last excuse for not doing anything about it. It's free now -- why not try? I knew I had one last weight loss effort left in me, so I signed up in January. I'm now 40 pounds lighter -- and still counting. I wake up happy every morning thinking about this wonderful gift I'm giving myself. It feels so great! And thanks to the sustainability of the Weight Watchers program, I know it's a gift that will keep on giving.
|
I have lost 45lbs since starting Weight Watchers Online on January 18th. My goal is to lose 80lbs and be back to my high school weight. I have lost 30-40lbs in the past and regained it quickly. What is different about Weight Watchers is I am not dieting...I am permanently changing my eating habits. I appreciate the recognition that 1) people do go out to eat and 2) I like my sweets. I just needed to learn the impact of my eating choices and learn to enjoy the sweets in reasonable moderation. The point system has been great at doing that.
|
Even though I have exercised consistently for the last 15 years... With life changes, a few years ago I rapidly gained about 35 pounds. I thought I had to accept the new weight as part of who I am. I was learning that as you get older, you can’t keep eating anything you want and not gain weight. I lost 10 lbs on my own and then with Weight Watchers this year, I have lost an additional 23 lbs. I am now at a healthy weight and will continue to have WW as part of my lifestyle. Thanks to WW and PEBB I am healthier and where I need to be. It isn’t an easy road, but it definitely works!
|
I just want to say thank you so very much! I have been overweight my entire adult life, and have hopelessly tried to shed pounds! Weight Watchers has been so great, I have lost nearly 40lbs since January, and am continuing to lose weekly. I have a ways to go, but I have hope and determination! Again, Thank you so much!
|
I, too, have just started my second session with Weight Watchers and can't
praise the program and PEBB enough. I've lost 31 pounds and on my way to
another 19 and lifetime membership (my goal)! I know I can do it with the
support of Weight Watchers. An added bonus--my husband, with severe heart
problems, has lost 30 pounds. After his checkup this morning, his doctor was
very pleased and said keep up the good work.
I couldn't afford to join Weight Watchers so I'm very happy PEBB is having
this as a benefit and hope they continue to do so.
Thank you
|
Since joining Weight Watchers in Feb. 2009, I have lost 42 pounds. My doctor was impressed with the results of my last blood work up - my cholesterol levels are well with in the norm and my hemoglobin AC is 6.1. Six is considered non-diabetic - down from 9+ in January. I have never felt better and I am 54 years old! Thanks WW and thanks PEBB.
|
I have tried to lose weight for years and years. I have tried lots of different things and none of them have worked for me. I just gave up trying anything new. When PEBB announced that they were covering the cost of Weight Watchers I decided to try it. I never figured it would work for me. I could never loose weight. I am on my second series and have lost 30 pounds. My eating habits have changed and I am exercising every day. The meetings mean so much to me. They help me keep going. If I miss a meeting I loose about half of the weight that I would normally lose if I attended the meeting. This happens even though I don't do anything different. I love attending the at work meetings and can't wait for the next one.
Thank you PEBB for helping everyone make their lives better.
|
Since the first run of Weight Watchers I have now lost 32lbs. I have much more energy and I am feeling less stress on my body during daily tasks. With my doctor I have set a goal to loose 80lbs total and I feel I am doing well while get great encouragement from this program. Special thanks from this happier and healthier member.
|
I started Weight Watchers on January 20th. I've lost 28 pounds and I feel so much better. I just re-enrolled for another 13 weeks. I have more weight to lose and am managing to remain excited about it.
|
Just read the newsletter and wanted others to know that our office is also doing very well on the program. I personally have lost 24 pounds and feel so much better! I need to lose more but I am thrilled with the outcome at this moment!
|
I started the weight watchers program 12 weeks ago and have lost "50" lbs. The doctor told me if I keep on losing weight he would cut back my high blood pressure medicine and probably take me off of it. Thanks Pebb for this opportunity, you probably saved me from expensive medical bills down the road!
|
Just thought you should know that our office has been participating in Weight Watchers, and we are all doing great, I have lost 27 lbs, and others have lost anywhere from 10-24 lbs. This program works.
|
I just signed up for my second 3-month membership in Weight Watchers. I've already lost 16 pounds and am only 3 pounds from my goal weight. My husband has also lost weight just by my cooking better and in smaller portions. One suggestion: when signing up for the second go around, go through the Weight Watchers Web site. Once you've canceled your first membership and received your new promo code, you can log in under your old login name and password and renew that way. If you do it through the link on your web page, they tell you your old login name is in use and you have to choose another, so would lose all your previous data. By going through the Weight Watchers website, you keep your login and your previous info. Thanks.
|
I would really like to see everyone who takes the Weight Watchers benefit to consider signing up for the biggest looser pound-for-pound food challenge. Every pound we lose can help fill the food banks.
|
In the first three months I have lost 27 pounds and am feeling so much better. I still have a ways to go, but I have a very positive start and I'm still very motivated to keep going. This is my way of life now. It's been so easy to follow the plan and make the changes. I'm doing weight watchers online and really enjoy it!
Many people in our office are also on program and in three months, our office has lost approximately 550 pounds with the people that are doing the at-work meetings, online weight watchers, and one group that just formed their own weight loss group.
I'm so proud of the HUGE weight loss that we have accomplished in just three months.
Not only are we going to be healthier for OURSELVES, but it will make us more productive here at the office (feeling better during the work day, less time missed from work, reduced healthcare costs in the future, etc..)
|
We have 32 members in our office currently enrolled in the on site Weight Watcher program. As of today, the total weight loss of this group is 496.6 pounds (15.5 pounds per person on average). Ending our 13-week program, our group will have lost over 500 pounds.
|
I have just completed my first 10 weeks and have lost over 30 pounds. I have cut my Lantus from 200 units a day to less than 100 a day! That is a savings of over $150.00 a month in my health plan all by itself. I am feeling so much better! I have a long way to go, but my goal is to be off of my 7 medications a day and insulin inside of a year! Thank you! Please continue the program! I think in the long run you will see a substantial savings overall!
|
I’m nearing the end of the first thirteen weeks, and have lost 13.4 pounds and just signed up for another 13 weeks. If it were not for this benefit, I could not afford to do this. With the support of friends and attending the meeting, this will be a lifetime commitment. I will be a much healthier person.
|
I have battled high cholesterol levels my entire adult life, and faced going on medication this year to lower my levels and get a better balance with hdl and ldls. I'm happy to tell you that after 3 months of being on weight watchers, I have changed the way that I eat and exercise, and my cholesterol is below 200 for the first time in 25 plus years.
|
Having joined a worksite Weight Watcher's program on October 28, 2009, I was delighted to know that PEBB would be offering WW participation at no cost to the WW member. Weight Watchers is a fantastic program. Since joining late last October, and continuing with my second session currently, I have lost 27.8 pounds and I am less than half a pound away from reaching my goal weight! In addition, I have increased my level of activity, feel so much healthier and thrilled my doctor at my annual appointment in March!
|
|
|
|
| Taking Steps Together |
|
I have been battling obesity my whole life. I decided that I really needed to make some changes in my lifestyle to reach my new goals. I am sure everyone knows how difficult it can be to change your food intake while your spouse is eating that yummy slice of chocolate cake right in front of you.
After some conversation, we came to the conclusion that we both need to be healthy. So now we are going to the gym consistently – six days a week. The trainer on a weekly basis changes up our routines and gives us recommended diet plans. We are losing weight the natural way.
-Anonymous
|
 |
I have found a way to keep my weight where I want it! I work in an office and sit for eight hoursa day. In order to maintain my weight, I bike three miles to and three miles from work every day.
Not only does biking maintain my weight (even though I snack all day), I also save money and time by not playing the parking game and not spending money.
-Genevieve Beecher
|
I started eating better and exercising on a regular basis. Little by little I started cutting back on the processed foods, sugars, fried foods, breads and pasta, and salt.
It’s amazing how much better I feel now that I’m eating healthier. I have more energy and am thinking clearer….oh yeah, I’ve lost around 20 pounds and gone down two dress sizes. I’m almost 50 years old and am back at my 20-something weight.
Stresses of life aren’t so draining now that I’m eating healthier and exercising!!
-Anonymous
|
|
|
|
| Get Your Life Back |
|
I would love to share my success with gastric bypass. I have been overweight all of my life. I have tried just about every diet to lose, been to group, etc., but thank heavens for PEBB to cover the gastric bypass. I had my surgery on January 28, 2008, and as of May 5, 2008, I am down 83 pounds. How wonderful it is to get my life back. I have so much more energy and a lot less pain in my knees.
-Cathy Cunningham |
I have parents that both have diabetes and that makes my chances more likely. It put a fire under me to start exercising and eating better. Every time I am tempted to cheat, I ask myself if I really want to take shots later in life. It helps keep me on track. Thanks for letting me share my story!!!
-Donna Beverage |
|
|
|
| Find a group to help motivate you |
|
 |
Last fall, my agency’s Healthworks program at DCBS sponsored a one-month destination walking challenge. My group decided on a realistic goal for the month and chose our destination of Seattle. Walking during lunch hours and breaks we almost made it to Seattle during the month.
Although the agency only sponsored the event for a month, the group decided to continue to walk or exercise through the winter. We no longer restricted it to just walking; we counted any exercise in addition to our normal routine.
There are six of us from our Section at DCBS in the walking group, and so far we have walked north to Vancouver, B.C, on to Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, and we are now approaching Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
-Anonymous
|
|
|
|
| Weight Regulation |
|
I'm not here to tell you that it's easy
 |
It was very early on in my life's journey that I got the notion that my body was at odds with the environment it had to negotiate as to what concerns appropriate weight to height ratio to maintain optimum health. I recall I went on my first effort to lose weight at age 12. I believe I lost 5-10 lbs doing the Air Force Academy exercises and somewhat reducing my caloric intake limited to mealtimes. As I look back at my pictures during that time, I wonder "why"? Who gave me the message that I was overweight, I certainly looked absolutely "normal."
This started a lifetime of struggle with maintenance. I became the yo-yo queen. All my weight-loss attempts failed when it came to maintenance. I did the 50-pound yo-yo move every year of college (gained during, lost in summer), the pregnancy gains and losses, and a myriad of other life experiences which affected my ability to control my eating. You may find it hard to believe, but I've endured 100-pound weight swings during 10-year periods multiple times in my life. My weigh-ins on my medical records are so bizarre that my last practitioner compared my weight postings to data entry errors.
Hopelessly frustrated with my last five-year-long, 20-lbs-per-year upswing I decided to consult a friend at OHD about gastric bypass surgery. When I started to share with her my struggles over dinner, the tears welled up in my eyes and rolled down my cheek uncontrollably; big, round, heavy ones. We couldn't finish dinner.
|
My friend, who had not experienced a weight regulation disorder to the magnitude that I had, suggested counseling. I felt that had no promise. My lack of ability to keep weight off had nothing to do with my emotions or my lack of self-control and discipline. Those were in check in all other parts of my life. After all, I had proven the ability to lose weight multiple times.
|
During my work at OHD, I fortunately had very easy access to the developing research on weight regulation disorders and the hormonal pathways that lead to disordered homeostasis (balance). I knew what I was fighting: a body that went ballistic in today's food/exercise culture and the communal attitude that this was somewhat related to my lack of self control/discipline. I shed the last notion.
For whatever reason, one day I signed up for weightwatchers.com. The program cost $15 per month. I had tried Weight Watchers meetings before, and I knew this program was not going to work for me (or I'd lose the weight and put it on again). But something was different this time. Although I had signed up for the Web site, I didn't go to it for months, but those crazy people sent me an e-zine every Monday. The e-zine contained many interesting tidbits about a variety of topics. Finally, I got hooked on the enthusiasm of it all. Remember, by this time, I had "dieted" multiple times and I knew it was no picnic. There were many times I would become discouraged, outraged, hopeless and uninspired. This last journey I experienced all those emotions again, but figured if I were going to endure hardship, I was going to do it with the support of those at weightwatchers.com.
This last effort with the help of WW.com has lasted over six years and I hit goal weight for my age and height (150) on 12.09. I am 102 lbs lighter and feel like I always have a structure to grab when things appear to be out of control.
|
 |
Maintenance is working well. I'll never go back, but I'll never unsubscribe to WW.COM either!
I learned a lot of valuable lessons this journey but one of the most important lesson was this:
Falling off the wagon doesn’t mean the wagon rolls away. It stays close by for you to climb on again the next day. The journey to acceptable weight management is not a minute-by-minute all or nothing affair. Keep on plugging and you will see results.
-Isolde Knapp |
|
|
|
| Ed's Medical Adventure |
|
|
|
|
| Back in the Chair |
|
 |
DAS’ Director faces his fears of the dentist and vows never to go another 20 years without a check up again.
by Scott Rupp, OEBB Communications Coordinator
|
His girlfriend made him do it.
Without her grousing, Scott Harra, new Director of the Department of Administrative Services, probably still wouldn’t have visited his dentist.
She convinced him to have a check up and some maintenance done and Harra finally returned to the dentist’s chair for the first time in 20 years.
“My girlfriend said I had to go. She set the appointment and I was stressed,” Harra said matter-of-factly, “and I let them know that.”
The results of his visit are not typical.
For not having visited the dentist for nearly two decades, Harra needed only a few fillings replaced, some teeth cleaning and the removal of some built up tooth scales. He said his dentist, though not recommending a 20-year hiatus for anyone, was impressed. Harra gave the credit for his good teeth to his family and genes.
But after his most recent trips back to the chair, he said he wouldn’t again go so long without seeing the dentist -- or any other healthcare provider -- either. Read more of Scott's story.
|
|
|
| Do you have a story? |
|
Are you in the process of getting healthier? Share your success story in The Connection.
Are you walking more, eating better or getting a handle on stress? Send a note about what’s working for you to mystory.pebb@state.or.us.
If you don’t want to share your name, that’s fine. Your story could still spur a co-worker toward a life-improving change.
|
|
| |
|
|
