My WeightWatchers Experience 😕

I’ve done a lot of different type of “diets” in my life. I thought I would pick one in particular to talk about: Weight Watchers.

I had a pretty rough relationship with food in my teens but for some reason, once I started college in DCU, I didn’t seem to put much focus on it.

All I remember from that time were chicken fillet rolls, jambons, wedges and garlic mayo. Oh and a lot of vodka red bull. (“No wonder you never made it as an actuary” - I know!)

My friend had been going to the local WW and I remember at the end of my first year in college she asked me did I want to join her. At first I thought she just wanted moral support but then I realised I had actually put on a lot of weight, so I went along.

The leader was a lovely lady who gave me an introductory pack that had a table to work out the points of any foods, as well as a library of the generic foods.

I was weighed and given a target weight. I’m pretty sure, back when I was 20, I was about 12 stone and the target was around the 9 stone mark. (for context - I'm currently about 12 stone)

I started off by figuring out how to utilise my points to eat as much as I possibly could.

I did start picking up some good habits like eating chicken and vegetables because the points for these foods were so low. But there was no emphasis on protein and I soon figured out that I could eat a 6 pack of Walkers Baked and a few Curly Wurlys and still be down on the scales.

I don’t know why I hadn’t the common sense to realise that that was unhealthy, but my only focus each week was to get to that target weight and be able to tell everyone proudly each week how much weight I had lost.

I don’t think I even knew what a dumbbell was back then, but I was told that I could “earn” more points each day if I exercised.

So I did as much cardio as I could, to eat more. (I hope you realise this is a bad idea)

Because I was always pretty active - playing Gaelic football and going to the gym to go on the treadmill - I was able to earn lots of points and I was getting so much praise for how fast the scales was dropping.

But then, I ran into problems. I couldn’t seem to get down to 9 stone. I kept paying my weekly fee and I seemed to just stall. I couldn’t possibly do any more cardio, and I didn’t want to eat any less.

But I couldn’t get my free membership if I didn’t get there.

And then I remember my mam begging me to stop.

I’m pretty headstrong so I can’t remember if she was asking for a while but I remember she pointed out that I had just bought a dress in a size 8 for my 21st. (I'm 5 ft 9!) I was skin and bone.

So I stopped.

But then what happened?

I didn’t know how to eat.

What was the point of exercising if I wasn’t earning "points"?

Not surprisingly, I gained weight.

So after a few months of being angry of myself…

I rejoined.

I paid again and I chased that elusive 9 stone.

But then I discovered resistance training. I worked with an excellent PT who showed me how to actually see definition on my stomach, rather than just looking skinny.

But what happens when you gain muscle?

Scales go up. I was “failing” at WW again, despite looking the best I had in ages.

This is why I don’t like weight loss clubs that use the scales as measurements. It actually discourages resistance training which is what will have you looking *and feeling* your best for the rest of your life.

Plus, the person “leading” these groups are unlikely to have any nutrition qualifications - or else they probably wouldn’t be working there!

I since have become passionate about helping women turning their bodies into fit, strong and healthy bodies that can eat a lot of food, and still look good. If you are interested in joining The Furnace, we are keeping spaces open until Friday - so click here if you would like to get started!

Thanks for reading!

Siobhan "Back to 12 stone and thriving" O'Hagan