Weight Watchers Diary: Day 1 – Her.ie Joins Weight Watchers

Are you struggling with some extra pounds you’d like to lose?

When it comes to body image all that matters is that you’re happy and healthy, and if feeling good for you is a little way away because of some extra weight, we’re here to help. 

Fad diets do not work, but a programme like Weight Watchers encourages people to lose weight in a sustainable way by helping them adopt a healthier lifestyle and a healthier relationship with food and activity. 

We think this is the right attitude, so we’ve paired up with Weight Watchers to help Her.ie readers reach their goal weight in a healthy way. But we’re not afraid of stepping up ourselves either…

For the next three months two of our very own writers will be joining Weight Watchers and reporting back weekly to share their successes and setbacks. It begins today for Patricia Murphy and Amy Wall – so they’re starting off by explaining their reasons for joining and their plans for the next few months. Show them some love and encouragement, and check back weekly to see how they are getting on…

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Patricia says:

I am a self-proclaimed foodie and I love nothing more than spending an evening in the kitchen, whipping up dinner for a few friends. However, I have been a size 14 to 16 for as long as I can remember and a few weeks ago on my bi-weekly trek to Penneys I almost picked up the dreaded purple hanger, size 18. 

I really knew it was time for change and luckily I haven’t yet had to purchase what I would call my scary size! 

Two summers ago, I lost nearly 20 pounds with Weight Watchers, but unfortunately soon after returning to university, I ballooned once again. 

I’ve come to realise that this constant shift in weight is a really unhealthy way to live and I although I want to enjoy my life I think it is time to learn the act of moderation and balance.

This time, I am committed to losing the weight and keeping it off for good and I am determined to try my hardest to become healthier and ultimately happier in myself.

Patricia wants to lose weight, and raid her sister's wardrobe!

My boyfriend has recently lost a lot of weight with Weight Watchers, to which I am truly jealous. At my graduation in August, everyone was saying how fabulous he looked and one girl even said, “You look like a new man!”

I dream of the day when one of my friends walks past me in the street only to be followed by, “Oh, Trisha! I didn’t even recognise you!” That would be lovely, wouldn’t it?

Perhaps my biggest motivation is the gorgeous wardrobe of my younger sister who has a fabulous array of dresses lined-up just waiting to be stolen. 

Don’t worry babies! I’m coming for you!

 

Amy says:

When you move in with your other half, two things happen. 

The first is that you experience all the joys of domestic bliss (eh… until he starts leaving his pants on the bedroom floor that is).

The second is that you put on weight. Fact.  

You’re so loved up and enjoying your status of live-in girlfriend, that your healthy eating regime gets thrown out the window in favour of cosy nights in with your other half where you feed each other pizza and stuff wedges of chocolate into your gob. At least that’s what happened to me. 

I am no stranger to the awesomeness that is Weight Watchers. In fact, I lost three stone using the programme between 2010 and 2011. But then life (e.g. writing a theses, falling in love, getting a job and cohabitating) got in the way and my weight has started to creep up a bit again.

Amy says happy coupledom is to blame for a few pounds she'd like to lose!

I’m a firm believer that prevention is the best cure, so when the opportunity came to undertake the Weight Watchers programme again I jumped at it. I’m unfamiliar with their new ProPoints system so rather than counting myself as a seasoned veteran, I’m approaching this as a bright-eyed newbie. 

Am I nervous? Hell yes. Mainly because this is the first time I’ll have an audience when it comes to losing weight. (I’m also nervous that you guys will witness a 3am dying-for-a-takeaway breakdown at some point over the next 12 weeks).  

But my determination outweighs any fear that I might have when it comes to undertaking this journey. I feel as though I’ve turned a blind eye to the number on the scale for too long and now it’s time to take action and do this for myself. Rather than seeing this as a means to fitting comfortably into my skinny jeans again, I’m seeing it as a complete lifestyle change. And, most importantly, I can’t wait to get started!

 

Do you want to join Patricia and Amy? Find your nearest Weight Watchers classes here.