Re:The elephant in the room

[Guest guest]

Hey there. I was a Weight Watchers leader for four years. In those four years, I

never once - not once - saw a true success story. Sure, there were plenty of

people who had experiences like your friend. I helped members shed hundreds of

pounds of celebrated their success with great fanfare. But, over time, one of

two things would happen to that person. Either she would gain the weight back

(and we all know the misery of that) OR she would become so obsessed with food

and weight that even though the weight stayed off, she was living in her own

personal hell. Actually, for most people it was a combination of both: the

weight slowly coming back while the member was becoming increasingly obsessed

with keeping it off. And that's exactly what happened to me.

I know it's hard to see other people who seem like they have it all figured out

- who seem trim and happy and totally confident. Keep in mind that looks can be

deceiving and that comparing never heals. There will always be weight loss

success stories out there. There will always be someone who looks " great " and is

raving about how they've become shiny and new because of following this program

or that plan. When a person like this comes into your life, take a deep breath,

release judgement, and know that you are on the path that's best for you.

I like Byron 's concept of the three kinds of business: your business, my

business, and God's business. Another person's weight loss is never your

business. Your body is your business. The way you nourish yourself is your

business. Your thoughts and beliefs are your business. Tend to your own business

and let everyone else tend to theirs. You'll find so much freedom in that.

One last thing, I guarantee you that diets always fail. Always. That friend of

yours will struggle at some point. And if you continue this path of intuitive

eating, you will be in a position to shine a light to her when she is so

confused about bingeing her brains out and totally panicked about why she is so

out of control. Shine that light, honey.

Best,

Joy

[Guest guest]

Thank you for sharing this, Joy. It's so easy to read all the " success stories "

in WW magazine (and others) and convince yourself that it's your lack of

discipline that is keeping you from losing weight. This was a really helpful

reality check.

Josie

>

> Hey there. I was a Weight Watchers leader for four years. In those four years,

I never once - not once - saw a true success story. Sure, there were plenty of

people who had experiences like your friend. I helped members shed hundreds of

pounds of celebrated their success with great fanfare. But, over time, one of

two things would happen to that person. Either she would gain the weight back

(and we all know the misery of that) OR she would become so obsessed with food

and weight that even though the weight stayed off, she was living in her own

personal hell. Actually, for most people it was a combination of both: the

weight slowly coming back while the member was becoming increasingly obsessed

with keeping it off. And that's exactly what happened to me.

>

> I know it's hard to see other people who seem like they have it all figured

out - who seem trim and happy and totally confident. Keep in mind that looks can

be deceiving and that comparing never heals. There will always be weight loss

success stories out there. There will always be someone who looks " great " and is

raving about how they've become shiny and new because of following this program

or that plan. When a person like this comes into your life, take a deep breath,

release judgement, and know that you are on the path that's best for you.

>

> I like Byron 's concept of the three kinds of business: your business, my

business, and God's business. Another person's weight loss is never your

business. Your body is your business. The way you nourish yourself is your

business. Your thoughts and beliefs are your business. Tend to your own business

and let everyone else tend to theirs. You'll find so much freedom in that.

>

> One last thing, I guarantee you that diets always fail. Always. That friend of

yours will struggle at some point. And if you continue this path of intuitive

eating, you will be in a position to shine a light to her when she is so

confused about bingeing her brains out and totally panicked about why she is so

out of control. Shine that light, honey.

>

> Best,

> Joy

>