From Fast-Food Runs to Competitive Races

In Robin’s words:

Before Weight Watchers I was clinically depressed and had self-destructive behavior. I drank more than I should and was smoking more than a pack of cigarettes a day. I had respiratory infections and my blood pressure and cholesterol were both very high. My doctor said if I didn’t start getting healthier by losing weight, and exercising within six months, he was going to put me on even more medications. My breaking point came when I was at a convenience store with my partner. We were in our paramedic uniforms and a man approached me and said, “You might want to lose some weight, because if I have a heart attack and need you to save me, you’re going to have a heart attack yourself.” I was taken aback.

Support from an old friend

I knew if strangers were noticing my weight, it must be bad. I’d followed the Weight Watchers Plan when I was younger (and had become a Lifetime member), so I knew it worked. The next morning I joined Weight Watchers meetings again. Weight Watchers is like an old friend to me: We weren’t speaking for a while, but now we’re back together. Looking back, I don’t know why we ever stop talking!

This time, with my doctor’s warning in my head, I also decided to get active. In the past, when I tried to lose weight, I’d only changed what I was eating, but this time I knew exercise would have to play a role. I made it my fitness goal to run a 5k. People thought I was crazy and that I’d hurt myself. But I started slowly.

Meetings matter

The number one thing that kept me on track throughout this journey was the meetings. When you have to get on that scale every week, you’re just more accountable. For me, sharing my struggles and challenges with other Members kept me on the straight and narrow. The thing that really clicked for me this time around was that there are no shortcuts to weight-loss. Every time I’d tried other diets, it was a quick fix and then I’d gain the weight back — and then some. You just can’t cut corners. Weight Watchers didn’t promise that I’d lose the weight quickly, but I was happy as I lost it. Losing every little bit, every 10 pounds, felt like a million bucks.

Food swaps

Before Weight Watchers, I usually had a big blueberry muffin and a fast-food breakfast sandwich first thing in the morning. I loved fast food. Because of my job (I mostly work the night shift) I’d often skip lunch and just eat throughout the night at work. We’d have pizza and cheese fries then stock up on king-sized candy bars, sugary energy drinks and other junk foods.

A fit family

Since I started the Weight Watchers program, my kids have all started eating better as well. My new rule is, if I wouldn’t eat it, then I won’t buy it for them. There’s no more white bread or processed chicken nuggets in my house. I also no longer drink energy drinks because I just don’t need them. Being fit has given me more energy than I’ve ever had. And on top of that, both my husband and I have quit smoking!

Slimmed down shopper

I used to buy men’s clothes. There, I said it. They were baggy and comfortable and just fit better. But now that I’m slimmer, I love shopping for women’s clothes. My husband gets choked up about it. We were shopping recently and he said, “I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but to see you in dark men’s clothing before would make me so sad. And now you’re wearing pink and you look so beautiful.”

A better outlook

Now that I've lost the weight I like myself a little more. I wake up happy and most of the time I don’t look at problems the way I used to — like they’re the end of the world. Now I can figure out how to work through obstacles. There’s nothing I can’t do. I accept social invitations now and I’m able to be active with my family. It’s amazing to think that losing weight would do so much for me, but it has.