The Power of The Group

I try to make my Weight Watchers meeting a fun place to be, even if you aren't trying to lose weight. My "opening monologue" is meant to teach a healthy living topic, but also applies to other aspects of our lives. Plus, laughing burns calories, lowers blood pressure and stress - really!

My goal is to get you to the meeting, even if it's just to see what I am willing to put on, so you can experience the power of the group. When I look at most satisfying parts of my life, being part of a group is usually one aspect of the joy. I run with a group, which makes training and racing so much more fun and challenging. I volunteer with many groups since we all have the best interest of our kids and community at heart. My family is a group - though it's rare we all together at the same time. They definitely bring so much pleasure to my life. And I work with many Weight Watchers groups. They give me joy, for sure!

Each WW meeting has it's own feel and rhythm. My 2 center meetings have a lot of members. Most sit in the same area every week, but all members welcome each other with open arms, asking each other about all kinds of things that have nothing to do with Weight Watchers. Some walk around and visit before they settle in for the group discussion.

My At Works are smaller groups. Most know each other, though some of the big companies have members that don't. But there is a sense of community within the community of the business. However, in both types of groups, there is always a feeling that each member cares about the fate of the others. Each problem will be listened to and answers will be offered. There is a feeling that if one succeeds we all succeed. If one is troubled, then the rest are willing him or her to turn the corner.

That's why I love my job: it's so positive! I mingle with people at the scale, or in the meeting room, before the meeting starts and then I make my entrance. Sometimes, the members are still buzzing about whatever, which is great, because I am glad you want to talk amongst yourselves. But then we begin. For about 30 minutes, we try and tune out the world and take care of ourselves and each. Now you know I am not mushy, but I feel like, in that room, we accomplish something. We don't just complain, or feel sorry for ourselves. We tell the truth. We laugh at ourselves and each other. And we hear something that we can use when we walk out the door.

So when people don't get why it's important to go to a Weight Watchers meeting if you want to be healthier, I tell them, just come to the meeting. No obligation to buy. Just listen. Feel. Learn. Laugh. Share in our little secret weapon against all the factors in our lives trying to make us lose the battle of the bulge and illness. Feel the power of the group. See you in the meeting!