Self Help Group Weight Watchers, Essay Example

Weight Watchers is a world-renown weight loss company that provides people with a personal program that help people learn how to eat better. The program helps the learn how to start a new lifestyle, set achievable goals and personal challenges. Weight Watchers has adapted to the changing needs of the weight loss customers and over the last few decades they constantly look for way to improve.  The “Points” plan has become their brand that allows the individual to track their own progress at home or by attending meetings for support. Weight Watchers is about educating the consumers about how to choose and eat nutritional foods without staring. The Points-based program by Weight Watchers continues to be successful and the customer service is one the best in the industry.

Observations

The first observation is the registration fee of approximately $13 per week that must be paid at the first meeting the individual decides to attend. The Weight Watchers is just like a gym membership that must be paid when you intend on using the Weight Watchers support and online tools. There is no pressure on the individual because after six weeks on not attending the groups the membership is cancelled. However, they make it easy to rejoin at any time with the same fees as new members. The second observation is some women do not want their weight known by others in the group because they fear that someone will possibly laugh at their weight. The Weight Watchers should allow members that confidentiality at the meeting which is why many of the Weight Watchers join online and purchase the pre-prepared meals without attending the group meetings. The Weight Watchers group meetings work for a lot of women that need the support however, they alienated the heavier women because they want their weight confidential. The rules need to let the women just share how many pound loss rather than how much the way would increase the number of members. They advertise that the meetings they will help you track your weight confidentially however; many women have not received that message.

 How Group Runs

The meeting starts with the individual meeting with their team leader or assistance that will track your weight and share with you confidentially whether you gained or lost weight. The team leader will ask about your week and what adjustments need to be made for best results. The Weight Watcher team leader is very good at giving you encourage words to keep going until the goal is met. The meeting shares any individual goals and accomplishments that the individual would like to meet. The team leaders acknowledge the individual that reached a 10% weight loss which allows the group to bond on a positive note. The group meeting opens the floor for any to share even the smallest success during the weight loss journey. After the group recognitions the team leader with discuss the pre-planned lesson that Weight Watcher has recommended. The meeting is always ended on a positive note.

How they Interact

In weight watchers you can interact in a group setting with others that are trying to obtain the same weight loss goals. The Weight Watchers diet counselors are available for one on one meetings for those not comfortable with groups. The one on ones can be done by phone or you can attend the meeting and ask for a one on one. In addition, you can use the online portal to communicate with the Weight Watchers counselors or staff or dietician.

Rules of the Group

The rules of the group that everyone that attends is courteous and no one should ask another person about how much they weight because its confidential. However, to enroll and attend the group meeting you must be at least 5 or more points overweight based on your height and weight. The rules of the group indicate you cannot be pregnant, no active disease of bulimia, pay an enrollment fee and sign a health release card.

What is the group about?

The group about getting support for counselors and getting a confidential weigh in. The ability to talk with others that are trying to lose weight. The group provides the attendees with inspirational and motivating words of wisdom and encouragement. The group is about learning from your peers and you have the opportunity to meet with experience Weight Watchers team leader. The people that participate can feel comfortable because there is no requirement that you need to talk or share. The group discussion is open for anyone to share or not share as much as you want or as little as you want.  The group setting is for the person to leave the meeting feeling motivated, happy and positive they can complete the program without any pressure from peers or counselors.  The individuals that attend like the group setting because they learn something new each time they attend and they even learn why the eat and what are some of the triggers. The group learns how to handle those triggers in real life. The group helps the members to set realistic expectations while learning how to eat in a different and more nutritional way.