Get Personal Coaching with Weight Watchers!

This post was created as part of a relationship in which I was sponsored by Weight Watchers and given a free three month subscription to try their new Personal Coaching product and write about my experience. Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own. #WeightWatchers #WWsponsored

Now you may be thinking that I was crazy to begin the Weight Watchers program over the Christmas and New Years break. And sure, it was a little difficult, but what worthwhile change in life isn’t a little difficult? But with the help of personal coaching I found it was quite a great experience.

I discovered that I was able to stay on plan through the hardest time, with the most temptation. And I lost weight through the holidays and got off to a great start for the New Year! If I can do it in that situation; then I can do it when we go back to our regular life schedule, which is what I have really been worried about.

What really helped me along is taking advantage of the affordable Personal Coaching from Weight Watchers.

Personal Coaching to help you succeed.

To jump start my journey with Weight Watchers, I took advantage of my first coaching session and it was great.

To get started with the personal coaching from Weight Watchers you log in and click on the coaching tab. You are then directed to set up your personal coaching session. I answered a few questions about myself, my starting weight, where I want to be, any health issues I may have, etc.

Then you put in the date/time that you are available for the coaching and it gives you a list of personal coaches you can pick from.

I chose Lida. She had a great track record of someone who has been with Weight Watchers for 9 years and has kept her weight off as well. I knew that is what I wanted. Someone with experience in not only losing the weight but keeping it off.

First we got to know each other a little bit. We went over my introduction into Weight Watchers. She taught me about the points plus system and how to track what I eat in the system and in the cool Weight Watchers app. (I am so in love with the app!) Lida knew that the app would be a key feature to help me stay on top as it makes it really easy to track the foods I eat, even while on the go.

Lida went over my goals that I want to accomplish both long term and short term. And we discussed what I can do to achieve those goals. We narrowed down to a short term goal that is easily achievable because the last thing we want to do is focus on the finish line that is so far away we can’t see it. It’s far too easy to get discouraged and give up.

So with my new short term goals in place we drafted an action plan for me to begin including

We discussed goals to

• Track my eating a minimum of 5 days a week
• Try to incorporate fitness activity (even if it’s just lifting a little weights while watching TV)
• Plan the food ahead of time (weekly meal plan; and plan to cook same dish for entire family- so everyone is getting healthier)
• Remove the temptation – clear out the kitchen of foods I don’t want to binge on.

The remove the temptation one is rather funny to plan since it was Christmas vacation and as you know there is food all over the place. So I’m glad to learn about the extra weekly points plus we have available to use for those special occasions. I like that I can still enjoy the special occassion foods but not go overboard and stay within my points limit. Especially since we went through Christmas, family visiting, New Years parties, and a birthday party! Talk about lots of indulgent foods!

But I tracked the foods I ate, and realized I could have a small portion of the foods I love most on the holidays. As long as I kept the portions reasonable I was still able to enjoy and not go over my daily and weekly point limits. Plus I made sure that I snacked responsibly. I learned that most vegetables and fruits were 0 point foods. Meaning as long as it’s not starchy, the fruits and veggies don’t cost any points when you eat them! Which means when I got the munchies, I pulled out the carrots and some dip (which I measured and tracked) and ate to my heart’s content.

The other issue we discussed is how it is tradition to make cookies and candies with the kids this time of year. But a great idea is to share! Make up the candies and get those experiences in with the kids. But then share the goodies with friends and neighbors. Don’t just dump them all off on 1-2 neighbors. I doubt they’d be happy to be gaining all your holiday weight for you. But spread it out to a number of friends and family. A little in moderation is fine for everyone.

And then only keep a little for you and the kids to enjoy. But not so much that you will go over board eating it.

So how did it all work out for me? Well, I did end up losing weight over the holiday even with me still enjoying my favorite foods, plus going out to eat for Jonathan’s birthday! Plus I feel better than I have in a long time! I love that Weight Watchers is so flexible and I love having a personal coach to help me every step of the way.

I wasn’t able to set up another weekly phone call with all the company around for Christmas, but don’t let your busy schedule stop you! They also have an awesome chat feature on the website where I was able to check in with my coach for a moment during the holidays to keep me on track.

Now that the business of the holidays are over; I’ve already set up my next personal coaching phone call. I have a few questions about a few foods and how to track some things, so I am excited to have the access to someone who has gone through the program themselves and can help me find answers to best fit me and my lifestyle.

To see which plan would be best for you, check out Weight Watchers to get started on discovering a new you!

What things would you ask in your personal Coaching with Weight Watchers?