Comments on: Weight Watchers Start Living, Start Losing: Inspirational Stories That Will Motivate You Now

By: Rama Rao

Rama Rao — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:29:28 +0000

This is a collection of stories for a reader interested to lose weight and live healthy. Although this is a promotional book for Weight Watchers product, these stories may be beneficial to many readers. The book is divided into nine chapters but there are only three sections; the bulk of it is about women, and two small chapters; one about men and another for teams. There are two or three page profiles of each individual who lost weight by enrolling in a Weight Watchers program where they got counseled to control dietary habits and include some form of daily exercise program. A combination of diet and exercise seems to work for most people in this catalogue of profiles. There are some interesting examples; Marie, 41 of California lost 100 pounds by combining exercise and eating habits and using counseling of Weight Watchers group leader. She claims healthy eating and sensible portions are important. Sandy, 33 of New York lost 95 pounds by dieting alone. Brenda, 40 of Wisconsin is an amazing example of how much you can lose weight; she lost weight from 451 to 180 pounds (page 42). Audrey, 39 of Georgia widowed at a young age turned her life around by losing 93 pounds (page 55). Kathy, 34 of Texas lost 167 pounds; Sara, 38 of Pennsylvania lost over 143 pounds in a year and half. Tom McCarthy, 39 of New Jersey lost 137 pounds in about a year. Age appears to be irrelevant for losing weight as Barbara, 60 of Florida lost over 82 pounds (page 96). Jan, 70 of New Jersey who has travelled to 40 countries and eat various ethnic foods lost weight to feel healthy and neutralize the effects of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes (page 110). Diana, 66 of California lost 35 pounds juggling her successful career as a CEO of her own software company (page 113). Wayne, of Arkansas at 64 lost an amazing 203 pounds (page 194). Losing weight gradually is perhaps healthier and natural than losing weight too quickly. It needs mental and behavioral changes and strong support from family members such as mother or a spouse would be helpful as proved in few cases. Losing weight by team work is good for motivation and exercising together. Couples or friends could team up positively and this is illustrated in several examples in the last chapter.

There are number of publications by Weight Watchers and most of them are cooking books with some healthy choices for the menu (1-6). Losing weight by exercise and diet is a common theme and numerous books are available in literature that caters to the needs of each individual; some examples are given in references 7-10.

Note: The page numbers refer to the "advanced uncorrected proof (galley)." This copy was made available under the Amazon Vine program.

1. Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook (custom edition)
2. Weight Watchers New 365 Day Menu Cookbook: Complete Meals for Every Day of the Year
3. WEIGHT WATCHERS DIET PLAN
4. Weight Watchers All-Time Favorites
5. Weight Watchers Simply the Best: 250 Prizewinning Family Recipes
6. Simply Delicious : 245 No-Fuss Recipes--All 8 POINTS or Less
7. Aerobic Walking The Weight-Loss Exercise: A Complete Program to Reduce Weight, Stress, and Hypertension
8. Compulsive Exercise And The Eating Disorders: Toward An Integrated Theory Of Activity
9. Weights for Weight Loss: Fat-Burning and Muscle-Sculpting Exercises with Over 200 Step-by-Step Photos
10. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating Rating: 2 / 5

By: Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Man

Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Man — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:15:42 +0000

Although I'm certainly no fan of the low-fat philosophy embraced by Weight Watchers, what I DO support is people finding a proven and effective weight management plan that they can do over the long-term for the rest of their life. For some people, that diet that's right for them is indeed Weight Watchers as the book Start Living, Start Losing illustrates.

If you're a sucker for hearing weight loss success stories, then this is quite an inspirational book for you to read. It is sanctioned by the Weight Watchers organization, so all of the more than 60 stories are from people who followed that plan. But I liked the format of this book and it would make for an excellent book about low-carb success stories one of these days.

Each chapter features stories from people of all ages, backgrounds, occupations, and health. They are written from the first person which is always more interesting hearing directly from the person who went through the hard work and effort themselves to lose the weight. At the end of the 2-3 page story, a quick "take-away" message is provided to hammer home the key ingredient in that person's success along with a motivational quote from the individual who was featured.

Although I could never do the Weight Watchers program (and many of them are totally enthralled by livin' la vida low-carb), I'm always the first to applaud success when it happens. If someone is happy on Weight Watchers, then who am I to tell them it's not right? But the same goes for my decision to be on the healthy low-carb lifestyle and sharing my story too. Weight loss isn't about whose diet is better, but rather what can produce results. Make your choice and then stick with it! Rating: 4 / 5

By: Romancer

Romancer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:51:47 +0000

I figure I'm the perfect target for this sort of book. I made a resolution to lose weight this year, and I've always had trouble motivating myself to do so. If you're thinking of this book, you may be like me: imagining that it will give you that extra push to make you want to get out there and start doing what you need to do.

The stories are very interesting and in some cases heart-warming. But did they make me feel inspired?

A hint: I am writing this review, having finally forced myself to finish the last stories. I am eating a dinner of reheated frozen pizza.

These stories made me feel guilty! And they made me want to go hide, because if all these people could do it, what was wrong with me that I couldn't? There are some people who are well-motivated by guilt and comparison to others. If you are one of those people, you may find this book invaluable. But if you are like me, and others' success sends you into despair, please don't pick this book up.

Not unless you, too, want to eat frozen pizza in violation of your New Year's resolution on January 13th. Rating: 3 / 5

By: Get What We Give

Get What We Give — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:36:27 +0000

I remember it being Richard Simmons who started the whole, "your weight loss/weight gain story is so emotionally inspirational/painful that I'm bawling my eyes out". I couldn't stomach that whole thing back in the 70's and it's even more stomach-churning today.

As someone who is overweight - not just a little, but in need of losing 50 pounds - I can use encouragement and inspiration....but this just isn't it. It might be great for some folks, but it just doesn't "inspire" me to get on the treadmill or hit the gym.

For me, inspiration isn't something that comes from without, but rather from within. And until such time as I determine to commit myself to living better and more healthy, I'm not going to really do anything about my weight/health. These stories are great anecdotes, but in reality, no one can make someone lose weight (unless they're being tortured or food is being withheld). Weight loss requires and active act of determination on the part of the overweight person.

My inspiration to lose weight? Wanting to play athletics with my 14 year old son....a photo of me trim and well built 15 years ago....wanting to tie my shoes without getting winded.

My hurdles? Food. I love good food....plus I'm a stress eater.

The requirement? Deciding that I cannot let my problems rule me. I've got to rule them.

Inspirational for some, but not inspiration enough for me. Rating: 2 / 5

By: J. M WILINSKY

J. M WILINSKY — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:46:50 +0000

Weight Watchers has been around for about forty years and has earned a reputation as one of the most respected commercial weight loss systems mainly because it is based on sound, scientific principles and does not advocate unhealthy methods. But the big question is how successful is this system? This book presents more than sixty successful case studies and the methods and tips learned from each. The only problem is that most of these cases of successful weight loss are only the result of one or two years of tracking. It is not unusual to see successful weight loss over this period of time, but the truly noteworthy cases are those that go over five years with no backsliding. Such cases are notoriously rare. Perhaps a few of the cases in this book do go over five years, but many do not. There is really no trick in getting motivated for a year or even two, but what happens after that? Given that Weight Watchers has been in business so long, what about longer studies? I think the record shows that while Weight Watchers is safe and sound, it really isn’t more successful over the long haul than other systems. Whatever the positive results are for these people, they are to be applauded, but whether their stories will give any others lasting helpful advice remains doubtful. I have been involved with weight loss and fitness all my life and in my experience, the changes that must occur for long-term results are from deep within and highly individualistic, so what motivates one may not be helpful to another, except in the short-term. Many of these stories also involve methods which are well known to result in eventual failure, such as the frequent denial of preferences. But if these stories can be helpful to anyone at least in the short-term then they are worth reading.
Rating: 3 / 5