Kari lost 51 lbs*
*At 6 months, participants in a clinical trial of the WW weight-loss program lost an average of 9.7 lbs (5% of body weight). And, people who track their food more often lose more weight. When actual WW members track their food at least two times a week for 6 months they lose on average 16.6 lbs. (7.9% body weight). Kari lost weight on a prior program and is continuing on WeightWatchers. Watch Kari's journey of putting herself first in the video below.
In Kari’s words:
After going through back-to-back pregnancies, I wasn’t feeling my best. By that point, I had four children, and I was tired all the time. I loved my life, but I wasn’t happy with myself personally: My clothes didn’t fit, I avoided mirrors, and I couldn’t enjoy the outdoors with my family — my husband hunts, and the kids enjoy riding the ATV with him. I realized that if I wanted to have a healthy family, I had to take care of myself, too. My family needs me around for the long run — I knew I had to do something.
Prioritizing herself
Making a change
My mom had been successful on WW in the past, so I decided to give it a try. When I told my husband I wanted to join, he supported me with whatever I needed. From the first WW Workshop, I realized that I had to learn to start eating to live, not living to eat. I had to begin finding time for myself without feeling guilty for doing so. And I had to start eating proper meals; before, I’d eat the leftovers from the kids’ meals. Now, I had to make sure to make food that would keep me satisfied.
A turning point
I had joined at the end of September 2013. Halloween candy was everywhere in October. I love candy, but I kept on thinking of how well I had been doing on the program. So when I had any thoughts about candy, I would tell myself, “If you’re not hungry enough to eat an apple, you’re not hungry.” Instead, I enjoyed meals like taco salads, and I’d load up on vegetables. I made it through October and I thought, “I can keep going.”
How Kari’s success with WW has improved her life
An active life
Before I lost weight, I dreaded going to the park. We live near the beach, but I was always self-conscious there. But as I was changing my food habits, I had a desire to be physically active. Now, my family and I build sand castles, fly our kites, and just run around and play. We’ll ride bikes around our neighborhood, or I’ll climb the slides with my kids at the park. A local adventure park opened up near us, and I actually tried the high-ropes course, which includes a zipline. I hadn’t done that since Girl Scouts — and I aced it like a pro!
A solid support system
Weight loss is not something you have to do by yourself. I’m very active at church — I lead the youth group — and the community cheers me on. For the group’s activities, sometimes we’ll do yoga or Zumba® or go for a walk. My Fitbit is so motivating, too. I challenge friends using the app, and we encourage each other to move more often. You can find people all around you who are on a path to good health. You’re never alone.
Explore more WW member transformations here.