VERY angry with Weight Watchers

[perfectmatch300]

Dan, I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that kind of treatment from WW. Shame on them.

In my eyes you already are a leader because you have been such an inspiration to me as well as everyone else here on WISH. I hope you stay strong & don't give back all the good feelings you now have about yourself because of some very narrowminded people & policies at WW.

I read elsewhere that you've just become engaged! Congratulations to you & your fiancee!

 

[Luvinit]

Dan,
I am sorry that such a gentle person as yourself stills has to deal with this discrimination.

I am appalled with the attitude of WW, and I hope everything works out for the best for you.

You are a wonderful leader and have helped me through rough spots...I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you now.

Tracy

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

Mmmmmmmmmm- seems like the head honchos need to be reading these responses......... they like personal endorsements which gives them lots of $$$$ and when WISHers get upset we stick together and I am thinking that it won't only be Dan that will give them some bad press but WISHers word of mouth can be be spread pretty far and wide.................

Dan, e-mail that letter to Oprah. I heard today (taped to watch while I treadmill, mind you) that e-mails are the "life-blood of the show" so reference that package you sent - and offer to resend if necesary and you might just mention all your WISHer friends are a tad upset too (okay just kidding on that part, but if you can get us tickets when you ARE A GUEST - I and OhMom definitely each want one!) thanks

And, while we are in Chicago for "the show" I am going to save enough of the ** points (boycotting their true name for the time being) to get some of that delicious caramel and cheese popcorn. I will bank enough ** points to have some legally!

Dan - you are the best inspiration they could ever hope for - it's their loss - keep up the great job

 

[house_of_princesses]

Dan, I don't even know you, but I'd go to your WW meeting!!! Congratulations on all your successes and may all your tomorrows bring peace and laughter!! (And maybe an apology letter from WW!!)

 

[SnackyStacky]

Just thought I'd post a report.

I got a call today from a district manager. Still struggling to speak to someone on the corporate level.

I explained my problem, and she fed me the same line that it's their policy that employees be within the Weight Watchers goal, not a doctor's goal.

I told her that short of abdominoplasty, I would never work for them, and that it wasn't right. I also let her know of my loss.

She fed me the same line, AGAIN, and I told her that just because it's policy that it doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be re-examined or looked at further. I also told her that unless I did get some action on this that I wouldn't be with Weight Watchers anymore because I couldn't stand by a program that made me feel like I wasn't good enough.

She told me that if it did come to that to make sure that I continued to work the maintenance. This kind of made me feel like nothing's going to happen.

But, we'll see. I'm still holding out hope.

 

[John In Illinois]

Dan,

No matter WHAT Weight Watchers thinks, says, or does...............you have acomplished a remarkable thing. Something that you should for the rest of your life be proud of. Please don't allow some corporate BS take away from your sense of accomplishment. What you have done serves as an inspiration to many, and there is absolutely NO excuse for a corporation...(face it, that is what WW is).........to turn away from someone who has done so much as you, all in the name of some dusty rule written by a bunch of policy wonks in some far-away office.

The only emotion that I feel towards them on your behalf can't really be expressed in a family-oriented forum like this...........

but let's just say they will NOT get a kiss from me afterwards!!!

Keep your enthusiasm for the new found you.the heck with them!

 

[nativetxn]

I'm not one to suggest frivolous law suits but this is beginning to sound like a discrimination suit just waiting to happen. I don't believe too many work places can insist that you have plastic surgery to work for them. Hmmmm, food (no pun) for thought. If nothing else, it might get the true head honcho to pay attention to you.

 

[Minniespal]

Dan -

Well done on your tremendous weight loss. WW have certainly lost someone special by not allowing you to become a leader.

 

[padisneylover]

Dan,
Even though I have never met you just reading this tells me that you could be a great inspiration to millions of people out there! Don't let WW put you down, you should be very proud of what you have done and it seems like from reading the post's that you have already influenced many people.
There is no doubt in my mind that you would be a great WW leader and might be even better than some they already employ, hence why I am an on line WW only.
I agree that this does in fact sound like a definite discrimination case and they would reallly be silly to ignore this fact in todays world of law suits and I too don't belevie in them, but this might be an exception.
I don't see where they think they know more than an MD who knows your whole medical history and what is best for you.
Good luck with your progress in this matter
Kathe

 

[Liz]

Hi Dan,

I'm sorry WW has made you feel so bad. Please don't let them get you down. You know you've made an amazing accomplishment regardless of what anyone else says.

You know why its not much of a threat to WW that you will quit attending meetings? I don't mean it to sound harsh but people who quit coming usually end up regaining some or all of their weight and have to start back paying dues again. I don't know how it works once you are lifetime (CONGRATULATIONS!!!!) but they count on people dropping out and coming back months or years later heavier and paying more money.

I agree they should change their policy on how much you have to weigh to work for them. A doctor's weight goal should be as good as what's in the book.

I have only been going to WW since February of this year, but when we were being oriented on the program our leader said "don't be discouraged by the weight ranges in the book" and said "you only have to go by those ranges if you work for Weight Watchers." But I agree, their policy should be changed.

You are an amazing inspiration to all whether or not you ever become an official employee of WW. Congratulations Dan on all you've accomplished!!!

 

[Lisa96]

That letter was excellent. If that doesn't make WW change their tune, then they have their heads up their butts! You made it clear that you: could set and meet an extremely difficult goal, were concerned about your health and made positive changes to address that, felt being a motivator for others helped you achieve your goal and saw a need in their organization that could be filled by someone with your enthusiasm and experience. As someone who had to read many resumes in my work life, I'd say you hit a home run with that letter and showed all your leadership qualities. If they would ignore that for a corporate policy then they are very shortsighted. I am more inspired by you (you lost a WHOLE person!) than I could be by someone who just lost 25 lbs. - not that that isn't a great accomplishment also, it's just that as far as looking for leadership qualities I think you'd bring more to the table. (no pun intended )

Keep us updated on how you make out.

 

[poohraedopey]

WOW first of CONGRATULATIONS on making your goal and maintianing it to becoem a lifetime member that is awesome! It's a tough road but you made it! BE PROUD!

Now as for the whole you can't work for WW thing! Totally not fair! I think if possible financially timewise etc you should do whatever schooling it takes to become a diet tech to start then maybe a registered dietician! Clearly you know what it takes to do it and who better to be a counselor than one who has done it and can really show others how they did and how to succeed! UGH I am just plain sorry that is really an unfair rule because it was a drs recomendation for goal not theirs! That is actually one reason I won't do WW I would never be their ideal for me. I didn't even know you could get a Dr's goal prescribed when I went a while ago they told me I would have to be at their goal weight to be a lifetime and all of my mini goals would be based on that weight which was 20 or so pounds under my personal and drs suggested goal.

 

[dizneegirl]

You know, it's things like this that create competition... Jenny Craig started her own program after she lost weight with another program (was it WW or NutriSystem?)...

The guy that started Papa John's pizza used to work for Dominos...

Maybe you don't need WW.