VERY angry with Weight Watchers

[SnackyStacky]

Good news and bad news....

The good news is that I made lifetime today. For anyonew unfamiliar with weight watchers, once you hit your goal weight, and maintain for 6 weeks, you become a lifetime member. You never have to pay registration fees, and you can go to meetings and weigh in as often as you like for free.

The bad news....

I asked about becoming a leader, and was told that because my goal weight is doctor prescribed, and NOT weight watchers goal weight, I can't work for them.

I have lost over 150 pounds in 16 months. When you lose that much, that quick, you end up with skin! I have about 20-30 pounds of it, and it ain't goin' NOWHERE without surgery! So Weight Watchers is telling me that not ONLY am I not skinny enough, that I never will be.

Thank you Weight Watchers for helping me achieve my goal, and making me feel like a complete failure all at the same time.

Sorry. I REALLY had to vent that. I've called corporate headquarters and am writing a letter, but I have a feeling that I really won't ever work for them.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Dan, that is really awful! If you lost your weight on their plan, what's the problem? they want you down another 30? Is that healthy?

Don't let them get you down, my friend. You have done an amazing thing, you have made a whole new life. Losing the weight that was not healthy phisically allowed you to become so much more confident that you found the woman of your dreams aznd you were'nt afraid to make the lifetime commitment to her. YOu are nothing but a success, and if WW doesn't want you being a leader, well, it is their loss. There is much more to losing pounds than just being smaller. Shame on them for not seeing it.

 

[TigH]

Oh, Dan! I am so proud of you! And feeling so sad at the same time. Congratulations on making goal. I can feel the frustration in your post, sweetie. YOU HAVE REALLY DONE SO WELL, and you look (and feel) fantastic. I hope that you DO get some kind of positive response. This is just not acceptable to me. I don't understand this BS with the WW goal, like you said, you have that extra skin that isn't going anywhere. The point is you followed their program and lost a substantial amount of weight. You have improved your health, added YEARS to your life, increased your confidence, made a life-changing decision to get married (increased your self worth incredibly to decide you were "worthy" enough to get married now!) I can't even begin to list all the positive changes that you have made in your life as a result of WW.

Please know you are in my thoughts, sweetie. It is an outrage that corporate policies like this can trample one persons dream (well, you have lots of dreams, this was just one). Please keep us updated. This just doesn't make any sense.

Hugs, Karen xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo And congratulations again on making your GOAL!!!!!

 

[tlgoblue]

Hey Dan!
Congratulations! You are an inspiration to all who know you and have followed your progress! As far as weight watchers goes, fooey on them! Yes it may be true that their plan helped you, but you are the one who did the work. Don't rely on them for your sense of success! From what I can tell, you are a very motivated person, and any plan would have been successful for you. There are other places where your success can be inspiring. Hey, they took your $$, you reached your goal, and they have nothing to gain from you. Big business at it's finest. Keep what you've learned about you, and never surrender! You are no longer in need of their services. (However, a cathartic letter always does wonders to help sever a spent relationship! ) I'm really happy for you! Congratulations again!

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[nativetxn]

Dan, I'm so sorry you are feeling disappointed. I would be feeling disappointed too. I think you would be a wonderful WW leader.

Katholyn

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Dan, I'd be very ticked off too. How dare they? You could be such an inspiration to people with a lot to lose and they are squandering that opportunity based on THEIR unrealistic expectations. Boo for them.

Don't let them get you down. I look at you and see what I can do with perserverance and support. You are a leader here, and that counts for a whole lot!

 

[kamgen]

Dan that is terrible!!! I am so proud of you and you have inspired me so much!!!!
I would definitely write a letter to WW corporate and to Oprah! Tell her that story! She has featured WW success many times and this is so unfortunate!
Don't let it get you down! You are a WISH leader and we need you!

 

[FergieTCat]

Dan,

I thought you could change your goal number if you had written consent from your doctor. Did you ask them about that? (And if you did, I guess it's not true).

I'll never be a lifetime member because my goal is above the goal on the weight chart. Oh well. When I lose another 80 pounds, I'll be happy no matter what.

But be happy anyway!!!!

 

[lmhall2000]

I'd be miffed and asking for manager names, (politely of course )-I would be curious to know how many of their "leaders" have lost as much as you?? I'm sure there are many "leaders" who have lost less than 30 pounds and kept it off and that makes them more of a support figure than you??? But I firmly believe wherever a door is closed God opens a window- there could be dozens of ways you could be a leader- by writing to upper management, sharing your story with Oprah!, setting up a detailed website that chronicles your experience, getting the word out that you are a SUCCESS!!! And you are sweetie- and that's the most important thing- not what some corporation has set as standards that don't apply to all the people.

Let us know what they say!!
Tara

 

[mowsie dreamer]

Dan, Congratulations on making lifetime at WW. That says volumes about your committment, hard work and dedication in getting there.

I am puzzled as to why the WW organization would not want someone who has accomplished all that you have as a leader? I would think they would be begging you to be a leader--what a success story you are for them! And speaking as a person who has a lot of weight to lose, I would find it very motivating and inspiring to know that my leader had started where I am and had successfully completed the program!

Well, their loss is our gain, because you ARE a leader in this community! That just gives you more time to spend with us and your motivation and inspiration are needed here! I find so much inspiration in the fact that you have been able to do what I am attempting to do!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Hi everybody. Thank you all for your incredible support.

Donna - I did change my goal. But, in order to be an employee of Weight Watchers, you have to be at THEIR goal, not the doctor's goal.

I've given the situation a LOT of thought, and the outcome of this it will determine a lot for me. If this doesn't turn out the way I want it to, I may not do Weight Watchers anymore. I know the program inside and out, I have all of you for support, and I can weigh myself in weekly. I can't stand by and support a program that is telling me that I'm not good enough. Because all of you are absolutely right, and I don't doubt for a minute that I am. But for THEM to tell I'm not really gets me steamed.

I did place a call to the 800 number, addressed my complaints, and was told they'd be forwarded to corporate and that they would most definitely be calling me.

I also wrote a letter to them. Here's what I said:

To whom it may concern:

I have been a Weight Watcher’s member for 16 months now. In that time, I have successfully lost over 150 pounds, and achieved lifetime membership status.

Today, I inquired about employment with Weight Watchers, and was told that in order to work for Weight Watchers, I have to be at the goal weight prescribed by Weight Watchers, and not at a doctor prescribed goal. When I found this out, I was somewhat taken aback, and very angered.

When I first came to Weight Watchers, the thing that most bothered me was the fact that there were no men working. There may be men working in the Buffalo area, but in the several different meeting times that I have gone to, I have not seen a single male employee. I addressed this to my leader, and her advice was to get to goal, become a lifetime member, and start working.

I had every intention of doing this. There is a poster at my meeting center saying that lifetime members are eligible to work, so I had no doubt that I would be able to motivate and help people the way that I was helped.

I absolutely had to get a doctor’s note because losing 150 pounds in 16 months results in a lot of excess skin. I have a good 20-30 pounds of it, and short of surgery, there is absolutely no way that I will ever be at the goal weight that Weight Watchers prescribes.

Furthermore, there is no way that Weight Watchers can know better than my doctor what is best for me. To have the blanket policy that you do is ludicrous. I don’t feel that I should have to share this information, but I am 6’2” tall. I currently weigh 200 pounds. At a minimum, I have 20 pounds of skin, which would put my weight at 180, which is one pound above where someone my age and height should be. I probably, however, have more skin than that. It’s probably about 30 pounds, which would put me at 170 pounds, which is WELL below the Weight Watchers prescribed range. I have included a photograph of myself to prove these statements.

Your program has helped me to achieve my goals, and at the same time, make me feel like a complete failure. It’s as though you’re telling me that I am not skinny enough, and never will be. And at the same time, you’re also telling me that your program is for women, and women only.

I am currently employed as a musician, and am seen by thousands of people on a weekly basis. Many have seen my accomplishments, and many of them have asked me how I lost my weight. I used to recommend Weight Watchers with unwavering certainty. However, unless my case is looked at on an individual basis, I will not be referring anybody else. I cannot, nor will I endorse a program that makes me feel like a complete failure.

I would have put it in my letter to Oprah too, but I sent that out a couple of weeks ago. I still haven't heard anything from her, but I remain cautiously optimistic!

Thank you again everybody!!! You're all the best!

 

[Jomrog]

Dan,
You have certainately been an inspiration here. It's a shame that WW's is being so shallow.

I have no doubt that you would be a wonderful weight loss counselor because you lived it. Keep at it, maybe you just talked to the wrong person.

Good luck!!

 

[nativetxn]

That is a great letter, Dan. You should send a copy of it to Oprah, too. It might make them take a second look at your story. It certainly won't cost you more than a stamp to send it to Oprah. I think it is worth 37 cents, don't you?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Wow, I just can't believe this! That is just plain awfull. I agree with everyone that posted on your achievements and wonderful determination. But when you have been working so hard to get to lifetime, so you could turn around and help others, (which is incredibly admirable) that they turn you down flat, is just terrible. That is a very well worded letter, and I hope you do get some results from it. I would continue to pursue this myelf, and not stop until you get to the top.

You are not a failure!!! You are an incredible person, who truly is admired here!

 

[maryliz]

You would be an awesome WW leader -- your accomplishments are amazing, and I would think that they would want to have someone like you on their team. The fact they have recognized you as a lifetime member says to me that you should be able to reap ALL of the 'benefits' of that standing.

You are certainly a WISH leader, and have reached so many of us. I hope you get the opportunity with WW that you're looking for. WW will certainly reap the rewards if you were in their employ. Funny that they can't seem to see that

Mary Liz

 

[KathyTX]

A couple of things:

First, I love the way you write, Dan! You are a master at crafting clear, well-organized thoughts and telling compelling stories. I think that's a testament to the power of your communication skills (which are probably the most important qualification of a WW leader!)

Second, it seems like WW used to have separate goal weight ranges for men and women. Now there's just one range. Completely putting aside the issue of excess skin, men and women are really built differently. (Duh. And get your minds out of the gutter!) Men's bodies typically have a greater concentration of muscle, and different proportions. Where 179 might be a good goal weight for a 6'2" woman, a 6'2" man is a whole different animal. (I don't know a lot of 6'2" women, so I'm speculating a bit here. )

WW does recognize changes in the weight ranges for different age groups, but not genders. I think you have a really good point in that WW seems to be targeted almost exclusively toward women these days. Not a good thing. (There are several men in my WW meeting, and the mix is really nice. They do tend to have some different issues and challenges with the progam, though.)

I think WW is missing the boat here, too. And the way they've communicated (and miscommunicated) with you is very disappointing.

(And don't even get me started on all the hoops you'd have to jump through to CHANGE your goal weight! Sheesh. As you move into higher age brackets, the weight ranges go higher. But your own goal weight stays locked in at whatever number you first settled on. So the goal weight you choose at 21 will STILL be your goal weight at 51...)

 

[mum4jenn]

That is such a shame.Do they realize how many people you could reach by being a part of their team??

YEARS ago I reached my goal weight at WW and worked as a receptionist for awhile. When I went 2 pounds over my goal,(which still put me under the minimum for my age) I was told I could not work there anymore until I lost the 2 pounds. I went into a depression and gained more. I have been no where close to even my beginning weight since then.

I hope they make an exception for you. You are a very deserving young man!!! I know how upsetting this is but don't let happen to you what happened to me. I am very proud of everything you have accomplished.

 

[irishdoll7]

Dan,

How sad that WW want officially make you a leader because you already are a leader here for the WW group. I do alot of "lurking" and have always found your post very helpful and informative. In fact, you posted something a week or so ago on "what to do when you hit a plateau" and it is now taped to my computer moniter for me to refer to in time of need.

Maybe you could set-up a WW help group here on the disboard? Some place where we could come and post/ask you questions rather than having to wait till our meetings? I enjoy the WW program and feel really bad that they would want a stero type person. Very disappointing.

BUT all that aside - I would like to take the time and say Congratulations on your engagement and your new outward shell. I know the inward self is wonderful already.

Shanon

 

[TigH]

I agree with KathyTX, you are a gifted writer!!! I think you should send a copy of that letter to Oprah too. What a shame. Everyone is right, you are a terrific inspiration to US, what the heck is WW doing by not letting you into the fold to be an inspiration as a leader?

Just like alot of women feel comfortable working out at Curves, I bet there are lots of overweight men who would feel comfortable with a male leader.

Please let us know what happens. What a shame. It's like a slap in the face. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You have really transformed yourself, and we are all very impressed with the changes you have made. Your before and after pictures were what set a fire under my DH to get him to try WW with me.

Good luck, Dan!

 

[geetey]

ACK!! You mean WW fires people if they move from their goal weight?!?! That's awful!!!! This is LIFE, people, and everyone flucuates up and down. This makes me very sad.

Dan,
Please know YOU decide who makes you feel like a failure or a success. Do NOT give them the power to make you feel like a failure!! You are a HUGE success!! HUGE, I say!!! Your accomplishment is life-changing, so grab it and go. Remember all of the reasons why you wanted to lose weight (being a leader probably wasn't your primary reason ) and enjoy life. Phooey

on them if you don't see the stupidity of their decision! This just stinks.