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

by WeightWatchers, Duchess of York Sarah (Foreword)

Many of us have struggled with getting a grip on eating, exercise, or health habits, breaking the yo-yo diet cycle, or overcoming a complicated relationship with food. Now Weight Watchers, one of the world's leaders in providing weight-loss information and services, opens its doors so readers everywhere can read the motivational stories of people who've lost weight successfully-and changed their lives along the way. Start Living, Start Losing shares 100 stories of everyday people and celebrities who reveal in compelling, moving, and sometimes humorous detail their journeys toward slimming down.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Short Stories

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[Rama Rao · Rating 2 out of 5]

Motivational Stories for the Listener

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.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is broken down in several sections and each section has stories that members have written in their own words. There are sections on losing weight for health reasons, for weddings, as a group, for men, etc. Each person's story then ends with a quote and a "take-away" thought, such as: plan your meals ahead of time (to avoid temptation later), don't make a one day error become a week-long failure, etc.
Weight Watchers Start Living, Start Losing" has over sixty stories from men and women who successfully lost weight. Although some of the essayists are well known, most of them are ordinary people who needed to lose weight for one reason or another. The book covers four major themes throughout the stories: 1) I Need to Change; 2) I Can do it; 3) I Need to Create a Supportive Environment; and 4) I Changed My Life. The chapters in the book cover issues such as changing your relationship with food; how your family affects your eating habits and dieting; body-image issues; eating and work; embracing challenge; seeking good health; life-altering transitions like being a new bride or mother; men's journey to weight loss; and the power of team work. At the end of each story there is a quote from the story and a thing called "Take-Away" that highlights the helpful hints in the story. At the end of each chapter there is a small journaling space where you answer questions and write lists to help reinforce what you learned in the chapter.

I liked "Weight Watchers, Start Living, Start Loving" for a number of reasons. For one thing, while most of the essays do mention Weight Watchers (both on and off-line) and the POINTS system, the book isn't used to push Weight Watchers. In fact, some of the essays don't mention Weight Watchers at all. While some of the people in the book have lost a lost of weight (over 100 pounds) other people needed to lose as little as twenty pounds but still struggled to take the weight off. Also, most of the people mention how exercise is as important as dieting while trying to lose weight. The stories also mention that it is important to set small goals for weight loss (trying to focus on losing five pounds instead of fifty) because it takes time to lose weight and it can be frustrating to see the pounds come off slowly. The stories also don't make Weight Watchers seem like a miracle cure

[Agnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

UPDATE: I did make plantains today and they were great! Thanks for the recipe idea, Seth. I just fried them in a little oil and salted them. Yum.

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A little new year's resolution fun. Yeah, the stories are mildly motivating, but I'd rather watch a "Biggest Loser" marathon anyday.

One good tip from the book: in order to fight food boredom and get more nutrition into your diet, every week, try one new fruit or vegetable that you've never cooked/eaten. Ugli fruit anyone? My top contenders for next week are plantains (never cooked it), okra (I am not even sure what it is - I had to look it up on wikipedia - the South might kick me out if I'm not careful), and bok choy (never cooked it).

Another interesting factoid I was glad to learn from the book: Jenny McCarthy weighed 211 pounds after the birth of her baby, after gaining 90 lbs during her pregnancy. She looked pretty great on Dec 19: http://movies.about.com/od/yesman/ig/...

I think my brain is wasting away, so I'll go read something with substance now...right after I read more of the "Biggest Loser" trainer's book...

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started Weight Watchers (again) this week so I thought this might be an interesting read for me as I start the journey again. The book was okay. I enjoyed it for the most part. I think its always interesting to read about other peoples journeys. There were a few interesting tips that I picked up while reading it but I'd expected to get more out of it than I did. There are a variety of different stories here which is good but there is also a lot of the same stuff over and over again. Which isn't unexpected, I guess. I was hoping for more real-life tips ... things to help me as I do this program again.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fear was that this book would read like an extended Weight Watchers advertisement or brochure. In actuality, it was very informational and the stories were useful and heartfelt. I came away feeling motivated enough to sign up for Weight Watchers again. This book would be helpful to anyone trying to lose weight, whether or not they were planning on using Weight Watchers. The book features a "takeaway tip" at the end of each story, which I found to be particularly helpful. I'm glad I purchased the book for my home library.

[AngiJo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book from cover to cover (Kindle Edition) and found the stories quite inspirational. Many of the tips, however, are tried and true and didn't find many that I hadn't heard before. I think it's good to have this in your arsenal when you find yourself veering off the path of a healthy lifestyle. Note that the kindle edition doesn't have chapters and therefore you basically can't skip ahead or go back easily. So highlighting a bit in each story is a must in order to create artificial dividers.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Weight Watchers member, I found the stories inspiring and the tips helpful. I like reading about success stories, but I came to find that they are also appearing on the Weight Watchers website and in the magazine, so I'm glad I borrowed the book. I guess if you wanted a reference with the stories all in one place, this would be a good buy.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in like 2 weeks because, I kept it in my van while waiting for the kids to get out of school I'd read it. BEST 15.00 I have ever spent!! It's just little 2-3 page story's on how other people in Weight Watchers have done and thier struggles and non struggles. If your on Weight Watchers and having a few issues or in that stage where you dont' think it's working get this book.

[Bethany Lockhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stories and tips in here. Each story is short and easy to read and features a snapshot of each persons journey. I first started to read the book straight through, but found it more enjoyable to read one or two profiles each time I picked up the book. I could relate to may of the stories since I'm on my own weight loss journey.

[Marta Timbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am the kind of person who reads about another person's success and it motivates me, so this book has been a good read so far. Not to mention that each story is only 3 or 4 pages, so if you are someone who gets interrupted a lot (like me!) it's kind of nice!

[Leisl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, actually. It was rather inspiring to read these stories. However, I felt they were too short. I guess I wanted each story to not be quite so short. I wanted the novella version of each of their stories.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories are interesting to read. They can definitely help with motivation while on the program. The stories are very diverse, which is good, but also not good because you won't identify with all or even most of the writers.

[Melissa Dally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, the most helpful part was the little "Take Away" tips at the end of the chapter. Some of the stories I could relate to which was nice. I know it isn't the point, but before and after pictures like they do in their magazine would have added to the tales.

[Nikkimama]

great inspirational stories from people that want to help themselves. quick read and very motivating!

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped when i was doing weight watchers if i missed a meeting i was able to pick up this book and get my motivation for the week.

[Dee Tighe · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

[KKHedge2015 · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspirational for WW members

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inspiration to keep going on the healthy path!