by Vinny Knowles

Created on: October 29, 2009

Can a person go to one Weight Watcher meeting, sign up, and just use the materials to achieve weight loss? Perhaps it is possible, but it is not very probable. Weight Watchers has a rich history and a lot of success stories that reflect that it is beneficial to attend the weekly meetings.

When you go to the meetings each week, several things are accomplished. First you weigh in. Weight Watchers' members know this. The very fact, that someone is going to look at your weight and write it down in a little box on your card( as an eternal reminder of what you did that week), somehow motivates you to try everything in your power to make that scale read lower.

Your pocket book is also accountability. You do not attend the meetings for free (unless you have reached your goal and maintained it for a specified period of time). You will really want to kick yourself when you get on the scale and find that you are shucking out money to have someone tell you, "You are a pound up this week". You will want to scream and run out the door, but you can not do that because you have paid to attend the meeting! The membership fee, though a deterrent to some people, actually motivates you to make it work.

And there is something about misery that loves company. If you had a bad weigh in, it helps to hear someone else say, "I blew it this week too." You realize that you are not in it on your own. You are not the only one in the world who is struggling with these weight issues.

The social interaction with friends (who in the beginning may have been complete strangers to you), will encourage you to return. When you give a tip that has helped you or say something encouraging to someone that helps them toward success, you will feel good about having done so.

The Instructors at Weight Watchers know what they are talking about. They have been a part of the program and have had success. Everyone who is a leader must have reached their goal and maintained it for a certain period of time and be within 2 pounds of their Weight Watcher's goal range. They know the struggles because they have struggled themselves. They share information from studies on weight related issues. Weight Watchers does not have their head in the sand when it comes to research. It is constantly updating its materials to reflect the latest findings and how to achieve success in lieu of the new studies. They keep their members updated through their meetings and through their many resources.

The Weight Watchers meeting site is a great resource for purchasing snack items, keeping up to date on your program materials, and for picking up tools to assist you in your weight loss. They have cookbooks, measuring utensils, journals and a variety of other things that you can purchase.

By going to the meetings you can also participate in their awards program. At different intervals you are recognized for your achievements in front of the group. This not only encourages you, but it encourages your fellow members. You are given small tokens (a star, a key chain) to remind you of your success. They also have periodic giveaways.

If you are doing Weight Watchers, you will definitely find attending the meetings regularly keeps you on track and will help you to reach your weight loss goal.

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