
Over the last decade my life has undergone some enormous and irreversible changes – I got married, had children, changed careers. I moved house, fought for an autism diagnosis and an EHC plan, coped with two newborns, one miscarriage, watched my children grow, go to school and nursery, turn into little people. Over that time span, slowly, but oh-so surely, I have gained weight. Looking back at that list, it is not surprising really – so much was packed into such a relatively short space of time, and much of it took a huge toll emotionally. And, during all those times, through the stress and worry and heartbreak, my instinct has always been to eat.
Food is the coping mechanism that has got me through some of the most rewarding and challenging times of my life. But, at the beginning of this year, I reached a watershed, a moment when I became aware that something must change, a realisation that my health and my future depend on extricating myself from this cycle. When Weight Watchers contacted me to ask me to try their Flex programme, I was already coming to this conclusion myself.
I had toyed with the idea of joining many times before, come so close to clicking that button. And the reason I hadn’t? Worry about whether I would spend money and then not stick to it, nervousness about going to a meeting and revealing myself to others, fear that I would just fail anyway, the thought that if I was going to do it I needed to do it alone – these were all reasons that stopped me signing up to a weight loss club or programme in the past. Then, Weight Watchers came along and gave me the push I needed to get started.
And I am so happy that they did.
I am wholeheartedly a Weight Watchers convert and there is no question that I will be continuing with the programme after my work with Weight Watchers has finished. All of the fears listed above have melted away and I am so enthusiastic about continuing.
Not only this, but I have found that the Flex programme has been perfect for me. I feel like this could really be the thing that helps me finally reach, and stick to, a healthy weight. As well as being easy to stick to, and fun, Flex truly is Flexible enough to be part of my routine indefinitely – not just for a quick fix or until I reach a goal weight.
Fabulous Flex
With Flex, no food is entirely off-limits. During the course of my 5 weeks plan I had takeaway pizza (with low-fat cheese) not once, but twice. Not only that, on both of those weeks, I lost weight. Flex is brilliant because your SmartPoints budget is tailored to you, It is totally flexible, with daily and weekly SmartPoints built-in for treats and special occasions. Unlike a traditional calorie-controlled only diet, there are so many foods that are entirely free and so I was never hungry. On the days I had my special treat meals I did not starve myself for the rest of the day; I had filling meals at breakfast and lunch too. This is because foods like vegetables, fruits, pulses, lean meat and eggs are 0 SmartPoints.
Below you can see a little taste of my time on Weight Watchers Flex, in my one second a day video. Hopefully it gives you a little glimpse into how easily it fitted in with my usual routine.
Recipes Galore
Another thing that I absolutely LOVED about being on Flex was all the supporting material. The recipes are great, both on the app and in the available books. And I mean really great –
I had as much fun baking with the kids, devising meal plans and cooking as I did eating these dishes. The Weight Watchers Bakes Butternut Squash Cake is a now a family favourite – and it is only 6 SmartPoints for a proper slice of cake!
Weight Watchers Flex Meetings
During my time on the programme to date I attended one meeting spoke with my local Weight Watchers advisor on the phone several times. The meeting was nowhere near as intimidating as I expected and I genuinely had a great time.
There was no issue with me bringing Littlest along at all – in fact she had fun there too. The atmosphere was informal and relaxed and there was no much support to hand, both in the form of products, recipe books and resources, and from the other people attending and their inspiring stories.
I was absolutely distraught that I did not have any cash as the shop had so many delectable Weight Watchers products on offer:
The Weight Watchers App
The Weight Watchers App is another aspect which I found to be hugely helpful. I love a gadget and I love the organisation and challenge of logging food and activity in an app. Being a blogger, I am rarely more than a few feet away from my phone and therefore it is SO easy for me to log what I am eating with the bar code scanner or manually. This is so important when you are a busy parent and trying to juggle ten things at once. The last thing you need is for tracking your meals and snacks to become a chore.
The bar code scanner is absolutely fabulous. During the whole period, I did not find a single item that did not scan and give me the SmartPoints value immediately. I found tracking my progress to be hugely satisfying and motivating in making myself stick to my SmartPoints budget. Each day that you track, and stay in your target, you get a little blue circle on your calendar.
There is also a brilliant section on the app called “Connect” which allows you to follow other people and post updates. I found it so inspirational to see so many people who had made a permanent change to healthier eating habits. The app also synchronises to apps like Track My Run, so you can easily keep a total record of your food an exercise habits.
The Verdict
Weight Watchers allowed me full access to all their materials for a five-week period for free. They also compensated me for my time. However, I have already signed up to extend this. I will be a paying customer from now on. For the first time in a very long time, I actually feel like losing weight, and staying healthy, really is possible. I am filled with positivity about the future – and I have lost 1st 2lbs.
I feel lighter in more ways than one.
Well done on your achievements so far! I’ve not heard about Weight Watchers Flex before, but as I have some baby weight to lose I must look into it to see if it’s for me 🙂
Thanks so much – I am up to 1st 7lbs now and loving it 🙂
Great to see WW Flex is working out well for you. It really does seem to have struck a chord with so many people who have been thinking about weight loss!
I am so glad that I started it. Feeling really positive about being able to stick to it long term!
Well done on doing so well with it so far! I’m sure it’s taken a lot of willpower and hard work on your part. I’m definitely in the same boat with having put on more weight than I’d like over the last few years, and I’ve often wondered about doing something like WW, but been a bit intimidated and worried about throwing money away. The Flex programme sounds brilliant, and I love the barcode scanner app – it’s amazing what modern technology can do to make life easier!
I am really determined to do it this time – but I must admit I have found flex really easy to stick to. So hopeful you might not recognise me at our next meeting! 🙂 Thank you.
This is a timely post for me as I’ve been intrigued by ww flex, it looks like a great plan. I’ve been breastfeeding for years and years but now my daughter is 3 I’m finding as my milk supply decreases I’m gaining weight. I feel like I need a little help reminding me of correct portion sizes and hidden calories again! I’ve been toying with the idea of trying flex so it’s great to read you’ve had a positive experience.
You’ve done so incredibly well and your weight loss is inspiring. I’m mostly pleased to read and see how your confidence has grown over the last 5 weeks. You are a beautiful person inside and out and I hope with time your new found confidence will grow and grow. You deserve it! X
Your just glowing in that last photo, even your hair looks silky and nourished. I’ve fallen onto that cycle of eating to survive not eating to thrive and sadly it’s become a poor role model for the children, Lewis already has challenging diet issues due to his ASD and SPD and Beth’s Coeliac disease and diabetes also means our lives are rules by her limitations foodwise…I’ve all but given up. Seeing you so healthy has given me a wake up call….I hope I can follow through this time xx
Well done! I joined for 5 weeks and lost 10 lbs. Then it was Js borthday, Christmas and we moved house. I have maintained though which I am thrilled about. I really could do with another go now though.
I loved looking at all those old photos of you! You are looking amazing Danielle – huge well done! xx
I’ve been looking into Weight Watchers recently as a way to lose my baby weight, so it’s great to hear it worked so well for you! Well done!
I have never heard of this weight watchers flex ! You have done super well with it . Fair play to you . You look amazing lady 🙌
Well done!! That’s a brilliant loss, I need to find the motivation to do the same. I’ve done weight watchers multiple times, it’s a really easy plan to follow.
A massive congratulations to you! It takes a great level of strength and will power to change yourself for your own health! I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your journey & I hope you achieve all of your goals!
http://www.nmdiaries.com
Congratulations. Such amazing results. I love the sound of Weight Watchers. I love that it’s not a diet and that it’s more of a lifestyle change. I love that you still get to enjoy food too and that there is such a lovely community around it. xx
This sounds amazing and you’ve done so well! I love how flexible this plan sounds and I extra love that you can eat cake and pizza! I’ve heard so many good things about weight watchers, it sounds like it really works xx
Ooh this sounds great! Everyone around my area always harps on about the other weightloss company but I never found their plans worked for me! Great that you are so motivated! Good luck lovely! xxx
It sounds like a good diet without feeling like a diet, it has changed over the years and sounds a lot better, you can see you have lost weight, I need to do something, I skip meals instead of diet control to try to lose weight and it doesn’t work, I will have one meal a day and a few snacks throughout the day but mostly love I’m sugary tea which isn’t good, my fiance has just suffered a massive heart attack and is lucky to with us so we are now eating healthier and more often but it’s a slow learning process and we are waiting to go on a rehabilitation course to learn what’s best, although he’s never been over weight, he’s the gutter one out of us so it’s shaken me up a bit, he’s only 42 xxx
The most useful post on weight loss that I have read in ages. Thank you and well done.
Well done , i have alot to lose , have made a good start , might look into this x
I struggled with the new flex plan when it came in but could really do with giving it another go. X
Iv’e just joined so looking forward to see how i go