Weight loss brings many gains

We are all familiar with success stories of people losing weight, but for two Stratford women, their journey is as much about gaining - friendship and confidence - as it is about losing.

Vanessa Watkins and Angela Craike met through the popular eating plan Weight Watchers, and say their friendship came from sharing in each other's successes and progress.

"Weight Watchers meetings are really welcoming, it is like having an extended family to support you," says Vanessa, who is a Weight Watchers leader for meetings in Stratford and Hawera.

Angela agrees. "Everyone understands your journey, and when someone achieves their goal, or has a great week, the rest are really happy for them, and celebrate with them."

Vanessa says that when Angela first came to meetings, "she was very quiet, she tried to blend into the background, but I could soon see her real personality coming through, as she started seeing success and I really wanted her to share that enthusiasm with the other members". Vanessa encouraged Angela to volunteer as a meeting team member, "as she is so good with people, and it gave her more confidence as she started helping other people".

Angela says that helping people achieve their goals is one of the most rewarding parts of being a meeting team member, along with seeing people gain confidence.

"Everything about my family life is different now. I am more active with the children and we now do things like go swimming or go for walks rather than just watch a movie or stay at home," says Angela, a mother of two.

Lifestyle change is part of the success of the Weight Watchers plan, says Vanessa. "It is about changing how you eat, not having to cook separate meals for you and your family, nothing is forbidden or bad for you." She says that the plan is often described as being "what healthy eaters do without thinking".

Vanessa and Angela agree that walking into the first Weight Watchers meeting can be scary.

losing weight is hard, but then again, being overweight is hard too

Both say that as they began families and got busy with work and children's activities, "the weight just kept creeping up", something they say lots of people would have experienced.

Angela says anyone feeling unhappy with their weight should consider trying Weight Watchers, "the only thing you have to lose is weight".

Vanessa adds that the feeling of achievement is incredible. "I am married, have two kids but reaching my goal weight would be right up there with those moments as being the best in my life."

Between them, the two women have lost just under 100kg but say they have gained much more in terms of confidence and friendship than can be measured.

Meetings take place in Stratford at the Senior Citizen's Hall on Thursdays at noon and 6pm. Meetings in Hawera are on Tuesdays at 6pm at the Old Folks Association.