Losing weight — and keeping it off — is a lot easier when you have expert guidance from the leader in weight loss and its supportive community. just rolled out its most customized program ever, and it’s poised to continue to help millions of members around the world accomplish their weight-loss and wellness goals in 2020. With myWW™, each new member takes a personal assessment which matches them with a customized program that can make losing weight easier.
While many members follow and succeed on the WW program using the WW app, those who would like a little extra expert guidance and consistent support swear by the weekly WW Workshops to keep them accountable and help them stay on track. WW Coaches host weekly 30-minute Workshops at over 800 Studios nationwide.
James Caris is a WW member at the WW Studio Fullerton. Learn more about his weight-loss journey and get inspired!
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
How did you get started with WW?
James: I’d tried different programs before where I was successful in losing weight, but I always gained it back very quickly. A friend of mine told me about WW and how it really worked for them, so 21 months ago I decided to join. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’ve lost 85 pounds!
I love that with WW, I can eat the foods I like — I just have to count the SmartPoints™. (WW’s proprietary SmartPoints system simplifies complex nutritional information into a simple number to easily guide your eating decisions to support weight loss.) I like that there are no special foods I have to buy.
What excites you most about the new customized myWW program?
James: I love the fact that myWW offers customized weight-loss plans. Members just take the myWW personal assessment, and then WW’s smart algorithm matches them with a customized and proven weight-loss plan.
How has your local WW community helped you in your weight-loss and wellness journey?
James: The WW Coaches and members are like a family! Everyone is so warm, friendly and encouraging.
Do you have any favorite Workshops or Coaches?
James: My favorite WW Coach is Jennifer Bennett. Jennifer is so full of energy — it’s contagious. I also love her transparency — she was overweight, too, at one point and understands us. (WW Coaches are all previous members who have lost weight with WW and now share their knowledge and support with WW members at weekly Workshops.)
What are the best nutrition and/or fitness tips you’ve picked up from WW?
James: We call exercise “movement.” If you can move, you can exercise. I love taking a walk alongside our local creek and taking pictures of nature.
What is something your friends or loved ones are most surprised about WW when they hear you are on it?
James: That I have lost 85 pounds being able to eat the foods I like and that I haven’t had to buy any special foods.
What is your favorite ZeroPoint food? Favorite food/treat?
ZeroPoint foods form the foundation of a healthy eating pattern, and are foods you don’t have to track! Depending on your customized plan, they can include foods like chicken breast, fat-free Greek yogurt, all vegetables and more.
James: There are so many ZeroPoint foods that it’s difficult to choose just one, but I’d have to say eggs are my favorite. I enjoy eggs every day for breakfast. I also enjoy boneless, skinless chicken breast.
What is your favorite local hot spot for a healthy meal? Or to indulge?
James: We love Cracker Barrel. There are so many low SmartPoint foods on the menu. We also love Hibachi Grill. They have a lot of low-SmartPoint choices, but it still feels like we’re indulging.
What is your advice to others who want to lose weight but don’t know how to get started?
James: My advice would be to come with me to my WW Studio and find out how easy losing weight on WW can be.
Beyond the weight loss, how has WW affected your lifestyle and your approach to wellness?
James: Losing weight has given me so much more energy. Plus, I am now off my blood pressure meds!
How would you describe yourself in three words before WW? After?
James: Before WW, I was unhealthy, sluggish and undisciplined. After WW, I’d say I’m healthy, energetic and disciplined.
What is your New Year’s resolution?
James: My 2020 resolution is to continue my WW journey and to maintain my current weight loss throughout this whole new year.
How WW Can Help You Find Success
WW is a weight-loss program that takes a people-focused, science-backed approach to promoting weight loss and healthy living. Its new program, myWW, is fully customized to make losing weight easier for you.
When you join myWW, you’ll start with a personal assessment that asks a range of questions about your unique food preferences, activity level, lifestyle and approach to weight loss. Based on your responses, WW will scientifically match you with a customized, proven weight-loss plan that can make losing weight easier.
Why Visit a WW Studio?
Every person in the WW Studio is on your side! The friendly guides and expert Coaches will quickly become your greatest motivators and sources of support to make 2020 the year you reach your weight-loss goals!
Workshops held at WW Studio locations cover topics that are relevant to weight loss, health and wellness. You can participate as much or as little as you want. There are WW Workshops during the morning, afternoon and evening, seven days a week. This gives you flexibility to attend the Workshop time/day/location that works for during any particular week and ensure your accountability network is always accessible.
Based on years of research, the WW Workshop curriculum is always evolving to bring the best science-backed techniques to help you lose weight and build healthy habits for life.
‡ People following the WW plan can expect to lose 1-2 lbs/wk.
