Weight Watchers -- My Side Effects

by Anonymous

For well over five years I was a member of the Weight Watchers. I learned everything about nutrition, exercise and their point system.

Every week standing on the scale in front of other members was too much for me. I always was close to crying if the scale was not running downwards.

I lost 48 pounds over the years. This is very easy to do. All you have to do is imagine failing on the scale in front of all the others.

I just stopped eating. It was like a drug. I had to stand on the scale and lose the most of all. So not to eat or to chuck up became obsessive.

My husband recognized my changes -- not the weight one only -- more the changes in my behavior. Do he took me to a doctor, who was a psychiatrist. I really did not know this at first.

I think I overlooked much that time. Now I know that being at Weight Watchers is being part of the group. Being part of group which swears "no" to being overdue with their points and to lose weight every week more than the week before. This can bring you into devils paradise.

Panic attacks about failing on the scale and restless nights, because of frightness about my weight -- or as the psychiatrist told me: "You went down with your weight and you ran into panic attacks and depression."

Weight Watcher was like a drug to me. Others need their cigarettes, I needed my weight to lose and the emotional lift up by the WW group.

Only ten pounds (of the lost 48) are left. I feel better without my drug. I never would send a sensible person to a Weight Watchers meeting, because I know what can happen.

Note from Dr. Dan

Dear Anonymous,

Your story is very touching.

For some people the meetings are supportive and uplifting. In those people the meetings might be just what they need.

But the very last thing anyone needs that is trying to lose weight is the feeling of being pressured or humiliated.

Losing weight with all that goes with it -- looking better, feeling better, becoming more energized -- should be a positive experience. If it is not, you should find a program that is.

Dr. Dan