Health & Fitness
How This WW (Formerly Weight Watchers) Coach Lost 22 Pounds‡
"Seeing members getting healthier and happier makes me feel motivated. I also enjoy feeling good and strong in my own body."
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. WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) 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.
Silmara Roman is a WW Coach at WW's 23rd Street Studio, 48th Street Studio and 57th Street Studio in Manhattan and the WW Studio Forest Hills in Queens. (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.) Learn more about her weight-loss journey and get inspired!
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
How did you get started with WW?
Silmara: I joined WW 22 years ago after having lost and gained weight back a few times over. Before WW, I was never consistent about my behavior after reaching my goal. I needed to enjoy and trust the process, and WW gave me the support I needed to do just that. I lost 22 pounds with WW and have been maintaining around the same weight for 19 years, even after two pregnancies.
I became a WW Coach 17 years ago. I'm so happy to be able to teach other people about the tools that have helped me to achieve my weight-loss goals.
What do you enjoy most about the WW community?
Silmara: I love the creativity and the support. You can find so many simple ways to hold yourself accountable by getting ideas during your WW Workshops and learning from other people's successes. It makes you believe you can do it, too, and find your way.
What is your favorite thing about the new customized myWW program?
Silmara: The flexibility and the livability of it. Everyone can find a way to be satisfied, splurge on their favorite foods and still be healthy and lose weight. Members take the myWW personal assessment, and then WW's smart algorithm matches them with their very own proven weight-loss plan. If you stick to the plan, you will be able to reach your goals and stay there.
Can you share some of the topics that are discussed in a WW Workshop?
Silmara: We talk about tips on how to handle social events, how to create new habits to support our goals, how to move from a negative to positive mindset, and more.
What is your tip/technique for trying to eat healthfully around the holidays?
Silmara: I create a budget for my splurges every week: I eat ZeroPoint foods before, during and after holiday parties. (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 such as chicken breast, fat-free Greek yogurt, all vegetables and more.) I also drink slowly by alternating my wine with sparkling water.
What's your advice for people who have a New Year's resolution to lose weight?
Silmara: Remember losing weight is a journey you need to enjoy. It's easy to be consistent when you are enjoying the changes you are making. You will get to your goal by making small changes that add up over time.
How do you stay motivated? How do you incorporate activity in your WW lifestyle?
Silmara: I pick small, doable goals every week. I learned to embrace activities that are fun and enjoyable. I love my yoga class because of the music and the teacher, and I run with my neighbors once a week. I also try to reach 10,000 steps every day and dance with my kids in the mornings.
What is your advice for someone who wants to become healthier but doesn’t know where to start?
Silmara: Start with a small goal around one behavior that is bothering you. Are you eating too much sugar or snacking too much? You can start by adding fruits and veggies to your meals to create portion control, or simply plan what you're going to have for breakfast in advance. At our WW Workshops and with the WW program, you’ll learn to trust how little steps like these really add up.
What motivates you as a WW Coach?
Silmara: Seeing members getting healthier and happier makes me feel motivated. I also enjoy feeling good and strong in my own body.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Silmara: Take a look at what's not working for you, and keep trying different things until you find what does. The WW community really inspires and nurtures this practice.
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.
Get Started Losing Weight With WW Today
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.
Find Your Nearest New York City-Area Studio!
‡ People following the WW plan can expect to lose 1-2 lbs/wk.
