Tomorrow we have a Weight Watchers At Work open house at Corporate in the third-floor presentation room, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. The next Weight Watchers session starts in two weeks, on Friday, August 29, and runs 13 weeks, including one free week. We’ll need 15 people throughout the bank to sign up. Employees who aren’t at Corporate can also count toward that number, will get all the benefits of the program, and can attend Weight Watchers meetings in their own towns. The session costs $156, which can be automatically deducted from your payroll, and includes 14 weeks of access to Weight Watchers’ e-tools.

Susie Horter has worked for Weight Watchers for 16 years, and has led North Shore Bank’s Weight Watchers At Work sessions since November 2012. Shorelines asked Susie to talk about her experience with the program and how members can get the most out of it. “I love working with the employees of North Shore Bank,” she said. “They’re just a very motivated group of people, and they’re very kind and supportive. Even if you have a little bit of doubt about signing up, just come for the open house and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”

Shorelines: What is your role as leader of the bank’s Weight Watchers group?

Susie: I have two jobs at the weekly meetings. From 10:30 to 11, I hold a weigh-in. Employees come in for a one-on-one, semiprivate weigh-in, and they can talk to me about any challenges they’re having. Then, from 11 to 11:30, as opposed to leading a discussion, I try to facilitate one, get everyone engaged so that everybody feels like they’re part of the group and motivated. A couple weeks ago, the topic was how small changes can lead to big payoffs, so we went around and everyone gave examples of small changes. So it’s not really me standing up there and talking for 30 minutes. After the discussion, I provide encouragement, maybe a test or something to work on for the week, and a little information on what we’re talking about next week, to get people interested in coming back.

How did you start working for Weight Watchers?

To be an employee, you have to be a member. After my second child was born — he’s 18 now — I decided to go to Weight Watchers and I ended up losing 47 pounds. I reached my goal weight and maintained it for six weeks, which meant I became a lifetime member, and was then qualified to be an employee.

A lot of people want to lose weight but don’t sign up for Weight Watchers. What do you think stops them?

One of the obstacles might just be a matter of privacy. Maybe people are uncomfortable being in a group setting with their coworkers. For those people, I would suggest sitting in on a meeting for free — come see what it’s like. I try to inform new people that you can participate as much or as little as you want. It’s important for everyone to know that we’re all in the same boat.

Also, some people may not understand the real nature of Weight Watchers. They look at it as “Oh, that’s just one more diet scheme.” But it is a comprehensive lifestyle plan that helps people to lose weight while allowing them to eat anything that they want.

I’ve heard people say Weight Watchers is the only program that really works.

Obviously, I’m biased. But it does.

What surprises new members about Weight Watchers?

How easy the program is to understand. I think people are pleasantly surprised when they really, truly can eat whatever they want and they can lose weight. It’s not a “don’t do this.” It’s more: “Here, let us help you figure out what path is best for you.”

What’s the biggest challenge for people trying to stick with Weight Watchers?

They’re not always able to look at the little things they’re doing well and see that as success. Sometimes I think the only parameter people use to measure success is whether they’ve lose weight. You can have a perfect week on Weight Watchers and not lose an ounce. So you’ve got to focus on “how can I keep myself going?” We say you always get the weight you deserve, but you don’t always get it on the day you deserve it.

How about the cost of the program? What do you tell someone for whom money is tight right now?

One way to look at it is: How much is it costing you now because you’re overweight? What are the hidden costs — diabetes medication, or medication for blood pressure? Your quality of life improves greatly because you’re in Weight Watchers, and I don’t think you can put a price tag on that.