Our next Weight Watchers At Work 12-week session begins on Sep 11. It’s an opportunity to lose weight with support from your coworkers using a program that is proven to work. It’s open to both Corporate employees and those at our branches, the discounted cost for the session ($156) can be deducted from your payroll, and you’ll receive benefits like free e-tools and a free gift. You can see Nancy Hanson’s post from last week for more information. If you’re at Corporate, there will be a free informational meeting tomorrow, Aug 28, at 11am in the 3rd Floor Presentation Room.

This week, we asked Senior Deposit Operations Specialist Kristin Hoch to talk about how she’s lost more than 20 pounds on Weight Watchers At Work this year, and why the program has worked for her.

Kristin Hoch

How much weight have you lost?
As of Aug 14, I was down 23.8 pounds. I have gained a couple back, but I’m not going to let that deter me! I expect to be back down by the next weigh-in.

When did you start Weight Watchers At Work?
I started the first week of March. This is my second session.

Why did you start Weight Watchers?
Obviously, to lose weight — not only to look good, but also to be able to do more physically, to be more physically fit. There were a couple of motivating factors:

• I had heard of others at the bank losing weight through Weight Watchers, but I’d tried it before and was not successful. Then I saw two coworkers lose the weight, firsthand! I thought, if they could do it, why couldn’t I?

• Last year I climbed 1,034 steps for the American Lung Association in the Fight for Air Climb. Because I was so out of shape, it was an incredible struggle for me, and I made a goal for myself to lose weight and get in shape so that by next year, I can halve the time it took me to climb. I joined Weight Watchers that very week.

Why has the program worked for you?
Because I believe in the program and, more important, because I believe in myself. I gave Weight Watchers a second shot after seeing the others lose weight. When I joined, I wasn’t convinced it would work for me, but I decided to just give it my all and follow the program and see what happened. As soon as I lost the first five pounds, I realized I could continue to lose if I just continued following the plan. That’s exactly what I do now. I just take it one week at a time, and if I lose half a pound, I’ve still lost. I have also had to learn to deal with the weeks I gain, to forgive myself and move on.

Why should other bank employees try Weight Watchers?
Because Weight Watchers works. Even if you have been trying for years to lose weight — even if you have tried Weight Watchers before — if you actually follow the plan, you will lose the weight. It’s as simple as that.