Friday, June 29, 2007

DENIED as a Success Story. Yep, you read it right. My application was not approved by the Science and Nutrition Team at Weight Watchers because I lost my weight at a rate of 2.3 lbs per week. Their "rapid weight loss policy is based on the threshold at which poor outcomes are more likely to occur, and it states that a healthy rate-of-loss must be 2 lbs or less per week from starting weight to goal weight". I feel like I am being punished for being an overachiever. How is it my fault that the program works this well for me? I can't control the rate that my body loses weight.

Should I have cheated on the program? Exercised less? Not been ON PLAN every freaking day? I only did what Weight Watchers tells us to, and to the "T" I might add. I visited two different doctors throughout my journey just to be sure that it was OK to lose the way I was. I wanted to make sure that I was doing everything right. I know that I was losing fast, but as I said I was doing what the program says! Both doctors felt I was VERY healthy, and were quite impressed with my weight loss and fitness level. They told me to continue exactly what I was doing. I can't believe I will not achieve one of my personal goals because I did the job too well. It seems so unfair.

There is a petition on the Weight Watchers Message Boards to try to get them to change their minds. Here's the LINK for anyone that wants to sign.

THANKS TO EVERYONE on the message boards I belong to. Your support was exactly what I needed today. I AM a Success Story, I'm YOUR Success Story. I never could have done this without you all.

17 comments:

Shirls said...

wow! talk about a shock. I'm heartbroken over this, I know how much you wanted it, how incredible you have been on program and how beyond supportive you are and then this last personal goal denied, this is beyond wrong for so many reasons and I hope WW wakes up and fixes it and soon.

Paige said...

i just saw this on marie's blog. i am shocked. absolutely ridiculous. hang in there

Jamie Lyn said...

I am so sorry :( You deserved this more than any one I know. You are truely an inspiration and in my opinion you are already a success story; especially to me :).

JL

Unknown said...

i think what you've done is amazing and though WW decided to pass, you ARE still a success and such an inspiration to the rest of it... your photos are amazing - love the hair! :o)

Vanessa said...

You've worked so hard and done such a fantastic job on this program. It is absolutely ridiculous that you're being denied because you did "too well"!

I hope the people at WW can pull their heads outta their asses long enough to correct their obvious mistake.

Jellyarmsrme said...

Shrunk - I am so sorry to hear that your story was denied. I will DEFINITELY be signing the petition...you are an incredible success story no matter what WW says!! YOU ROCK WOMAN!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Dear Shauna,
it is an amazing journey you have made and you for sure was a great inspiration to many. I would like to tell you that this world is not idealistic and plenty of time is unfair. Right now it's unfair to you (from your point of you). But please do not lose a bigger picture when struggling with WW ideology and rules. There are millions of people in the world dying of poverty, hunger, disease and war every single day! How fair it is for them? Did they deserve it? When fighting my daily struggles for justice in Canada, I often do think of them.

I also think about was Meryl Streep said about fame. One day you are on the cover of a magazine and next day everyone is stepping on your face in subway.

What matters more is how you touched hearts of the other people and how much you motivated them.
Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Sylvia

gigglechick said...

.3 pounds over? that stinks...

Jaime said...

You are taking this so well! Yet another reason I can't believe that you've been denied. Chances of them changing their minds are slim, but I for one will get on board and try to make it happen for you. Sucks to be them!!!

Anonymous said...

You rock babe!

Angela Power said...

I am in utter shock. I personally feel betrayed by this for some reason!

You know that you rock the house and everyone adores and worships your success, so good on ya girl, you're gorgeous and an excellent role model!

Askazombiehousewife said...

I lost fast on WW too.
I gained for a health issue.
Have you tried sending your story to people :-)

Mandy said...

WTF????? I cannot believe WW would be so petty and ridiculous especially when you are one of those 'results not common' stories. So it happened faster for you - the point is that you did it and you're healthy. Wow. This is nuts!!!!!!!!!!! Good for you for the amazing attitude - if it were me I'd be a mess. You are a strong, confident, sexy, thin woman and a hell of a success story, no matter what WW says!!!!!

YOU KICK ASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

molly said...

I agree w/ iportion. Send your story to People-more people to see your story! Won't WW be sad they passed you up?

You look great! Did you see my sister highlighted you on our site? Absolutely incredible pictures. Exactly what I needed to see TODAY. The day I wanted to give up. Thanks so much for following through on your goals. It's helping me.

Patti Erickson said...

Just happened onto your blog! What a story! Your story has encouraged me today!

The Narrator said...

I heard of your denial through the US GDT.

I lost weight through Weight Watchers at almost exactly the same rate you did. I was 28 years old when I lost, and I also followed the plan perfectly. I exercised every day and never - literally, not once - did I exceed my points target. Between February 8, 2005, and July, 2005, I dropped 55 pounds. I think my average was 2.2 pounds per week. When I started maintenance, I slowed to about a pound a week. By September, I had lost another ten pounds. I felt great. Never once did I receive anything from Weight Watchers that said I wasn't doing it "right," nor did my leader ever express anything but congratulations.

I also applied to be a success story - I haven't heard back, but it should be interesting to hear if I get the same denial that you do.

The US GDT suggested that you pimp your story out to another magazine as a success story. I wholeheartedly agree. Lots of publications look for weight losses like yours to feature.

And here's my advice: Tell them that you lost it by following a balanced, reduced calorie, lower-fat diet; by exercising; by regularly monitoring your loss; and by celebrating your successes with others. If Weight Watchers does not feature you, fine....but you won't feature them either. They will have lost an excellent free publicity opportunity.

Khris said...

HOW DAMN RUDE!!! They dont tell us that when we sign up do they?? Not that I will have that problem. I wish...LOL...but I am disgusted hearing that this has happened. And more power to you for doing what you have done and looking terriric...Khris in Oz