Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Infighting

There's a cutthroat world of infighting amongst Weight Watchers leaders.

It seems astonishing to me, but there you go.

I hadn't really though about it much, although some of the signs were there. I've seen Beth going through an audit (someone from Corporate came and sat in our meeting...) and had her ask me to attend a different meeting for one week so she could pad her numbers.

There's competition between the different leaders at our center. Beth's constantly telling us that we're her "best" meeting. I thought she was kidding. Or trying to make us feel better.

Yesterday, she told Thomas and I that the Wednesday night leader was still "claiming" us, and that she'd had to fight about it. (We signed up on a Wednesday night, and tried a couple of different leaders before we found someone we liked...) Certainly, I want Beth to be able to "take credit" for our retention as members. I'm quite sure we wouldn't still be attending meetings if we had to put up with the idiot on Tuesday nights.

I don't know why it didn't really occur to me that this is a competitive business. I mean, we all know that the Diet Industry is huge, hungry, and unethical. I'm sure even Weight Watchers has some deep dark secret somewhere...

And certainly, with this member-grabbing fight going on, there's definitely someone's job/raise at stake.

Turns out, we are Beth's best meeting. For the whole district, our center has the largest Monday meetings. Monday is apparently not a hot day for weight loss. Most people weigh in on Tuesdays, or Fridays. Beth's theory about this is that people want to feel less accountable for what they eat over the weekend... by weighing in before the weekend, they feel that they can eat more during the weekend, because they have "all week" to take it off. Or by weighing in on Tuesday, they've had "a few extra days" to behave after the weekend. I admit, I do this a bit myself. Thomas and I usually have a splurge meal/food item every week and I refuse to eat it on Sunday, because it'll "stick around" for my weigh in. Silly, but there ya go.

Beth is always telling us how much weight, as a group, we've lost. And praising us for our attendance and retention. (The Monday group has a 68% retention since January, and we lost over 72 pounds this week!)

Until Beth was telling us, however, that she'd had to fight to get us moved over to "her" numbers... it just hadn't dawned on me exactly how important these things are.

Especially, as she confided to us, Thomas and I are two of the "biggest losers".

(Thomas made 50 pounds yesterday... and I just didn't quite get to my 45 pound bling... by like .6 pounds.)

9 comments:

Twix said...

Wow! That's a big eye opener. Thank you for sharing that!

Keep up the great weight loss!! Have a great week! :)

Chanda (aka Bea) said...

Who knew WW was so cut throat, but you're right, how could it not be considering the industry. I've fallen off the WW wagon once again, but have maintained my weightloss, and even managed to lose a few more lbs. I find I get caught up in the competitiveness found within the memebers, and for me that's not good.

Im very impressed and extremely proud of your success, I know it is no easy task. Way to work it!

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

That's so sad. Of all environments, you'd think that one would be team-centered. Sheesh!

Congrats on the loss! I need 0.6 for my next bling, too. Race you? :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info, I didn't even think about that in WW. Congrats on yours & Thomas' losses. You'll get that new badge in no time!

Brightcetera said...

Here I thought it was a lovefest...all supportive & lalala.
Cheers to Thomas on his 50 lb loss & to you for your almost 45!!

Slenderella said...

Sigh, there's unhealthy competition everywhere.

But hey, congrats on being considered the biggest losers! Looking forward to seeing your bling next week.

Anonymous said...

WOW I had no idea.
it shouldnt surprise me as there is infighting in all businesses and, alas, WW is at it's core a biz---but it did.

kudos to you, however (and T.) for being a BIG OLE LOSER.

:)

K @ Running Through Life said...

Wow, I never thought about that. Crazy.
Congrats to you and Thomas! Big accomplishments!!!!!!!

SeaShore said...

I am surprised about the WW competitiveness, but really I shouldn't be: it's a business, afterall.

I work at a non-profit that exists for the benefit of those with mental health issues. People think I must have a very laid-back, understanding work environment, but it's just as stressful as anywhere else I've worked.