*At 6 months, participants in a clinical trial of the WW weight-loss program lost an average of 9.7 lbs (5% of body weight). And, people who track their food more often lose more weight. When actual WW members track their food at least two times a week for 6 months they lose on average 16.6 lbs. (7.9% body weight). Chelsea lost weight on prior program and myWW and continued on myWW+.
As told to Katerina Gkionis
My “why” for signing up: After I completed my first year of law school in May 2019, I was so excited to celebrate. I pulled out my summer clothes from storage, threw some outfits in a suitcase, and hopped on a plane for a trip to the Caribbean with my girlfriends. Upon arriving, though, I discovered the clothing I had packed was too tight. I ended up wearing stretchy biker shorts the entire time and was in a terrible mood. Something had to change. A friend of mine had once suggested we try keto together, but I knew that wasn’t sustainable for me. I had heard about another friend’s success with WW, so a few days after I got back from my trip, I joined the program as a Digital member.
My biggest challenge going in: That first year of law school was a lot. In addition to having a full schedule of classes, I was studying in the library seven days a week. I deeply wanted to excel, and my health and habits fell to the side. I snacked on chips and usually ate lunch and dinner on the fly, grabbing things like pizza and quesadillas with my classmates. A subtle weight gain of about 15 pounds crept on—and I wasn’t at my ideal weight to begin with. In devoting so much energy to my studies, I wasn’t paying attention to the full view of my wellbeing. My goal in joining WW was to implement better time management and take control.
What I eat in a day:
| Then | Now | |
|---|---|---|
Breakfast | Two egg and cheese biscuits with hazelnut iced coffee | Omelet with red peppers, onion, mushroom, jalapeño, and reduced-fat cheese with “proffee” (espresso plus a protein shake) |
Lunch | Chicken quesadilla | Low-carb wrap with grilled chicken breast, raw veggies like banana peppers and tomato, and spreadable cheese |
Dinner | Takeout cheese pizza | Two-Ingredient-Dough Pizza topped with chicken sausage, turkey pepperoni, tomato sauce, onion, sliced bell pepper, and mozzarella |
Snacks | Chips | Fruit and a protein bar |
How WW set me up for success: During the first few weeks of WW, I learned a lot about meal prepping—and how getting in the habit could help me have good things to eat on my busy days. I kept it super simple: For breakfast, I learned to make quick meals at home like scrambled eggs with sautéed veggies; for lunch, I started bringing a homemade turkey or chicken wrap to the library. I still took breaks with my friends—I usually just ate what I brought with me. And when I didn’t bring lunch? I tracked whatever I ordered for my meal and went on with my day.
About four months into the program, I set up an Instagram profile dedicated to my journey and began connecting with a whole virtual community. It was interesting: In some ways I felt more comfortable sharing with my online friends than the friends in my personal life! Sometimes there’s a sense of shame that comes with feeling like you have a problem with food. My virtual friends really understood that and cheered me on.
How healthier choices made my whole day better: After I lost my first 10 pounds*, I decided to try incorporating exercise into my day. Along with my sister, I signed up for a fitness class that met at 6:15 every morning. The workout combines treadmill, rowing machine, and work on the mat. I wanted that intensity—even though I had to work with the coach to build my fitness gradually. Before WW, I never thought I had time for anything but schoolwork. Once I started planning out my schedule to prioritize my well-being, I realized I could fit in workouts, too. They help me start my day on the right foot.
My most surprising non-scale victory: One day at the beginning of 2020, when I had lost about 25 pounds*, I put on a belt and was shocked to find it was too big on me. I burst into happy tears—I just couldn’t believe it. When I first started WW, none of my jeans fit. I only bought the belt in fall of 2019 when they started getting loose. Now here I was, having to cut a new hole in that belt just so I could get dressed that day! That moment was really meaningful. I had worked hard to achieve a healthier balance in my life, and it was actually paying off.
What my life looks like today: I’m currently finishing my last year of law school and I have a Peloton treadmill—I just completed my 50th run! Beyond the 38 pounds* I’ve lost, I feel completely different now. I’m more sure of myself, more fired up. And my confidence doesn’t come from looking a certain way; I feel confident because I’ve proven to myself that I can do this: I can excel in law school; I can adapt to difficult circumstances; I can take care of myself and thrive. Who knows what I’ll accomplish next?
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