Brittany's Making Peace

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). Brittany lost weight on a prior program and is continuing on WeightWatchers. Watch Brittany's journey of losing weight and reconciling with her past in the video below.

In Brittany’s words:
When I was 10, my parents divorced. My mother, brother, and I moved from our hometown. My stepfather battled stomach cancer and passed away. After so much upheaval, I started eating for comfort. I’d polish off a whole carton of ice cream bars. This led to weight gain, so I began trying fad diets, setting off a pattern of yo-yo dieting.

Taking care of myself
Then, at 19, I became pregnant and had to grow up fast. My now-fiancé, Dan, and I were blessed with a healthy girl, Taylor, but my body changed dramatically. After I had my son, Murphy, six years later, I noticed stretch marks around my stomach, too. I wanted to take control of my weight and battle those stretch marks. I wanted to show my children that it was important to take care of yourself. My mother was a WW member, and she encouraged me to join.

Changing my habits
I had been a soda drinker since I was 9 years old. It was in the house, so I drank it. When I was 27, I decided to stop drinking it for my health, and I did it. I also wanted to get more active, so I started working out to fitness DVDs at home. I started exercising every day, and for two years, I worked out to the DVDs six days a week. It became something that I needed to do every day — otherwise, my body didn’t feel good.

Readjusting my mind
As I was losing weight, not only did my body transform, but my mind-set changed, too. I started to appreciate myself more. I realized, “This stomach held my children. This stomach is amazing.” My stretch marks tell a story, and I have come to appreciate them, and all that my body has accomplished.

Home improvement
My fiancé and I bought our first house last year, which was so gratifying! It was a foreclosure, so it’s definitely a fixer-upper. Rather than contracting out the work, my fiancé and I decided to build an entire porch ourselves. I didn’t know much about using tools beyond screwdrivers and hammers, but I asked him and my future father-in-law to teach me how to use a power drill and a circular saw, and they did. I even helped build our custom kitchen table that we made from scratch! Gaining these skills makes me feel empowered. We’re literally making our house a home.

As good as gold
When I was growing up, gymnastics was a huge part of my life — my dream was to be in the Olympics! I went to weekly classes from ages 3 to 10. But as I started gaining weight, everything became harder and my knees started hurting, so I decided to quit. Then as an adult, as I started losing weight and upped my activity, I began working out with fitness DVDs and I became more agile again. Now, I can do cartwheels and bridges, and I practice doing handstands a few times a week. My daughter started taking classes this month, and it’s exciting to share my love of gymnastics with her. Soon we’ll be doing mommy-daughter handstands together!

Loving who I am
Finding peace with my body has helped me find peace in my life. I’ve let go of the anxiety of my childhood, and I can remember the happy times with my mom and my brother. I’ve learned to embrace and love every inch of my imperfectly perfect body. I am so proud of the woman I was, am, and will be! I appreciate each day with Dan and our beautiful children.