New Weight Watchers Coaching Service Aimed at Losing Holiday Pounds Fast
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iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Nancy Novo has gained 50 pounds in the last three years but the 26-year-old bride-to-be hopes to drop it before her wedding by working with a personal weight loss coach through Weight Watchers’ new program.
The new service that launched this month gives members one-on-one access to certified coaches who have successfully lost weight on the program themselves. The coaches are available 24-7 for phone calls, live chats or emails.
“I really need the accountability, someone to keep me accountable to create better habits for myself,” Novo, of Hermosa Beach, Calif., told ABC News.
Like so many others, Novo said she’s an emotional eater, which is something Weight Watchers addresses in their new ad campaign for the program.
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Experts say the right support system can be crucial to maintaining weight loss.
“It’s having that one person who understands you – kind of like your own personal medical doctor — who understands your history, understands your challenges in life,” said Eat to Lose, Eat to Win author Rachel Beller. “If you can have that, that can be priceless for long-term success.”
Novo’s coach Laura Marhefka has been a Weight Watchers member for ten years, allowing her to understand how hard it can be to get past emotional eating and to share those lessons.
“We’re there to help with the hard part. Everyone’s hard part is different,” said Marhefka. “I continue to motivate [Nancy], to guide her and to have her continue to feel good about herself and what she’s doing.”
Novo hopes working with a coach will give her the extra push to reach her goal by next summer.
“Since I joined Weight Watchers, I’ve lost 12 pounds,” she said. “I feel much better. I feel more confident. I feel like I can actually achieve the goal.”
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