GreyStone employees drop pounds with Weight Watchers

GreyStone Power Corporation’s Human Resources department launched a Weight Watchers program in March, and since then many of the co-op’s employees have worked hard to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. The group met weekly through June 18 to weigh in and discuss their progress and challenges. By the end of the 14-week program, 40 participating employees had collectively lost 464.24 pounds.

Of the participants, eight employees reached their goal of losing 10 percent of their body weight. A cash prize drawing offered an extra incentive for participants to reach the 10 percent goal.  

Lineman Jeremy Thurman says he participated in Weight Watchers for his little girl and his wife. “I want to be able to do as much with my daughter as I can. The way I was gaining weight wasn’t helping,” he says. Jeremy was pleased with his progress six weeks into the program. “I just feel a lot better. I’ve lost 18 pounds. Now if I can just stick with it and realize it’s a lifestyle change,” he says.

Software Developer Suzy Watson started Weight Watchers on her own in May 2012. She says she was beginning to see health problems in her family, and as she approached her thirtieth birthday, she wanted to avoid going down a similar path. “For me, it’s not just about the weight. It’s about being healthier and changing my lifestyle. Weight Watchers helps me be aware and mindful of the food I’m eating,” she says.

Suzy says Weight Watchers works for her because she’s actively tracking her food intake. The program uses a points system to give every food a value that takes into account a food’s protein, carbohydrates, fat and fiber.

One of the huge benefits of the program, Suzy says, are the eTools that help her monitor her progress. A line chart on the Weight Watchers website clearly illustrates her weight loss. Since starting the program, she has lost 30 pounds and gone from 34 percent body fat to 27 percent. Her dress size has dropped from a size 16 to a size 8.

When Suzy started Weight Watchers, she also joined a local Gold’s Gym. She enjoys a variety of fitness classes with activities such as cardio, yoga and weight lifting. Visiting the gym also means more activity points for Weight Watchers participants. Suzy is thankful for a few extra points every now and then. “One of the things I really like about Weight Watchers is that they do allocate some splurge points,” she says.

With so many employees participating in Weight Watchers, Suzy has drawn on her co-workers for support. “It’s been helpful to work out with people I work with,” she says. Since the Weight Watchers meetings have been sponsored at GreyStone, Suzy says that has also helped her to be more accountable for her progress.

After a year of being on Weight Watchers, Suzy says she feels good about her progress. “I’m a lot happier and healthier than I’ve been in years,” she says. 

Human Resources Benefits Administrator Carla Pierce says that after the success of the program, another Weight Watchers session is planned for the fall.

GreyStone Power serves more than 106,500 members in portions of eight counties, including Paulding, Douglas, Fulton, Cobb, Carroll, Bartow, Fayette and Coweta counties. Learn more at www.greystonepower.com.