Passed the WW training session, that is. I am not… quite….. a leader yet. I have to do four mentoring sessions at actual meetings with members, and when I pass THOSE I’ll be a bona fide WW leader!!
The weekend was so intense. Really good. I have to say, the training is super impressive. It’s incredibly thorough and designed to make members have a truly great experience. I think any problem that anybody has with WW can’t be from the program itself, because I’ve come to believe that the program is pretty darned impeccable. It would be because a leader can’t really deliver it well, or they’ve become complacent or tired. Because what we’re supposed to do, is well, just really good stuff. The program is solid. It’s good. And what we’re supposed to do for members is also pretty over-the-top swell. The thing is, to do this all well is no piece of cake! (no pun intended) We’re supposed to incorporate many elements into a short meeting time time frame. Each element is designed to support members in various ways. It is a LOT. And a lot to remember. But it’s also awesome.
I was in a group of ten trainees. Everyone was great. It was kind of awesome to spend three days with a group of people who all have the same health and eating habits (with variations, of course!). I was amused to see that most of us very much enjoyed our bacon at breakfast, (only one point!) we LOVE talking about food ad infinitum. I had a couple of workout buddies who joined me at the hotel gym, and that was fun. We’ve all come a long way in our journeys. People had lost a range of weight, one person over 100 pounds, which I found incredibly inspiring and moving. We’ve all Been There. I think I’m one of the most recent Lifetimers and have maintained for the shortest amount of time, so seeing them gave me confidence and hope.
We had little practice sessions all along, which were both nervewracking and helpful. But today was the Big Kahuna – we had to prepare for and lead an entire meeting on our own, after having been assigned a specific topic. It was INTENSE! The hour and a half prep period reminded me of Top Chef… “Your time starts… NOW!” and everyone just flew into action, drawing on flip charts, looking stuff up, going into corners to mutter to ourselves, etc. The adrenaline was flowing like the mighty Mississippi. But everyone pulled it together, and did it, in their own unique ways. I survived mine; I think it was went well although I was “clearly nervous” for the first five minutes or so. I calmed down once I started asking questions and having more dialogue with the members (I have to remember this!). Anyway, it’s done! It was really a remarkable experience.
I am not ready to sleep for about three days! (ha)
October 17, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing you at a meeting soon!
PS So what DID you wear?!?
October 17, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Wendy, I was debating this until the very last minute! Fortunately I had a great roommate who has some fashion sense. I was trying to choose between a more comfortable but formal black skirt-and-top outfit (but also… tooo much black!) or a kind of clingy flowered dress. She asked, “Do you have a sweater?” and it turned out to be a perfect combo (clingy dress + flowy open sweater). She said that since she lost her weight she is a great fan of layering – when one layer of a slightly clingy fabric feels too revealing, but you still want to “show off” a little bit, putting a looser top on it is the perfect solution. Something else I learned during training!
October 18, 2009 at 12:26 am
Wow! Sounds like you had a terrific experience. Many congrats. It’s also very reassuring to hear that the program is so solid even on the inside track. Good for you!
October 18, 2009 at 2:28 am
Layering is an awesome “tool”.
And I am so proud of you and I got all excited just reading your post. Wahooo! Awesome!
What you said at then end is so true. If you can start a conversation with your audience (trainees/participants/whoever you are talking “to”) it makes is so much easier.
Congratulations on one more step in your journey!!!
October 18, 2009 at 11:43 am
Now I want to go buy a clingy floral dress and an awesome sweater.
I have toying with the idea of WW for a while. I’d have to give up cheat day 😦 But I might move forward (or down) more purposefully unstead of wobbling veeeeery slowly down like a leaf.
October 18, 2009 at 11:52 am
No, you don’t have to give up cheat day! There’s room for that “built in” to WW if you want to do that. Seriously.
October 18, 2009 at 5:24 pm
That must have been a really cool group of people. And I’m so not surprised how you talked about food the whole time! That’s what always happens when foodies unite, it’s so much fun.
October 19, 2009 at 9:16 am
Congratulations! You sound very excited!
October 19, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hey Roomie!!! I am lovin’ your blog. This is so cool! Now I can read all about your adventures as WW Leader Apprentice, and finally bonafide leader!
This weekend was awesome and inspiring and such a learning experience. I have learned so much about myself! Number one being that I can do some public speaking without feeling the need to vomit or pass out. HA!
Quickly, I wanted to tell Lark that, yes, WW does have wiggle room for cheat days. In fact, my cheat day was right after passing BLS Training. Pizza and beer anyone???
Again, thanks for sharing your blog!
October 19, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Congratulations! I’m so very happy and excited for you! It sounds like your experience was very positive–even though you were a little nervous during your presentation. Who wouldn’t be? I liked the Top Chef analogy–oh boy, I can just imagine! :-0 You’re very supportive & encouraging. I think you’ll make a tremendous WW leader. There’s a good reason why WW has been around for so many decades.
October 19, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I am so excited and proud! Seriously you have the sincere heart and that is going to be so very helpful to so many. I would be all over WW if you were at my local meeting just to be near you. Yeah your that great 🙂