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Weight Watchers Facebook[/caption]
Seton Hall’s Weight Watchers program, offered every Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for SHU faculty and staff, focuses on creating a safe and sustainable way to achieve overall well-being.
Ileana Farris, who helped organize the group at SHU two years ago, spends five days a week working at Seton Hall University’s Human Resources department where she plans, researches and analyzes benefit programs for faculty and staff.
However that doesn’t leave her with much time to focus on her own health.
But, once a week, Farris takes time to focus on her own prosperity through the Weight Watchers program.
“It’s like a mini workshop that’s filled with a lot of humor,” she said. “We’re constantly laughing.”
Contrary to popular belief, the program is not solely about eating clean and weighing yourself. Overall well-being is the primary goal.
“Although we do get weighed every meeting, it’s more than that,” Farris added. “We talk about how our week was and build a sense of community, so I find it extremely therapeutic and uplifting.”
She said she strongly stands by the effectiveness of the program and adds that you will gain friends and a sense of identity after joining.
Farris said the emotional benefits of the program surprisingly outweigh the physical benefits.
Jenna Stewart, a team leader from Weight Watchers, said the group is doing extremely well.
“I have already had several members reach their 5 percent and 10 percent milestones since joining the program 10 weeks ago,” Stewart said.
Stewart is confident in the program and said that it has helped her in her weight loss journey.
After having tried half a dozen times to lose weight, Stewart found that Weight Watchers was the only program that not only helped her lose weight, but sustain her weight loss with easy everyday skills.
Although the Weight Watchers program at SHU does not currently have any student participants, it is not against the idea.
“Whether or not the Weight Watchers would be open to students depends on existing members deciding if that would be feasible,” Stewart said. “In some cases a partnership can be forged between the student coordinator and the client contact.”
While the program is not offered to students right now, anyone who is interested should contact Farris, who said she would be happy to help students coordinate their own group.
Mackenzie Scibetta can be reached at mackenzie.scibetta@student.shu.
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