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Libby Woock struggled with her weight for years before finding a system that worked for her. She tells SheFinds, “Growing up, I was never ‘skinny,’ and I was always the bigger girl compared to my friends.”
Now, at 35 years old, Libby has committed to a lifestyle that works for her body–but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty of trial and error before finding what actually worked. It wasn’t until three years ago that Libby joined WW.
Before that, she tried out plenty of other ‘quick fixes’ that never did the trick. She explains, “Of course I tried other diets—like Southbeach, as well as body wraps that claimed would jumpstart a healthier lifestyle (it did not!).”
She didn't feel the push to join Weight Watchers until October 2017 when she reached her heaviest weight.
"I remember feeling disgusted and frustrated--not just with how my clothes fit but also with the person I was seeing in the mirror," Libby explained. "I've always been 110% dedicated to my family and my full-time job, and decided it was finally time to put that same effort into myself."
When she joined WW, Libby said she started to notice tangible, sustainable changes--mostly because it wasn't just a diet, but a lifestyle change.
"When I joined WW, I started participating in meetings and looked forward to the weekly weigh-ins. I realized pretty quickly that it was not a diet, but a lifestyle change you need to commit to," Libby explained.
These lifestyle changes first had more to do with smarter food choices, starting at the grocery store.
"I made sure to start creating lists before grocery shopping and made a point to steer clear of junk food like ice cream (my weakness) and chips, that I knew I would most likely finish within a day or two. To this day, more than half of my list is fresh fruits and vegetables that I incorporate into my daily meals and snacks," Libby said.
She didn't start adding exercise to her routine until later.
"At first, there were no workouts involved although I did slowly turn my basement into a small DIY gym and spent hours outdoors walking my neighborhood and riding my bicycle. I eventually hopped on the FitBit train and enjoyed using it to track my steps and workouts, which also connected to the WW app, allowing me to connect with fellow members and become bigger part of the community," she explains.
After committing to WW, Libby was able to reach her goal weight, losing 38 lbs. total. But the lower weight is only one of the changes she's noticed; her improved confidence is another.
"Even now, it's wild for me to look back on old photos or even shop for new clothes (which I had to do after the weight came off)! But I finally feel comfortable in my own skin, and I've gained confidence I never had before," she says.
She adds, "I even became a COVID-bride in October and bought my wedding dress online--something I would have never done for any article of clothing before WW."
And the dress fit perfectly.
