Page 52 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING scaling down
BEYOND THE SCALE
OFFERS WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT
For many people, weight loss is a constant goal, though one that isn’t always easy to achieve. With seemingly endless
possibilities for new fad diets and workout strategies, choosing the right path can be a difficult decision.
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Susan Ragusa
One method that countless people have found success with
is Weight Watchers, a weight
loss program that hinges on its SmartPoints® system of counting the nutritional value of foods and drinks. While the system itself makes eating healthy much more simple, the Weight Watchers approach also connects members through face-to-face meetings and social media. Susan Ragusa is a leader of one of these groups and has been a lifetime member of Weight Watchers since 1990.
“I think people seek out groups like mine because they don’t want to feel that they’re alone on this journey,” Ragusa said. “Many people also need the added accountability of a group such as ours. We have a lot of fun in our meetings, and for many people it is the only thing they do all week that’s just for them.”
The goal of groups like Ragusa’s is to bridge the gap between weight loss and the lifestyle goals of each member, both on and off the scale. Fittingly, the name of this Weight Watchers strategy is Beyond the Scale. In 2018, this program has been revamped and renamed FreestyleTM.
“The FreestyleTM program builds on our incredibly effective SmartPoints® system and has even more benefits than ever,” Ragusa said. “The new program
is much easier and encourages members to move around for pleasure, not just because they should, and gives them the skills that help them to think differently about themselves. It frees them
to focus on what really matters in their weight-loss journey — nourishing their whole self and doing more of the things they enjoy.”
While group members each
have their own reason for losing weight, whether it be losing weight to look better and be more confident in their own skin or to become healthier and not rely on so many medications. Whatever the motivation, having support beyond the scale has been a game- changer for many in Ragusa’s group. “No matter the goal,
we are there the whole way to celebrate every time you achieve a milestone,” she said.
Ragusa’s group is open to Weight Watchers members and meets twice a week, Tuesday evenings
at Sunkist Country Club in Biloxi and Wednesday mornings at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs.
Facebook Page:
Susan Ragusa WW Group 228.324.2160
52 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2018
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