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After

Before	Name Michelle Age 40 Height 5'4" Was 185 lbs Lost   50 lbs* Weight 135 lbs As of 07/07/2004 *Results not typical.
For Michelle, the best part about subscribing to the Weight Watchers Online weight-loss plan is checking her POINTS® budget at all hours of the day or night.

The year before my wedding, I lost 40 pounds* on Weight Watchers. But two kids later, it had all crept back. I decided to try again after running into a friend who'd lost 25 pounds* on the plan. I subscribed to Weight Watchers Online because I'm a consultant with erratic hours and two kids.

What it Takes
There were two major factors that helped me to drop 50 pounds in 10 months*: sheer motivation and the ease of following the POINTS® Weight-Loss System online. I'm always on the computer so it's a cinch for me to log on and track my POINTS values or check my progress.

And I never feel like I'm dieting alone because the online community is super-encouraging and always accessible. The community does fun things like challenging one another to exercise four times in one week. We check each other's progress through emails and by posting on the Message Boards.

The Exercise Habit
I used to be a binge exerciser – I'd work out in short, intense spurts, then stop entirely. It was next to impossible to carve out solid time to go to the gym. Then I found a thread on the Message Boards talking about an exercise video line called "The Firm" that tones your body through cardio and aerobics. Doing The Firm got me so into the habit of working out that I bought an elliptical machine.

Family Affair
My family has definitely benefited from my being on the Plan. Now I can take long bike rides with my husband and daughters without tiring halfway through. And we've discovered great low-fat treats that everyone loves – frozen grapes, "Skinny Cow" ice cream and "No-Pudge" brownies made with yogurt.

Ultimately, what you need to succeed on Plan is a positive, can-do attitude. This time around I'm committed for life.

Michelle's Tips:

• It can never be said enough: portion control.
  
  
• A plateau means your body has become used to the way you're eating and exercising. You've got to make some changes.
  
  
• If you eat it, write it down.
  
  
• Reward yourself. When I reached my weight-loss goal, I went to an image consultant to help me with a new look for the new me.
  
  
• Allot space in your POINTS budget for the foods you love. For me, it's chocolate.
  
  
• The Plan works, but don't do it until you're truly motivated to change your lifestyle.