Support is so important on this journey of losing weight and becoming the healthiest version we can be.  But I am not just talking about the support from our family and close friends, which is very important. 

I am talking about the support and the accountability that is found in a group.  A group of individuals who are all on a similar journey.  A group of individuals who “get it”.  They have been there.  They understand.  And there is NO judgement.

Finding that kind of group is priceless.  And if we are lucky enough to find a group where we can find support and understanding and accountability, where we can nod and think, “yes, I too have felt that way” or “yes, I have been there too”, then we really need to hold on to that group, cultivating relationships that will last.  Relationships built on shared experiences, and a shared journey.

That group experience is what drew me to Weight Watchers in the first place. 

And Weight Watchers is where I found a group like that in 2005 when I joined for the 5^th time.  The members in that meeting were my “tribe”.  We celebrated together, lifted each other up when we were down, shared ideas, shared tips, shared our journeys.  We laughed together and sometimes cried together.  We were all on this weight loss journey, a similar journey, yet an individual journey, too.

That group helped me to reach so many aha’s…. those lightbulb moments.  That group and the leader helped me to believe in me and helped me to reach my goals. 

And then I had to leave. 

I have found other groups here and there in the many places I have lived over the years.  And as a coach for WW, I met many individuals who inspired me to continue to work on being the best version of me that I could be.  I found people I connected with in those groups I lead.  They were a part of my tribe, but leading was not the same as being a member, a part of the group where we all shared our struggles, challenges and successes. For 12 years I have struggled to find my “tribe”, that group where I could just be a member, contributing and connecting with others, who are on this shared journey.

Until now.

2 months ago, a group of my friends and ladies I had met through WW workshops, and those who had become my walking partners and 5k partners, decided we all would like and needed more accountability and support. 

So, we started meeting every Monday night via zoom.  And we met in person, once a month.  This has become MY tribe.  The tribe I had been missing.  The tribe that is helping me reach the goals I am setting for myself.  When I am struggling, they “get it”.  They just “get it”.   NO judgement. 

Oh, how I have needed this.

These ladies inspire me so much!  We support each other throughout the week and check in to see how we are all doing with the commitments we make to each other.  We discuss topics that are of interest to us, our challenges and our successes.  We celebrate each others success and we understand each persons challenges.  We ALL “get it”!  We are friends.  We are a tribe!

Yes, I have needed this.

Our group has grown a little and each new face is welcomed as if they are an old friend.  THAT is what a tribe is like.  THAT is what I have been looking for.  And THAT is what I have found with these ladies, my friends. 

Do you have a support group for your journey?  A group outside your family?  Maybe you found your tribe in a WW Workshop?  Or through another friend who attends a group? 

This journey is HARD!  Really HARD!  But doing this journey with a tribe of others who are also somewhere on that same journey, well, it makes it just a little bit easier.  

My tribe has made this perfectly imperfect journey easier for me!  And that makes it perfect for me!