Going to the Student Recreation Center may not be the only way to shed those extra pounds gained over the winter months.

Weight Watchers at Work is a program that meets at noon every Wednesday at the Holmes Student Center in the Blackhawk Cafeteria.

The program is for those wanting to lose weight, yet not give up those foods they love.

Lynn Dredge, corporate account manager for the program, has been involved with the coordinated activity for 21 years.

“Weight Watchers is a healthy way to lose weight because it is based on real food like real people eat,” Dredge said. “No drugs or quick fixes. This food plan is a way of life, not a diet.”

In addition to helping people lose weight, the program also is a support group for a variety of different people.

“Everyone who works for Weight Watchers has had to lose weight,” said Rita Chilton, a Weight Watchers at Work program leader. “So at one time or another, we have all been in the same situation, so we have a lot of empathy for the person trying to lose weight.”

Chilton has been involved with Weight Watchers for the last 26 years. She believes that Weight Watchers works because people can be motivated to eat right.

“It is a healthy way of losing weight,” Chilton said. “I think people feel they will be deprived of too many of their favorite foods, but when they see when the weight starts to come off, that is more important to them than the food that got them heavy in the first place.”

The total cost for 20-week program is $219. Individuals can join at any time, however a new cycle begins at the start of each semester. A prorated cost is available if someone joins the program while it is in session.

Nancy Apperson, coordinator of Employee Wellness and Assistance Program at NIU, supports the program.

“The Weight Watchers program is a weight reduction program that follows standards of good nutrition and provides group support for losing weight,” Apperson said. “It is one of the most successful programs for losing weight and maintaining weight loss. It is also a program that works well for people with diabetes needing to lose weight.”

Apperson said the Employee Wellness and Assistance Program began to offer Weight Watchers at Work Program in the fall of 1998.

“Not only do members have a medically researched food program to follow, but each week the meeting’s topic has to do with behavior modification,” Dredge said. “It’s great to have the group support since everyone in the meeting is there for the same reason, to lose weight. Weight Watchers is 40 years old this year and has been the No. 1 in weight loss industry for all 40 years. We have a whole team of doctors and nutritionist constantly researching and learning to apply what we know to the world we live in.”

For Dredge, losing weight with help is about feeling good.

“People naturally feel better about themselves when they know they look good or are looking better and doing something positive for themselves,” Dredge said. “Feeling in control is a powerful feeling.”

For information, call 753-9191, or attend one of the weekly meetings from 12 to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Blackhawk Cafe West.