Nidetch had accomplished what she set out to do and much more. Weight Watchers, originally targeting primarily women, ages 25 to 55, experienced a rapid expansion. Of the behemoth that Weight Watchers came to be, Nidetch said, “My little group became an industry. I really didn't mean it to—it was really just a club for me and my fat friends.” She continued by commenting on something a lecturer once said: “It's a place where you walk in fat and hope nobody notices you, and four or five months later you walk out thin and hope that everyone sees you.” Nidetch believed that the love, information, companionship, and commiseration of fellow overweight individuals were the key components in an effective formula many people needed to succeed at weight loss. This idea had been perpetuated at Weight Watchers and had been translated into meeting leadership—all employees who lead meetings were formerly overweight individuals who were successful on the plan.11