You’re Invited

Forging meaningful connections with people you wish to emulate can direct your life in a positive direction.

Jean weighed 214 pounds when she began attending Ms. Jones’s weight-loss clinic. Ms. Jones put Jean on a strict diet and discouraged her from socializing with other participants in the program. Nevertheless, Jean invited several friends to a mah-jongg evening at her home and encouraged them to share about their struggles with weight. For many, it was the first time they spoke openly about their weight issues. Soon, the group grew to 40 participants and met twice a week. The sense of connection and community helped attendees reach their target weights while they formed long-running friendships. Two participants, Albert and Felice Lippert, followed Jean’s template, and the three of them incorporated Weight Watchers International in 1963. Jean became the face of the organization.

Research shows that emotions and behaviors are contagious: The people closest to you exert a positive or negative influence on your habits, feelings and experiences. For example, if your best friend is obese, your chance of becoming overweight increases by 45%. However...