Combining healthy eating with moral support, Jean Nidetch revolutionized the weight-loss industry. The founder of Weight Watchers died on April 29 at her home in Florida. In 1961, the origins of Weight Watchers started as a group of friends meeting at her home Queens, New York. Nidetch described herself as an “overweight housewife obsessed with cookies.”

After countless fad diets, Nidetch realized accountability was the key to keeping the weight off. At the time, she was 38 years old and weighed more than 200 pounds. Her guiding philosophy: “It’s choice, not chance, that determines your destiny.”

Through the program of regular weigh-ins, peer support and accountability, not only did Nidetch lose 72 pounds, but she inspired millions more to do the same.