At Slimming World we know that starting – and staying – on a weight loss journey isn’t always easy. Even with an eating plan as generous and liberating as Food Optimising, changing habits of a lifetime takes real effort. Everyone hits bumps in the road and without the right support it can be easy to give up on yourself.
That’s where your group’s highly trained Consultant and your fellow members come in. They’ll be there by your side – your personal cheerleaders – to motivate and inspire you each week, as you make changes, establish healthy new habits and really get to know yourself as a slimmer.
When we put together our Mind Your Language report, we worked closely with leading psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos to understand the links between self talk, self-esteem and weight loss. We discovered that being part of an encouraging group of like-minded people can transform the way we feel about ourselves, motivating us to make positive lifestyle changes that can help us lose weight and feel fantastic.
In our survey of 1,202 Slimming World members:
- 72% stated that their Slimming World group makes them feel like they’re not alone
- 91% said that being a Slimming World member makes them feel more positive about themselves
Here’s what Slimming World members say about their experiences in group…
Anna (@annasw_journey) has lost an incredible 7st 6lbs since finding the courage to join her local Slimming World group. She says:
“I was at my lowest point… Aching all the time, no self-belief or self-confidence and heavier than I’d been in a long time. I felt down and couldn’t see a way out. I’d always felt too nervous to join a group. I think – when you’re doing it on your own – if you have an unexpected gain, it knocks you, while, at group, you get supported through those sad moments.”
MORE ON THE BLOG: “I lost over 7st without counting a single calorie”
We know that successful weight loss is about so much more than simply changing what you eat, and we give our members all the tools they need to make those deeper changes that will lead to healthier habits for life. Slimming World Consultant Zoe (@swgoldenzoe) shared this snap of her member Orna, who has gone from a size 16 to a confident size 10!
Orna says “My turning point was admitting to myself that I need expert help, someone who knew how to help me face bad habits and change them. I also realised that I could never do this without the support from a friendly group of very supportive people”
We also get the complex emotions surrounding weight and weight loss, so we’re able to help our members to understand themselves as slimmers and provide a supportive space where they can develop strategies to break any negative cycles. Fraser (@fraser_slimmingworld) learnt a whole new approach to life at his group…
“When I joined Slimming World, I didn’t just discover the joy of unlimited Free Food… I also discovered self-compassion, self-love and self-care 😊 It’s been a transformation of wellbeing as well as a physical one!”
MORE ON THE BLOG: Find out more about Slimming World Free Food
In your nearest Slimming World group, you’ll find your own local community of slimmers, who understand and will support you through any challenges along the way. Chelle (@sw_chelle) has lost 4st and found some fantastic new friendships in her Slimming World group.
“I absolutely love being in group and being part of the social team, and for me I will always attend as it is a big part of my week socially, and you cannot beat that support, motivation and inspiration you get there.”
Every Slimming World Consultant has been a member themselves, so they truly understand and know how to get you through those tricky times. When her weight loss stalled, Katy (@katy_o_slims) was inspired by her Consultant to add activity to her routine – with amazing results.
“I lost 5st 7lbs with Slimming World, but then got stuck. After seeing my Consultant smash Couchto5k, I was inspired to challenge myself. On my first run, I couldn’t even run for 60 seconds, but I trusted the process and even got a 10k under my belt. I then went on to lose another 3 stone!”
Don’t worry if you’re restarting your weight loss journey after some time away – you’ll always be greeted with big smiles and open arms. You can find all the details of your local Slimming World group here – we’re waiting to welcome you!
