This continues to be a challenging year in many ways and, for lots of us, maintaining a healthy weight is one of those challenges. If you’re not where you’d hoped to be with your weight loss – or you’ve decided that the time is right to start your slimming journey – we can help. Our real-life groups are open, and we’re waiting to welcome you with heaps of weight-loss ideas and inspiration. We’re here to support you as you get back into the slimming saddle, with no judgement or guilt – guaranteed.
With many years of Slimming World experience between them, Clare and Anna from the Slimming World Podcast understand the power of going back to slimming basics. And as today is National Podcast Day, we caught up with Clare to share advice from their recent Day one podcast episode – with lots of tips from members who’ve overcome their slimming obstacles and returned to group stronger than ever.
“What advice would you have for someone starting their Slimming World journey?” That’s the question we asked our listeners a few weeks ago. What came back was astonishing… Reams and reams of tips, ideas, lessons learnt and great advice!
With these comments in mind – as well as our own learnings from years of personal experience following the Food Optimising plan – my co-host Anna and I recorded a podcast episode packed with practical advice on how to approach a new week, a new journey or a new milestone.
Here’s a taster of some of the wise words from our podcast listeners and fellow Slimming World members:
“Stay to group every week you can. I walked back through the doors after lockdown with a significant gain after being only 4lbs off target. I could have wandered out of there really down, but I felt super supported and motivated afterwards… Gains or losses, group is an excellent choice!” –
The power of group can’t be underestimated – it’s where the magic happens! During lockdown, I really missed having that regular, consistent weigh day. Now that groups have reopened, I don’t have to worry about weighing myself at home. I love the fact that I can go to group, once a week, and it’s handled for me – and my Consultant is ready with support, ideas and motivation, whatever the result.
MORE ON THE BLOG: Slimming World groups are now open with our best-ever offer
“Write everything down on your food diary honestly, so that your Consultant can give you good feedback and tips 🙌”
This really is key and my co-host Anna’s top piece of advice as a Slimming World Consultant for nine years is to fill out a food diary and let your Consultant put their in-depth training on the Food Optimising plan to good use. In the episode, she says: “If you find yourself not getting the results you feel you deserve, ask your Consultant for a food diary. We’re not here to judge and often we can help members spot small changes that can make a big difference.”
“Highlight all the foods you like in your Food Optimising book. Stay to group and never be afraid to ask lots of questions. You’ll get lots of help from your Consultant and group 😃”
Lots of listeners mentioned the New Member Pack members get when they first join their group, and suggested digging out those trusty highlighters, highlighting your absolute favourites (or Free Foods you’d love to try) so you can quickly and easily refer back to them for inspiration. Don’t expect to know everything in week one – Anna and I have years of Slimming World experience and we’re still learning from the book (and rub-out highlighters are Anna’s new best friend!).
“Don’t give up. Take each day at a time and don’t be too hard on yourself x”
“Rather than looking at the whole mountain, just focus on the step in front of you ❤️ And don’t treat it like a diet, see it as part of your plan to become the very best version of yourself xxx”
Lots of the comments we had were around taking your weight loss journey one step at a time. This really resonated with me as, after lockdown, I’ve noticed so many advertisements for new ‘quick fix’ diets that I know would just put me into a cycle of yo-yo dieting. Slimming World is a lifestyle change, and that will mean some bumps in the road, but if you stick with the plan, one step at a time, it really does work – it’s got a proven 51-year track record!
MORE ON THE BLOG: 9 things we love about being back at group
“Welcome to the new you… 😍 Embrace that there will be ups, downs, successes and maybe a few blips. But having the power to pick yourself up again after a blip will be the one thing that will make you most successful ❤️ x”
“We all have bad days. Don’t let a bad day turn into a bad week, just put it behind you and get back on track!”
Many of us will have times when things don’t go to plan. Being able to move on from that is so important. There may be some bumps in the road that make you want to turn to food. There may be some gains along the way. My first gain came 12 weeks into my weight loss journey and I’ve realised that being prepared for that is key – your Consultant and fellow members are there to help keep you moving forwards. As Anna says in the episode, “Forgive yourself. Forgive what happened. Forgive what you did – or what you didn’t do – just learn from it.”
If you’re ready to draw the line under a lockdown gain and refocus on your weight loss goals – whether you’re brand new to Slimming World or you’re returning to your local real-life group – you’ll find more great tips in Slimming World Podcast episode 94, Day one.
So go get ’em! Enjoy the freedom of Food Optimising and come share your success stories with us for next month’s Listeners’ questions episode!
With love, health and happy wishes,
Clare from the Slimming World Podcast
PS If you’ve no idea what a podcast is, it’s a sort of radio show about a specific topic, and you can listen to it whenever and wherever you want. It’s free to subscribe and open to everyone. Search for ‘Slimming World Podcast’ on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or the Castbox app, or listen via your browser at audioboom.com/channel/slimmingworldpodcast
Join today with our best-ever offer
Whether you’re a returning member or a brand-new one, now really is a great time to join your local Slimming World group.
When you commit to a six-week Countdown before 10th October 2020, you’ll receive a FREE copy of our new recipe book, Take 5, Second Helpings, and get six weeks for the price of five. Contact your local Consultant to book your place and bag your freebies!