Slimming World’s stage-by-stage activity programme, Body Magic, complements our Food Optimising eating plan by helping members improve their overall health and wellbeing while aiding weight management.

The programme was developed in collaboration with Ken Fox, Emeritus Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Bristol. It uses well-established psychological and scientific principles of behaviour change to help slimmers find their own personal, enjoyable and sustainable ways of gradually increasing activity so that it becomes a regular part of their daily routine.

The unique programme is in line with Government recommendations, encouraging members to build up to at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on five days of the week¹⁰, and is suitable for everyone regardless of weight or fitness level.

Steps to success

In group, members are encouraged to work towards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Body Magic awards, recording their actions on a FIT log (measuring Frequency, Intensity and Time).

The power of group sharing and support is used to inspire and encourage members in moving from a sedentary to an active lifestyle, no matter where their starting point.

Discussing activity in group helps members become more active and experience the benefits of moving more to their physical as well as mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

Stage-by-stage encouragement and rewards

Body Magic allows members to build their activity levels at their own pace and rewards the incremental introduction of daily exercise.

Platinum
For life-long Body Magic! When active living is a lifestyle
Gold
10 x 15 minutes or 5 x 30 minutes per week maintained for 8 weeks
Silver
6 x 15 minutes or 3 x 30 minutes per week maintained for 4 weeks
Bronze award
45 minutes per week (spread over at least 3 sessions) maintained for 4 weeks

Encouraging behaviour change

Body Magic helps facilitate behaviour change towards becoming more active by:

• Helping take the threat out of activity by removing psychological barriers and redefining what counts as activity
• Building confidence and expertise
• Motivating members to commit to a plan
• Providing ideas and solutions to help members increase activity levels
• Developing personal ‘foot out of the door’ strategies
• Supporting members in turning new skills into a routine
• Celebrating when members reach new milestones
• Continuing to support members until active living becomes a lifestyle

References

1. Pallister, C., Avery, A., Stubbs, J. and Lavin, J., 2009. Influence of Slimming World's lifestyle programme on diet, activity behaviour and health of participants and their families. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 22: 351-358.

Slimming World has taken the ‘threat’ out of activity and devised a programme that can only have a very positive impact on the health, fitness and weight status of their members. This approach addresses psychological, then behavioural, and ultimately intrinsic commitment to activity.

Ken Fox, (Emeritus Professor of Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Bristol)

Before I joined Slimming World I would park the car as close as possible to my destination because I found walking just short distances so difficult. Since losing weight, I now cycle 40 miles a week, run 15 miles a week and play five-a-side football twice a week – and I love it.

In fact there are so many things I can do that I couldn’t have even attempted when I was bigger – playing football with my nephews, buying clothes on the high street, going on a plane without needing a seatbelt extension and much more. Life really couldn’t be better.

Stuart Eggleshaw from Kirkby-in-Ashfield lost a stunning 22st 9lbs after joining his local Slimming World group, and discovered a passion for activity!