What do I need to know about going to first Slimming World meeting?

[SealSong]

Just that. I'm trying to steel myself to go but the idea of it brings me out in a cold sweat. It would help if I knew what to expect a bit. So -

A) What actually happens at your first meeting, and
B) What is the initial cost layout - meeting cost, registration, starter pack etc etc?

Thanks

[SealSong]

Also do I literally just turn up for my first meeting, or do I need to contact the organiser first?

[GasLightShining]

Just turn up. Presume it is the same format everywhere so here the consultant will explain how the plan works to the newbies while the rest of us are being weighed. Then the meeting start which consists of going through how much everyone has lost/gained (your actual weight is never mentioned) and the the newbies are weighed at the end

Meeting cost £4.95, struggling to remember but registration is similar and you will be given a pack.

I have found it pretty easy to follow and would recommend.

Don't worry about being on your own and you never know you might know someone. When I went to my first meeting my neighbour was their

Good luck

[SealSong]

Thank you, that's reassuring. Thanks for replying

[emwithme]

For the purposes of this, your theoretical meeting has a start time of 9.30 advertised because that's what time my meeting starts so I can do this without turning my brain on

Get there a few minutes before 9.30. You will walk into the room looking nervous, and the leader (or someone they have helping them) will approach you and ask if you're new. They'll then show you to the "new member table" where the leader will go through the plan with you. This will take about 30 minutes, during which time the other members will go through the pay-and-weigh and gossip stations.

Then it's time for the meeting itself. The leader will introduce you and any other new members (and you'll get a round of applause), then they'll hand out any awards that members have won (for each half stone lost you get a sticker and a certificate) (another round of applause), then they'll let people know any news from Slimming World or information about products etc. Then it's on to IMAGE Therapy (it stands for Individual Motivation And Group Experience), where the leader goes round the group talking to everyone.

This tends to follow the same pattern too:

"So you've lost 1lb this week making a total of 2 stone 11.5 lbs/you've had a little gain this week, but are still keeping off 2 stone 10 lbs - insert pause for round of applause (your hands do start to hurt sometimes) - how do you feel about that/how have you done that/have you eaten anything - on plan - nice this week that you'd like to share with the group". You then share what you want. At the end, the leader asks for a target for next week - it could be a weight loss target (you want to lose 2lbs or whatever) or an action target (you want to do 30 minutes Body Magic - the SW name for exercise - every other day) or you want to plan properly. Then it's on to the next person.

At the end of the group, the leader will award the Slimmer of the Week - this is the person who's lost the most weight that week, where it isn't their first week on plan, and where they either lost or maintained the week before. They get the basket of fruit/free food - members bring in a piece and put it in there to give to the SOTW. There's also a raffle (ours are for things like the ingredients for a recipe from the magazine or themed around eg strawberry stuff at Wimbledon time) which is drawn at this point.

Then at the end of the first meeting, you will get weighed for the first time. It's nerve-wracking but remember, it's the last time you'll see that number on the scale. The leader will ask if you want to set a target; you don't have to at this point, and if you do, you can reassess it in the future. I set my first target at 2 stone loss, then lowered it by another stone. I'm going to lower it another stone in the near future, and then I think that'll be it.

[SealSong]

Emwithme, many thanks for taking the time to write that.

Does the group leader really go round everyone commenting on what they've lost etc? And each person has to comment on how they feel about losing or gaining? Urgh the group bit is making me cringe inside.

[tabulahrasa]

"And each person has to comment on how they feel about losing or gaining?"

It doesn't have to be, I feel great, or well I hate my gain...it's more, do you have a plan to get what you want for next week?

[aarell]

Gonna start next week! I can do this.

[jaffacakesareevil]

Weight watchers is great, and you don't have to speak in group if you don't want to. Everyone has an individual chat with the leader at the scales instead.

[Lighteningirll]

That's a great way of explaining group Em and don't forget you can tell consultant you are shy/nervous and she/he will offer to skip you or skim over you til you want to talk

[Ningnang2000]

Just remember that everyone else there has had a first time too and everyone is there to lose weight and support each other. The group session is not designed to make you feel bad or shame you. I'm pretty sure that's one of the principles of SW To never make you feel bad. I've been at ww sessions where although they don't single you out we've been given a very stern talking to. I find sw more supportive. Emwithme described the meeting pretty accurately. PS buy the chocolate orange Hifi bars. They are amazing
Pps it will take a good few weeks to get your head around the plan it but once you do you'll be on track.

[SealSong]

Thanks all

[JohnBarrowmaniac]

Practise clapping before you go. Oh, and also practise your interested face when someone mentions a cottage cheese quiche recipe.

[aarell]

Mmm.... sounds delicious

[tabulahrasa]

No it doesn't it sounds rank and for months people rave about it while you go

Then someone brings it in for a taster and you realise it's nice, it's not quiche no matter how many times people call it that, but it is a nice cheesey frittata type thing.

[emwithme]

tabula is right. You think

[SealSong]

Do you get a chance to share ideas for meals and recipes there? (SW ones)

[tabulahrasa]

Yes

[Geepee71]

I make the quiche, but use quark instead of cottage cheese, about half a tub to 2 or 3 eggs, lots of chilli flakes and mixed herbs. It's not bad.
There are lots of groups in Facebook, if you do a search for Syns or slimming world. Your group should have a closed Facebook page you can join, were people also post recipes and ideas, oh and which supermarkets have offers on muller lights, or other SW staples