Newbie.....what to expect when i rock up at a meeting this week? what happens?

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

do i need to get prepared in any way? what do i need to buy in advance?

what do they do?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

They have a special corner for new people where the coordinator explains how the diet works, shows you the books, avoids answering any questions about terms and conditions such as payment if you miss a week and signs you up before you've had time to think it all through. If my experience was anything to go by. I really only wanted to find out if it was for me or not and was put off by this hard sell attitude (also because I was going to find it hard to get to the meeting regularly). I joined online instead. I do think it's a very sensible plan, but the idea of having to let them know every time you were going in holiday etc put me off.

So my advice would be to read up as much as you can about the t&cs beforehand. I am three weeks in and three kilos down doing it online, I have found it much easier than I thought, but glad not to be committed to the meetings.

[loopyloo87]

Do you know how much notice you have to give if you stop going ?

[chelsbells]

I went along for the first time on Saturday!

As pp says, newbies are in the corner being talked to for half an hour, explain the plan, give you your books and a form to fill in. We then sat for the group chat where they go through people's losses/gains, share some tips.

Newbies then paid and got weighed, set personal targets. We were given food diary sheets to fill in for the first four weeks which we need to take back each week so the leader can check it over and make sure we're getting it right.

They do make it clear that they expect you to stay for the group after each weigh in but from what I could see plenty came for weighing but left straight after and didn't stay for the group but I can see the benefits for staying for it.

First session took about 1hr 30m, this time i will arrive just in time to get weighed before the group session chat starts, so 45mins ish. But yes you do have to commit, you can have 6 'holidays' per year so as long as you tell your consultant that you won't make certain weeks then you won't be charged for missed sessions (you pay the missed charge when you return the following week) - one good thing though was if you can't make your exact session you can go to any other group you can find and just weigh in at least even if it's a couple of days early so you don't have to use holidays. Presume it gets logged your card that they swipe that you have attended a group on that week.

I'm happy so far but only 3 days in!

[Poppins27]

Firstly try and get a copy of Women's Own as there's a voucher for free membership so if you do decide it's for you then your saving some money.

I do go to the meetings to get weighed just as I like to feel that someone else is keeping track too and it encourages me to stick with it.

I do find some of the 'free' foods quite surprising however as I like to think as a rule fruit, veg and lean meat are the basic foundations of a 'healthy' diet whereas Mugshots and certain Pasta and Sauces are allowed which feels slightly naughty really but that's just my personal preference.

I enjoy slimming world, and definitely feel full after my meals which is a bonus.

In regards to being prepared, you don't need to take anything, it's all explained to you and you are given all you need to get your head round the principles, just make sure you have time to get a good shop in afterwards.

I also follow a lot if sw members on Instagram which I find super helpful in discovering recipes etc.

Good luck

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

oh really? its like a contract then? wow,had no idea. i'm going with friend who has a 12 week free voucher from her doctor

[loopyloo87]

None of this was explained to me last week when I started .It should be one of the first things that they tell you 😡

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

For me, there are five sessions in my town per week, but I can't commit to any of them (they are three back to back over a morning when I work and two back to back on an evening when I go to another class). No other groups within 10 miles. I could pop in to the first morning one just to weigh in but I would never be able to stay as I have to get to work and I don't really want to pay £5 a week just to weigh myself. I've paid £45 for three months online (using a discount code) and am thinking I might not renew as I should have got the hang of it by then.

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

i follow a few people on instagram who are doing really well. had hoped this would be good for me as i do better in a group setting.....i'm competitive!

[yummycake123]

I started two weeks ago and I haven't felt pressured to buy anything.
When you arrive, you will sit in a corner with the other newbies and fill a form. Then, the consultant will come to talk to you and explain how the plan works, etc. In my group, the consultant asked us to stay to group so that we could see how it works and if we liked it. At the end, if we liked it, we went to register. I paid £9.95 the first day (that's a registration fee + first meeting). They give you a little folder with the plan books and then they weigh you. You discuss your target weight goal with the consultant.
The next week I paid for the meeting (£4.95) and stayed to the group session. They have some offer at the moment where you pay 10 meetings and get 12. If you buy it you have to go every week, I think you can skip the meeting once or twice. 12. Apparently people who succeed in Slimming World attend the group sessions (rather than going to just get on the scales and then leave), so they mention this a couple of times. I don't like that so I'll just keep paying as I go.
I like the plan, it's really easy to follow.

[KP86]

Loopyloo, there's no ongoing contract.

If you stop going then you stop being a member after four weeks, and lose access to your online log in for the app and website.

If you miss a week and it wasn't prearranged as holiday (as someone said above, you get 6 weeks per year), then the following week you have to pay an extra £4.95 to make up for it. The most you'll ever have to pay for catch up is £9.90 plus that week's fee, if I remember correctly. You only have to give one week's notice for a holiday - ie. tell the people when you pay that you won't be in next week.

If you have a break from it and want to return, you can either rejoin as a brand new member and not keep any of your old weigh in data for the price of a new membership (usually £5-10 on offer), or you can pay the £14.85 and they will add all your history back onto your card and you keep going as if no time away.

If you can't make your regular group you can go to ANY slimming world group that week (the week runs Mon-Sat) and weigh in/stay for Image therapy and it counts. The website will tell you where groups are in any area in the country. This is handy for people on UK holidays or if travelling for work.

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

Sounds doable then

I'm not short of cash for once in my life, so I'm not too worried about finances. Just want it to work. And want to stick at it and give it my all

Is there a slimming world London marathon group does anyone know?

[LavenderRains]

I'm on day 6, first weigh in tomorrow, eek! I've been fine so far. I had a thumping headache for a few days due to chocolate/sugar/eating crap withdrawal I think!
The leader at my group was very clear from the start about booking holidays and as I'm a shift worker told me other groups in the area I could attend.
The meeting was a bit cheesy, she reads out losses/gains and everyone claps (reminded me of little Britain!!) But they were all friendly.
I will probably try and go to a few meetings, she does 5 on a Wednesday! I do think that I will stick with it if I know I have to be weighed by someone else. If do it myself I tend to cheat.
Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[loopyloo87]

Thankyou for your reply JP86 ,its very helpful as I was a bit confused to be honest.. I'm on day 6 and so far so good :)

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

See that is a really clear explanation KP., thank you. Those are exactly the questions I was trying to ask the leader and got brushed off. I wish I did have a group I could go to, but as I can't do the ones in my town and all others are at least 20 mins drive away and probably at equally inconvenient times it's not going to work for me. I am happy with my progress going it alone though, it really does work well with family meals etc.

[LavenderRains]

poppins the womans own voucher is for weight watchers, not slimming world, just in case anyone rushes out to buy one like I did for my mum to join

[Seren85]

There is a SW free membership voucher in Reveal though.

[Scorbus]

I'm 6 weeks in and nearly lost a stone. Finding the right group is key I feel.

[LavenderRains]

Thanks seren

[loopyloo87]

This is my second week and weigh in tomorrow I'm nervous .. I have been keeping a food diary to hand to the consultant .. Do they generally go through it with you at the second meeting in case your going wrong in any areas ?

[LavenderRains]

Hi loopy had my first weigh in today. The leader took in the diary and said she will look at it and give it back next week (like homework!)
I lost 7.5lb!! I was amazed

[thelionsleeps]

Well done Lavender! Way to go!

[loopyloo87]

Well done LavenderRain that's a great loss 😊 I don't feel like I've lost anything ok it's only been a week but I still feel bloated ., I have completed my diary fingers crossed 😊

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

fab loss!!!

i'm going tomorrow. is it all muller lights and mugshots?

[LavenderRains]

It can be if you let it! There's plenty of scope for lovely recipes if you have the time. I've made soup this week but mainly had protein and salad. For work I've had cold pasta and chicken salad or a sandwich. But I've also had muller lights and mug shots!
I work shifts so it just takes a bit of forth ought and planning. I've not been hungry but felt ill and headachy for the first few days. Good luck mum

[Scorbus]

The Turkish Delight Muller Light is amazing! I've been stocking up as it's a limited edition.