Not sure if this is right for me? Sleep deprived mother

[UrbanYokel]

Hi all
Went to my first slimming world meeting last night. The consultant and other group members seemed very nice. I am currently on maternity leave with 6 month old daughter, need to lose about 2 stone. Please can someone tell em if slimming world is worth it and achievable? Removing all the gimmicks a lot of it is just basic nutrition and common sense, which is good.

My concerns are:
Image therapy - thought this was support, discussion, recipe ideas etc but really it's just going through everyone's (about 21 people) losses and gains with a quick "can we help you" from the consultant. Appreciate there's a lot of people to get through. Nice in a way but very boring! I thought it would be more like a general support group/discussion? I don't really want to pay £5 a week just to get weighed so accept this is part of the experience but it's disappointing.

Food diAry/categorisation - understand the bAsic principles syns etc but am I really going to have time to plan weigh and record (I don't understand the diAry sheet either) with a demanding young baby? I understand why you share this with consultant every week but the diary sheet is weird and I feel it's policing a bit. Can I just keep a normal food diary? Also am worried about not being able to afford the food.

Is it possible to transfer group membership to online membership?

Don't want to be whingey sorry. Honest feedback would be really appreciated.

Many thanks

[happydays2017]

I don't think it's for you, if you didn't feel inspired by the first session, it will only go downhill , save your money and try something else, I am finding Dr Michael Moseley's book 'The Fast Diet' has helped me shed a lot of weight and feel back in control.

[supermum87]

I joined slimming world when I had two under two & the baby wasn't a great sleeper.

I found slimming world was better because I didn't have time to weigh out food etc. I think preparation is key. But once you get into it there are lots of quick and easy meals and lots of ready/packet soups etc you can have that are still on plan.

I never stay to image therapy. Think it's a complete waste of time.

[Groovee]

I only stay to image therapy as I have a nice group of people to chat to etc.

I found on my early days planning is the key. Most of my recipes don't take longer than 30 minutes to cook which is what I need. But I have found a love of cooking again.

The diary is too small for me but I filled it in for the 4 weeks. Then got one off amazon which I prefer as it separates in to breakfast/lunch/dinner

[Linda131963]

Hope you give it a go , seems hard at first but soon becomes a habit . Cost for shopping seems to depend where you shop x

[Linda131963]

Image therapy not for everyone ! I have tried and failed , l pay , weigh and go ! The threat of the scales seems to keep me on track more than weighing myself , tried but as soon as l had a bad week l kept saying l would try again next week and not even weigh myself ! Everyone different , some folks love going to class . X

[OwlinaTree]

Probably depends on your leader. Ours does the round the room thing sometimes but then other discussions on other days. We are also encouraged to join in chat when people are struggling etc.

[OwlinaTree]

I've been doing SW since my baby was 6 weeks. Now she's 8 months and I've lost 2.5 stone so yes its doable.

[UrbanYokel]

Thanks all for your feedback x
I am definitely going to give it a chance, have started today wish me luck!

[LavenderRains]

Good luck! I don't stay to many meetings nowadays as it gets a bit boring. (I started in oct)
The threat of standing on the scales is enough usually to keep me in control.
It does take some planning but I enjoy that aspect of it, but I haven't got a small baby

[peoplepleaser70]

I found it easier to stick to on maternity leave, as I was at home more. It is doable but I must admit it can be more expensive but just budget carefully... frozen veg is good to keep in as I find it a hassle having to have fresh all the time as I go through a lot! You'll get into what works for you, the group can be a bit tiring but I would pay a fiver a week just to get weighed as I need that accountability! Good luck x

[BasinHaircut]

The 2 good things about SW are that it absolutely is grounded in basic nutrition principles as you say, but also that there is very little weighing required.

I have a small digi scale that I keep on my windowledge and it's really quick to just grab and weigh a bit of cheese or cereal straight into a bowl. Other than that I don't really weigh anything I don't think.

I enjoy cooking and find it easy to make everyday meals SW friendly and also like trying new recipes when I have the time.

I also love most veg so I do not struggle to get my speed in.

You don't have to fill your diary in but if you find you need help getting to grips with the plan it will be useful. I've never filled one in, I'm fully aware of the reasons for maintaining or gaining when I do

I think with a new baby and on MAT leave it would work well for me as I'd probably use it as an excuse for lots of long walks to the supermarket to pick up fresh stuff and try new things. It's also much more than a 'diet', but really does help develop a much healthier attitude towards food and that will be beneficial to both you and your child in the long term.

I'd recommend giving it a chance and whilst I agree that group isn't that useful (for me), I do stay and have met some lovely people who are supportive and my consultant is nice and by being accountable to a person rather than an online service is the only reason I haven't given up yet TBH.

[YoureMyWifeNowDave]

I started SW at the beginning of January when DS was 5 months old. DS has just turned 9 months and I am 1 stone 12.5 pounds lighter

SW has most definitely been worth it for me, another 8 or 9 lbs to go and I will be at target, I am already the lightest I have been for around 20 years!

Good luck with your weight loss