to ask HOW slimming world 'works'?

[MaryShoppins]

I just don't quite get it. We are told to eat less and move more, but on Slimming World, you can eat a ridiculous amount of foods (carbs and all) and you don't 'have to' exercise - although they do strongly encourage it.

Anyone??

Is it one of those ones where you have to get weighed in front of everyone?

I think the main 'secret' behind it is the one third 'superfree'. They work on the basis that there is only so much the stomach can hold and by piling high on fruit and veg, you're naturally limiting other intake. Also it is really restrictive in terms of 'treats', high syn values on alcohol and sugary snacks and bread is basically out lawed. I've found it a very effective diet but not sure in terms of maintenance. I think to maintain a healthy weight you need to build exercise into your life.

Because you're cutting out the 'bad' fats and carbs. (i thinks)

Im on my 2nd week at sw and Im loving it.
Theres no weighing in front of people..well theres a queue but only the 'weigher'and me know my weight.
On the extra easy plan I eat as much fruit, veg and lean meat and fish as I want.(including eggs). I have 2 healthy extras a day, mainly dairy and fibre(y) foods and between 5-15 'syns' a day.
I lost 5.5lbs last week and I think I might have lost at least 2lbs this week.
So far so good

Oh and we're told to eat until we're comfortably full and to try and do a little extra exercise than we did before we started.
Hardly any weighing needed and rice and pasta is also 'free'.
Hth

Because you're largely eating unprocessed foods and are encouraged to cook from scratch. There should be more emphasis on exercise IMHO.

It didn't work for me, I gained!

It works, well it did for me. I started it a few years ago and in less than 12 months I lost 7 stone.
I had to leave in the end as I took it a bit too far and ended up under weight but I have a slightly odd relationship with food, always have had.
I found slimming world easy to follow even when eating out. Oh and you can save up your syns all week for a night with a bottle of wine or two :D.

Its definitely back to basics. Homecooked meals and not much crap!
Works well for families because you havent got to weigh your own portion of everything. Im really enjoying it -at the moment!!-

I did it for 4 weeks. Was absolutely religious about it, and lost 1lb.

I could eat a heaped dinner plate full of pasta, given the chance

I could eat a heaped dinner plate full of pasta, given the chance

Creamy cheesy pasta...yum!!

it works (i.e. generates money) because it doesn't last. So punters lose weight quickly, think it is great, learn nothing about healthy eating and exercise and pork up again. So back they go to insert more cash.

good business model.

I get weighed this evening - lost 2lb last week and when I did it 4 years ago, I lost two stone then decided to eat whatever I wanted for the next 4 years and put it all back on

I think cooking from scratch, eating more fruit and vegetables and thinking about what you eat all help. It really does work.

What did work for you Crunchy?

specialsubject - not at all. I know people who have lost the weight and maintained that loss. But, it is a case of keeping on the healthy eating wagon, which few people do, whether they've done slimming world or any other diet.

I think cos its mostly whole foods, and processed foods are very limited.

pasta, rice etc is free but our consultant urges us to not pile it on too much and be sensible. If im having pasta half of my plate wil be piled with salad, I like it, it works well for me it's just basic, sensible eating tho I do tend to steer clear of 'diet' drinks etc. The chemicals in those things are bad shit.

it didnt work for me when i did it. lost 1 1/2 st in 5 months then left 2st heavier 6months later. no matter what i did, it just didnt work.

have lost 3 1/2 st on weight watchers so far. its the only weightloss program i trust... as it actually teaches you about the food you eat.

*that should be... i left 2st heavier than when i started

Holly mindfulness was part of it. Dealing with the psychology. Any fule kno how to lose weight, eat less, move more. But that totally fails to take into account people like me who have food instead of emotions!

I lost 6 stone 2 years ago, maintained until November and have gained 10lb through sloth, gluttony and steroids. So back on the wagon.
No diet has ever worked for me, I had to get to a point in my life where I didn't need to be fat any more.

I think I am with specialsubject on this one. These businesses rely on people coming back again and again to keep them going.

The number of times my friends have said 'oh slimmingworld totally works, I lost x lbs when I was on it, but put it all back on when I stopped'. Erm, so it doesnt really work then does it?

On facebook the other day one of my friends 'liked' a status from the woman who founded slimming world (cant remember her name now). She was going on about how slimmingworld is not a 'diet' but a healthy living programme for the rest of your life. It was all 'oh yes I want to help you, come and be part of the slimmingworld family, we are all here for you just make sure that you cough your money up before walking through the door of that village hall '

I agree SW is a very successful business model, but it works!

I'd like to understand more about the science behind it and find it fascinating that you can eat so much food and still lose weight.

Personally I find it encourages me to eat a wide range of fruit, veg and lean meat and I am guaranteed to lose weight (or money back) if I stick to the rules.

I would think those people who don't lose weight or gain have misunderstood the plan in some way and are unconsciously having too many 'syns'.

Once at target weight you're welcome to attend the meetings free of charge, so if you do subscribe to the 'healthy living programme' long term, you won't pay any more money.

Exercise is promoted quite enthusiastically at the group I go to and I think my 'Consultant' is very experienced and has a fantastic understanding of the psychology of overeating and how to deal with a range of difficult personalities; so it makes for a motivating experience when you attend her groups.
I have experienced a couple of less inspirational 'Consultants' who were definitely verging on the Marjorie Dawes side of Fat Club land and can understand how groups can be a painful experience.

Clearly the majority of people don't change their eating habits / lifestyles long term and that's why Margaret Bramwell-Thingy is such a wealthy woman.

I lost 11lbs in my first week, not being totally good. I had a pizza with LOADS of goats cheese and a meal at YO! sushi. So i was very good for 5 days out of 2 and i still lost loads. This week I was naughty, pizza and Chinese takeaways, pub gub etc all week and I still lost 2 lbs!

I am very pleased with it!