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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get irritated by patronising slimming world?!?

77 replies

TheDonOfWinterville · 17/10/2016 09:37

I'm not overweight but want to lose a stone for my self. So I joined slimming world only to be greeted with language such as "heap mounds of spaghetti", "shove it all in your face" and "pile mountains of fruit onto your plate" etc etc!!!

Sorry but isn't mountains and mounds of food what makes people fat in the first place?? Also at group the consultant said we all have weight problems. Actually, I don't - I just want to lose a stone to feel better! I'm clinically within my ideal weight range so no I don't have a weight problem actually! I have a good problem in which I make crap choices.
It makes me quite angry and is putting me off going back. All this talk of "piling" and "mountains" etc etc is like slimming world have thought "we know what kind of language will appeal to the greedy fuckers".

OP posts:

PoppyBirdOnAWire · 17/10/2016 10:05

This fascinating thread was not begun in order to enable the OP to attempt a stealth boast.

MrsGwyn · 17/10/2016 10:05

I think the assumption is pile of veg is better than any other choice.

But one I went to did look at portion control - but it was more with things like breakfast cereals and why they should be measured.

My problem was the pushing of fat free sugar laden stuff.

I have something sweet it will set me off wanting more - I know not everyone is like that - after saying that they suggested muller fat free yogurts - one of the things that I'd said set me off at start.

What actually helps is avoiding triggering foods as snack if not entirely - but then having coffee/tea or cleaning teeth afterwards - I don't know if that distraction and waiting out the cravings or something else.

joshlymanlover · 17/10/2016 10:09

Our consultant always says to eat it until you are full. I think it is good for those who are struggling with other diets as they are hungry. The concept of 1/3 of your plate basically being healthy / low cal food is again good for those struggling.

I need to lose a stone so I know at my amount I do need to think more about portion control but it also makes you think how you cook things such as oils etc

I have had 2 consultants and one was awful and the group was clique but my current one is lovely and very supportive.

BusterGonad · 17/10/2016 10:09

I've heard eating dust is the best way to approach weight loss!

MrsGwyn · 17/10/2016 10:09

don't understand why people pay every week to basically get somebody else to weigh them

I think there is research showing having someone weigh you make you more likely to lose - is a know phenomenon with diet pills or other diet when they try and test their effects. A control group just weighed also lose weight as someone is weighing them. Saw that on a bbc science program - so don't have links.

Wrinklytights · 17/10/2016 10:10

Maybe try weight-watchers instead. As they count points it's more portion control as well as making 'healthy' choices. What I find frustrating about both is all the wright-loss myths that are peddled, however as I have zero self-control I need to be weighed at a group for any diet to work for me.

badtasteflump · 17/10/2016 10:14

MrsGwyn yes I think I saw that too. I understand the psychology of trying harder if somebody else is weighing you, but the figures show that these diet 'clubs' just don't work. People generally 'do' WW/SW on and off for years - which is exactly what they want you to do - I personally know people who have been doing one or the other for the whole of their adult lives.

Whereas somebody who decides to just overhaul their lifestyle themselves, stop buying sugary crap and start filling up on more natural, unprocessed foods, tends to gradually lose weight and keep it off.

DEMum101 · 17/10/2016 10:16

Runningupthathill82 why did you go to SW if you weren't overweight? There have to be better ways to spend two hours of your life every week if you don't actually need to lose weight surely?

BusterGonad · 17/10/2016 10:19

Weight loss I believe starts with your mind, you need to be able to say no to crap foods, and not crave them. I've always been my slimmest when I've been my happiest, for me I comfort eat when I'm unhappy or bored.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 17/10/2016 10:19

You are not describing the Slimming World I know and love .

My consultant does always say that everyone comes to her for their own different reasons, just with a common goal of wanting to lose some weight. She will say that some consider themselves to have a weight problem, or want to lose weight for health reasons and others just want to lose half a stone or fit into a favourite dress a bit better.

That said, I guess it's not a totally unfair assumption that most people at a SW meeting will consider themselves to have a weight problem of sorts.

I have been following the SW plan since January this year, and have never heard or seen the "shove mountains of food in your face" type wording you mention. Yes, you can eat unlimited amounts of "free" foods, but this really just equates to plenty of veg or salad with meals and as much fruit as you want for snacks. I rarely eat pasta anyway, but wouldn't eat an uncomfortable amount just because it's classed as a free food. I'm not sure who would TBH! There's certainly no obligation to do so .

I'm sorry you've found your group to be patronising, you are obviously seeing it through different eyes to me. Personally, I definitely DO have a weight problem. Since January this year, and in no small part due to the help, kindness and non-judgemental support from my lovely group leader, I have lost 6st 9.5lbs. I have 1st 10lbs to go to target and, at the age of 41, am at the lightest weight I have ever been as an adult. I am mostly wearing a size 14, which last happened when I was around age 14.

For me, SW is the one plan that has really worked and, actually, helped me to change my life. I'm sorry that you have not been happy with your experience of SW, but that does not make the whole thing patronising and the advice rubbish.

BusterGonad · 17/10/2016 10:23

Well done Santa. You must look and feel amazing!

WorraLiberty · 17/10/2016 10:24

If you need to attend a slimming club in order to lose your weight, then you do have a weight 'problem'.

If shifting it was no problem, you wouldn't need the club.

2kids2dogsnosense · 17/10/2016 10:24

I found the group I tried as patronising as hell.

Oh, well done to Margery who has lost nearly a pound!" (All clap frantically)

"Oh - dear me, Elspeth - you've put on 3 and a quarter ounces." (shakes head)
"Well, I was at a family wedding, and then I broke all the bones in my foot and haven't been able to exercise for a fortnight."
"Now, now -excuses just don't mean anything do they? You stick to it or you don't. Remember (trills) 'Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels'"

Twats.

Dontpanicpyke · 17/10/2016 10:28

To be fair nothing does taste as good as thin feels though.

Op I think it's this way,

Slimming world consultant ' hello fatties but hang on no wait, we have op here whose far too slim to be in our class. Why are you here my dear you do t have s weight problem. Not like us fat fuckers'

Feilin · 17/10/2016 10:28

Anybody talking about slimming world not teaching portion control ... I wasn't aware they they had to. In fact I'd expect people to know whether or not they were eating too large a portion. It's common sense . You look at your plate don't you? Slimming world teaches you about the right types of food . Whether or not you pile your plate is your problem.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 17/10/2016 10:29

Thank you Buster .

Yes, I feel really proud of myself. Just wish I'd done it 20 years ago!

DerelictMyBalls · 17/10/2016 10:29

I find it worrying that someone who knows they are not overweight is going to Slimming World. Have you spoken to your GP about it, OP?

devilinmyshoes · 17/10/2016 10:33

The healthy weight range is pretty generous though, from around 47 to 60ish kg at my fairly average height. Plenty of scope for being a stone over your individual ideal and wanting help to lose it and improve your diet.

MrsGwyn · 17/10/2016 10:34

but the figures show that these diet 'clubs' just don't work. People generally 'do' WW/SW on and off for years

I wouldn't disagree with that at all.

Though once you are fat you are always going to have work harder to keep weight of - I think that something to do with having more fat cells around in the body - not sure.

Though in my case it's been lifestyle changes that have cause weight gain - and I've used such clubs to kick start a change or continue it.

First time I'd piled on pounds in a sedentary job supposed to be 8 hours often 10 and then long commute sat on busses and trains home then getting home exhausted and not feeling like cooking. My big change was moving closer to work so less commute time so could walk in and have time to exercise and then did weight watcher to help kick bad eating habits and keep me exercising.

Second to help break bad habits - after stressful time lots of moves and young children meant pound were piling on. That was Slimming world.

I needed the extra support - to make the changes and stick with then especially as I wasn't surround by supportive people especially at bit where weight lose is stalling or seems impossible.

InfiniteSheldon · 17/10/2016 10:38

Not my experience of SW at all. I've been at target for ten years after a three stone loss still go to group and get weighed. The emphasis is on unlimited Free Foods with 1/3 fruit or veg every plate. And the basic principle is eat as much as you like of low calorie foods and painfully comes naturally after a while. Badtasteflump you have no idea what you're talking about judgemental bollocks on your part.

milkshakeandmonstermunch · 17/10/2016 10:39

I understand what you're saying OP. Sort of.

I started SW years ago when I was fairly chunky. I loved the "mountains" of pasta and "free foods" and I lost a lot of weight. I kept it off for years by adapting a generally healthy diet and lifestyle.

Years later I started back when DD1 was a baby as I needed a kick up the bum to lose the last of my baby weight. The "mountains" and "piles" no longer appealed plus I had a target of FOUR each of HEAs and HEBs due to bf which was oddly difficult. Plus some of the free food - which I enjoyed the first time!! - tastes like garbage now. However, I only think like that because SW helped me get into a healthier lifestyle to begin with IYSWIM?

At the end of the day, I think SW is a brilliant way to get people on their way. It has good results and I found it really encouraging in the early days. Once we're healthier and better educated about nutrition then, yes, the rules can seem quite strange but it can be such a positive experience for people - like my old self - who otherwise couldn't do another way.

TheColonelAdoresPuffins · 17/10/2016 10:42

I don't understand why people pay every week to basically get somebody else to weigh them confused. Surely if you want to try a particular 'diet' you find out what you need to do, then do it?

A diet club is not for people who are able to do that. It's for people who want or need support, guidance, motivation. If you're able to lose weight succcessfully without a club then you don't join one.

badtasteflump · 17/10/2016 10:43

Badtasteflump you have no idea what you're talking about judgemental bollocks on your part

not sure why but that made me snort - how very dare you . Without outing myself, I most certainly do know what I'm talking about. But keep chucking your money at SW if you like, that's your business

BarInSpace · 17/10/2016 10:49

How about joining the online SW instead?

Emmageddon · 17/10/2016 10:52

I think SW is great, it educates people about healthy eating. If someone has a huge appetite, then being able to eat 'mountains' of stuff is going to appeal. With only a stone to lose though, just go running 3 times a week and cut out alcohol (or whatever you think has caused the weight gain), that's what I would do.

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