To give up going to my Slimming World group

[DarylDixonsJockstrap]

I've been going for about a year now and have lost just over 2st, which is great. However, I'm finding the group a bit of a drag, especially as it's at 7:30am on a Saturday with no option of me going to a group at a different time as DH works shifts so no childcare every other week in the evenings.
Also i am finding the guilt trips from the leader and fellow members little bit tedious now. If you don't turn up one week there is always a 'motivational' text within a few hours and questions about why I've not turned up to group. Sometimes life happens or, shock horror, i can't be arsed! And you still have to pay for any sessions that you don't turn up to anyway so it's not like they're losing out. It just feels like such a racket and more about money grabbing than helping people lose weight and keep it off.
Surely there must be an easier and more straightforward (and cheaper!) Way of losing weight??

For context...i have always been overweight and currently need to lose at least 2 more stone to be a healthy weighy for my height. I have a very addictive, all or nothing personality so find the structure of a diet plan helpful, but hate the groups!

Any help or advice would be very gratefully recieved.

I'm thinking off starting a slimming group and calling it the ..

"Common Sense Slimming Club"

Basically that's what Slimming World and Weight Watchers are. The reason they work is because a person has DECIDED THEMSELVES to lose weight by making the step to attend. It's nothing to do with any plan. Any form of weight loss is down to the individuals state of mind and commitment to do it.

SW and WW business plan is based on their diets not working long term. I would love a national survey to be done on how many people attending their groups are repeat customers.

If their plans did work, and for instance SW's claim that it is a ' lifestyle change' was truthful, then they wouldn't have any people signing up for the second or third time would they? and that's all that keeps them going.

So I reckon a generic ' weight loss and gentle exercise' class is all that's needed, because all you are going to a class for is motivation and inspiration . A group of people sharing stories and encouragement without some group leader telling you to clap because Sandra has maintained for the 11th week running whilst spending £60 in class fees.

Slimming world is a bit of a joke to be honest. I found WW meetings bad enough when I went a few years back, but they were quick at least.

By all accounts SW meetings are much longer and far more cringy
It' s money for old rope, and the diet is not even healthy. Encouraging the use of sweetners and shite like mug shots tells you all you need to know!
Save yourself £20 a month and weigh yourself at home. Do some excercise, eat less, make sure you include some healthy fats, eat complex carbs, and the weight will come off.
It's working for me, and I'm not parting with a fiver a week.

Do whatever works for you but I have to say that I lost 2 and a half stone with SW - decided to give up going to the meetings and just carry on and home and somewhere along the line I just lost motivation and put back 3 stone .

I know the groups seem like a real bore and that we all know what to do - ie: eat less and exercise more but there is obviously something that works about going to a group.

Well people put the weight back on because they stop sticking to the plan. Isn't that the same with any diet? What are these mythical diets where you lose 4 stone and it stays off regardless? Surely any diet will give you a regain if you stop doing it?

I would luuuuuuurrve a 7.30 am Saturday class.

"Diet-induced weight loss results in long-term changes in appetite gut hormones, postulated to favour increased appetite and weight regain while exercise programmes modify responses in a direction expected to enhance satiety and permit weight loss and/or maintenance."

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26499438

Thanks all...

I hear what you're saying about the 1/2lb a week average...however I'm still over 2st lighter than i was. How can that ever be turned into a negative?

Its like 'yes well done...but you're still not doing enough'!

I did Slimming World online. No group, but still a structured plan and access to all the resources. Worked really well for me.

I'm also a rebelfit fan, as I'm not much of a joiner and hate attending groups, this works for me. And the focus is not dieting but nutrition and fitness, which I like too.

Quite right Darryl - two stone is a great achievement! Much healthier to lose it slowly and consistently rather than yo-yo or crash diet. Congratulations!

YANBU. I would just leave tbh and do it yourself. Join a group online for support and chat and tips.

TBH I am not a fan of these kind of groups and get togethers, because there is always an attention seeking diva, and a gobshite, and also people come in 2's and 3's and stick together. So it can be hard if you have come on your own, and you're a bit quiet.

The only places I like that have 'groups' are the Church, and the local AM-Dram group. Most other places, I am not a fan of.

Well done for losing what you have lost (same to the others here who have lost weight.) And keep it up.

I would leave though. It's sounds like it's not fun, and you will save £25 a month!

I go to slimming world but I just go to weigh in - I cant be doing with all the palaver, nobody minds,

I lost 8 stones with SW. I think going to the group is good, it really makes a difference being accountable. I needed the weekly humiliation! Actually, I was never humiliated and it was a good laugh. Shame I stopped going and put it all back on. :(

I think Richie Howey, already recommended, is excellent as is Two Chubby Cubs, both on Facebook. I don't think you can beat a group, tho. Up close and personal is really helpful.

Thank you...ive been looking at rebelfit and other recommendations today. Also the NHS couch to 5k which looks interesting. I really need to up my exercise.

I think i am going to stop going to the meetings but continue to eat as I have been and add some exercise in too. Hopefully will keep losing or at least maintain what I've already lost for now.