Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that Slimming World is a nasty organisation?

365 replies

Ohnotanothernamechange · 21/07/2019 11:31

I'm not sure if anyone else is aware but Pinch of Nom, the hugely popular healthy eating and 'diet friendly' cookbook, have released a statement saying that they have been told to remove all mention of SW from their books and websites. This follows on from SW threatening to sue Aldi for launching a new healthy eating range that they thought was too similar to their own (they failed at this, obviously it's much harder to bully and intimidate a large international company...).

They've also made threats towards butchers and cafes for launching SW friendly produce. It's ridiculous. What are they so scared of? Funny that Weight Watchers don't have a problem with POM, also funny that SW haven't gone after WW for alterning their plan to make it similar to SW. See above about bullying large companies.

Ive long had issues with SW and believe it to be a money grabbing cult that doesn't really promote a healthier lifestyle, and this for me just proves it. Targeting small business trying to make a living just makes them seem really petty and nasty.

Don't get me started on all the wanky termonolgy they use like 'body magic' and 'image therapy either. How people sit through the meeting and don't piss themselves laughing at all that rubbish is a mystery?

OP posts:
Zoflorabore · 21/07/2019 12:30

My 16yr old ds has lost 6st in a year doing SW so I'm on the fence.

He is a very tall lad, always been big and tall ( and a size 14 shoe ) but the weight crept on and was affecting him both physically and mentally.

He joined with his dad last year, the week before he turned 15 as a young member.

He is now transformed in so many ways and loosely follows the plan. I was very careful with him as at one point he became quite obsessed with it and I was obviously worried. He has changed his whole attitude towards food, has discovered he likes so many new foods and has confidence for the first time in his life. Is that down to SW? Maybe, maybe not but it's definitely helped.

For us it was a case of going back to basics, cooking from scratch, trying new foods, educating ourselves etc etc.
He doesn't go to group anymore and is now a happy, healthy teenager who knows he can enjoy all foods in moderation.

That's just my experience of it.

feelingverylazytoday · 21/07/2019 12:31

Just tucking into a mullerlight now, bloomin lovely and eating them has never stopped me losing weight.
I've never been to SW myself, but my son has, and he found it useful. I don't see anything wrong with any company protecting it's trademarks, why shouldn't they?

WorraLiberty · 21/07/2019 12:31

That’s not actually true. If everyone knew what they should be eating, there would be less overweight people.

People can find out what they should/shouldn't be eating without going to slimming clubs.

They just have to want to learn.

pictish · 21/07/2019 12:32

To add, I do have some experience of these organisations. Years ago I lost weight with Weightwatchers but grew weary of meetings, weigh-ins and counting bloody points. I tried Slimming World as well but knew after one meeting it wasn’t for me. I hated the fake bonhomie and the sell. I want to be healthy, not thin...and they can stick their muller lights and packet bloody soups up their grasping bums.

Original poster
Ohnotanothernamechange · 21/07/2019 12:35

Hahahah, I knew it wouldn't be long before someone chimed in with the 'syn is short for synergy' nonsense! What does synergy even mean anyway? Do tell? Funny how it's only a label for food that's seen as 'naughty ' though isn't?

Instead of wasting your money on this rubbish go and join a gym and get some advice from a PT. Interestingly Ive never met a PT with a good word to say about SW, which I think says I think all. Indeed I believe they discourage members from doing weight based exercise in case they gain lean muscle.

OP posts:
MO21305 · 21/07/2019 12:35

In fairness Slimming World did invite Pinch of Nom ladies for a meeting to discuss things but they refused. They have actually admitted this themselves, but not in the official statement, only in the comments AFTER the statement had been shared thousands of times. A bit sneaky in my opinion.

Pinch of Nom actually did very well from using Slimming World as a reference for a very long time, my friend only found out about the Pinch of Nom book because she searched for Slimming World groups on Facebook and the PON one popped up. I joined the facebook group with her and lots of the members are on Slimming World & said they have bought the book because it appears to be Slimming World friendly.

I would never join any of these diet groups myself because the thought of going to one of the classes makes me cringe, but at the end of the day Slimming World is a business and have just as much right as anybody else does to look after their own profits.

S1naidSucks · 21/07/2019 12:36

People can find out what they should/shouldn't be eating without going to slimming clubs.

They just have to want to learn.

Yes, that’s true, but sometimes they need support from other people who want the same goals. You only have to look at the fat bashing threads on Mumsnet to know that it isn’t easy. If they join a diet group, with a good leader, then they get support from the members. They shouldn’t be judged by their leader if they gain and a good leader will encourage, not disparage them. There are some shit ones, but there are also some excellent ones, as in any organisation.

Jakadaal · 21/07/2019 12:40

Big fan of SW and the plan is very sensible if you like to follow a low fat diet. They are very protective of their brand just as any other global organisation would be and some of the Pinch of Nom recipes are not SW friendly so if you eat it thinking this is SW then it's very misleading.

mindproject · 21/07/2019 12:40

I have a 'friend' who keeps trying to tell me I should go. I just ignore her and avoid her.

S1naidSucks · 21/07/2019 12:41

OP

Of course others that profit from having clients that need to get fit/lose weight will criticise SW. they’re the competition.

I believe they discourage members from doing weight based exercise in case they gain lean muscle. That’s a load of bollocks!

You haven’t even read what synergy means, yet you’re spouting off about syns.

mindproject · 21/07/2019 12:41

Jak - Who likes to follow a low fat diet? I'd rather be a bit fat.

ContactLight · 21/07/2019 12:42

I have an issue with the word 'Syns'.

Ok, they say it has nothing to do with sins and being sinful, but honestly, it is pronounced the same, and it is what everybody thinks.

Talking about food as if some things are virtuous and some things are naughty/sinful (but go on, you are entitled to a few 'syns') is an unhealthy way to think, and to go about making sensible changes to your diet.

pictish · 21/07/2019 12:42

I think it’s fairly basic knowledge...but I will concede that others have not shared my experiences in life and may not have had the same access to information. Regards not knowing how to eat, a dietician will help you there if you really need it. You can get a referral on the NHS, even if you have to wait for an appointment. You really don’t have to rely on anything peddled out by expensive slimming club representatives.

S1naidSucks · 21/07/2019 12:42

I have a 'friend' who keeps trying to tell me I should go. I just ignore her and avoid her.

So I take it you don’t have weight issues, or are you doing something to deal with the weight, by yourself?

Original poster
Ohnotanothernamechange · 21/07/2019 12:43

Pinch of Nom is both SW and WW friendly, yet WW as of yet don't seem to have an issue with it. They also list how many calories each recipe has, handy if you just want to count calories the old fashioned way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohnotanothernamechange · 21/07/2019 12:46

Also I had no idea that they call a woman's time of the month 'star week'. Just when you thought they couldn't get any more patronising!

OP posts:
flumpybear · 21/07/2019 12:50

Slimming world is a good thjng. It gives people a framework to work towards - not everyone can just cut down, eat fresh and cook from scratch meals,
People need options so that they can eat but maintain control and SW gives this framework
I've known people lose shed loads of weight
But yes, the meetings are awful on the whole but some people need that support and that's surely a good thing

As for Aldi etc., I'm a bit split, they can work out the syn values and I guess advertising they're x syns is helpful to SW shoppers but actually they're trying to make profit off the back of another company without asking ... they've left themselves open to the lawyers

Skinny planet - brilliant Grin

Longlostperson · 21/07/2019 12:53

I’ve been and lost 5 kg. Then put it all on again when I didn’t attend.
The group I attended was really lovely bunch. No pressure to carry on or too many emails asking to re join. Just asking if all was ok and if I needed to speak to them I was welcome to call.
I don’t see the problem really. Lots of people just need support and encouragement from others and from our group that’s what it looked like they were doing.

flumpybear · 21/07/2019 12:53

...I actually went to SW earlier this year and found myself quite unhappy and have stopped Going and started swimming daily instead and watching my diet but not completely, I'm much happier doing it like this and am seeing and feeling differences in my health and fitness - but SW does work for some and they do encourage exercising too

BrutusMcDogface · 21/07/2019 12:54

“If you don’t eat your Syns, you won’t lose weight”??!!

What the ever loving fuck?!

melissasummerfield · 21/07/2019 12:55

Star week Confused because the one token man in the group would surely faint if you said period Blush

I followed slimming world for a while, kept losing and gaining the same 4 stone ( although this was mostly due to pregnancy ) the turning point for me was when i went to rejoin after the last baby and i realised it was all the same people and most of them were still fat!

I walked out and started calorie counting and walking and swimming and I am losing weight, and can factor in pretty much any food and still be in a calorie deficit.

My issue with sw is that unless you stay on the plan for the rest of your life it doesn't teach you how to maintain, because you have no portion control.

BrutusMcDogface · 21/07/2019 12:55

Ps I now count calories using my fitness pal and feel amazing, because I can eat whatever the hell I like- just not as much of it. I do also use the pon book for evening meals.

mindproject · 21/07/2019 12:55

I have a 'friend' who keeps trying to tell me I should go. I just ignore her and avoid her.

So I take it you don’t have weight issues, or are you doing something to deal with the weight, by yourself?

No, I'm happy the way I am, a bit overweight but not gaining weight, never had any health problems, I eat healthy, exercise and enjoy food. I don't need to be skinny or look a certain way.

dementedma · 21/07/2019 12:56

Follow RebelFit on Facebook. He has a lot to day about SW!

PCohle · 21/07/2019 12:57

Of course SW exist to make money and of course they have a right to protect their intellectual property

Aldi are appalling for ripping off other brands and frankly I think it's a shame more companies don't take legal action.

Swipe left for the next trending thread