First Slimming World class next Monday - tell me about it.

[GermanGirlinLondon]

Yesterday I decided to join Slimming World. I have lost 24lbs between January and April with Paleo, however depression, exam stress and vanishing will power have contributed to me gaining 22lbs again. I am very disappointed with me, as Paleo suited me very well. It not only contributed to my weight loss, but I also felt so much better, slept better, my depressions improved and many other positive things. In April the exam stress started, I didn't have time for healthy eating and I went on a few holiday. It actually all started Easter when I visited my family in Germany. Anyway... I could really use the support and motivation from weekly groups. I am 182lbs now, I was down to 160lbs at the beginning of April. I want to lose 3-4 stones until next summer. What is a slimming world class like? What are your experiences?

I am joining on Monday too! I have been doing a half arsed version of low carb since dd was born at Christmas but only lost around 1 and a half stones in 8 months I feel too restricted with it as I have a massive sweet tooth (and I know I can have the odd treat on SW). I also have 3/4 stones to lose too, so watching with interest

From what I remember, you go in get weighed, then at the first class the leader goes through how it works with you. It takes ages, about 30 minutes. I think there's two diet plans you can follow.

I only went one more time. That sort of approach is not for me.

Classes and leaders seem to vary a lot in quality but personally I think it is worth staying for group, mostly because you will get really good tips and ideas from other members.

On your first night you will probably get the intro chat while everyone else is getting weighed and sitting down for the session. You can sit in on the class without paying to see what you think, then at the end they will let you either return the book or pay for it. The good thing is if you go to the first class you will get the folder with all three plans. The main plan is EE (extra Easy) but there's also a Green plan (basically veggie) and a red plan (good for carnivores but you'll have to weigh pasta, rice etc - on extra easy no need to weigh these carbs).

Most people do extra easy which is very straightforward and flexible. You CAN just pay the joining fee and class fee (think it's £9.95) and never go again, just use the stuff at home BUT I find the class and weigh ins helpful plus members can access the online site which has thousands of recipes and a food diary plus lots of articles.

SW is basically a low-fat diet that encourages you to cook fresh food from scratch. The only things that get 'allowances' are cereals / breads and some dairy products like milk and cheese. You also get a 'syn' allowance for sugar, sweets, fats or extra bread, cheese etc.

I haven't been doing it for long but I am really impressed so far, eating like a queen and losing weight steadily. You do need to be organised and make sure you stock up on free and super free foods but batch cooking / doubling up will really help. Their cookbooks can be bought in class and are excellent and very reasonable (most expensive ones are £4.95). I recommend Cooking on a Budget, Fakeaways (Fake takeaways :o) and Little Book of Soups. Lots of others too and loads of recipes online and on the SW site.

Hope that essay helps! :)

The first 30 minutes is taken up with the weigh in when new members get chatted through the plan by the consultant. Everyone else is busy getting weighed, handing over free food for the slimmer of the week prize, buying raffle tickets, getting themselves a seat and a drink or stocking up on SW goodies. I always get the latest mag for inspiration.

Then the group session or IMAGE therapy begins. The consultant brings up a particular topic and encourages everyone to share ideas if they want to. After a few minutes they go around the group, praising weight loss, asking if anyone has any problems and focusing on what you want to achieve over the next week. I've always found the atmosphere very supportive and nobody gets laughed at or humiliated in any way. The consultant usually announces your weight loss that week or total weight loss to date and there is lots of clapping (which can take a bit of getting used to).

After everyone has been included, the person with the biggest weight loss that week (meeting certain conditions) gets a prize from the group and the raffle gets drawn. Any new members get weighed in absolute privacy at the end if they decide to join and there's usually a chance to grab the consultant for a private chat if you want one.

Groups do have different feels to them based on the consultant and the other members. I've always been happiest in a group with a leader who really encourages members to examine why they have maintained or gained weight, rather than just letting them turn up week after week to moan knowing full well that they're not following the plan.

Hope this helps. Also remember that the really thin looking members may well have started in exactly the same way as you, but keep coming having reached target to keep the weight off, support others and keep getting the support themselves.