SW groups vs SW online vs DIY

[nearlyreadyforstatelyhomes]

I had stollen for breakfast Time to get a grip and lose some weight.

I'm toying with the idea of SW but am reluctant in case it marks the start of a diet-lose-stop-gain cycle forever more - ie once I succumbe to a diet that's it, I'll go up and down always.

Also the group near me is at 7:30pm. With a baby (ebf) and a toddler I can't guarantee I'll make it on time, or at all, every week. Plus if I'm going out in the cold/dark I'd prefer to go the gym/pool etc IYSWIM instead.

Would online be easier for me? Seems like a lot of money and I'm not sure if I'd actually do it if I'm not engaging with real humans about the whole thing.

Or do I just cut out the crap and make an effort to do some exercise??

do it on your own..i'm very about sw,especially the faddy coloured days and eat as much as you like attitude

loads of apps you can use for encouragement

The 'faddy coloured days' is the old version (though you can still follow it if you want to). It's not 'eat as much as you want' really, either. Only of certain foods.

I've lost 5.5 stone on SW (kept it off almost a year), DH nearly 7. It's worked for a lot of people, but if you don't think it's for you, you'd probably be best trying your own. Like 26 says, there's loads of apps (MyFitnessPal etc) that can help.

I've got mfp but am slack when it comes to keeping it updated.

I kind of think the formal structure of a diet might give me some boundaries and rules but not sure I like the idea of a diet (for the reasons I mention above).

Hmmmm....

Does myfitnesspal work for SW? My friend uses it for WW and they've been very impressed with it.

You can run it alongside SW. If you've got the SW app / website it'll keep track of your syns, healthy extras & free food. MFP will track what you're eating in terms of calories. I was surprised that what I was eating on SW was still within 'healthy' parameters IYSWIM.

Personally I need the structure of a plan to follow, depends how much you need to lose, if its stones then in my experience you need more than the advice you often get on here to just eat better and move more.

Slimming world has really changed, maybe attend a class and have the new member talk, you can still decide to do it online but you'll have a better idea of what you're signing up for.

Magazines at the minute are doing half price joining (£9.95 joining fee & first week inc new starter talk & your pack, access to app & website etc). In Feb they're launching a range of syn free ready meals at Iceland.

I have tried both doing it on my own using mfp and going to groups and for me SW work's best as I need the focus of going to group and having someone else weigh me to keep me on track.

If you are confident that you can stick to plan without that I know some people who just pay to attend one session to get the SW pack and then never go back to group, a friend of mine has lost nearly 2 stone since summer following SW at home but I know that it wouldn't work as well for me.

I'm doing it online, and as there are no meetings I can get too. They do give you messages of encouragement which helps, and also direct you to things on the website which you might find useful.
I did weight watchers years ago but got fed up with hearing about "self esteem issues" at the meetings. I don't overeat because I have problems with self esteem. I eat too much because I am greedy

Just joined online. Not a clue what I'm supposed to do

How often do you go to the gym after dark though?

I intend to go. But theres always an excuse not to, to put of till tomorrow.

I never thought i was a slimming class/ fat club kind of person. After many years of being over weight I felt I couldn't keep up the excuse I'm an intelligent women I know how all the diets work. Whats that buzz phrase eat less, exercise more. Sounds so simple, much harder to put into practice.

I was worried about being hungry all the time and being the person at group who put on every week. I was worried about it being cliquey and feeling self conscious, i was worried about the cost and also that it was selfish taking the time for me when there are always so many other things to be done.

Theres 168hrs in a week. I take approx 1.5hrs out for me at slimming world. Its not a lot to fit in, once you've planned your week. I wouldn't really be at the gym instead.

I actually quite enjoy it. Going in the first few times was a little scary but slowly I started to chat a bit to people.

Theres never humiliation. A bit of clapping which it took a bit of getting used too. But why shouldn't we as adults celebrate our achievements? Its all self esteem building (and I don't think I have any eating related disorder i just like food). The balance of socialising, feeling positive about your achievements and having targets is good.

At this time of year theres lots of people in the same boat. Lots of new faces so you really wouldn't be alone.

I've lost over 3.5 stone since early summer last year. Its a big change, still a little way to go but I'm confident that by early this summer I'll be settled at my ideal weight.