Not feeling welcome at SW Now that I'm near my goal.

[chuffinalong]

Hi, I've been going to slimming world since November and so far I've lost 2.5 stone. I don't usually stay for the talk, so people probably haven't got to know me very well. I'm now 5 foot 6 and just under 10 stone, so not exactly skeletal. Because I'm more pear shaped, I can hide my chunkier areas with skirts. I'm getting a lot of people now coming up to me now saying "Are you sure you should be here?" and "why do you come to SW?" I think they are trying to be kind or complimentary, but it just makes me feel uneasy and kind of unwelcome there, like I'm a bit of an impostor or have issues with myself. I still want to loose another stone to reach my goal, but I feel it'll only get worse, as I get slimmer...

I've always been very slim as a teenager and young adult, in fact up until I got pregnant with my daughter, I've always been 8 stone. And looked very slim but not bony, so I don't think 9 stone is too out of the way. I'm wondering what to do about the comments? Is there a good answer I could give, or post in the SW facebook page? Or just ignore?
Thanks.

If you don't stay to group people might not know how much you've lost to get to where you are now and so are just seeing someone who looks like they don't need to lose much. Fwiw my mum lost 2.5 stone and still goes to stay on track. When people ask her about it she just explains her journey. Target members are good for groups as it shows that the plan works. You'd be more than welcome at the group I go to and would probably get those comments but in a light hearted slightly jealous way.

Thank you. That's true. I might post a pic of myself on the FB page and one of me now and just say something about how I'm loving the plan and getting excited about nearing my goal? That way everyone can see why I wanted to do it.

I love before and after pics...so inspiring. Its the reason I've kept my "fat trousers" so I can do the classic pulling out of the waist band pic.

Me too, I find the target members very inspiring and helpful too.

It's a shame, I usually delete the really unflattering pics of myself. I should've kept some!

I can't imagine anyone at my group saying that to another member tbh. How rude! SW accepts members with at least half a stone to lose and we have members of all shapes and sizes at our group, including target members and all are equally welcomed.

In your situation I think if be tempted to say something to the consultant as these comments could make a new member feel really uncomfortable.

That's true. It could put a lot of new members off. I'll have a word with the consultant as she is lovely and wouldn't want that.

I find the target members and people who've lost a lot of weight very inspiring and I value their insights into losing weight and keeping it off. It's easy to make an assumption that slim women are just naturally that way and it's good to hear how they have to work at it, I don't mean that in a nasty way, just that it helps to set up realistic expectations. Well done on your weight loss, please don't let a few misguided comments make you feel uncomfortable at the group.

Thank you cheekyvodka.