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Slimming World

Discuss Slimming World experiences, tips and success stories. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Slimming world group chat - found it awkward

36 replies

MyballsareSandy2015 · 13/01/2016 09:23

My 2nd visit to SW last night and Ive lost 2 pound so an ok start. Stayed for the meeting after and the leader spent an hour going round the room telling everyone what they'd lost or gained, and asking how they felt about it, what they had eaten etc.

I'm quite shy in these group situations and hated it. It's put me off
Staying. Might just weigh and go next week. Are all the meetings jims this?

OP posts:
Original poster
MyballsareSandy2015 · 13/01/2016 09:24

Are all the meetings like this, bloody phone!

OP posts:
FlopIsMyParentingGuru · 13/01/2016 09:31

I've been going to SW since June and still find them awkward but a bit less so.
What I generally do us get weighed and stay for the first chatty bit as it can be helpful to hear of any syn changes or new products and their syns. When it goes into chatting people I usually head out after a few minutes unless I'm really needing motivation in which case I stay.

FabFlo · 13/01/2016 10:37

All meetings are like this.

But you get to know the other members and they can be great support if you have a bad week.

Those that stay to group lose more apparently.

LittleLegs25 · 13/01/2016 10:54

I also found this very scary!! Im quite shy in front of people I don't now so all the eyes on me really did embarrass me but you just get used to it after a while. I learned to just keep my eyes on the lady at the front rather than look round the room.

LittleLegs25 · 13/01/2016 10:54

**know

puppydogmummy · 13/01/2016 18:25

I know what you mean but I found it a good way to get to know people's names in the group, and that as we got to know each other better you can start to have a bit of a laugh with each other. I started going to the meetings on my own and felt really self conscious for ages but got chatting to the social team and now I actually look forward to it! We have s few fellas in our group and I have to say the chat and banter had me in tears of laughter sometimes! If I didn't force myself to stay for the first few months I d never have got to know everyone. Stick at it and stay to meeting, that's my advice 😀

Chrisinthemorning · 13/01/2016 18:29

Yes all the meetings are like this and yanbu to hate it! It's a good diet but the meetings are just awful, particularly if the leader puts pressure to "stay for group". There must be a better way!

emmaluvseeyore · 14/01/2016 10:11

This is one of the reasons I decided to do it online. I don't have to sit through any of this rubbish!

SunnySomer · 14/01/2016 10:15

It is the reason I gave up. I went for about 6 weeks, lost half a stone, but felt I didn't "fit", so stopped. May try the online version as my half stone returned immediately!!

LizzieMacQueen · 14/01/2016 10:23

Those that stay to group lose more apparently

I know they go on about that but surely it is because those that have gained or stayed the same tend to bugger off home after the weigh-in.

JOEYDOESNTSHAREFOOD · 14/01/2016 10:54

She publically told people what each person had lost/gained, or privately? I wouldn't want a whole group knowing. There will always be people happy to divulge that info, sometimes I would, but I'd like the choice!

Original poster
MyballsareSandy2015 · 14/01/2016 22:41

Publically announced to all, not privately. I was quite surprised.
Not for me really.

OP posts:
hollowlegs · 14/01/2016 22:47

Ugh it sounds awful.
I'm so glad I've never joined.

If I were running a Slimming World Group, instead of going round thee room and forcing people to speak, (hell for quiet people) I would let the ones who want to speak speak and those who want to listen can listen.

The quiet ones can 'dip' in now and again.

Does the same thing happen at WW?

ChubbyPolecat · 14/01/2016 22:54

My consultant gives you the choice about being spoken to I'd have thought thy all do

hollowlegs · 14/01/2016 23:08

I'm sure SW they would get a lot more members if they did things the way your consultant does ChubbyPolecat.

Lots of people don't like being put on the spot in group situations.
It's one of the reasons my mother won't join anything like this, even though she would like to.

calzone · 14/01/2016 23:17

You can ask not to be spoken to.....

cowboylover · 15/01/2016 00:37

As a national stat 75% of members that stay to class will reach their target weight and that number drops dramatically for those that just weigh and go, can't remember the exact number but I think it's 5% ish

My consultant announces the losses but when it's a gain it's just said as that and not the exact number. There are lots of people in my group that don't like talking much, my mum included and she is asked if there is anything she would like support with that week and it's a yes or no opportunity so doesn't feel like she is put on the spot to speak to the group which I know she would hate but after nearly a year she is starting to talk a little more.

I have never tried online so I don't know if that would work for me but I think finding the right group and consultant is important because I joined before with different ones and didn't like it at all so it is much better now.

timelytess · 15/01/2016 00:53

Haven't been to SW for ages as last time I was there the leaders (3 of them) were calling to everyone 'Have you been for a poo?' before they were weighed.

runmum78 · 15/01/2016 11:06

I've recently got the courage to go to class, but I have not stayed as this type of thing terrifies me!! When I did WW you chose to speak up or not, not be put on the spot.
My leader did say if you put on weight after a say a holiday, then he wouldn't announce it! maybe I'll stay one day :)

hollowlegs · 15/01/2016 11:23

Hopefully Slimming World Leaders will read this thread and take note.

When I did WW you chose to speak up or not, not be put on the spot.
runmum78, This is the correct way of doing it.

smileymam · 15/01/2016 16:20

I asked my leader if she would mind me not speaking up in class and she was great she just skips past me, if I have to speak up I won't stay, I like listening to the others and chatting before hand but I don't like it when the focus is all on you.

lighteningirl · 15/01/2016 16:32

Just tell her you dont like talking and she will miss you out. Also a good leader will make the chat about food ideas recipes etc it's about the week coming up not the week that's gone. My group is a great laugh and generally packed to the rafters we lost over 21 stone this week I'd honestly prefer the judgy uptight people who look down their noses at Slimming groups to not stay. They still get great text and email support can still access our group fb page but if your going to sidle out just don't stay coz it annoys the hell out of your consultant and its pretty rude.staying isn't for everyone if it's not for you don't do it talking isn't for everyone if it's not for you don't do but don't spoil it for those who do like it.

Owllady · 15/01/2016 16:36

This is what put me off sw. It's humiliating, especially if you are one of the bigger people there. I remember the leader picking out a rather large lady who'd been to oz and SHE PUT ON TEN POUND!
And she gasped!
And I thought tucking hell!Confused

Ww is not like that at all. The meetings are actually quite nice

lighteningirl · 15/01/2016 16:53

Any consultant seen, caught or reported doing that in a SW group would have her franchise removed that is absolutely not typical of a SW group the heart and core of SW is no humiliation.

tabulahrasa · 15/01/2016 17:30

Owllady - I've been one of the biggest people in the room and I can quite easily (still, totally within a healthy BMI) put on 7lb in a week without even being away and I've never had that reaction.

I hated WW, she used to make us stand up if we'd gained, that was humiliating.

Having my gain at SW 'announced' usually goes along the lines of - you've gained x, are you ok with that? And me going, yep I know exactly where it came from. Grin then moving on to asking what my plans are for the week ahead.

It's never been about making me feel bad about it, just making sure I didn't get a gain where I thought I'd been doing it right...and I know if I asked she'd not mention it, but I've been going long enough that I don't care, if I decide to prove to a Christmas cake box that it does not in fact serve 16, I can hardly expect to lose that week. Now I did in fact say exactly that, but I could just as easily have left it at, yes I was expecting a gain this week, told her I was fine for next week and that would have been that.