Found SW group cliquey

[Willow33]

I like the idea of SW and joined a couple of years ago but it was very cliquey. In the first week, I called up the leader to see if I was correctly logging what I was eating and she could not get off the phone quick enough. There was a Facebook group for this particular group but it wasn't made general knowledge to all members who attended. One week, the group was cancelled and I wasn't even told. I used to attend weekly.
I am thinking of rejoining but couldn't face going back there.
Does anyone else have groups which were like mine or was my experience unusual.
Honestly I am a friendly person and chatted to other members. It wasn't really the other members but something not right about the leader and a vibe she had.

Have only been to the one I have joined a few weeks ago and am happy so can't comment but would suggest trying another group. Don't be put off

I have joined an awful group. Many years ago. No one was losing weight, even the consultant couldn't stick to it. She was very overweight, which wasn't a problem except every week she was full of excuses about why she had put on.

There was no motivation. I moved to another group and its great.

I do find a consultant can make or break it.

My consultant is excellent. There are groups that tend to sit together every week and they seem to be friends outside the group. But there are lots of people on their own and everybody chats to each other.

Our consultant gave me a printed sheet with the fb group, how to contact her etc.

Was it a fb group she ran or just one that members set up?

Personally I tried online SW but it didn't work for me. I am really glad I found this group. The consultant is friendly but gets to the point when talking to the group so it doesn't go on forever and I have found it invaluable to helping me stay on track.

that stinks! everybody should be treated equally. i remember going years ago and the consultant was very overweight and kind of half sat on a table...not a good look. She couldn't be bothered.....dreadful.

In fairness regarding the weight of the consultants...consultants are all members too and while slimming world is good, it isn't going to magically fix any issues the consultants have, it'll only help them lose weight while they're doing it.

You also don't know what their starting weight was, I've met some who are fairly overweight but a damn sight lighter than before they joined.

They're not employees with a weight range written into their contract, who will be fired if they go outside it (unlike other organisations).

No excuse for being half arsed or not giving equal service to everyone mind, but their weight is their business.

mmmm yes and no? I guess I am looking at her/him for inspiration.

But...inspiring isn't necessarily slim, I've been to groups with larger consultants where they're still fantastic, because they know it works and how it works, but they can also emphasise when it's a mental issue because they're working on theirs too - if that makes sense? They don't have to be perfect to help other people.

Equally I've been to groups with consultants who got to target straight away and have stayed there amazingly, but they're shite if you're struggling because they just don't understand it.

If they're good they're good, whatever size they are and the same is true if they're not so good.

From my point of view I don't care about the weight of the consultant.

However, when I was a newbie, I felt if the consultant couldn't stick to it. What chance did I have.

It was t the weight that was an issue. It was her attitude to SW plan.

good point tabula.....it just seems slightly absurd to have somebody who is much larger than the group in charge. As you rightly point out we don't know where they are on their journey.
I think being genuine is vital and mine is just that.

When I went to the SW consult, we were told consultants had to be within 2 stone of their target.

When I went I was told they had to be more than halfway to target to start as one, but there's definitely nothing in the contract about staying there.

And of course targets don't have to be within a healthy BMI.

I have no issue with going to a group where the consultant isn't at target but is positive about it and SW, but at the same time can go, yep, totally understand that issue you're having, it's hard sometimes, but the important bit is what you're going to do about it, we know the eating plan works, so what we need to get in place is a plan to get your head in the game.

Where some, no matter their weight just kind of stop at yep it's hard...that's no blooming use to me, lol.

My consultant stayed at a good weight but I felt she didn't care either way if I was there or not. When I left, there was no chase up calls etc. I am not sure if that should happen but wouldn't a good consultant chase up people?
Any way I wonder if online will be a better way or another group which is further away.

I don't think they chase people when they leave. I know mine does mail shots when offers are on, to ex members.

But she doesn't chase people. I would feel uncomfortable if I stopped going and they called, texted or wrote to me.

I found mine a bit cliquey but obviously some of them have been there a while so of course they know each other. I also think my consultant has favourites but again I think a lot of that is because they are helpers or post on Facebook. I have found the taster sessions good because I have made a point of praising the things people have brought and asking about them. Then the following week if I have made them I have told them and thanked them for the recipes. It has meant that I felt a bit more comfortable because at least I have spoken to a few more people.