Meetings - don't find them friendly at all

[LaGattaNera]

I know many who do SW find the meetings rather long/boring although I think that the plan itself is fantastic! Having done WW previously and got to goal, I found the meetings really helped me and also were extremely friendly and people got chatting - in particular at the time, the chairs were usually in rows so I got chatting to people in front, behind and to the side of me. I find at the SW meetings (I've tried 3 different ones so far) not terribly friendly. I am outgoing and usually find it easy to chat to everyone but people all seem to know each other, they sit in their groups together and even if I sit by them and say hello, I might get a hello back but then sit like a lemon till the talk and if the consultant is overrunning on her new member talk, I sit feeling like a spare part even longer. Feeling so despondent about the meetings - they are long and going round the room is boring and it is made even worse by feeling like this.

Maybe you should skip it? Everything can't fit everybody, maybe these meetings are not helpful to you even if others enjoy them.

I didn't like them either. I stayed for the first meeting just before the summer, when I first started. That was enough to put me off. I carried on over the next month or so, just going to get weighed and going home afterwards. My group then closed so had to join another one. Now i do it online which i much prefer.

I have moved classes a few times due to the times of classes.

Every class is different. The one i am at now is friendly. But some others have been less so. If i am at one where no one wants to chat i sit and mn.

I do find that the taster sessions where people bring in sw food helps with socialising a bit. Have you had one yet?

I've been to classes that were really welcoming, and others that were incredibly cliquey and after a few weeks I never bothered staying. I'm a serial re-joiner and when I've joined at a peak time for new members - beginning of January, when the schools go back in September, there are enough new people joining together that I wouldn't feel left out.

Maybe try a different group? I love my group but when I have weighed at others (run by the same consultant) they vary widely-one was really welcoming, the other was not and despite my efforts I was left on my own and pretty much ignored. Also, maybe see if your Consultant would like help on the social team, helping on the shop, selling raffle tickets etc is a good way to get chatting to people

Have you been on day or vending groups? I am doing SW at moment as have around 5 st to lose. Have done SW previously and as you say, often not over friendly. Always did after-work meetings, However joined new day group in June by myself (ie without a chum to go with) and it is a completely different vibe. I find it very useful to hear what other people have to say rather than just talk about self etcetera. The more friendly group are older and happy to share. I find the people rushing to/from jobs have been less likely to share /chat as much and usually just it with a friend who joined with them. Don't know if that helps??

I started a group at the end of June and I have been to 3 groups as sometimes can't make my regular one. Found them all supportive, friendly, helpful and caring. Never felt anyone was being false or nasty.

I quite like mine, but I use it to sit down quietly for an hour. I don't really care for much chit chat though. I leaf through the recipe books. Its quite helpful listening to the tips.