What IS slimming world?

[bakedappleflavour]

I'd like to do slimming world but I find their website useless - I don't understand what is/isn't allowed? Anywhere I can find this info?

[NapQueen]

Its a bonkers plan where you can eat sweetened yoghurts and white carbs til the cows come home but have to "syn" an avocado.

[bakedappleflavour]

Nap I get you but I did lchf for 3 years. I know it works but I cannot go on any more with no white carbs or bloody sugar, it's miserable.

[MurielsBottom]

I think you have to pay up if you really want the secret to eternal life.

I have a friend who does Slimming world and has lost weight on it, but, by gum it's complicated! All I've picked up is that bread is a no-no.

[Eminybob]

I did it about 5 years ago and lost 2 stone. It may have changed a bit since then, but the gist of it is this:

You have a list of “free food” that you can eat as much as you want of. This includes fruit and veg, lean meat, pasta, rice, potatoes etc. Also fat free yogurts, cream cheese and stuff.

Then you have “healthy extras” which you allowed a limited amount of of. Cereals, bread, and dairy stuff. (I think there are 2 lists of healthy extras, and you are allowed one of each)

Then everything else has a “syn” value and you have a daily syn allowance. So if you want cake, for eg, then you will use you syn allowance.

I used to save my syns up until the weekend and then use them all on wine

Anyway, it worked for me, you get used to what is free and what’s not so is quite easy once you get the hang of it.

I did put all the weight back on and more after, but that was mainly down to having DS. I’m currently jut calorie counting using mfp and loosing at a similar rate to when I was on slimming world.

[Groovee]

You get free foods, such as meats, fish, pasta, rice, potatoes. Some fruits and veg are free foods. Yoghurts, eggs.

Then you have speed foods which you put 1/3rd on your plate and helps fill you up. Essentially cutting down your other food portions.

You chose 1 calcium choice and 1 fibre choice a day. These are measured and the only part you do measure. Milk/cheese with some other choices of dairy intolerant. Your fibre can come from crispbreads and bread, dried/cooked/tinned fruit/tinned Soup/nuts/cereals. There's a lot of choice.

You can have up to 15 syns a day which are things like oil/butter/crisps/chocolate/cake/biscuits/popcorn/takeaways.

Essentially it's low fat. Which for me with no gall bladder is easy to follow.

I don't eat endless muller lights like some people claim I do and people used to claim I lived of mugshots too. I only use the burgers from Iceland in the SW range as I cannot make my own burgers, and cook everything else from scratch.

This morning I had a fruit Omelette, will have soup for lunch and it's taster night at weigh in so will have tea there.

There are some great recipes out there which use spices and herbs out of your cupboard and are so tasty. It's found my cooking again which is great.

[bakedappleflavour]

Thanks both that's helpful

I find if I calorie count I just get mad and obsessive. The no calorie counting thing was the one thing I liked about low carbing.

[Eminybob]

I hear you about the obsessive calorie counting thing.
But actually I quite enjoy it, I spend time planning my meals on MFP and putting in recipes and stuff so I know exactly how much I’m having. I find it really focusses and motivates me.
I also have mfp linked to my Fitbit which calculates how many calories I’m burning based on activity, so I can easily work out my deficit and estimate how much I’m likely to lose each week. Sad I know but it works for me.

[WorkingMumOnTheGo]

SW was complicated for me when I first started I actually demanded my money back from them but I am so glad I stuck it out. Go onto YouTube and type in Slimming World explained and there are lots of vloggers who explain everything about what the plan entails. It's the best thing I have ever, ever done.

[bakedappleflavour]

Maybe I will try calorie counting for a bit. I'm never quite sure of how many to aim for though and it gets a bit cumbersome trying to weigh everything.

[Trampire]

SW the only diet I've ever lost weight on. Basically because it's the only one I can stick to for any length of time and not feel hungry.

I LOVE rice and pasta so it works well for me.

I tried low carbing for a bit but got really miserable without the rice etc.

You do have to join up to get the full list of free foods and syn values though. I've got old books so just use those and buy the magazine sometimes for news and new ideas.

[Ofthread]

So, you can eat as much pasta as you want? That defo won't work for me.

[MrsPreston11]

That's what I thought @Ofthread but I consistently lose 2-3lb a week.

I have pasta maybe 2-3 times a week, also jacket potatoes and rice dishes.

The difference is what you have with the pasta compared to when you're not doing Slimming World and also the snacks and treats you choose etc.

Also it's advised you have 1/3 of each meal made up from "speed foods" which are low sugar fruit and veg, so that means even when I have a Bolognese now I will cook it with loads of speed in it, and then also have 1/3 of my plate be salad or broccoli or something.

I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to change their eating habits and lose weight.

[Eminybob]

when I have a Bolognese now I will cook it with loads of speed in it

Haha now that would be a different type of diet entirely!

[bakedappleflavour]

I don't mind paying for it if I know what it is, it just wasn't clear on their website.

Low carbing just isn't for me. I eat a shit tonne of veg anyway which I would continue to do regardless but I can't live without ANY sugar. And I can't stand all the arsing butter and cream. I also don't really like meat so struggle with the lack of variety.

I may give it a go, what's to lose.

Can't bring myself to eat low fat yoghurt though, hate artificial sweeteners. Will that be an issue? Can I not have full fat dairy?

[Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es]

You can have full fat dairy, just less of it. I did it for a year and lost a stone, it is fairly easy to follow and fit around family meals etc. However I hated the meetings and resented paying £5 a week for the non-pleasure of them so I quit and started LCHF. I've lost another stone but I am with you on the difficulty of all the butter and cream, it makes me feel a bit queasy.

[bakedappleflavour]

I was planning on doing the online one rather than the meetings as I know I'd hate them!!

[bakedappleflavour]

Lchf works brilliantly for so many people but I just can't get on with it. Fucks my digestive system too despite all the veg I eat.

[Marcine]

Funny that some people find it bonkers or complicated when I have found it really simple and sensible.
Eat lots of vegetables and fruit, lean meat, limit fat and sugar = lose weight.

I like that nothing is banned and you never have to be hungry. It also fits well with family meals and sets a good example to children too - you aren't cutting out whole food groups or starving yourself.

[Wh0KnowsWhereTheT1meG0es]

I tried the online one for a few months before I started going to group but found I resented paying £5 a week for the crap online offering too, I found both the app and website to be pretty hopeless. I do think it's basically a pretty sensible eating plan though.

[bakedappleflavour]

I just signed up. Bit hard to navigate and I don't seem to have anything which tells me how many syns I'm allowed per day?!

Yes LCHF was just not realistic when I have a fussy toddler and a DH who won't cut out carbs. Yes yes I know I could have replaced the carby bit of the meal with cauliflower bloody rice or whatever but realistically my willpower is not that strong.

[fourmileswide]

I've done Slimming World and Weight Watchers, and actually put on weight doing SW - couldn't get the hang of their system at all. WW worked better for me.

[MistyMinge]

It seems complicated to begin with, but once you've got your head round it it's quite simple. It really helps and works best if you keep a food diary. It works if you stick to it.

Pinch of nom is a good website and Facebook group for recipes, help and inspiration.

[purplelass]

I'd recommend www.weightlossresources.co.uk/
It works out how many calories you need, you enter the foods and it works out the nutrition for you and you can earn extra calories through exercise.
There's a brilliant help team who will answer any queries you have and the support on the boards is excellent.

[bakedappleflavour]

Fx. I'll check back in in a few weeks and update!

[Marcine]

With syns I think you have to find the right level for you, they say 5-15 a day. If you eat 15 a day and still lose weight then good for you, if not then cut back. You might also be able to eat more when you are heavier and cut down as you get nearer your goal. I try to stick to up to 5, and go wild on a Saturday up to 15