I've tried so many times and SW doesn't work

[marshmallowmama]

What on Earth am I doing wrong? Granted I haven't tried in a few years but seriously when I last did slimming works I stuck to it religiously and really tried so hard and I just didn't lose weight ?! I'd love to try again as anyone else that does it just melts the fat off easily. Can anybody help me?

I agree.
I found it pretty successful but you do have to apply common sense too. "Free" foods can only be eaten in sensible amounts. Yes, it says unlimited but I guess they work on the principle that most people, especially those who are trying to lose weight, aren't actually going to want to eat a whole chicken, or a pan full of pasta, especially if they have already filled 1/3 of their plate with salad or veg.
I did the online plan and have never been to a meeting so can't comment on that side of things, but the info that comes with the online programme seemed pretty sensible to me. I basically ended up eating lots of fruit and veg, plenty of lean protein, moderate carbs and minimal processed food.
As an experiment I recorded some of days on my fitness pal too and found I was eating about 1200 calories a day on average on SW. I just found the SW way of counting quicker and easier than calorie counting. And I was less likely to eat junk. When I tried calorie counting I might say to myself "Oh that chocolate is only 200 calories and I will just eat less potatoes at dinner" whereas on SW I'd think "Hmm. 8 syns. That's a lot. I'll have an apple instead". Then I'd eat a sensible evening meal as I hadn't "used up" my daily allowance on snacks. So the calorie count might end up the same but on SW my diet was healthier.
And nowhere does it say the calorific value of foods changes if they are prepared differently. I am not saying the PP is lying - I've heard a lot of people saying the quality of the group leaders can be variable and the one who said that sounds a bit of an idiot - but if you look at the actual SW literature it does not say that. It does give different syn values on the basis of how a food is prepared but that isn't unreasonable as it is to discourage you from eating calorie dense foods that don't fill you up. A pureed apple may contain the same calories as a whole raw one, but the whole apple takes time to eat, time to digest and will leave you feeling more satisfied. The puree will slip down in a couple of mouthfuls and the fibre will have been broken up so its digested quicker. Chances are you'll eat more that way, be tempted to add something else and feel hungry again sooner. So the pureed apple has syns to discourage you from eating it or to make you weigh it and think about what you are eating at least, but the whole apple is free because its a healthy snack in its own right.
SW isn't magic. No diet is. And different approaches motivate different people. But I found it helpful. I lost 3 stone over about a year and have kept most of it off so far.

@worriedatthistime Put your stats into this calculator to work out your maintenance calories and then eat less, but don't go too low as you'll find it unsustainable in the long run.

I lost quite a lot of weight on SW a few years ago (now sadly all regained) but only because I kept an idea of calories as well when it came to carbs. Some people in the group (by their own admission) previously had very unhealthy diets and really benefitted from the focus on fresh fruit and veg and ideas for cooking from scratch. I don't think it's very helpful for anyone who is already eating the right foods but just too much of it- I know that if I didn't consider calories too I could have happily eaten vast amounts of salad/veg to justify larger portions of rice/pasta/potatoes (the 1/3 speed rule).

From what I hear the consultants are trained on the SW rules/plan etc but don't necessarily know much about general nutrition or HOW the plan is supposed to work. When I was doing SW there was a change in the 'rules' to increase the amount of milk/cheese you were supposed to eat each day. The consultant was beside herself about how amazing this was that everyone could now have twice the cheese- but she never mentioned that of course that means that to keep losing weight at the same rate you will need to consume fewer calories of other foods.

I think SW works for some people. But not all.
I've previously lost weight on SW but have to eat a low carb, low sugar diet now so would find it harder.

@marshmallowmama if you've tried it numerous times and it doesn't work then maybe a different "diet" would be better.

It worked for me but I didn't rely on Syns. For instance I cut our alcohol and cheese! And refined sugar where I could. Personally I think the Syn thing is a distraction and people kid themselves they're staying g within limits. Cut em out and try and have as many Free food days as possible and honestly you can't fail

Oh and I've kept it off - three years on and I'm still target weight or thereabouts. If my waistband gets tight I cut the treats again. It really can work but you mustn't ever mix youref!

Been on 1200 calorie a day diet for 2 weeks now with one 1500 cal treat day and not lost a thing , my maintenance is supposedly about 2000 calories, really peed off
Have a lot to loose but not been able to for ages

@worriedatthistime - you are unlikely to lose much in the first 2 weeks. I think your 6x1200 + 1500 strategy is sound and will pay off.

It seems that the ready meals work and maybe the recipes but the food optimising does not as you can so easily go over your calories then you won't lose weight.
I'm going over to nutracheck which is a calorie controlled diet were there are plenty of success stories in the app.
Also you can pay £6 a month or £28 for the whole year it's so much more cheaper and the app is easy to use and every food you eat is on the app which makes it so easy to use.
You can also link up with a fitbit watch or use a pedometre if you take exercise or just type it in.
Try it.
It's also better than body magic it counts your steps and calories used in exercise.