Can anyone tell me how Slimming World works?

[ImagineJL]

I have a final half stone of baby weight to lose (kids age 4 and 7!), and I've never done "specific" diets - Atkins and all that - just the usual calorie counting. But lately it doesn't seem to be working for me.

A friend of mine has lost loads on Slimming World, and swears by it.

I don't want to sign up and spend money if it's something that involves lots of thinking about exactly what I'm eating and with what - I'm a single parent with a demanding job, and planning meals etc just isn't possible.

So can anyone tell me the theory of it in a nutshell? I'd be really grateful.

Basically, on the Extra Easy plan (the main one offered now, and the only one I've tried) you need to have 1/3 of every meal as fruit and veg. Most protein and carbs are free (unlimited) except bread. You get a Syn allowance for treats, and you get an allowance for dairy and bread. If you want to go over the dairy or bread allowance it comes out of your Syns.

An average day for me when I followed it was fruit and muller light yogurt for breakfast, salad for lunch with tuna or ham or something, and either something like spaghetti bolognese for tea (made with extra veg so 1/3 of ingredients were veggies) or a roast dinner type meal - roasties dry roasted with a bit of salt, meat, and loads of veg.

Snacks would be either fruit, or an occasional chocolate bar, although there are also Syn free treats.

I lost half a stone my first week, then dropped to about 1 or 2 lb a week. You do have to cook though, it's not a diet that can be followed by sticking something in the oven without any prep.

Thank you. It sounds a bit labour-intensive to me!

you pay them each week
they set you unattainable goals
they make money

same with ALL weight loss clubs : they make little or no money out of those who suss out weight loss and stop going

I find it really easy. I need the structure of a weight loss club because otherwise I give up really quickly. I've lost a stone in 7 weeks so it is coming off at a steady pace.

If you have a look on their website they give you a weeks sample menu to try.

I have done most diets and found sw hard going at first - it def takes a lot of time to think about what u r eating etc. however now I'm in my ninth week with a stone off. For the first time in my life I'm eating less snacks and feel fuller for longer. I think it's a fab diet. I still eat as I used to where meals are concerned but don't use oil when I cook - use fry light instead - and make my own sauces rather than use jars. My kids are benefitting from that too. BUT it does take time to get ur head around. Then again - who said losing weight is easy. It's all about sticking to it and being sensible no matter what diet u follow.