Slimming World Leader/Phone Calls

[MaplePumpkin]

So I’m not sure if this is normal or not, and was hoping to hear from other people who have done slimming world (or weight watchers, anything similar)!

Ive been going for a few weeks. I recently lost two stone during an illness and I want to keep it off. I’d love to lose even more weight but my priority really is just not putting that two stone back on and maintaining. I did explain this to my group leader when I joined, and she just kept telling me not to settle for maintaining and to push myself to lose more. Ok.

Anyway in the few weeks since I joined, my weekly weight loss has looked a bit like this:
lose a pound and a half
lose half a pound
put on a pound
lose two pounds
put on a pound and a half
So in six weeks I’ve basically only lost about a pound and a half. Obviously it would have been great to have lost more but I’m also absolutely fine with this. It’s better than nothing and I have been trying (I admit I could’ve tried way harder, but I’ve made some good healthy changes!). And ultimately it’s better than me putting that two stone back on! Essentially, Im happy enough with how things are going.

Last week one day my boyfriend and I were enjoying some chill time watching a film, and my club leader rang me. I didn’t answer as it was about 9pm and I thought she’d text if there was anything urgent I needed to know (ie change of location for our next meeting or something.) She didn’t, I left it, forgot all about it.
Then last night I was out at a pub quiz with friends and noticed I had two missed calls from her. I sent a quick text to ask if everything was ok and said I was busy.
I was quite taken aback by her reply. She said she has been looking over her groups data and I “appear to be struggling to lose weight.” She asked if I want to attend this weeks club a bit earlier than usual so we can chat.

Is this normal? I’ll admit I’ve found it a bit annoying. Ringing me in the evening, and telling me I’m struggling? Maybe I’m struggling by her slimming world standards but I feel pleased with how I’m doing. I’m basically just curious to know if this is normal practice and it’s just her supporting her members, or if it’s over stepping?

I've never joined a weight loss club, but maybe that's all she knows how to do is encourage and support weight loss rather than maintenance? Or is she targeted on group progress which is why she's stepped up her 1:1 support for you as you haven't lost weight (regardless of whether you want to or not!)

My experience of Slimming World is that the consultants do stay in touch with you by text and the odd call, but mine has only ever called me in the day and weekdays only.

The 'come in early for a chat' thing happens too. Could you use it as an opportunity to tell her again what you've just told us - that maintenance is ok by you right now and also ask her to text rather than call.

Nothing untoward about it, she's keeping an eye on her group and offering support to those that appear to be struggling

Mine always sends out group motivational messages a couple of times a week and will text personally if she knows things arent going so well for you

Do you stay for group?

I'd say it was nice of her if I didn't know what it was like to be a SW consultant. There's so much pressure on you to hit targets. If your members aren't losing, it makes it very difficult. She will need you to lose. These multiple phone calls are her panicking that you're not massaging her stats enough. It's a harsh but true reality of this kind of organisation.

I would imagine they are under a lot of pressure to hit targets, and even though I don’t know- I can imagine that sw numbers are dropping off in favour of wli- which would also add pressure…

I went about 10 years ago and would say got an odd text message about once a week encouraging you to achieve all your dreams……

imo ringing you is a step to far , I would nicely say you don’t appreciate it and to stick to messages if there’s an important message

It would be good if you actually did want to lose weight as she's noticing it's not happening and offering extra support. But it seems you told her weight loss wasn't your goal and she hasn't really registered this.

Just tell her again you only wish to maintain. You'd think she'd be happy to take your money and not have to worry you're not achieving weight loss goals?

I guess her group is judged against the others and having maintainers makes her look less successful than her peers. It could mean she gets less bonus from head office or something.

Maybe you could just do the online SW if she is making you feel uncomfortable?

Thanks so much for reassuring me that this is normal practice and not something to be irritated about!

Id really never thought of it in a target hitting sort of way, for me it’s a lighthearted/social club and I forget it actually is a business!

I appreciate the perspectives! I’ll see how it goes at club tomorrow night 😊

Do you stay to group? These discussions should be had in group

I do, I would’ve thought the same!

She will be worried you are realising it doesn’t work and don’t comeback. It’s a bit of a push to make sure she gets your fiver (or wherever it is these days)