Proud to have lost! (Slimming World)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	Slimming World
Date:	03/06/08 (825 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

Since having my son 5 years ago I have wanted to lose some weight. I am not really overweight but weigh more than I did a few years ago and was not happy with myself. A few months ago I bumped into a friend I hadn't seen for ages and couldn't believe how slim she was! She told me she had joined slimming world and had found loosing weight easy. I decided that the time had come to do something positive about my weight and that slimming world could well be the answer. By coincidence I had recently had a flyer through my door advertising my local slimming world group and offering a £5 discount on joining. I decided to give it a go and found myself nervously walking into the local community centre a few days later.

Slimming world was founded in 1969 by Margaret Miles-Bramwell and she is still very much involved in the company to day. Slimming world has 5,500 groups and over 2,000 consultants so chances are there will be a group near you! To find your nearest group simply go to the slimming world web site at www.slimmingworld.com and type in your postcode. It is possible to join on line if you wish but I really recommend you take the plunge and go along to your local group. On arrival at the group I was warmly greeted by the consultant and existing members. There was another new member so the two of us were taken to a quiet corner of the room to have slimming world explained by the consultant.

It costs £10 to join slimming world but this is usually discounted to £5. Each week you will have to pay £4.50. There are concessions for those over 60 and for students who pay £4.25. It is possible to buy either 6 weeks for the price of 5,or 12 weeks for the price of 10. Membership is free for those who have reached and maintained their target weight.

The consultant asked each of us to think about what weight we wanted to aim for. I chose to leave this open to see how I got on.

How it works.
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The first thing to note is that the slimming world weight loss programme is not a diet. Having failed on numerous diets before this bit of news encouraged me! Slimming world helps you on your weight loss journey by teaching you to food optimise-slimming worlds buzz phase! The consultant handed me a pack containing several booklets. The main slimming world booklet has a green cover on one side or turn the booklet over to reveal a red cover. Basically you can chose to either follow a green menu or a red also called original. Hope you are still with me!

On a green day you can as much healthy carbohydrate, namely pasta.potato, rice and pulses, as you like. To this you can add measured portions of lean meat or fish. You do have to weigh the meat or fish but you are allowed a very generous amount.

On a red or original day things are reversed and you are allowed to eat as much lean meat or fish as you like, both if you want to! However you will need to weigh any potatoes, rice or pasta you add.

Whether you follow a green day or a red day you can eat as much so called free foods as you like. Free foods include most vegetables and fruit. In addition you are allowed to have what are known as 2 healthy extras from an A list and 2 from a B list. Healthy extras the A list includes milk and cheese and the B list includes bread, cereals etc.

In addition to all the free foods you can have what are known as syns each day. The consultant will suggest how many syns you can allow yourself and still lose weight. Syns are so called treat foods like wine (in my case)! I like to save my syns up and have a bottle of wine at the weekend. You could have a chocolate bar or 2 if you prefer!

I have tried to explain the sliming world philosophy as simply as possible. It really is very easy to understand once you get the hang of it! The booklet you will be given when you join explains everything in detail and lists most foods and gives their syn values.

In addition to a food-optimising booklet your pack will contain a booklet called body magic. This is basically about exercise and how it can help you to lose weight and stay healthy. It gives different ideas for activities such as washing your car and climbing stairs. I did find this booklet helpful in getting me to exercise more. There is also a weight chart giving the idea weight range for your height.

Following the introductory talk you get weighed. I was really dreading this bit but no one is told your weight apart from the consultant and the person doing the weighing. Each week your weight is recorded with how much you have lost (or gained).

Following the weigh in there follows what is known image therapy. This is where each member's progress is discussed for the week. For example how much weight you have lost and any tips you have for other members. I find it really helpful to be given encouragement during these sessions. In addition certificates are given to the slimmer of the week, who ever has lost the most weight. In our group members all bring a piece of fruit each week to place in the fruit bowl. The slimmer of the week wins all the fruit!

Members are also rewarded when they loose each ½ stone, with a sticker. Doesn't sound too great does it? However when you loose your first ½ stone, believe me you will be thrilled to get that sticker!

Other information.
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My slimming world group also sells slimming world recipe books at a discount in addition to the slimming world monthly magazine (review to follow). There are slimming world recipe books for you to read and a folder with recipe ideas from members. I find these really useful and take a notepad to meeting to copy down any I fancy. Several times a year our group has food tasting sessions when members bring along something they have made for others to try. I have been amazed at some of the dishes you can eat and still lose weight!

My experience.
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I joined slimming world 3 months ago and have now lost just over a stone. I found I lost about 3 lbs a week and was slimmer of the week several times. I am now happy with my weight and am having no problem in maintaining it. I have found the slimming world idea of food optimising very easy to follow and can honestly say I have never felt hungry. In addition I really like the fact that the meals I have are suitable for all the family, just as well as I can't imagine having to cook separate meals for myself! I am not a fruit lover but have learned to eat fruit as a snack rather that a handful a hunk of bread smothered in butter and cheese! In short I have changed how I eat and view food, something I thought would never happen.

I like the fact I don't have to count calories or points and don't often have to weigh food. The slimming world website has some great meal ideas and even has a weeks meals planned out for you. As a member you will be given weekly password so you can plot your progress on line.

Many people struggle to lose weight alone and may find that the support of a group is vital to success. I have not only lost weight but have gained friends too. If you are tempted to join then I hope this review may help you to take the plunge, you really will be pleasantly surprised how easy it is!

Summary: slimming world