While it may be the most wonderful time of the year, the run-up to Christmas can also bring some worries if you’re trying to lose weight. Never fear – our Father Christmas hats are firmly on in Slimming World groups and Slimming World Online, where we’ll get all the support, magical motivation and slimming-friendly festive recipes you need to stay on track.
Sneak a peek at the strategies under the Slimming World tree, all designed to put you in control and on course for a cool weight loss and a confident Christmas…
Plan your menu in advance
Planning ahead is one of the strongest tools we can use this season. There are more than 100 Christmas recipes on our member website, including everything from extra-special breakfast ideas to perfectly on-plan puds – with plenty more ideas shared in Slimming World groups and in our Online Community. So make yourself a Slimming World hot chocolate, grab a notepad and make a shopping list that you’ll be excited to stick to.
More on the blog: Planning a party? These tasty nibbles will help you stay in your slimming groove
More for members: Welcome to our Weight Loss Wonderland – with everything you need for a cracking Christmas
Warm up with some brrr-illiant activity
It can feel more difficult to get active during the winter months – however, there are plenty of opportunities for festive fun that will get you moving more. Frosty walks, Christmas shopping, sledging or ice-skating… even decorating the house counts as activity! If the weather has turned too cold for your usual walk, DVD or online workouts at home are a cosy, convenient activity alternative.
More for members: You’ll find 90-plus activity videos on the website and app – with workouts to suit every fitness level
Get snack happy
We’ve all seen the tubs of chocolates and boxes of mince pies on supermarket shelves already… and it can seem like there are tempting treats wherever we turn at Christmastime. Slimming World’s healthy eating plan is so flexible that no food is on the naughty list – if you fancy a choccy or two, you can go for it, guilt-free!
More on the blog: Five movie-night bites
More for members: Use the food search tool or the Slimming World barcode scanner on the app to see how your favourite snacks fit into Food Optimising
Tackle those triggers
While nothing is off the menu at Slimming World, avoiding trigger foods is a sensible strategy to keep your weight loss safe this Christmas. Trigger foods can set off a loss of eating control, and steer us back to the habits that we’re trying to change – and they’re often those high-calorie foods that don’t fill us up (things like chocolates, biscuits, crisps or alcohol). We’ve got tools to help you to identify your personal triggers in Slimming World groups, and we’ll help you to find safer, more satisfying swaps, too.
More for members: Read about trigger foods, danger zones and sabotage traps
Watch out for ‘the tipping point’
Festive meals can often involve an alcoholic drink or two, and why not – it’s Christmas! Unfortunately, though, the amount we drink can have a big impact on our weight.
As well all as the calories in alcohol, Slimming World research shows that having slightly too much can tip us into drinking and eating far more than we intended (on average 6,400 calories more over the following 24 hours!).
You’ll find lots of ideas for slimming-friendly food and drinks in groups and on the member app and website, and we’ll support you with strategies so you can stay firmly in control. With Slimming World, you definitely can have a merry Christmas without putting your weight loss on the rocks!
More for members: Watch our alcohol video to help you swerve those party season slip-ups
More on the blog: Take a sip of Slimming World drinks and say cheers to a slim-tastic Christmas!
’Tis the season to feel supported
At Slimming World, we know that this time of year can feel like a slippery slope, especially if we’re dreaming of a slimmer 2026. That’s why we surround our group and online members with support – and pack our websites with tips, tools and really good reads to keep you on course through even the trickiest times.
Slimming World members also get access to a huge collection of recipes, with lots of ideas for every special occasion. With more than 2,000 recipes online, and lots more shared in group and in the Slimming World Online Community, you’ll never be stuck for what to cook.
More on the blog: Festive recipes, inspiration and much more to make it a very merry Christmas
