{"id":2531,"date":"2025-12-09T12:06:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/slimmingworld.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=2531"},"modified":"2025-12-09T12:11:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T12:11:34","slug":"discover-the-first-7-days-are-key-to-slimming-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/discover-the-first-7-days-are-key-to-slimming-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the first 7 days could be key to your slimming success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Having a great week-one weight loss could be the key to achieving your slimming dreams in the longer term, according to one of our largest-ever studies of Slimming World members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Three fast facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>People who lost 5lbs or more in their first week at a Slimming World group were four times more likely to lose 10% of their body weight within three months\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Age is no barrier to successful weight loss \u2013 52% of those aged 55 and over lost at least 5% of their body weight within three months<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>46% of those with a BMI of 30 or over lost 5% of their body weight within their first three months of Food Optimising<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing 5% of your body weight can have remarkable benefits for your health, such as improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and our survey shows that having a successful first week gives you the best chance of achieving a healthy weight loss in the longer term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Slimming World\u2019s senior research associate, says: \u201cSignificant weight losses are often associated with \u2018quick fix\u2019 diets or restrictive, faddy plans, however we can see from our research that it is possible to see big results on the scales by following a healthy, balanced eating plan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several key factors which influence a good first week \u2013 an understanding of how to make changes that can work for you, a healthy eating plan that\u2019s easy to live with and a realisation you\u2019re not alone. Feeling confident that you can go and get started on your new healthy eating plan straightaway and having support throughout the week if you feel your motivation is waning are also key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slimming World\u2019s expert support recognises all these things and every member who walks through the doors of our groups receives a warm welcome, an introduction to our Food Optimising eating plan and explanation of why it is so very different to other weight-loss diets, as well as an understanding of how to confidently get started and overcome past barriers to success. This new understanding, and a growing sense of determination and self-belief is cemented when members return to group the following week with a great weight loss without having felt hungry or deprived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/group-or-online-membership\">Find out more about joining Slimming World here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seven ways to ace your first seven days<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Slimming World, we understand that, without support, losing weight and making healthy changes to your lifestyle can be challenging \u2013 and we can help with that. Here are some simple strategies to ensure you get a great weight loss in your first week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Understand how to make changes to your eating habits. <\/strong>Your local Consultant will explain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/the-science-behind-food-optimising\/\">how Food Optimising works<\/a> during the new member talk when you first join group, and help you see how you can easily fit the plan around your lifestyle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Follow a flexible eating plan.<\/strong> Nothing is off the menu at Slimming World, and by making a few simple swaps to the way you shop and cook, you can still enjoy all your favourite foods while losing weight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Start cooking from scratch.<\/strong> The online recipe collection on the member website is packed with easy-to-make dishes that are slimming-friendly and tasty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Swap takeaways for fakeaways. <\/strong>While a midweek curry comes loaded with fats and sugars, swapping it for a homemade <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/tag\/fakeaway\/\">fakeaway<\/a>, means you can get your takeaway fix without losing sight of your slimming goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eat less fatty and sugary foods. <\/strong>Slimming World members naturally reduce the amount of high-calorie foods they eat by counting them as Swips.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Realise you\u2019re not alone.<\/strong> When you join Slimming World, you\u2019ll receive a warm welcome, get and give support, and share in the achievements of other members, helping you to feel inspired and motivated to make changes yourself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay to group every week.<\/strong> Those who attend their weekly group more regularly (at least 75% of sessions) lose 15.4lbs in their first three months and 31lbs on average over the course of a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Emma\u2019s 17st weight loss story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Emma Boyce is one Slimming World member who harnessed the power of a fantastic first week. She lost 7lbs in her first seven days and went on to lose over half her body weight. She says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d tried every single diet you could think of but, without support, nothing worked and I thought I was destined to be overweight all my life. When I went to my local Slimming World group, I felt so vulnerable walking through those doors. I sat at the back, listening, and thought, &#8216;I&#8217;ll give it a go, but it won\u2019t work.&#8217; How wrong I was: I lost 7lbs in my first week! I felt so pleased, and yet I couldn\u2019t quite believe it&#8230; I was still eating potatoes and pasta, but by making a few simple, healthier changes, I\u2019d seen dramatic results. That first week gave me the confidence that I could actually do it this time. I had a big change in my mindset from that day forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/emma-boyce-before-and-after-header-slimming-world-blog.jpg\" alt=\"Emma Boyce weight loss transformation-Emma Boyce success story-slimming world blog\" class=\"wp-image-2500\" style=\"width:500px;height:500px\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/inspire-i-lost-7lbs-in-my-first-week\/\">More on the blog: Read Emma\u2019s life-changing story in full here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/group-or-online-membership\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LargeCTA-BelieveInASWChristmas25-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\" alt=\"Believe in a Slimming World Christmas - Join in the festive fun. Count down to Christmas with delicious food and drink \u2013 and still get the weight loss you want! Come along to group or join our digital service and find everything you need to slim through the season.\" class=\"wp-image-14364\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n    <section class=\"block-embedded-widget-area alignwide\">\n        \t\t\t<section id=\"mm-newsletter-widget-3\" class=\"widget mm-newsletter-widget\">\t\n\t\t<div id=\"mm-newsletter-widget\" class=\"mm-newsletter-widget-form\" data-thanks_page=\"0\" data-thanks_page_url=\"\" data-thanks_page_new_window=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"wrapper\">\n                <aside>\n                    <header>\n                        <h2>Free 7-day eating plan<\/h4>\n                    <\/header>\n                    <p>You&#8217;ll also get our email newsletter with recipes, inspiration and exciting special offers<\/p>\n                <\/aside>\n\n                <div class=\"form-wrapper\">\n                    <form action=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531\" method=\"post\" id=\"newsletter-form\">\n\n                        <fieldset>\n                            <label class=\"input-label\">First name<\/label>\n                            <input type=\"text\" name=\"firstName\" placeholder=\"Enter your first name\" title=\"Enter your first name\" required>\n                        <\/fieldset>\n\n                        <fieldset>\n                            <label class=\"input-label\">Email address<\/label>\n                            <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" title=\"Enter your email address\" required>\n                        <\/fieldset>\n\n                        <fieldset>\n                                                            <div class=\"input-radio\">\n                                    <input id=\"classic-menu\" class=\"classic-menu\" type=\"radio\" name=\"menuType\" value=\"Classic\" checked>\n                                    <label for=\"classic-menu\">\n                                        I&#8217;d like the classic menu                                    <\/label>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                                                        <div class=\"input-radio\">\n                                    <input id=\"vegetarian-menu\" class=\"vegetarian-menu\" type=\"radio\" name=\"menuType\" value=\"Vegetarian\">\n                                    <label for=\"vegetarian-menu\">\n                                        I&#8217;d like the vegetarian menu                                    <\/label>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                                                        <div class=\"input-radio\">\n                                    <input id=\"vegan-menu\" class=\"vegan-menu\" type=\"radio\" name=\"menuType\" value=\"Vegan\">\n                                    <label for=\"vegan-menu\">\n                                        I&#8217;d like the vegan menu                                    <\/label>\n                                <\/div>\n                                                    <\/fieldset>\n\n                        <div class=\"button-wrapper\">\n                            <div class=\"g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6LdLR7cZAAAAAFDxo_6diZKq91dLeqE45o9GkrNL\" data-theme=\"light\" data-size=\"normal\"><\/div>\n                            <button class=\"submit is-secondary animation-light-background\" type=\"submit\" name=\"submit\">Sign me up<\/button>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/form>\n\n                    <p class=\"message-success\">Thank you for signing up. We just need you to verify your email address. Please check your inbox for a message from us and click on the verification link so we can keep you up to date with our latest menus, recipes and offers.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-0\">Failed captcha.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-1\">Please check your inbox for a message from us and click on the verification link so we can keep you up to date with our latest menus, recipes and offers.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-3\">Good news, you&#8217;re already on our email list. Look out for emails from us packed full of recipe inspiration.<\/p><p class=\"message-error message-error-default\">Something went wrong.<\/p>                <\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/section>\t\n    <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/group-or-online-membership\">Join Slimming World<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our study reveals how a great loss in your first week can set you up for success on the scales in the longer term<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2500,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[22,39,16],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14741,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531\/revisions\/14741"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2500"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}