Whitley Lloyd, 34, turned to food for comfort after losing her nan at 24, relying on up to four takeaways a week at around £30 each. She says: “I didn’t realise how much it all added up. Looking back now, it’s shocking to think about how much money I was spending.

“Before Slimming World, I’d barely eat during the day, only to end up having takeaways and snacks late at night. I used to think takeaways were a treat, yet I found I wasn’t enjoying them anymore – they were making me feel poorly and giving me headaches.”

Since joining Slimming World, Whitley has swapped late night‑ takeaways for homemade “fakeaways” and discovered a love of home cooking while dramatically cutting her food spending. She says: “When I think I was spending up to £500 a month on takeaways and now, I’m not only saving money – I’ve only had four takeaways this year – I’m also proud of the fantastic healthy meals I can cook.”

Whitley’s experience reflects the findings from a new UK-wide ‑poll[1], which shows the cost of the nation’s fast-food habit:

• 60% of people spend up to £50 a week on takeaways and high-fat convenience foods
• 29% spend over £100 a month on frozen items like nuggets and chips
• 47% believe they’d save a significant amount by cutting back
• Yet 20% don’t feel confident cooking from scratch

When people do cook at home, the benefits are clear: 46% save money, 40% feel healthier and 29% say their family eats better.

The turning point for Whitley came when she saw a photo of herself at a family party. Encouraged by a friend, she joined her local Slimming World group – a decision she says: “changed everything”.

At the time Whitley, who is 5ft 3in, weighed 15st 9lbs. She says: “That first week I threw myself into the healthy eating plan and I lost 5lbs. It was a huge moment for me. For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible!”

With the support of her Consultant Jo and fellow members, Whitley learned to cook satisfying, budget-friendly meals from scratch. Whitley says: Before I joined Jo’s group I hadn’t realised I could cook such tasty, healthy meals using low price, everyday ingredients. Jo’s shown me the key to lasting weight loss is being consistent. Things like thinking ahead and planning my meals for the week – having those ‘go‑to’ recipes ready stopped me reaching for takeaways and I started enjoying my food more.

“I’ve had struggles along the way, yet Jo’s helped me spot my danger times – like when I’m going out with the girls, Jo’s helped me realise I can still enjoy those night outs and stay on plan by being more mindful of what I’m eating or drinking.”

With food inflation continuing to affect households across the UK, many people believe that healthy eating is more expensive. Whitley found this wasn’t the case though: “I’ve lost weight by eating delicous, satisfying meals, saved money and discovered I’m a really good cook. My most recent success was a vegetable madras it was amazing. My dad’s a real foodie and he always asks when I’m making his favourite Slimming World meals.”

Whitley, who lives with her husband Sean and her daughter Aleena, 12, has gone from a size 18 to a size 10.  She says: “I used to get out of breath doing almost anything – even just going up the stairs. I’d previously worked as a hairdresser and being on my feet all day, I’d end each shift in so much pain. Since losing weight and gradually becoming more active with Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme, I was able to complete Couch to 5k. I cried when I finished it. I never believed I’d be able to do something like that. I’m happier, healthier and truly myself again. Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it gave me back my spark, my confidence and control of my finances.”

Slimming World’s own member survey shows the potential savings even more starkly. The study[2] of over 1,500 members – over three quarters of whom (77%) have lost more than a stone – reveals a significant financial benefit for members. Before joining, 88% spent up to £100 a week on takeaways and convenience foods. Since joining, 39% say they’ve cut these purchases out entirely – a change that could save households over £5,000 a year.

Slimming World’s evidence-based programme has been helping people to build healthy habits around food, drink and activity for 56 years.

[1] Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 General Respondents across the UK between 11.03.2026 - 16.03.2026.

[2] Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,656 Slimming World Members between 11.03.2026 - 17.03.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.

Group: Whitley attends Jo Thomas’ Slimming World group in Brecon – contact Jo on 07411891480 for more information. To join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000. 

Whitley Lloyd, 34

Starting weight: 15st 9lbs/99.3kg

Weight lost: 4st 12lbs/30.8kg

Current weight: 10st 11lbs/68.5kg

Height: 5ft 3in/160cm

Graham’s wife Belinda was so frightened by his snoring and repeated breathing pauses she became convinced he had sleep apnoea. Looking back, Graham says: “I can honestly say that if I hadn’t joined Slimming World, I don’t believe I’d have lived to see 60.”

Before joining Slimming World, Graham says he was constantly exhausted, lethargic and barely able to walk a mile.  He says: “I avoided the doctor for years because I knew what they’d say: “You have to lose weight.” Even though I’ve always worked in physical jobs – I was a groundsman and now I’m a window cleaner – and I always told myself I was “fit for a big bloke”, the reality was very different. As I got older, it became harder and harder to work the weight off. I was tired all the time. 

“The real turning point came when I was in hospital for more than two weeks with a serious leg infection. The doctor drew a pen line around the infection and he told me it couldn’t spread past that mark. He said if the antibiotics didn’t work within 48 hours, they’d have to amputate my leg. That was it – that was the moment, I knew I’d run out of chances.”

Graham’s story reflects Slimming World research showing how closely sleep and weight are linked. Slimming World’s ‘Snooze More to Lose More’ survey polled its members over the course of a week about aspects of their sleep. The study of more than 3,000 members revealed nearly half of those who lost 15% or more of their body weight reported better sleep. The survey showed the more weight Slimming World members lost, the more likely they were to report improvements in sleep.

Before joining his local Slimming World group, Graham says each Saturday watching his beloved Ipswich Town would see him regularly drink 10 pints. He says: “I always worked hard, I was active, but food and drink was my downfall. Every afternoon around 2.30pm I’d have six bags of crisps back-to-back, followed by five or six chocolate bars. Belinda would cook a healthy meal every evening, but once everyone had settled down, they’d hear me back in the kitchen rustling the packets – it was like I couldn’t stop myself.”

Graham says: “Walking into a Slimming World group felt terrifying, but Belinda encouraged me to go and as soon as I walked through the doors, Shani, the Consultant, clocked me straight away. She was brilliant and made me feel welcome, which gave me confidence.”

Graham committed and says the transformation has been lifechanging: “Now, Belinda and I plan our meals together using the app. Our favourites include chicken risotto, pasta dishes, curries and the Slimming World Free Food range at Iceland. We recently went on an all-inclusive long weekend and I stayed on plan without feeling deprived or like I was missing out. That’s when I knew this is my new normal. The plan has become part of my everyday routine, so I ate well but stayed mindful about what I chose. For breakfast, instead of going straight for a full English, I leaned more towards fruit and if I did have bacon, I removed the fat. Lunch was usually chicken or tuna salad with fruit and I chose healthier dinner choices like fish or lean steak. I also kept alcohol low and it all felt natural – and showed me how much my habits have changed.

“Slimming World didn’t just help me lose weight – it taught me how to eat properly. I tried pills, exercise, everything. This is what worked. It’s given me my life back. Nowadays I feel like a 20-year-old. I walk up to 10 miles a day with my dog. Before, I was lucky if I managed one mile. I sleep through the night. No more gasping for air. No more sitting upright in the dark, terrified. I wake up feeling rested. 

“I’ve ditched crisps and chocolate completely. Once I put my mind to it, I knew I could do it. I’m so proud knowing that I’ve inspired other people locally to join after seeing my journey on Facebook.

“Belinda and I have been married for 35 years and we have three adult children – Sian, Matthew and Bethany – and three grandsons aged eight, five and just seven months. I realised I didn’t just want to lose weight. I wanted to be here for them. At 55, I’ve been given a second chance. I’m not just lighter – I’m alive, awake and present. And I fully intend to be here, watching my grandchildren grow up, for many, many years to come.”

For 56 years, Slimming World has helped people change their habits with real-life support in weekly groups led by trained Consultants who truly understand the challenges of weight loss. Members get a powerful package of support including a flexible eating plan and an app that helps members stay motivated between groups with easy access to the eating plan, food choices, progress charts and tools to stay on track.

Group: Graham attends Shani Yates’ Slimming World group in Stanton, Bury St Edmunds. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Graham Baalham

Commencing weight 28st 12lbs

Weight at group finals 11st 13lbs

Height: 5 ft 4 in

Weight lost 16st 13lbs in 92 weeks

Graham’s day on a plate 

“So, in March 2024, I rejoined my local Slimming World group with a clear purpose and a completely different mindset. I’d been a member before, however this time I followed the plan closely and what a difference it made. Going to the group each week and hearing how encouraging others were was the motivation I needed.  

“As a single working mum, cooking from scratch every night felt impossible. In the past, we relied on takeaways four nights a week. Being inspired by other members of my Slimming World group, I started prepping my meals in advance. Now, each Sunday I batch cook meals for the week ahead with Nayla-Hope and freeze portions. In fact, one of the best tips I’ve picked up from other members at my Slimming World group is to match my meals to the weather. On cold days, having a hot meal already planned stops me slipping off course. Sunday roasts are a family favourite – chicken, Slimming World roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower cheese from the Slimming World food range.  

“Looking back, I know my weight got really out of hand when I started having children (Micah, now 25, Kyle, 22 and seven year old Nayla-Hope). I’d spent years struggling with my weight and always felt like the biggest person in the room. After believing for so long that losing weight was impossible, I’ve proved to myself that it isn’t. My blood pressure is now in the normal range and I’m sleeping so much better. I’ve gone from a size 28 to a size 12 by eating meals which don’t make me feel as if I’m missing out. One of the most emotional moments was when Nayla-Hope wrapped her arms fully around me for the first time; hearing her say she could finally hug me properly brought me to tears. 

“Losing 13 stone hasn’t just changed my life – it’s transformed my heart health and given me the chance to be the strong, healthy mum I once only dreamed of. Standing here today feels like a beautiful victory.” 

The scale of the issue across the UK is stark. Around 1.4 million people are living today after surviving a heart attack and more than 170,000 people die from heart and circulatory diseases each year¹. Excess weight is a major contributing factor, yet research shows that even modest, steady weight loss can significantly reduce the risk. 

Lisa Maskell is Devinia’s Slimming World Consultant. Lisa says: “I’m so incredibly proud of Devinia. She’s walked back into our group this time with a completely different mindset and watching her embrace every step of her journey has been inspiring. Losing 13 stone is an amazing achievement on its own, but what means even more is seeing her blood pressure come down, her pain ease and her confidence grow week by week. She’s proof that when you combine belief in yourself with the support of group, healthy eating and moving more, life can change in the most powerful ways.”  

Slimming World’s evidence-based programme has been helping people to build healthy habits around food, drink and activity for 56 years. 

Alexandra Clark, Registered Nutritionist at Slimming World, says: “Heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter of all UK deaths each year, so stories like Devinia’s show just how life-changing community support and evidence-based guidance can be. Slimming World’s flexible, satisfying eating plan is built around real food and everyday routines, helping members lose weight in a way that feels enjoyable and sustainable. For Devinia, those small, achievable steps have become lasting, heart-healthy habits.” 

Alexandra is sharing five practical ways to help people reduce their risk and feel healthier, fitter and more in control. 

1. Manage your weight. Being a healthy weight is one of the key things you can do to support your heart health and losing just 5% of your body weight can reduce the risk of heart disease.  

2. Limit salt intake. Eating too much salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which in turn is a risk factor for heart disease. Cooking from scratch and checking salt levels on labels (adults are recommended no more than 6g of salt a day) can help to reduce salt intake.  

3. Cut down on unhealthy fat. High intakes of saturated fat for example fatty meats, butter, cakes, pastries can lead to high cholesterol levels and weight gain, so we’re advised to reduce our intake of these. Meanwhile, including more omega 3 fats found in oily fish, like salmon and mackerel, plus nuts and seeds, like walnuts and chia seeds, can be beneficial for heart health.  

4. Fill up on fibre. As well as keeping our digestive systems working well, fibre can help with satisfying our appetite helping with weight management, plus some fibre-containing foods are particularly good for our cholesterol levels, such as oats, beans, peas and lentils.  

5. Get active. Moving more is one of the most powerful things you can do for your heart. Regular activity helps lower the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And it all counts – a brisk walk, a cycle outdoors, a swim or class at the gym, even housework or gardening. Aim to include 1–2 strength building sessions a week too, to support muscle and bone health alongside reducing your risk of heart disease. 

Dr Pauline Swift, Chair of Blood Pressure UK says: “Half of all strokes, a third of heart disease and a high proportion of kidney disease cases are due to high blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure can be achieved quite easily, by reducing your salt intake and if necessary, taking blood pressure lowering tablets which are mostly very well tolerated. Furthermore, simple improvements in diet and lifestyle such as doing more frequent, short bursts of exercise and eating more fruit and vegetables can really help keep blood pressure down.” 

-ENDS- 

Group: Devinia attends Lisa Maskell’s Slimming World group in Kensal Rise, Greater London. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.  

Devinia Carby 

Starting weight: 24st 12lbs/158.1kg 

Weight lost: 13st/82.8kg 

Current weight: 11st 12lbs/75.3kg 

Height: 5ft 7ins/170cm 

Devinia’s success story features in the current issue of Slimming World Magazine – available on newsstands now with a brand-new look! Join your local Slimming World group or sign up online for even more recipes, guidance and support. To find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.  

Devinia’s day on a plate  

Eleanor from Middleton in Leeds says: “Like lots of mums, for years I put myself last. My weight crept up after my second baby during lockdown – I went from 13st to nearly 17st in what felt like no time.

“I was struggling with crippling back pain and I felt desperate. I went to the doctor who prescribed weight loss pills, but they did nothing. Diets were even worse – restrictive, miserable and I’d quit by day two. Something had to change.

“I watched my grandma, Joan, transform her life with Slimming World. One evening I joined her to see what it was all about. I expected the room to be full of people her age, yet I was amazed to find other young parents as well as men and women from all walks of life and all ages. I’ve made so many new friends as we’re all united by the same goal of losing weight and leading healthier lifestyles.

“That first week I threw myself into the healthy eating plan and I lost 8lbs. It was a lifechanging moment for me. For the first time, I realised losing weight was possible!”

She adds: “I’ve been conscious of my weight for as long as I can remember. I did ballet as a child and I begged my mum to buy the DVD so I could watch myself. We rushed home, put it on and when my part came, I asked her to point me out. The moment she did, I burst out crying saying: "I don’t want to be the little fat one.”  That insecurity stayed with me for years.

“A lot of people assume I’ve lost weight using injections and they’re always surprised when I explain it’s simply down to changing the way I cook and eat. What’s really helped is going along to my Slimming World group each week and learning how to make everyday meals healthier. It’s those practical changes like picking up easy, family‑friendly recipes that have made all the difference."

“Before losing weight, I was constantly exhausted and felt mentally drained. I avoided leaving the house because I didn’t want to be seen – I was so embarrassed about my size. Now, I look forward to going out and getting dressed up. I’m so much more confident – I even spoke at my sister’s baby shower, something I’d never have done before.

“Everything is different now. I’m happier, healthier and confident. I’ve gone from avoiding exercise to running alongside my son while he learns to ride his bike. I no longer have crippling back pain and I don’t get out of breath walking up the stairs.

“We used to rely on takeaways. Now I make healthy versions of our favourites at home – chicken Szechuan, pizza and kebabs. I get inspiration for recipes from TikTok. People think eating healthily is expensive, but a takeaway can cost £30 for one meal. Establishing healthy habits for life is what Slimming World is all about and I’m so glad I found my local group when I did – now I know how to make healthy eating affordable.

Eleanor says so much has changed in such a short time. She says: “Looking back now, if I could say anything to myself at that time, it would be: “You’re about to make one of the best decisions you’ve ever made, and there’s no looking back. It will change your life in the best way possible and it’ll be a lot easier than you expect.”

Eleanor’s story reflects new research showing members aged 18–34 who attend Slimming World groups are losing weight, gaining confidence, improving their physical and mental health and creating healthy lifelong habits.

The study[1] of over 3,200 Slimming World members aged 18-34 found they lost an average of 12 per cent of their body weight – around 2st 1lb (13kg) with many members losing much more. Yet, the research revealed that the benefits of being a Slimming World member go far beyond physical change: 92 per cent feel part of a supportive community; 89 per cent report a healthier relationship with food and 59 per cent say their mental wellbeing has improved.

The findings come as experts warn younger adults face the greatest risk of future weight gain. Global studies predict one in three children, teenagers and young adults could be living with overweight or obesity by 2050[2]. Research also shows that families who share healthy habits are more likely to lose weight and keep it off – with two thirds of members living with children (66 per cent) saying they influenced their children to eat healthier meals[3].

Eleanor, who lives with her partner James and her three children Grace, seven, Evan, four and Laila, two, was inspired so much by the difference losing weight has made to her life, she’s now become a Slimming World Consultant herself, running her own groups in Leeds.

Jane Masefield is Eleanor’s Slimming World Consultant. Jane says: “Eleanor has been nothing short of amazing. Watching her grow in confidence and positivity has been such a joy. From the very start, she embraced the support of her group and quickly became a cheerleader for others. Her honesty, determination, and openness have inspired everyone around her. At Slimming World, we know that real connection makes all the difference, and Eleanor’s story shows that with the right support and a caring community, truly life-changing things can happen.”

[1] A self-selecting sample of 3,262 Slimming World members aged 18-34 were polled between 6^th and 20^th February 2025

[2] Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 - The Lancet

[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12631489/

Group: Eleanor attends Jane Masefield’s Slimming World group in Middleton, West Yorkshire. 

Eleanor Brown

Starting weight: 16st 9lbs/105.7kg

Weight lost: 6st 4lbs/39.9kg

Current weight: 10st 5lbs/65.8kg

Height: 5ft 4in/163cm

Carolyn is a registered dietitian

About Carolyn: “As Head of Nutrition, Research & Health, I oversee the development of our dietary approach, lead our research strategy, and ensure our health policies are grounded in the latest evidence. I’m passionate about making healthy eating accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for everyone. I've been a part of Slimming World for 19 years. My journey began with a dietetic student placement, and I loved it so much I never left! My passion for food and health led me to dietetics, and I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside a talented team dedicated to providing the most effective and evidence-based support to our members.”

Favourite Slimming World recipe: “Pizza topped chicken is a huge hit with the whole family!”

To reach out to Carolyn with a request for a comment, interview, or any other media enquiries, contact our Press Office via public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk. 

Dr Amanda Avery, consultant dietitian in weight management

Dr Amanda is a registered nutritionist and dietitian with a PhD in nutritional sciences. She also works with the University of Nottingham as an associate professor in nutrition and dietetics. 

About Dr Amanda: “I began working with Slimming World 25 years ago while managing a public health project exploring partnerships with commercial weight management services. As a community dietitian in the NHS, I helped develop the Slimming World on Referral scheme and watched it grow from its earliest stages. I was impressed by Slimming World’s commitment to supporting people who want to manage their weight, and I’ve been proud to contribute ever since. More recently, I’ve focused on building the evidence base to show how Slimming World supports people with various health conditions and backgrounds. I’ve also had the privilege of contributing to research projects like HELP (Healthy Eating  & Lifestyle changes during Pregnancy) and SWAN (Supporting Weight mAnagement in the post-Natal period), aimed at improving outcomes for women before, during, and after pregnancy."

Favourite Slimming World recipe: “I love our curry recipes!”

To reach out to Dr Amanda with a request for a comment, interview, or any other media enquiries, contact our Press Office via public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk. 

Alex Clark, senior nutritionist

Alex is a registered nutritionist with a MSc in nutritional sciences

About Alex: "After completing my BSc in Applied Psychology, I focused on my interest in nutrition and found my role at Slimming World to be a great combination of my love for food, nutrition science and psychology, all while helping people make positive changes to their health and wellbeing. As part of the team, I provide the latest nutrition and health advice, collaborate with external partners, and undertake nutrition research to ensure the service to members remains effective and evidence based. I’m particularly passionate about nutrition during pregnancy and our partnership with the Royal College of Midwives as it lays the groundwork for a healthy future as well as being a good time to support mums with their requirements. I’m also interested in the links between food and mood.

Favourite recipe: “'Marry me' chicken pasta.”

To reach out to Alex with a request for a comment, interview, or any other media enquiries, contact our Press Office via public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk. 

Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, senior nutritionist

Dr Sarah-Elizabeth is a registered nutritionist with a PhD in nutrition and metabolism

About Dr Sarah-Elizabeth: “I’ve always had a passion for nutrition research so when a job came up in the Nutrition and Research team at Slimming World it felt like the perfect fit! I’ve been here 10 years now - it was worth the move from Belfast! In my role, I support colleagues and members with nutrition queries, provide expertise on nutrition topics through various media such as online live events, the Slimming World blog and social media, such as Instagram. I also implement our health policies and develop relationships with key figures in the public health and weight management arena. My favourite thing about my job is attending conferences to keep up to date on the latest nutrition research and using this knowledge to support members to achieve their goals and dreams.”

Favourite Slimming World recipe: “lasagne and Slimming World chips, I like to make it myself but also get so excited when we get it for lunch at Head Office!”

To reach out to Dr Sarah-Elizabeth with a request for a comment, interview, or any other media enquiries, contact our Press Office via public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk. 

Laura Holloway, research associate, nutrition, research and health

Laura Holloway has a MSc in Health Psychology

About Laura: “After completing my MSc in Health Psychology, I discovered my passion for research, working in the pharmaceutical industry and NHS, before finding my feet at Slimming World, where I’ve now been for over 10 years. As a research associate, I’m responsible for designing, implementing and disseminating findings on a variety of research projects that support Slimming World’s evidence base and evaluate our programme, to ensure we’re providing the best possible service, in line with current weight management guidance, to all our members. My favourite part of my role is getting stuck into the findings and exploring the impressive (and sometimes unexpected!) benefits that members report as they lose weight.”

Favourite Slimming World recipe: “I love the hunter's chicken lasagne!”

To reach out to Laura with a request for a comment, interview, or any other media enquiries, contact our Press Office via public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk. 

The project will conclude with the development of a Satiety Map (SatMap) system as presently there is no reference system relating food items to a measure of satiety. The map will be formed from a large representative sample of foods applied to a diverse range of consumer groups, including people who are trying to manage their weight.  

As part of the development of SatMap, a wide range of foods, representative of those consumed by the general population, have been surveyed to help understand their perceived satiety value and impact on reward and weight management. A subsample has also been tested in a lab environment, where participants consumed the food and fed back on measures of satiety.  

Researchers at the University of Leeds anticipate that SatMap could serve as a shared reference system for academics and the food sector, helping to standardise how satiety is quantified across studies and products. Over time, the approach could inform healthier product development and evidence-based guidance that aligns pleasure and fullness as two pillars of sustainable eating. 

Dr Sarah Bennett, Registered Nutritionist and Senior Research Associate at Slimming World, says: “Slimming World are proud to be funding this research with the University of Leeds. There is a lot of misinformation being spread across social media platforms, regarding foods that are most filling, satiating or that will promote weight loss.  

Over 70,000 foods from Slimming World’s own database have been used as part of the research project. As well as studying the consumption habits of the general population, a significant number of Slimming World members have completed multiple surveys on the foods they consume to help add depth and further understanding of the eating behaviours and habits of people wanting to lose weight.

Professor James Stubbs at the University of Leeds, says: “Researchers, health professionals and the general population have long needed the development of evidence-based reference values indicating the relative satiety value of common foods and how the composition, physical structure and sensory characteristics of foods relate to motivation to eat and may affect calorie intake.

Slimming World Consultants across the UK and Ireland are seeing people taking weight loss injections joining their groups for additional support. In a recent poll[1] of Slimming World Consultants, more than a third (37 per cent) said they’ve already welcomed new members who are taking weight loss injections to their groups.

A separate member poll[2], completed by 104 people who joined Slimming World while using weight loss injections, reveals that 82 per cent now feel more confident that they’ll be able to maintain their weight loss when they stop taking the medication. Crucially, nine in 10 say that being supported by others who understand the challenges of losing weight is invaluable.

Slimming World focuses on helping members to build lasting habits around food, drink and activity, which supports them to lose weight but also address the deeper issues, changing their mindset and gaining control of their food and drink choices in the long term.

Mounting evidence shows that weight regain is a serious risk for those stopping weight loss medication. A University of Oxford study found that most people regained most of the weight they lost within a year, with full regain expected in under two years without sustained lifestyle changes. Reflecting these concerns, the UK’s health watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has urged that anyone coming off weight loss drugs should receive structured advice and ongoing support to help prevent rebound weight gain. 

Slimming World's member poll shows that people are coming to their groups for that very support. In fact, 63 per cent shared they decided to join while taking weight loss injections because they want help to create healthy, lasting habits to maintain their weight loss long term.

The survey also found that 68 per cent of members who joined while taking weight loss drugs say that since joining their Slimming World group, they’ve learned how to eat a healthy, balanced diet that they can stick to. And the majority (89 per cent) found that losing weight alongside like-minded people is much more enjoyable than trying to lose weight on their own.

Currently 64 million people in the UK are overweight or living with obesity, posing challenges for the Government and the health service, which Slimming World is here to help with. For over 55 years it has supported people to lose weight and transform their lives, not just through a weight loss plan and activity programme but by offering a lifelong toolkit for healthy living. That’s why being part of a group is so powerful: it helps you stay motivated, until the changes you’re making around food, drink and activity become everyday habits.

Carolyn Pallister, Registered Dietitian and Head of Nutrition, Research & Health at Slimming World, says: “Research shows that being part of a supportive group significantly boosts your chances of long-term weight loss success. While weight loss medications can play a role, lasting success depends on long-term behaviour change. That’s why our groups are so vital, they provide the tools, knowledge and compassionate support to help members to build healthy habits for life. Members gain confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging that helps them make positive long-term lifestyle changes.”

Slimming World believes that lasting change needs real support – whether people are using its tried and tested methods, have had surgery or are using weight loss medication. Real change doesn’t happen in isolation, but when people come together. Whether you're just starting out, returning to group, or taking weight loss drugs, Slimming World offers a warm welcome and the support needed to make lasting changes – right at the heart of your local community.

[1] A self-selecting sample of 853 Slimming World Consultants completed an online survey between 23rd and 31st July 2025

[2] A self-selecting sample of 104 Slimming World members who joined their local group while taking weight injections completed an online survey asking for their feedback about their experience were polled via Slimming World’s member website between 23^rd and 31^st July 2025

"It should not come as a surprise that people put weight back on once they stop taking the drugs. With all weight loss methods, if you go back to what you were consuming before, you will regain the weight you’ve lost, and in some cases, sadly more.

"At Slimming World, we strongly believe it's vitally important that wraparound care for any weight loss drugs both supports healthy lifestyle changes around food, drink and physical activity in the moment, and helps people create long-lasting habits that they can maintain well after they stop taking medication.

"While we know that a healthy weight can be achieved, and maintained for life, without taking any medication, our wraparound support is open to all adults, including those who have chosen to take weight loss drugs. We have a growing number of people online and in our groups, who’ve come to us after starting to use the drugs as they understand the importance of making healthy changes alongside them. 

"We differ from weight loss drugs and other weight loss methods in many ways. Our philosophy is based on a deep understanding of how people with a weight problem feel. We believe in the importance of a multi-component approach to weight loss, which is why we offer our members a healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle programme and behaviour change support. We support our members, both in our groups and via our online service, with sophisticated techniques rooted in psychology to help them understand themselves, their triggers and their own personal barriers, and we equip them with tools and strategies to develop lasting, self-determined healthy habits, achieve their weight loss goals and maintain them.

"Slimming World has been a long-time provider to the NHS, through its referral programme which provides people living with overweight or obesity with access to a 12-week weight loss plan via Slimming World, and the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. An independent economic evaluation by the University of Leeds also found that, Slimming World on Referral, is cost-effective against the standards set by NICE at 12 months and over a lifetime.

"Weight loss drugs have, of course, changed the weight management landscape, but they are a costly method of postponing an ongoing issue, with the knowledge that, without the right support for lasting change, they’re only a temporary solution and not the silver bullet many people have viewed them as.

“If the Government continues to invest huge sums of money into weight loss drugs, they need to ensure they go hand-in-hand with effective wraparound care which supports people to change both their habits around diet and activity, and their mindset so they can be confident they’re spending taxpayers’ money in a way that will provide a return on investment.”

A poll of 2,000 adults[1] revealed seven in 10 discuss it daily for up to an average of eight minutes, with 21% saying they discuss their evening meal with coworkers every day.

Gen Z discuss what’s for dinner the most, with 29 per cent of those aged 18-24 admitting to having three or four different conversations about their evening meal each day.

More than six in 10 (62 per cent) of those polled say they’re ‘food lovers’ and when it comes to our favourite meals, a roast dinner came out on top – ahead of spaghetti Bolognese and fish and chips.

Home-cooked meals bring joy to 85 per cent of us, 79 per cent love sharing meals with loved ones and 71 per cent say they love to cook from scratch knowing they’re building healthy habits.

The survey found that 6:28pm is when the UK sits down to eat and for 63% of us, it’s taste that rules the dinner table.

Carolyn says: "The good news is, despite what people may fear, losing weight doesn’t mean giving up that joy. When you’re desperate to lose weight, it can be tempting to chase quick fixes – weight loss injections, pills, surgery, a restrictive or fad diet, anything that promises instant results. These might involve suppressing your appetite, depriving yourself or not being able to eat with others as your diet is so different. But the truth is there is no magic bullet. Lasting weight loss comes from sustainable changes to our food, physical activity, and mindset.

“At Slimming World, our healthy eating plan encourages members to eat nutritious, real food that fits around their lifestyle, so they can enjoy meals together as a family or with friends. It’s such a joy to see time and again our new members being amazed that they can lose weight without feeling like they’re missing out or having to stop socialising. When we surveyed our members, 85% told us they were surprised they could lose weight while still eating foods they loved.”

With over 55 years expertise in helping people lose weight and transform their lives, Slimming World offers an inclusive, non-judgemental community for everyone – including those who may be using weight loss medications or have had weight loss surgery. Carolyn says: “Whatever way someone chooses to lose weight we’d always encourage them to get support to make lasting changes. They’d never be judged at Slimming World if they joined to get that support."

Despite more weight loss drugs now being available, 69 per cent of adults surveyed would be unlikely to take them according to the OnePoll.com data. Of those, 25 per cent say they don’t want to change the way they eat, drink and socialise, 21 per cent worried they wouldn’t be getting the nutrition they need for good health and 20 per cent say they love their food too much.

A separate One Poll member survey of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme[2] found that 89 per cent love losing weight while getting all the nutrients they need. Over three quarters (77 per cent) of members questioned now make healthy, nutritious, filling meals that the whole family enjoys and 76 per cent feel proud that they’re passing on healthy habits to their families. More than half (56 per cent) report being surprised at how quickly they’ve lost weight since joining Slimming World.

[1] Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults surveyed between 21st to 24th March 2025

[2] A self-selecting sample of 2,005 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website between 21^st and 24^th March 2025

A new survey[1] of more than 2,000 UK adults commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest group-based weight-loss organisation Slimming World reveals 50% of UK adults say they’ve put off even trying to lose weight. More than one in five people (22%) say they’ve delayed losing weight for three years or more, with many saying that has impacted their health and caused them to gain even more weight.

The survey, carried out independently by Censuswide reveals four in 10 (42%) have thought about losing weight at least once a week without taking action, despite around half being unhappy with their size (48%) and saying they know they eat unhealthy food (54%) and almost three-quarters wanting to improve their health (70%).

These findings back up a separate study[2] of more than 7,000 new Slimming World members conducted last January which showed more than two thirds said that before going to a Slimming World group, they didn’t dare dream they could lose weight and stay slim (69%). More than half of the members surveyed said that they’d had feelings of doubt, uncertainty and a lack of motivation and control for more than a year, and for some people 10 years or more.

However, in just one session, almost every new member left filled with self-belief, self-confidence and self-determination. This switch came from learning more about Slimming World’s health-giving eating plan, seeing the success of other members, and experiencing the empowering support to help them overcome their personal barriers. They left feeling:

·         Committed to their weight loss (98%)

·         That they could lose weight and keep it off (96%)

·         Motivated to make changes to their lifestyle in order to lose weight (97%)

·         More confident to manage the things that had previously got in the way of them losing weight (89%)

When mum of two Charlotte Daniels joined her local Slimming World group weighing 20st, she’d been unhappy with her weight for years.  It’s a decision she says ‘changed her life’ – and she went on to lose 6st.

Charlotte, 32, from Bungay, says: “I knew I needed to lose weight. I was in such pain, even doing the simplest tasks and I was ashamed of my size.  I lived in baggy cardigans and leggings to hide myself – wearing a dress was out of the question!

“Before joining Slimming World, I was prescribed weight loss tablets and then decided to pay privately for weight loss injections. Neither worked. They left me feeling dizzy and sick with stomach cramps. I paid £250 a month for three months of injections and only lost 3lbs. My doctors kept suggesting gastric band surgery, but I said no, as I like my food. Knowing how many times I’d tried and failed to lose weight – my confidence was on the floor. I realised I wanted to feel proud knowing I’d taken control back for myself.

“Then, one day at the park, my two-year-old daughter ran for the gates to a busy road. I was so overweight and unfit I knew I’d never be able to stop her. If it wasn’t for my dad and husband sprinting to save her, she could have been injured. That was my final straw, and thankfully this time my doctor suggested I try Slimming World on a 12-week referral programme. I haven’t looked back since – I love that I’ve lost 6st eating healthy everyday food that my family can enjoy too.”

Slimming World on Referral (SWOR) is a partnership scheme with the NHS which provides those living with overweight or obesity to access to a 12 week weight loss plan from Slimming World. It’s available in 72 areas across the UK.

Charlotte’s story shows for anyone delaying putting off weight – there is good news. There is a way people can win the battle for self, rebuild their hope and optimism, and achieve a healthy, lasting weight loss.

With over a decade of expertise in neurogastroenterology and cardiovascular pharmacology from leading institutions including the University of Sheffield and the University of Nottingham, Dr. Jemma Donovan PhD, Slimming World’s Research Manager, says:

Charlotte says: “I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World, within minutes that feeling started to change. I knew from that first group that my pause button had switched to play! I immediately felt welcomed and not judged. With Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, my relationship with food completely changed. I make healthier versions of all my favourite foods. I’m never hungry, and it’s easy to adapt our family meals so we all eat the same thing.”

“Learning about the real food I could eat with my family, the strategies and thinking time I’d get each week in group, the knowledge I’d build and seeing other members, I gained a belief in myself that I hadn’t felt for years. The accountability of the weekly group is important for me and with the encouragement of my Consultant and the other members, I was able to stay committed week after week.”

From not being active at all and struggling to race after her daughter, Charlotte is now a regular at the gym thanks to Slimming World's activity support programme, which helps you to find activities you enjoy and build up at your own pace.

Charlotte says: "I’ve gone from a size 22 to a size 14. I’m still on my weight loss journey however I’m so much more confident now. My Slimming World Consultant Liz helps keep me motivated each week and supports me throughout. The Slimming World App is great too – I use it every day. Tracking my food and planning my meals in advance works well for me and the app helps inspire me with recipes too. I also love reading the member success stories.

“Being part of Liz’s group has been crucial to my success. I saw the success other members were achieving and that gave me hope that I could do the same. And the belief Liz had in me was like nothing I’d felt before – it felt like I’d come home. I’ve always tried to lose weight on my own and failed. I now realise that the support, understanding and friendship of others who know what you’re going through – that’s what was so vital for my success. I feel like I’ve found myself again – I enjoy every single day and every single meal! Slimming World has changed my life for the better, improved my health and I know it’s given me extra healthy years to spend with my children and hopefully grandchildren one day – a long way away!”

[1] The research was conducted by Censuswide, with 2000 Nat Rep Respondents (aged 18+) in the UK between 22.11.2024 - 26.11.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

[2] Between 2^nd and 31^st January 2024, 7,106 Slimming World members who joined their local group that week completed an online survey asking for their feedback about their experience

Group: Charlotte attends the Beccles Slimming World group in Suffolk run by Consultant Liz Sunderland. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Charlotte Daniels

Starting weight: 20st 1lbs/ 127kg

Weight lost: 6st 1lbs/ 38.1kg

Current weight: 14st/ 88.9kg

Height: 5ft 6in/ 1.7m

BEFORE

Breakfast: All butter croissant or white toast with butter

Mid-morning: chocolate bar or crisps

Lunch: Full fat sausage and chips

Dinner: Takeaway or lasagna ready meal or curry made from a jar of sauce, with poppadom’s and naan bread

Snacks: Chocolate bar or biscuits

Drinks: Full fat milky coffee or a sachet latte

AFTER

Breakfast: Overnight oats made with fruit and fat free yoghurt

Lunch: Salad and jacket potato or tuna pasta salad or an omelette

Dinner: Slimming World roast chicken dinner, vegetables and golden roast potatoes (then I’ll have leftovers the next day in a salad or with vegetables and rice)

Snacks: Blueberries, high fibre bars, apples or oranges

Drinks: Coffee with oat milk, water and low-calorie mango drink

The online survey of more than 2,000 adults[1] commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, found more than half of UK adults (56%) say they’ve previously followed a fad diet to try to lose weight. 

Of the 1,123 adults who had tried a fad diet, almost three quarters (71%) reported they didn't lose any weight or didn’t lose as much weight as they wanted[2], and 11% gained weight.

More than a third (38%) of UK adults who’d tried a fad diet say they found it on social media and 35% said they could only stick to it for up to six days.  

The prevalence of fad diets – promoting rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – means they can be hard to ignore for people keen to lose weight quickly.

The poll shows nearly four in 10 (38%) UK adults feel they’ve wasted their time scrolling on social media for quick weight loss solutions.

While consumers are often bombarded with ‘miracle’ trends and claims of quick fixes, the survey reveals 44% of UK adults say they wouldn’t research a new weight loss method to gauge its effectiveness before deciding to follow it, leaving them open to diet disappointment.

Almost half (46%) of UK adults surveyed who tried a fad diet said they were looking for a quick fix, with 57% of those saying they wanted to improve their appearance and 45% saying it was to improve their self-esteem. Nearly two thirds (64%) of those surveyed who wanted to improve their health said they were aware they may not have been able to stick to the diet long term, meaning the improvement to their health would likely be limited.

And sadly, more than a quarter (27%) of UK adults who’d tried to lose weight by following a fad diet said they believed weight loss could only be achieved through restrictive or extreme diets.

The most common fad diets people have tried include:

• Weight loss supplements (29%)
• Apple cider vinegar (21%)
• A juice diet (19%)
• Skinny tea (16%)
• Vitamin water (15%)
• Cabbage soup diet (14%)

The survey, carried out independently by Censuswide, also polled members of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme. Demonstrating Slimming World's effective package of support for long-term weight loss, 93% of members questioned say since joining Slimming World they feel more equipped to make the lasting changes they need as they have the right tools and strategies to help them with their weight loss journey.

Slimming World’s approach supports members to change their mindset around food with its healthy eating plan, which encourages members to base their food choices around everyday foods that are filling yet low in calories, such as fruit, veg, lean meat, fish and seafood, pasta, rice, potatoes and eggs. The flexibility and generosity of the eating plan means it fits in easily with your lifestyle and you can still eat the food you love. Members, who attend a weekly group or access support online, also receive in depth help and encouragement to change often long-standing eating and activity habits. 

Choosing a plan that helps you make mindset and lifestyle changes can be much easier to stick to, as shown in a study published in Clinical Nutrition Open Science[3].  The study found three in four respondents who received support in building healthy habits at a weekly Slimming World group were lighter up to three years after joining, even if they’d stopped attending.

*Fad diets – promoting rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – can be hard to ignore for people keen to lose weight quickly.  Popular ones include plans where you eat a very restrictive diet with few foods or an unusual combination of foods.

[1] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,004 nationally representative consumers across the UK (aged 18+) along with a self-selecting sample of 1,380 Slimming World members via Slimming World’s member website. The data was collected between 19.07.2024 - 24.07.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

[2] Responses include those who lost weight initially but regained more weight than before when stopping

[3] Published in Clinical Nutrition Open Science

In a new study, 53 per cent of UK adults say that just one setback can derail them from their weight loss goals, with almost one in five (19 per cent) saying a setback made them give up on their weight loss goals altogether. 

The survey of 2,003 adults[1], commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, reveals 77 per cent of adults say they’ve previously attempted to lose weight and on average people have tried to lose weight seven times in their lifetime.

Of those who had experienced a setback while trying to lose weight, 38 per cent say the top cause was feeling hungry and 29 per cent say it was a stressful life event such as a bereavement, job loss or family illness. For others, it was missing out on their favourite foods (25 per cent), and not planning healthy meals (23 per cent) which derailed them. 

The top temptations which can cause setbacks, according to those surveyed who have tried to lose weight, are having unhealthy snacks such as chocolate, crisps, cakes and biscuits in the house (41 per cent), Saturday night takeaways (21 per cent), cakes and pastries when buying coffee (20 per cent) and fast food after a night out drinking (18 per cent). One in 10 say a chocolate Easter Egg is the food or drink item most likely to cause them to have a setback.

The survey reveals a prime time for temptations with 38 per cent of adults who had tried to lose weight saying they are most likely to stray from their weight loss plans between 6pm and 10pm.

Almost a third (31 per cent) of those who had experienced setbacks when trying to lose weight say it took them more than a month to find the motivation to get back on track afterwards.

The survey reveals 24 per cent of adults questioned say although they’re not currently trying to, they’d like to lose weight. Over a third (34 per cent) of those who have experienced setbacks when trying to lose weight, say they’d typically experience three or more setbacks a month.

The most popular way people had tried to lose weight was through exercise (69 per cent), followed by calorie counting (49 per cent) and fasting (32 per cent).

Dr Amanda Avery, Slimming World’s Health and Research Consultant Dietitian says learning how to handle setbacks is crucial for long-term weight loss success. 

The survey, carried out by Censuswide, also polled members of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme. Of the members questioned, 82 per cent feel more capable of dealing with setbacks than they did when making previous weight loss attempts. The vast majority (72 per cent) of members questioned said they’re less likely to experience setbacks now they’re a member of Slimming World, due to the flexibility and support the plan provides and 84 per cent agree they’re more confident in their ability to recover from a setback while losing weight than they were before joining.

Slimming World’s approach combines support to change your mindset around weight loss with a flexible healthy eating plan and a physical support activity programme – both of which can be tailored to your lifestyle and ability. Members, who attend a weekly group or access support online, gain knowledge and expertise to understand themselves better as a slimmer. They are encouraged to use deep thinking and techniques including visualisation and planning to build their motivation, self-belief and commitment so they can change their relationship with food, physical activity and weight loss in general and achieve long lasting success.

Dr Avery says: "It's good to have some personal strategies for dealing with potential setbacks or, even better, have strategies to try to minimise the risk of setbacks. Within Slimming World groups, members receive personalised expert guidance from their Consultant, to help them with the motivation, accountability and commitment they need to avoid or navigate setbacks.  By equipping group and online members with the tools to build their resilience and be more self-compassionate, as well as sharing practical real-life strategies, Slimming World helps members feel empowered to overcome obstacles and stick with their weight loss plans.”

Professor James Stubbs, Appetite & Energy Balance, University of Leeds, agrees having a flexible mindset is important to any weight loss endeavour. 

[1] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among samples of 2,003 nationally representative UK general consumers along with a self-selecting sample of 1,748 Slimming World members via Slimming World’s website.  The data was collected between 12.03.2024 and 18.03.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

Half of UK adults (49 per cent) say they’ve put off trying to lose weight due to ‘FOMO’ (fear of missing out) – with missing out on favourite foods and social events fuelling this fear.  

Foods people fear missing out on most are chocolate (29 per cent), takeaways (24 per cent), fish and chips (21 per cent) and fry ups (18 per cent). 

More than three quarters of people say they get pleasure from eating their favourite foods (77 per cent) and two in three (64 per cent) feel passionate about the food they eat. So much so in fact that more women say they fear missing out on their Sunday roast (35 per cent) than going without sex (21 per cent).

Showing how much pleasure we get from food, the survey of 2,000 adults[1] commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, found seven in 10 (72 per cent) say food brings them joy. Of those, 31 per cent say eating food prepared by someone else makes them feel loved, 64 per cent say it’s the taste of food which brings them joy and 41 per cent find food nostalgic as it brings back happy memories such as family traditions or routines.

Dr Amanda Avery, health and research consultant dietitian at Slimming World, says: “Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures so it’s no wonder food FOMO is a very real factor for many of us when it comes to losing weight. As the research shows, in many cases certain foods can have a powerful pull on us, evoking memories and emotions and rekindling flavours and pleasures experienced in the past. Often, finding the desire or motivation to alter deeply ingrained habits around the way we shop, cook and eat can be challenging and that’s where support can be crucial to help slimmers.”

For women who want to lose weight, living a healthier lifestyle (42 per cent), eating the foods they love (33 per cent), feeling full, satisfied and not hungry (30 per cent) and still being able to socialise (16 per cent) were all important factors when choosing an approach to follow. 

The survey, carried out by Censuswide, also polled members of Slimming World’s 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme. The vast majority of members (88 per cent) say they enjoy eating food as much or more than they did before joining Slimming World and 91 per cent agree you can lose weight while enjoying your favourite food. Of the members questioned, four in five (83 per cent) say you can enjoy social situations while losing weight. 

Slimming World’s approach combines support to change your mindset around food with a flexible healthy eating plan, called ‘Food Optimising’, which can be tailored to your lifestyle. Members, who attend a weekly group or access support online, learn how to create healthy versions of their favourite foods or meals, such as roast dinners, fry ups or fish and chips, so they can lose weight without ever feeling they’re missing out. 

Dr Avery says: “Changing habits takes real effort and without support, it can be easy to give up. Being part of a community where you’ll meet other people on the same journey who share their ideas, experiences and advice has been shown to help keep motivation high. There is no need to give up your favourite foods or miss out on the pleasure they bring you though – it’s just about finding new ways to prepare and cook the meals you love. Within Slimming World groups members receive in-depth expert support, led by a Consultant who’s lost weight on the programme themselves, to reshape the way they think about food and activity.”

Professor James Stubbs, Appetite & Energy Balance, University of Leeds, agrees the fear of missing out on our favourite foods or feeling deprived goes beyond hunger. He says: “It is overly simplistic to assume that we eat just because we are hungry.  Recognising how food meets different psychological needs in different people helps us explain why people eat what they do when they know it may undermine longer-term weight and health.  Typically, people might start to feel deprived of different ‘rewards’ that food gives them when they change their dietary habits for weight loss purposes. What this research shows us, is that our relationship with food can be complex and understanding our relationship with food at an individual level is important in helping people navigate to a healthy diet and healthier weight in a way that fits into their own lives.”

-ENDS-

[1] The research was conducted by Censuswide, among samples of 2,000 nationally representative UK general consumers along with a self-selecting sample of 1,802 Slimming World members via Slimming World’s member website. The data was collected between 16.11.23 - 21.11.23 and 16.11.23 - 22.11.23 . Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

Sue’s experience backs up the findings of a survey[i] which shows that women going through the menopause can successfully lose weight by making healthy lifestyle changes following Slimming World’s programme.  Over three quarters (79%) of the members questioned who were going through the perimenopause or had experienced the menopause said they had successfully lost weight with Slimming World.  Members currently experiencing the perimenopause who responded to the survey reported the top three most common symptoms as feeling tired or lacking in energy (51%), difficulty concentrating (38%), and difficulty sleeping (37%).

Sue says: “Seven years ago, in October 2016 I made a decision that would change the rest of my life.  Aged 49 and weighing over 20st, I was starting to go through the menopause and experiencing between 15 and 20 hot flushes a day. They would come on so quickly, starting in my chest and rising upwards until I felt as if sweat was dripping off my head. I don’t think my weight helped as I would overheat so quickly, and I would get night sweats. I started to experience mood swings and I always felt sluggish too – every afternoon I’d feel like I needed a sugar fix. I was on medication for my blood pressure and as well as being checked out for heart issues, I was advised that I was at a high risk of type 2 diabetes.”

Although Sue started to experience the perimenopause at 49 and the average age that women reach the menopause in the UK is 51, this can vary and for some women it can be much earlier. For women experiencing symptoms, it can have a big impact on relationships, work and it can be especially challenging if you’re trying to lose weight. The findings of the survey revealed 85% of women said that in their experience, weight loss is more challenging during the perimenopause and after the menopause.

"I’d known for a long time I needed to do something – when I went to see my doctor she indicated if I lost weight that a lot of the menopause symptoms I was experiencing might lessen.  She also said she couldn’t prescribe me hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tablets until I lost some weight. I was mortified at being told this so directly, on reflection though it was the kick start that I needed.”

Sue says: “Although I’d tried losing weight before, this time I was determined to make a change. I found a Slimming World group locally that worked for me, and I lost 9lbs in the first week. That was a lightbulb moment for me,” says Sue who works as a placement co-ordinator at the business school of Bournemouth University.

“A year later, I’d lost 4st 8lbs and the hot flushes became less frequent.  I feel so proud of what I’ve achieved. If I think back to what I ate before joining Slimming World, I know I made a lot of unhealthy choices and would regularly eat junk food.  Now, I cook from scratch – I find with Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, I can eat all the foods I love and I’m never hungry.”

Sue says: “Before joining Slimming World, I was barely active at all.  I heard about Slimming World’s physical activity support programme and decided to try paddleboarding. I loved it!  Getting out on the water locally has become an important part of my weekly routine and I’ve met a whole new group of friends. My three Scottish terriers are loving the new, more active me too.  Before I lost weight, I’d take them on the quickest and shortest walk possible. Now I love taking them on long walks along the beach – in all weathers!”

Sue says: “I wasted so much time while I was overweight and after losing both my parents in recent years, I’m aware how short and precious life is. I still have the occasional hot flush however since losing weight my menopause symptoms have reduced so much.  I’ve so much more energy, I’m loving life and my main ambition now is to enjoy life and embrace the new me!”

Sadie Kerslake-Smith runs the Moordown Slimming World group in Bournemouth and is Sue’s Consultant. She says: “Sue is such an inspiration in group to me and the other members – even though she’s achieved her dream weight, she still comes along to group every week to share her hints and tips. Knowing that Sue’s lost 9st while going through the menopause is so inspiring and I know it reassures other members who are approaching this stage in their lives. Sue’s smile says it all, she radiates happiness and I feel blessed to have had a small part in making her shine that little bit brighter.”

For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

[i] Data collated from an online poll from 14^th to 26^th September 2023 of 2,472 Slimming World group and online members who were either experiencing the perimenopause, or who had already gone through the menopause

Photo Credit (pics in Bournemouth October 2023): Slimming World/Richard Crease

Researchers followed up with more than 100,000 adults who’d joined a slimming club in 2016 between two and seven years later. Almost three quarters (71%) of members in the study lost 10% or more weight in their first year after joining Slimming World. Two to seven years later, 68% had maintained this weight loss or gone on to lose more.

The study led by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World shows the importance of the open-ended support provided by community weight management programmes.

Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Slimming World’s Senior Research Associate who will be presenting the findings at UKCO, says longer-term follow up outcomes of people receiving support from such programmes in self-funded settings is understudied.

The study collated the most recent weights for all members of a Slimming World group who joined in 2016 and attended at least two years after joining.

The average starting BMI was 33.9 and the average weight loss was 11.2%. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says losing and keeping off 5% of your weight can have significant benefits, such as reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes or lowering your blood pressure.

Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett says: “Obesity is a chronic condition and requires ongoing or intermittent support over time. Community weight management programmes, such as Slimming World, provide ongoing support for people seeking weight management. This analysis highlights the importance of open-ended support as a key factor in successful obesity management.

“Rarely a day goes by without obesity and weight loss in the headlines and it can be confusing for people who want to lose weight to know which approach will work for them. This research shows anyone who is trying to lose weight and keep it off, how important support is in helping people to make and sustain healthy changes and how well-placed community-based slimming clubs are to provide this support. No two slimmers are the same and it’s the expertise and support members receive at their local Slimming World group which helps them to understand what those changes look like for them.”

Earlier this month, a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition Open Science found three in four respondents who received support in building healthy habits at a weekly Slimming World group were lighter up to three years after joining, even if they’d stopped attending.

It showed the positive impact of making lifestyle changes, such as cooking from scratch, eating fresh healthy foods and being active, if you want to lose weight and keep it off. Nearly all (98%) of the current members surveyed as part of the research said they were eating more fruit and veg, 94% were cooking more meals from scratch three years on and half (48%) had reduced their alcohol intake.

Alice Ingman, 59, from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, has lost 8st 8lbs and maintained her weight loss for more than five years. Alice says: “I’ve always enjoyed food but had fallen out of love with cooking. Most of my meals had a plastic lid and were either from the takeaway or for the microwave. Slimming World showed me that I could still enjoy the flavours of food while losing weight. It was a totally new way of looking at weight loss and I think that’s why it has worked so well for me."

Alice says: "I couldn’t have done it without the support of my Slimming World group and my family – they’ve been my cheerleaders the whole way. I’m fitter, happier and healthier – and this time it’s for life.”

*Secondary analysis of a dataset of 1.1 million self-funding adults who first joined Slimming World in 2016. Weight records for those who had their most recent attendance between January 2018 and January 2023 were extracted and analysed using last observation carried forward.

The study led by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World and published this month, shows the positive impact of making lifestyle changes, such as cooking from scratch, eating fresh healthy foods and being active, if you want to lose weight and keep it off.

• Eight in 10 (83%) of those who responded to the survey who were still attending a slimming club up to three years after first joining reported that their health had improved with 93% attributing the improvement to their weight management and the lifestyle changes they’d made. While 50% of those no longer attending also reported improvements to their health up to 36 months later
• Nearly all the current members surveyed said they were eating more fruit and vegetables (98%) and had switched to lower fat or fat free dairy products (97%) since joining – and three quarters (74%) of those no longer attending had made these same lifestyle changes
• 94% of current members and 81% of past members said that they were still cooking more meals from scratch using fresh ingredients three years on
• Respondents also ate fewer takeaways with only one in 10 current members and less than a quarter of past members eating takeaways at least once a week, compared to almost half doing so before they joined
• Half of current members (48%) and a third of those no longer attending (32%) had reduced their alcohol intake
• Over half of slimmers in the study reported that their whole household had made positive changes to what they ate (74% current and 49% past members) and around a third of their families had become more active

In the study of 356 adults, the weight of both current and past members was measured two and a half to three years after joining – with all respondents, on average, weighing 7% less than when they joined Slimming World. Those still attending Slimming World were on average 9.6% lighter, maintaining an average loss of 21lbs and reduction in BMI of 3.4kg/m². Those no longer attending had maintained a loss of 4.4% (8.5lbs) and BMI reduction of 1.5kg/m².

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says losing and keeping off 5% of your weight can have significant benefits, such as reducing your risk of developing diabetes or lowering your blood pressure.

Dr Amanda Avery continues: “We all have different trigger foods, different danger areas and different self-sabotage techniques when we’re trying to lose weight. Our members are supported to identify their personal challenges and tailor a plan that works for their own individual needs and can be adapted for different times and circumstances. Our aim has always been to support members to lose weight and achieve sustainable healthy habits that work in the long-term helping them to lead healthier and happier lives, for life.”

After joining their local Slimming World group and receiving continuing support to build lasting healthy habits, nearly all the current members surveyed (94%) and 81% of past members said that they were cooking more meals using fresh ingredients three years on, and 74% of those questioned who no longer attend said they used fat-free and low-fat products. Just one in 10 current members and less than a quarter of past members were eating takeaways at least once a week up to three years after joining, compared to almost half doing so before they joined.

Some 98% of those slimmers who were still attending said they were eating more fruit and vegetables thanks to the support they’d discovered at the group, with nearly three quarters of past members (74%) doing the same.

And, significantly, half of current members (48%) and a third of those no longer attending (32%) had reduced their alcohol intake since joining Slimming World.

Eight in 10 (83%) current members and half (50%) of past members said their health had improved, with 93% attributing the improvement to their weight management and the lifestyle changes they’d made. And improvements were also seen in mental wellbeing, with both current members (78%) and those no longer attending (71%) reporting feeling calm and peaceful compared to how they felt before joining (current 49% and past members 51%).

In the study, members also reported changes in energy levels with 76% of current members questioned and 67% of those no longer attending having a lot of energy all or most of the time since joining Slimming World, compared to how just over a quarter (27%) of current members felt before joining.

Showing the wider reach of the lifestyle changes made through the support received from Slimming World, over half of members in the study reported that their whole household had made positive changes to what they ate (74% current and 49% past) and around a third of their families had become more active.

Commenting on the importance of behaviour change, Professor James Stubbs, Appetite & Energy Balance, University of Leeds, says: “The pathways to weight gain and sustainable weight loss are primarily behavioural. We all know that making lasting changes to dietary and physical activity is not easy, which is why evidence-based behaviour change approaches are the bedrock of long-term weight management. Communities of support that help transform new behaviours into longer-term habits can help people overcome the many obstacles they can face in making the longer-term changes that benefit weight and health."

A recent service evaluation, undertaken by the UK and Ireland’s leading weight management organisation, Slimming World, shows those with BBS who joined a Slimming World group through a referral programme and attended nine or more of the sessions, on average, lost 4% of their body weight over 12 weeks and reduced their BMI by 1.6kg/m².

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome UK (BBS UK) is the only registered charity supporting people with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, a rare, recessively inherited genetic condition affecting the cilia which affects approximately one in 100,000 babies born. BBS UK offers its members 12-weeks free membership to Slimming World to help those who wish to access support in losing weight.

BBS can affect many areas of the body, and patients with BBS often struggle with their weight because of insatiable appetite. Helen, 50, who lives with BBS which has affected her eyesight, says: “In August 2021 I joined Slimming World weighing 19st 2.5lbs.

“I spotted a post on the BBS UK Facebook page for free membership to Slimming World for 12 weeks. I’ve tried several methods to lose weight in the past, and they’ve never really worked.

“My mum encouraged me to give Slimming World a go and so I walked into my first group at the end of the summer, and I’ve not looked back! My Consultant Maddie was lovely and the other members really welcoming. My mum came along to support me, and we both really enjoyed the session.

“Before I joined Slimming World I would often skip breakfast or have a quick bowl of sugary cereal, now though I start the day with a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs. The fat is cut off my bacon and I use a low-fat cooking spray now. My mum helps prepare meals and she’s enjoyed learning new recipes alongside me, and we are definitely eating a lot more fruit and veg now.

“Since losing weight – as well as needing a new wardrobe because my clothes no longer fit – I’ve found moving is a lot easier. Previously, when I’ve gone for a walk my mum has had to guide me, but now I’m the one with the quicker pace, walking ahead of her.

“I’m part of a singing group and love being on the stage performing – now I’ve lost weight I’m so much more confident and happy in myself. Because of BBS, I didn’t think I could lose weight, but joining Slimming World has been the best thing I could have done to improve my health!”

Registered dietitian Jennifer Kent, from Slimming World’s Nutrition, Research and Health Team, says: “Helen’s weight loss success backs up our findings which show that people with BBS, who were referred to Slimming World, successfully lost weight during their 12-week referral, with more than a quarter losing a clinically significant amount of weight during this time.

“Slimming World’s healthy eating plan is flexible, takes into account individual needs and preferences and encourages members to fill up on those foods that are naturally lower in energy density (calories per gram) and also highly satisfying, while limiting foods that are highest in fat and sugar and are less filling. This means they can lose weight without feeling hungry and reduce their calorie intake without needing to count them."

Tonia Hymers​, Operations Manager from BBS UK, says: "We are delighted at the success of our Slimming World group. Obesity is a significant aspect of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and has an enormous impact on quality of life. The Slimming World program works well for people with BBS, and encourages healthy eating and smart choices, without significantly restricting portion sizes.

"Helen’s progress has been remarkable. She has been an inspiration and motivated many people in the BBS community to make positive changes themselves. Slimming World has been a great partner to work with and we hope to continue working with them going forwards."

Slimming World have resources available in an Easy Read format which can help make the weight management support more accessible for members, such as adults living with BBS, who have visual impairments, learning difficulties or disabilities.

Service evaluation reference: A service evaluation assessing weight loss outcomes of adults with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome who joined Slimming World through a 12-week referral scheme: J Kent, Z Darcy: 2023

New research, led by the UK’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, has revealed over half (57%) of slimmers have dieted ‘in secret’ – many because of fears of being judged or failing[1].

Secret slimmers cited a range of reasons for an undercover or solitary approach including fears of being judged for being overweight (31%), being embarrassed about needing to lose weight (32%), being scared people might make fun of them (29%) and not knowing what else to do (24%).

The study of 2,000 adults who are trying to slim down found that even of those who are open about losing weight, 83% have embarked on a weight loss attempt on their own.

However, the findings reveal that going it alone isn’t an easy or sure-fire route to weight-loss success. Over a quarter of secret slimmers say they struggle to feel motivated (28%) and a similar number (27%) agree it’s easy to go off track as no-one would know. Of those who had previously attempted to lose weight in secret, 38% would now tell everyone about future weight loss attempts, with another 32% happy to share with anyone who asked if they were trying to slim.

Those solo slimmers aged 18-24 are most likely to diet in secret (81%), while men who are secretly dieting are more likely than women (44% vs 34%) to eat or drink unhealthily in front of others, such as accepting sweets, cakes and biscuits in the office, to keep up appearances.

Despite this, of all those who are dieting or trying to lose weight, 37% value the camaraderie of losing weight with a group and how you can motivate each other. And 34% feel the accountability that comes hand in hand with losing weight with others would keep them on track. 

The research reveals the number of people who are likely to be secretly trying to lose weight this New Year using approaches including ditching takeaways (30%), researching weight loss methods online (34%), cutting out carbs (32%) and joining a gym (30%). 

In the survey, conducted by OnePoll, seeing the success of other slimmers was revealed as a benefit of trying to lose weight as part of a group for a third (33%) of respondents.

The research also polled members of Slimming World’s 7,700 community weight loss groups and online programme[2]. Prior to joining Slimming World, 46% said they’d embarked on weight loss attempts without telling anyone, and more than half of these (59%) agreed they struggled to motivate themselves when solo dieting. Nearly half (45%) of these secret dieters say they’ve stopped a weight loss attempt on their own in the past as they struggled to resist temptation and 46% because they didn’t stick to their plans. 

When comparing their weight loss methods, 87% of members who’d tried to lose weight in secret before joining their local group said they’d been more successful losing weight as a member of Slimming World. Some 8 in 10 (80%) say a benefit of losing weight with other people is that you’re all on the same journey and can understand each other's goals, while 75% of members attributed their success to the effects of seeing the plan work.

Dr Jacquie says: “The power of the peer support members give one another is what sets Slimming World apart. Members become part of a community, which helps them to realise that they’re not alone in the challenges they face. That’s combined with a personalised approach which helps every member discover more about themselves as a slimmer, identify their own pitfalls and danger zones, and create plans to overcome them. As well as following the healthy eating plan which enables you to still eat the foods you love and become more active at your own pace, members are encouraged to dig deep into what motivates them, and to set realistic weekly goals to help them achieve their weight loss targets. 

“The accountability of attending a weekly group is also key. In this survey, 90% of these members said the private weekly weigh-in was a key factor in helping them lose weight successfully, while for 81% it’s the eating plan and for 73% it’s the support from other members.”

The findings echo research of 1.1m slimmers which found that regularly attending a group helps people to lose weight, with members who attend at least 75% of Slimming World group sessions losing more weight, achieving on average a 7.7% weight loss (1st 1lb) in their first three months and a 14% weight loss (or 2st 3lbs) on average over the course of a year[3].

Slimming World member Sophie Ratcliffe, who has lost 11st since joining her local group in Hayle, Cornwall, says: “In the past I’d tried to lose weight but with no real structure in place. I wouldn’t tell anyone and would start counting calories or cutting out carbs because I thought it would be easier that way than making a big fuss about trying to slim and then not being successful. Ironically though, because of that it never worked.

“When I joined my local Slimming World group, it took a lot to walk through the doors because I thought I would be judged, but everyone was really friendly and welcoming. I expected it to be restrictive and prescriptive – I thought I’d be weighed in front of the whole group, told what to eat and given a weight I should be. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was weighed privately, my weight was confidential and I chose my own target weight. I found Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan was flexible enough to fit around my life and the things I enjoyed eating so I never felt hungry and being in a group of people, who were all like me, from the same place as me, made me realise I wasn’t alone and I started to feel like if they could do it, so could I. And, this time, with the support of a group I did! I always wanted to feel in control of my weight and now I finally am, and doing it with Slimming World was much easier than doing it on my own.”

-ENDS-

[1] Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults currently dieting/trying to lose weight surveyed between 2^nd and 8^th December 2022

[2] A self-selecting sample of 2,459 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website between 2^nd and 8^th December 2022

[3] Toon J, Bennett SE, Avery A, Roberts KE, Holloway L, Pallister C, Lavin J (2019). Levels of engagement: a predictor of long-term weight loss in over 1 million adults attending a community weight management programme Obesity Facts: The European Journal of Obesity. 12 (1), p176

The research reveals that more than half of dieters have tried to lose weight ‘in secret’ – many because of fears of being judged or failing. The study of 2,000 adults who are trying to slim down found that even of those who are open about losing weight, 83% have embarked on a weight loss attempt on their own. The findings show that going it alone isn’t an easy or sure-fire way to achieve weight-loss success though. Over a quarter of secret slimmers say they struggle to feel motivated (28%) and a similar number (27%) agree it’s easy to go off track because no-one would know.

Led by the UK’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, the research shows one in three secret dieters (31%) are worried about being judged for being overweight, while around the same number are embarrassed about needing to lose weight (32%). Some 35% admit to losing weight in secret so that if they fail no-one would know, and a fifth said this secretive approach to slimming made them feel lonely (20%) while 17% felt isolated.

Conversely, 87% of those who’d tried to lose weight in secret before joining a Slimming World group said they’d been more successful after they’d joined: 73% valued the support of other members ­and 90% said the accountability of the private weekly weigh-in was a key factor in helping them lose weight successfully.

Sophie Ratcliffe, 29, from Hayle in Cornwall, tried many times to lose weight in secret because she was afraid of being judged and was embarrassed about how much weight she felt she needed to lose. She even secretly hired a personal trainer, but nothing worked long term.

Fed up with trying to lose weight on her own and weighing 23st 13lbs, Sophie visited her GP who recommended a gastric band. When the date for the surgery came through though, Sophie decided not to go ahead with the operation. She was determined to be healthier for her two children and develop long-lasting healthy habits that she could pass on to them too. So instead, she opted to join her local Slimming World group in September 2021, where she went on to lose 11st.

She says: “My health was declining rapidly, I couldn’t walk up the stairs without being out of breath or sitting down. I wasn’t sleeping and I did absolutely no exercise.  My son was being bullied at school because of my weight which made me feel so guilty, but I didn’t know where to start when it came to changing things. During the lockdowns all I did was eat and bake with my children. When my friends mentioned they were joining the local Slimming World group, I decided to go with them and we joined the same day.   

“I’d tried so many ways to lose weight, I never told anyone though because I was sure I wouldn’t succeed – just like all the times before. I even hired a personal trainer but along with the exercise plan there was a protein shake diet that I knew I wouldn’t be able to stick to long term because it left me hungry.

“When I joined Slimming World I was embarrassed at how big I’d become, but no one in the group every made me feel this way and I left the first session feeling hopeful for the first time. As soon as I understood how the eating plan worked – and that I wouldn’t have to give up all the foods I loved – and I met the other members who were such a lovely bunch of people, I knew I was safe and wasn’t going to be judged. Having the support of my group keeps me on track and lifts me up when I’ve had a tough week.

“Before joining my local group, I’d experienced one of the worst years of my life. In January 2021, I started having what we believed to be anxiety attacks, regularly around eight a day. I also had a major seizure which was initially misdiagnosed as brain cancer and turned out to be epilepsy. I was put on medication to control it because the seizures could have been fatal.

“It was a very stressful time when I could easily have given up on my weight loss plans, yet because of the support of those around me, both in my Slimming World group and my friends and family, I knew I had to carry on. I’m so proud that during such a difficult time, I stayed on track with my weight loss plans. I know I couldn’t have done it if I was trying to lose weight on my own. My Slimming World group and Charlotte, the Consultant who runs it, have been there for me every step of the way.

“Since losing 11 stone, I’m a completely different person, I feel I’m better equipped to deal with what life throws at me and I’m not letting life pass me by. I’ve lost weight and I’ve not had a seizure since August. I feel like Slimming World has given me a new family and I know I’ve given myself the best chance I can to be a healthy mum. My son isn’t bullied anymore and both children are very proud of me.  When they see pictures of me before I lost weight, they ask ‘Mummy, who’s that?’

“When I saw both my epilepsy nurse and my neurosurgeon recently, they couldn’t believe my transformation and they tried to impress on me that it’s saved my life.

“I believe losing weight has saved my marriage, too.  My husband was so upset as he said he was watching me lose the bubbly person I used to be.” says Sophie. “My children are so much healthier now as well and it’s brought us together more as a family – the great thing about Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan is that it’s all based on healthy foods so the whole family can enjoy the same meals and I don’t have to make different dinners for everyone.

“I’ve dropped 8 dress sizes, going from a size 26 to a size 12. Slimming World’s activity support programme helped me get more active at my own pace. I started doing a bit more week by week and now, from doing no exercise, I go to my local gym four or five times a week. I enjoy spinning and cardio and the occasional weight training. I now know that exercise can be fun and enjoyable which I never believed before.

“Losing weight has changed my life – I feel like a door has been opened and I’m excited to keep exploring what’s on the other side. Now when people see me out and about, they ask me what my secret is and how I’ve managed to lose weight and I can’t wait to tell them – and it’s funny my secret is that my weight loss goals aren’t a secret anymore!”

Charlotte McCleary runs the Hayle Slimming World group and is Sophie’s Slimming World Consultant.  Charlotte says: “When Sophie first joined my group she was with some friends, and she didn’t seem convinced she was going to lose any weight at all. From that first week she just flew though and she’s become such an inspiration for all of us as we’ve seen her reach her target weight, losing an incredible 11st! We all care so much about her, she’s an amazing woman with a big heart – even with everything Sophie’s been coping with herself outside of group, she’s not stopped sharing tips and recipe ideas and caring for and supporting other members.”

The research also polled members of Slimming World’s 7,700 community weight loss groups and online programme[2]. Prior to joining Slimming World, like Sophie 46% said they’d previously embarked on weight loss attempts without telling anyone, and more than half of these (59%) agreed they struggled to motivate themselves when solo dieting. Nearly half (45%) of secret dieters say they’ve stopped a weight loss attempt on their own in the past as they struggled to resist temptation and 46% because they didn’t stick to their plans.  When comparing their weight loss methods, 87% of members who’d tried to lose weight in secret before joining their local group said they’d been more successful losing weight as a member of Slimming World. Some 8 in 10 (80%) say a benefit of losing weight with other people is that you’re all on the same journey and can understand each other's goals, while 75% of members attributed their success to the effects of seeing the plan work.

Slimming World, the UK’s and Ireland’s leading weight management organisation who commissioned the research conducted by OnePoll, says the findings show people should embrace the encouragement and support of losing weight with others, even if that means stepping out of their comfort zones.

-ENDS-

Group: Sophie attends the Hayle Slimming World group run by Consultant Charlotte McCleary. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Sophie Ratcliffe

Starting weight: 23st 13lbs

Weight lost: 11st

Current weight: 12st 13lbs

Height: 5ft 10in

BEFORE

Breakfast: A full English fry up with lots of ketchup

Lunch: Shop-bought deep-fried chicken and chips  

Dinner: Family size pizza, ice cream with chocolate sauce and cream

Snacks: Crisps, bars of chocolate, sweets

Drinks: Fizzy drinks

AFTER

Breakfast: Banana with low-fat yoghurt

Lunch: Chicken skewers cooked in an air fryer with pitta bread

Dinner: Slimming World’s pizza topped chicken with Slimming World chips and lots of vegetables and/or salad

Snacks: Grapes, apples, high fibre bar

Drinks: 6-8 glasses of water a day

Credits: Pic on beach – Colin Higgs

 [1] Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults currently dieting/ trying to lose weight surveyed between 2^nd and 8^th December 2022

[2] A self-selecting sample of 2,459 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website between 2^nd and 8^th December 2022

In February 2017 Kelayne, from Hayling Island, joined her local Slimming World group weighing 21st 4lbs.  She says: “I’d been to see my GP the day before and he’d told me I had type 2 diabetes and if I didn’t change my lifestyle, I’d have to go on insulin for the rest of my life and I’d die young. The shock of this made me realise how seriously my weight was impacting my health, and I joined Slimming World the very next day. It was the wake-up call that I needed and within three weeks, I’d lost half a stone.

“In 2013, my weight began to spiral after I had a motorbike accident and then later that year, my marriage fell apart. I stopped exercising and turned to food as a coping mechanism – eating for comfort and to relieve my boredom. It was the worst four years of my life, and by 2017, I’d gained 10st. Because of my weight, I couldn’t walk five minutes down the road without my back and knees hurting, and my diabetes was getting worse meaning my GP prescribed four tablets a day to control it.

“Thinking back to that time, I didn’t care for myself at all.  I felt so low, I was eating so many crisps, chocolate and sweets, my skin would often have breakouts and at my heaviest I’d suffer from crippling migraines. Now I feel completely different, I’m more confident, my skin glows and I no longer need to take medication for my diabetes – I’m so proud I reversed my type 2 diabetes by losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet. I eat lots of vegetables and fruit and for dinner, I’ll make baked salmon with fresh vegetables and boiled brown rice or I make Slimming World’s spaghetti Bolognese which is delicious. Having the support from my Slimming World group each week has enabled me to reverse my diabetes and understand that food is nutritious and not something to punish myself with or use in a destructive way. When I went back to visit my diabetes specialist and they saw my transformation, they said I was their ‘star patient’.

Carolyn Pallister, Nutrition, Research and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World, says: “Kelayne’s experience backs up our research[1] showing that people with type 2 diabetes can improve, and in Kelayne’s case, reverse their diabetes management by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight following our programme. More than half, 51%, of the Slimming World members who had lost at least 10% of their body weight said they had reversed their type 2 diabetes. Almost two thirds, 61%, were able to reduce or stop taking medication and 81% saw improvements in their blood glucose management. An incredible 80% reported an improved quality of life and 76% of members with type 2 diabetes said they found it easy to fit dietary recommendations from their healthcare team into Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan.”

Kelayne says: “Going to the group each week helped me to keep focused on my goal, and if I had a week where I’d struggled, that’s when I knew I needed the support of my group more than ever. Talking it through with my Consultant and the other members would always put a smile on my face and give me the tools and motivation to get back on track the following week. Their support helped me change my relationship with food, and I no longer use it as a source of comfort when I’m bored or stressed.

“As I lost weight, I gained a new sense of confidence. I started to be more active and I wanted to try new things.  I joined a local dance class which brought me closer to my family and friends as we dance together. I walk the dogs every morning with my daughter, Amber, and we both go to swing, jive and Lindy Hop dancing classes with my parents. I’m more active, more social and living life to the max.

Kelayne says,  "Losing weight hasn’t just changed my life, it saved my life. I’m literally half the person I was when I weighed 21st, dropping eight dress sizes from a size 26 to a size 10. It’s been an incredible journey and I couldn’t have done it without the support of Slimming World, my fellow members and my family and friends. I owe them my life. To complete my transformation, in November last year, I had a breast lift and implants and this April, I had a tummy tuck to rid me of my excess skin. I’m now a size 10 and weigh 10st 1½lb. I never thought I’d feel my most confident in my 50s, yet here I am, enjoying every moment.”

More than 4.9 million people in the UK have diabetes[2], with 13.6 million people in the UK at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke. As well as the human cost, type 2 diabetes treatment accounts for around 10% of the annual NHS budget[3].

Bev Dodgson runs the Hayling Island Slimming World group and is Kelayne’s Slimming World Consultant.  She says: “Kelayne is such an inspiration. She’s living proof for anyone with type 2 diabetes, that it is possible to make healthy lifestyle changes and lose weight following Slimming World’s programme. Kelayne was able to personalise our healthy eating plan to the advice given to her by her healthcare team and you can see how she’s turned her life around. We’re all so proud of her.”

Kelayne Fannan

Height:              5ft 7in

Starting weight: 21st 4lbs

Weight lost:       11st 2½lbs

Current weight: 10st 1½lb

BEFORE

Breakfast: Nothing

Lunch: Meal deal – sandwich, crisps, chocolate, sugary drink

Dinner: High fat and high sugary foods such as an Indian takeaway or creamy pasta carbonara with cheese

Snacks: Sweets, crisps and chocolate 

AFTER

Breakfast: Fresh fruit with low-fat yoghurt

Lunch: Fresh mixed salad with boiled egg, ham and low-fat cottage cheese

Dinner: Baked salmon with roasted fresh vegetables, boiled green vegetables and brown or wild rice

Snacks: Sugar-free jelly, fresh fruit, mixed nuts, dried fruit, low-fat yoghurt

Drinks: Water and lots of tea!

[1] https://lupinepublishers.com/diabetes-obesity-journal/pdf/ADO.MS.ID.000172.pdf

[2] Diabetes UK

[3] NHS England

Eating healthily doesn’t have to cost more though - in fact, evidence shows that members of the UK’s leading weight loss organisation Slimming World don’t spend any more on food than people who aren’t trying to lose weight**. And now Slimming World’s savvy members are turning to their weekly groups to share tried and tested tips on slimming down and shrinking their food bills.

Each week in community groups across the UK and Ireland, Slimming World members give and receive support to build healthy new habits and share strategies for staying on track with their weight loss whatever life throws at them.

Slimming World Consultant Lisa Maskell, from London, says: “Unsurprisingly, losing weight on a budget has been a hot topic in Slimming World communities in recent weeks. I’m always amazed by what a treasure trove of useful information our Slimming World group is. Members share low-cost recipes and top tips for saving money, as well as tracking down bargains and special offers, so it’s really easy to know where to go for the best deals locally. We often pop them on our closed Facebook group too.”

Slimming World asked its group and online members to share their money-saving ideas and hundreds gave their advice for following Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan on a budget***. The plan is based on the science of energy density (the number of calories per gram a food contains) and satiety (how filling a food is), so that slimmers can fill up for fewer calories without ever feeling hungry. These lower energy dense foods include basic everyday ingredients, from fruit and veg to pulses and lean meat to eggs and more, so there’s no need for expensive diet foods or special meals. 

Here are Slimming World members’ eight top tips:

1.    Prep ahead

Preparing and making meals for the days and weeks ahead was the most popular piece of advice from slimmers. From soups and sauces to ready-made roasted vegetables that can be stored in the freezer, critical to this money-saving tactic is ensuring no food is thrown away.

Michele Bradbury, a Slimming World Online member from central Queensland in Australia, says: “I find soups a lifesaver – I tend to fill them with whatever veg I have left in the fridge, so I don’t throw anything away, and freeze them. They’re great to take to work or on a picnic in a flask. Whenever I make a sauce for lasagne or pasta, I also add any veg looking a bit past its prime to bulk it out and freeze meal-sized portions for next time I need a quick dinner.”

2.    Love your list

Hitting the supermarket armed with a shopping list also ranked highly as a cost-saving slimming strategy. Slimmers said they planned their meals, made a list and stuck to it. Not only did this enable them to stay on track with their weight loss, they also only bought what they needed and had budgeted for. Some Slimming World members also suggested committing to only visiting stores once a week, shopping online and paying in cash so you’re physically unable to go over an allocated budget.

Lynnette Maling, from Herne Bay who attends the St Bart’s Slimming World group, says: “I look out for the fruit and veg that’s on offer that week in the supermarket, then I search on the Slimming World members’ website or app for recipes featuring that ingredient and include it in my weekly menu. As well as being budget-friendly, it means I have a nice variety of dishes week to week and often end up trying meals I wouldn’t have thought of.”

3.    Use your freezer

As well as stocking their freezers with batch cooked dishes, Slimming World members showed a depth of knowledge about the many foods that can be frozen, including milk, bread, eggs and more, to avoid food wastage.

Andria Walker, a Slimming World Online member from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, says: “I buy a huge box of chicken fillets from my local butcher. I dice half of it up and portion it into zip bags and then I portion the rest into zip bags of one or two breasts and freeze. That way I know when I’m cooking chicken I can just take out of the freezer what I need. It’s cheaper to buy in bulk and I don’t waste anything. Big bags of frozen fruit and veg are cheaper too.”

4.    Buy own brand

A simple change many Slimming World members reported having made to reduce their food budget was swapping to supermarket own brand products, including ‘essentials’ ranges, for many grocery items.

Mary Cameron, from Sidlesham, West Sussex, who attends the Selsey Slimming World group, says: “I tend to buy supermarket own brands for canned foods like mackerel in sauce, chopped tomatoes, kidney beans and chickpeas. They’re much cheaper and often taste just as good.”

5.    Save energy

With rising energy bills, lots of slimmers have also been paying attention to which appliances in their home use the most power. From reading manuals to select the most economical settings to ensuring the oven is full when it’s on, slimmers are being super savvy with their cooking choices. Microwaves, slow cookers and airfryers are all popular ways for slimmers to prepare hot healthy meals without turning on the oven.

Kimberley Robinson, who attends a Slimming World group in Witham, Essex, says: “With the smart meter lighting up like a Belisha beacon every time the oven was on, I realised I needed to rethink how I cooked. I started researching energy saving ideas and found an airfryer uses a third of the energy consumption of your oven and is healthier too. I used it for all sorts now.”

6.    Bulk out meals

With some foods costing more than others, slimmers are taking inspiration from times gone by and adding cheaper, more filling ingredients to meals to bulk them out.

Geraldine Roche, a Slimming World Target member in Banbridge, Co. Down, says: “I make my mince go further by adding red lentils and diced root veg to Bolognese sauce. You can also add mashed butternut squash or sweet potato to beef mince when you’re making homemade burgers – it’s cheaper and tastes great!”

7.    Shop smarter

Opting for tinned and frozen veg, selecting seasonal fresh produce and looking out for wonky veg are all great ways to cut the cost without compromising on the healthfulness of your weekly shop, according to slimmers. Buying from local markets can also be more economical and websites like ‘Too Good to Go’ sell food that otherwise would be wasted at low prices.

Slimming World Consultant Julie Muirhead, from Andover, says: “I use our local fruit and veg stall on Andover market. They have great produce that is excellent value for money – much bigger than from supermarkets and lasts a lot longer.”

8.    Bag the best offers

Lots of slimmers recommended shopping in the evening when lots of items are reduced, while others expounded the benefits of supermarket loyalty card discounts and cashback voucher schemes. Until 16^th October, Slimming World members and Consultants can get 10% off their whole shop at Iceland and Food Warehouse when they show a valid Slimming World ID.

Dean Simpson-Humphreys, from Liverpool, has lost 4st. He says: “I gave up my job as an NHS manager to care for my husband and money was tight. So I began shopping for marked down or ‘yellow sticker’ food and started coming up with lots of different healthy recipes. You don’t know what you’ll be able to get so you have to be creative, and I love that challenge. I always recommend people find out what time of day their local supermarket puts out the yellow stickered products.”

Kerstin Stewart, 27, from Paignton in Devon, lost 5st after joining her local Slimming World group. Kerstin says spending one hour each week in the group with people who are on the same weight loss journey is what keeps her on track. Her experiences back up the research findings that the secret to successful weight loss is social.

She says: “I joined my local Slimming World group in Paignton on 4^th January 2018 weighing 17st 1lb. I’d met a friend on Christmas Eve who I’d not seen in a while, and I could see she’d lost a lot of weight.  When she told me she’d joined our local Slimming World group, I decided that January would be a great time for me to join and lose weight too.

“The Consultant Lucy was so reassuring and when I heard about the flexibility of the Food Optimising eating plan, it all made sense. I could eat foods like meat and chicken, rice, pasta and veg freely on the plan, without needing to count, weigh or measure them. I found it so reassuring to know I wasn’t on my own and being with people who just ‘get it’ and know what you’re going through was so refreshing and it was just what I needed. I’ve been overweight for as long as I can remember, even as a child," says Kerstin.

“Before joining Slimming World, I’d never cook from scratch. Every weekend I would go out drinking and get a McDonald’s or a kebab on the way home. Now I batch cook a lot to help me stay prepared for the week ahead and lunch will often be leftover dinner from the night before. I’m a huge pasta fan and I love jacket potatoes and one pot meals like jambalaya. I still go out at weekends however now I drink spirits instead of cider and I make sure I have something from the Slimming World food range at Iceland when I get home.

“Lucy makes group so fun! I’ve made a lot of friends and the support of group is amazing. We have a Facebook group where we post recipe tips and ideas and I love seeing what everyone is making to eat that week. It’s another tool for us outside of group. My friends and family all support me and when I see people I’ve not seen for a long time, they can’t believe the change in me, yet I know I’m doing this for me and no-one else.

“Going to the group each week helps keep me focused and on track and gives me the tools and knowledge to help me in the long term. I’ve turned my food habits upside down and now, for the first time in my life, I have a good relationship with food.

“Losing weight has helped me to be more active than I ever was.  I used to hate walking and now I walk loads and go swimming three times a week. Being more active is so good for my mental health. When I think about it, I played netball and other sports at school yet when I turned 18 I started driving and stopped exercising altogether which must have had an impact on my weight.

“Although this has been an extremely personal journey, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my Slimming World group. It’s so strange to think where I was and where I am now. I love listening to everyone’s stories every week and hearing what they struggled with and sharing the knowledge I’ve gained to help them from my own experience. I enjoyed finding out new tips and new foods or recipes that I could try myself. Since I joined my Slimming World group, I feel like I’m glowing. I’m happier, more independent and I’m much more likely to meet up with friends and go places. Life is altogether much more colourful!”

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Special Advisor on the Science of Weight Management at Slimming World says: “Kerstin’s story shows the sense of belonging our members very quickly feel within our groups, which helps to lift them out of any loneliness and isolation they’re feeling and helps them to feel valued – sometimes for the first time in some time.

“Being part of a community of likeminded people is as important as our healthy eating plan when it comes to successful weight loss as it’s what keeps members coming back week after week to get the support they need. As our members’ self-esteem and self-belief grows, they feel safe enough to open up and do the deeper thinking needed to make changes. They also have more confidence in their ability to adopt the new healthy, life-changing habits which the group supports them to build, and to develop and share real-life strategies to deal with potential pitfalls which makes losing weight easier and more successful in the long run.

More than a third (38%) of those questioned in a survey of 2,000 adults* said they feel less socially connected now than they did before the pandemic, and only 36% currently feel a sense of belonging within their local community. Meanwhile, nearly half (44%) say they are meeting fewer people in real life than before March 2020 and 31% say they feel socially isolated even when with other people. 

When asked about the challenges of trying to manage their weight since the pandemic and lockdowns, 31% said they found it more difficult, with 12% of those stating it was much more difficult. Of those surveyed, more than one in three (36%) reported that they had gained weight over the course of the past two years (compared to 19% who had lost weight).

Lucy Nicholas runs the Paignton Slimming World group which Kerstin attends.  She says: “Kerstin has been an inspiration to me and the rest of our group. Her determination to reach her weight loss goal and her commitment has been incredible to watch. I feel privileged to have been able to support Kerstin on her journey.”

The research also polled members of Slimming World’s 7,700 community weight loss groups**. Three in four people who joined a Slimming World group said they were more confident and self-assured (74%) as a result. They had also made new friends (73%), felt more connected (68%) and, crucially, 93% of Slimming World members felt committed to their weight loss. Slimming World, the UK’s and Ireland’s leading weight management organisation who commissioned the research by Censuswide, says the findings show that providing opportunities for real-life connection with others, in a powerfully motivating weight loss group setting, is key to stemming the tide of the obesity epidemic and provide the authentic sense of belonging that people are searching for.

Group: Kerstin attends the Paignton Slimming World group run by Consultant Lucy Nicholas. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

*Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,003 people in the UK surveyed between 25^th and 28^th July 2022

**A random sample of 1,113 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website during the same period

Kerstin Stewart

Starting weight: 17st 1lbs

Weight lost: 5st 1lbs

Current weight: 12st

Height: 5ft 5in

BEFORE

Breakfast: Toast spread with butter and jam (could range from 2-8 slices)

Lunch: Sandwich with shop bought sandwich filler, crisps and chocolate biscuit

Dinner: Pasta with a jar of pasta sauce, garlic bread

Snacks: Chocolate, crisps

Drinks: Full sugar fizzy pop and squash, cider

AFTER

Breakfast: Sausage and egg wrap

Lunch: Jacket potato or pasta with salad or leftovers from dinner the night before

Dinner: Fakeaways: burger and Slimming World chips, homemade thin base pizza, curry made from scratch or one pot wonders like Slimming World's vegetable jambalaya

Snacks: Hi fibre bars, low fat crisps, low calorie popcorn, ham, lean chicken, boiled eggs, fat free yogurt, sugar free ice lollies

Drinks: Water, sugar free drinks, vodka and slimline tonic

Joe Thompson, 35, from Essex, tried and failed to lose weight on his own. He’s now lost more than 5st since he joined a Slimming World group and discovered the difference being part of a community of slimmers and getting support from others on the same journey can make. His experiences back up the research findings that the secret to successful weight loss is social.

He says: “I joined my local Slimming World group in Woodford Green in October 2021 weighing 19st 9lbs. Three days before, I’d tried to fit into a suit that I’d bought before the pandemic for a friend’s wedding as I was the best man. Dusting the suit off, the trousers didn’t fit and I needed to get it altered to be two sizes bigger. I was mortified and knew I needed to do something!

“I’d been trying and failing to lose weight by calorie counting or cutting out carbs on my own for a long time. My weight had been causing me health problems. I was on medication for chronic gout and I could barely walk any distance because of the pain. I also suffered from crippling anxiety – I was full of self-doubt and worried what people thought of me and hated having my picture taken. Although I know I’d have seemed confident at the time, especially professionally as I work from home in recruitment and my screen persona was always positive, in a way I felt quite isolated and inside I was nervous and felt people were judging me,” says Joe.

“When I told two of my friends how unhappy I was, I was surprised when they got quite excited. It turns out they’d both lost weight with Slimming World and they encouraged me to give it a try.  I was so fearful of joining, but I needn’t have been. The Consultant Lorna was so reassuring and when I heard about the flexibility of the Food Optimising eating plan, it all made sense. I couldn’t believe I could eat foods like meat and chicken, rice, pasta, fruit and veg freely on the plan, without needing to count, weigh or measure them. Then I started listening to everyone else in the group and I realised I wasn’t alone. There’s something about being in a space together like that, where we all feel safe enough to talk about our habits and temptations, which is a great connecting factor. After trying to prove the eating plan wrong that first week and eating as much pasta as I could, I was amazed when I lost 11lbs! The reaction from the rest of the group was so lovely! Losing weight suddenly felt doable and I wanted to do well for the group as much as I did for me.

"I was having a tough time a few weeks ago and one of the members drove to my house to deliver some homemade Slimming World-friendly muffins! I’m constantly blown away by the kindness of the group. I never realised when I joined Slimming World that I’d gain all these extra benefits, I’ve made firm friends with the other members and I’m excited about going to group each week – there really is no comparison to seeing everyone in real life and not hiding behind tech. I was surprised at how many people were around my age and the group is a lovely spread of all ages. I’m also delighted to see more men join our group too!

“If I think back to how I used to eat before joining Slimming World, it was all highly processed food and takeaways. Now I’m never hungry and I make healthy versions of the food I ate before like a full English with bacon medallions and scrambled eggs using a low-fat cooking spray. I love the Slimming World fakeaways, particularly the curries which I make from scratch, I love the chicken tikka. I’m always busy so I make full use of the Slimming World food range at Iceland and add extra vegetables.

“My husband Gareth and I recently had our kitchen renovated and I know if I hadn’t joined Slimming World, I would have had a takeaway every night. I dread to think what shape I’d be in, but I stayed focused, attended group every week and now I have a beautiful new kitchen that I associate with healthy eating. There are so many easy recipes to try on the app, it shows that you don’t need to be a wonderful cook to eat healthily.

“Losing 5st has improved my health and made me respect myself more. I eat in a way which fuels my body now and gives me more energy! I make extra time for long walks and I cook from scratch a lot more. I used to snore heavily before losing weight and now apparently it’s eerily quiet when I’m sleeping!

“Since joining Slimming World and losing weight, I’m less anxious and much more confident. I’m not scared of life anymore and I’m enjoying the ride!”

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Special Advisor on the Science of Weight Management at Slimming World says: “Joe’s story shows the sense of belonging our members very quickly feel within our groups, which helps to lift them out of any loneliness and isolation they’re feeling and helps them to feel valued – sometimes for the first time in some time.

“Being part of a community of likeminded people is as important as our healthy eating plan when it comes to successful weight loss as it’s what keeps members coming back week after week to get the support they need. As our members’ self-esteem and self-belief grows, they feel safe enough to open up and do the deeper thinking needed to make changes. They also have more confidence in their ability to adopt the new healthy, life-changing habits which the group supports them to build, and to develop and share real-life strategies to deal with potential pitfalls which makes losing weight easier and more successful in the long run.

More than a third (38%) of those questioned in a survey of 2,000 adults* said they feel less socially connected now than they did before the pandemic, and only 36% currently feel a sense of belonging within their local community. Meanwhile, nearly half (44%) say they are meeting fewer people in real life than before March 2020 and 31% say they feel socially isolated even when with other people. 

When asked about the challenges of trying to manage their weight since the pandemic and lockdowns, 31% said they found it more difficult, with 12% of those stating it was much more difficult. Of those surveyed, more than one in three (36%) reported that they had gained weight over the course of the past two years (compared to 19% who had lost weight).

Lorna Sheridan runs the Woodford Green Slimming World group and is Joe’s Slimming World Consultant.  She says: “Joe is such a great member to have in my group. When he first came through the doors, he was so nervous and it’s been wonderful to see him gain confidence, make such good friends and incredibly lose over 5st! I’m so proud of Joe and the group – they’re great at lifting each other up and I’ve seen myself how when everyone supports each other that’s where the magic is!”

The research also polled members of Slimming World’s 7,700 community weight loss groups**. Three in four people who joined a Slimming World group said they were more confident and self-assured (74%) as a result. They had also made new friends (73%), felt more connected (68%) and, crucially, 93% of Slimming World members felt committed to their weight loss. Slimming World, the UK’s and Ireland’s leading weight management organisation who commissioned the research by Censuswide, says the findings show that providing opportunities for real-life connection with others, in a powerfully motivating weight loss group setting, is key to stemming the tide of the obesity epidemic and provides the authentic sense of belonging that people are searching for.

-ENDS-

Group: Joe attends the Woodford Green Slimming World group run by Consultant Lorna Sheridan. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

To read the full story of Joe's amazing weight loss, pick up the October issue of Slimming World Magazine, on sale in all good newsagents and major supermarkets from 1st September.

*Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,003 people in the UK surveyed between 25^th and 28^th July 2022

**A random sample of 1,113 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website during the same period

Joe Thompson

Starting weight: 19st 9lbs

Weight lost: 5st 2lbs

Current weight: 14st 7lbs

Height: 6ft

BEFORE

Breakfast: Bacon and sausage sandwich on white bread with lots of butter and ketchup, greasy fry up at the weekends

Lunch: King size pot noodle and Pringles

Dinner: A lot of processed foods, take-away Chinese, fish and chips, Indian or kebab

Snacks: Pringles, crisps, bars of chocolate, sweets

Drinks: Sugary cup of tea, can of coke, fizzy drinks, full sugar energy drinks

AFTER

Breakfast: Baked beans on wholemeal toast with scrambled egg or bacon medallions

Lunch: Lunch pot from Slimming World’s food range at Iceland with extra vegetables

Dinner: Freshly cooked diet cola chicken with lots of vegetables and/or salad

Snacks: Individual packet of crisps, Freddo bar, low fat yoghurt

Drinks: 6-8 glasses of water a day, occasional vodka and diet coke

Conversely, the research from Slimming World shows that feeling connected in a group of kind and understanding people, who care about your success and    positively support you to succeed, makes all the difference when you are trying to lose weight, and highlights the slimming power of social connection. 

More than a third (38%) of those questioned in a survey of 2,000 adults* said they feel less socially connected now than they did before the pandemic, and only 36% currently feel a sense of belonging within their local community. Meanwhile, nearly half (44%) say they are meeting fewer people in real life than before March 2020 and 31% say they feel socially isolated even when with other people. 

What’s more, amid an increase in people working remotely and with a growing reliance on technology to keep in touch with friends and family, 34% of adults questioned agreed they were communicating with people on social media and online now more than before the pandemic.

When asked about the challenges of trying to manage their weight since the pandemic and lockdowns, 31% said they found it more difficult, with 12% of those stating it was much more difficult. Of those surveyed, more than one in three (36%) reported that they had gained weight over the course of the past two years (compared to 19% who had lost weight). Among respondents who had gained weight, more than half (58%) reported gaining between 1 stone and 3 stone 13lbs, while 16% reported gaining 4 stone or more. Women were more likely to say they had gained weight (42%) than men (30%). 

Of those who gained weight, seven in 10 (72%) have tried to lose weight in the past two years, with almost half (49%) embarking on a weight loss campaign more than once. These respondents were most likely to cite going it alone (32%) and using a weight loss or fitness app alone (13%) when asked how they attempted to slim.

Some 30% of those who said they’d gained weight and 29% of those with a BMI higher than 25, which sees them classed as overweight, said they have experienced bullying or discrimination because of their weight. Of those respondents whose BMI categorised them as overweight or very overweight, 40% said they avoided going out as a result of this bullying and discrimination and a third (32%) felt isolated.

The research also polled members of Slimming World’s 7,700 community weight loss groups**. Three in four people who joined a Slimming World group said they were more confident and self-assured (74%) as a result. They had also made new friends (73%), felt more connected (68%) and, crucially, 93% of Slimming World members felt committed to their weight loss. Slimming World, the UK’s and Ireland’s leading weight management organisation who commissioned the research by Censuswide, says the findings show that providing opportunities for real-life connection with others, in a powerfully motivating weight loss group setting, is key to stemming the tide of the obesity epidemic and provide the authentic sense of belonging that people are searching for.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Special Advisor on the Science of Weight Management at Slimming World says: “After years of lockdowns and social distancing, it’s unsurprising that people are feeling less socially connected than ever before and missing that connection. And struggling with your weight can be an especially lonely place to be. Technology played a vital role in keeping us in touch when we couldn’t be together in person, but there is no substitute for the benefits of real-life, face-to-face connection.

“The sense of belonging our members instantly feel within our groups helps to lift them out of the loneliness and isolation they tell us they feel, to shed any burden of guilt and shame they carry as a result of the way they feel they’re often treated in society and to make them feel more valued. We believe this feeling of being part of something and knowing that others genuinely care about your success is as important as our healthy eating plan when it comes to successful weight loss, as it’s what helps keep members coming back to group on those weeks when their commitment might falter, to get the support they need.

“As their self-esteem and self-belief grows, which we find happens in our groups within just a few weeks, they feel safe enough to open up and do the deeper thinking needed to break ingrained habits and make changes. What’s more, they also have more confidence in their ability to adopt the new healthy, life-changing habits which the group supports them to build, and which makes losing weight easier and more successful in the long run. Slimming World’s whole person, mind-and-body approach equips members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lose weight and to successfully keep it off, to change their eating habits, become more active at their own pace, and to develop and share real-life strategies to deal with potential pitfalls, such as increasing mental toughness and learning to be kinder to themselves if they lapse.”  

When looking at both the general population and Slimming World members, the majority reported that a lack of judgement and humiliation (84%), feeling helped to succeed (82%), receiving kindness and understanding (82%), feeling completely safe (79%) and being able to open up to others to share successes and difficulties (79%) were important for losing weight successfully. Slimming World members were three times more likely to say they experienced no judgement or humiliation when losing weight than non-members, nearly five times more likely than non-members to feel they had received kindness and understanding and more than four times more likely to say giving and receiving support had been part of their experience than non-members.***

Harriet Peacock, who lost 20st with Slimming World, says after years of experiencing cruelty from strangers about her weight she was worried about joining a weight loss group, so much so that her sister phoned ahead before her first visit. She says: “I’ve always been lucky to have a wonderful family and close friends around me so I wasn’t lonely in that sense, but I felt very alone in my struggle with my weight. Even years before lockdown I was in my own personal hell of a lockdown because of my weight. 

“That changed almost instantly when I joined Slimming World. The fear I had about walking through the doors was immense, but straightaway it was such a safe space and I felt utterly accepted in a way I hadn’t for a very long time. There’s no judgement or humiliation, just kindness, care and respect. I became part of a community of people who understood what it felt like to be unhappy with your weight and I wasn’t looked down at in any way. My faith in strangers was restored, and I knew I was in the right place – physically and emotionally – to get the help I needed..” 

*Data relates to a nationally representative sample of 2,003 people in the UK surveyed between 25^th and 28^th July 2022

**A random sample of 1,113 Slimming World members were polled via Slimming World’s member website during the same period

***Data compares results from 1,113 Slimming World members and 1,662 people in the nationally representative sample who were not members of Slimming World

That same day, Hilary joined the Addiscombe Slimming World group in Croydon, run by Consultant Hayley Caliskan.

“Going through the doors that evening I nearly ran away.  I wasn’t a people person at all back then and had no self-confidence. Everyone was so welcoming and when I heard Hayley deliver the new member talk, I honestly didn’t believe it.  I can remember thinking, ‘you can’t lose weight and eat spaghetti…you can’t lose weight and eat cheese!’.  I was determined to prove Hayley wrong and be able to say, ‘I told you so’.  That first week, I lost 13lbs, the plan proved me wrong which I was delighted about!  OK, I thought, this works,” says Hilary

“Only a short time after I started following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, I could see why it worked so well. It was easy to tailor it to my individual needs for my diabetes while at the same time following the advice from my health care team. As soon as I found out cheeseburgers, pasta bakes and spaghetti Bolognese were all on the menu, so long as they were cooked in a healthy way with lean beef mince and low-calorie cooking spray – that’s when I knew this was a flexible way to lose weight where I’d feel in control.  I started to cook from scratch again and I’ve never felt so full in my life!  Gone were the ready meals and takeaways. I love the huge range of food I can eat without even thinking about counting calories and the meals make me feel good inside. We shared recipe ideas at group and once I told my ‘foodie’ friend Peter about Food Optimising, he took enormous pleasure sending me exciting recipes he finds that he knows I'll easily be able to adapt to fit the plan. I've never had so many exciting options to cook, I was losing weight and never feeling hungry!

“After two months, in February 2020, I had my appointment with my GP.  By this time, I’d lost 2 stone and I couldn’t wait to see his reaction. He was visibly stunned by my weight loss.

“Throughout lockdown, with the continued support of my Slimming World group and by following the eating plan, I continued to lose weight. Then, in October 2021, I had an appointment to see the same GP in person again. He couldn’t believe it was me and looked at me blanky, he was speechless and finally said, “Incredible. It can be done!” I felt so proud, by eating healthily and being more active, I’d managed to reverse my diabetes.”   

More than 4.9 million people in the UK have diabetes[1], with 13.6 million people in the UK at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke. A study from the University of Cambridge released earlier this year found people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of earlier health problems including cancer, with experts linking the condition to a higher incidence of 57 long-term illnesses. As well as the human cost, type 2 diabetes treatment accounts for around 10% of the annual NHS budget[2].

Carolyn Pallister, Nutrition, Research and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World, says: “The improvements Hilary has made to her health are incredible and our research shows many members experience similar outcomes. Almost two thirds, 61%, of members participating in the study who had lost at least 10% of their body weight reported they were able to reduce or stop taking medication for their type 2 diabetes completely. We saw positive changes in behaviour too with 77% saying they were now more active.”

Hilary says, “I’ve dropped 8 dress sizes from a size 34 to a size 16 and find buying clothes far easier now especially since my friend Angelica took me shopping. With her careful guidance, I went into high street stores I’d never dared enter before. She directed me away from the baggy drab options which were far too big for me and helped me to consider beautifully cut trousers and shapely colourful dresses.

“Since losing weight, I’ve got so much more energy. From struggling to walk to the supermarket from my car and choosing to drive the 2 minute walk to the corner shop, I now easily manage 15K steps a day and I choose to walk to places I used to drive to, in all weathers. I’ve even taken on an allotment and I’m able to enjoy a lot of the produce I grow, like asparagus, broad beans and strawberries in my Slimming World meals.

Hayley Caliskan runs the Addiscombe Slimming World group and is Hilary’s Slimming World Consultant.  She says: “Hilary joined my group at the end of 2019 and it’s been such a pleasure to see her transform into the person she is today. We have the best package in group to help members lose weight, including techniques we share to help members understand themselves better, looking at those foods or situations that are stoppers for them and finding ways to protect their weight loss in the long term. By being part of such a supportive group and changing her habits around food and activity in ways that worked for her, Hilary was able to lose over 12st and go on to reverse her type 2 diabetes. I’m so very proud of her.”

-ENDS-

*https://lupinepublishers.com/diabetes-obesity-journal/pdf/ADO.MS.ID.000172.pdf

[1] Diabetes UK

[2] NHS England

Hilary Sard

Starting weight: 25st 4lbs

Weight lost: 12st 12lbs

Current weight: 12st 6lb

BEFORE

Breakfast: Nothing or two pain au chocolat  

Lunch: Shop-bought prawn mayonnaise baguette and soup or a large mac ’n’ cheese

Dinner: Ready meal lasagne or large takeaway pizza with dips and garlic bread

Snacks: Full fat ice cream, biscuits, crisps and chocolate 

AFTER

Breakfast: Bacon medallions, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans

Lunch: Slimming World minestrone soup or a huge salad using produce from my allotment

Dinner: Slimming World lasagne with a big side salad or a large bowl of chilli with lots of vegetables in it, some pasta and cheese

Snacks: Fruit and Greek yogurt, grapes, a low-fat bag of crisps and high fibre snack bars

In addition, the research found that more than half of parents (55%) living with obesity who actively decided to take steps to address their own weight, felt more motivated to support one or more of their children reach or maintain a healthy weight since joining a Slimming World group.

Commenting on the research, Carolyn Pallister, Nutrition, Research and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World, says: “This study supports Slimming World’s data which shows that our members pass on their newly formed healthier habits and influence their families. Our research shows that for 77% of members with children, within just three months of joining a Slimming World group their children were eating more healthily, and 41% of members who’ve started to build exercise into their routine have encouraged their family to be more active too.

“It is fully in line with current government guidelines on healthy lifestyles and can be easily personalised to members and their family’s lifestyles. Our Family Affair approach encourages members to take healthy habits home and lay positive foundations for the whole family.”

*The lead researcher on the study is Dr Ruth Mears. Other researchers are Debbie Sharp, Russell Jago and Julian Hamilton Shield.

However, there is some good news. The research[i] shows that choosing certain types of food – foods lower in energy density (or calories per gram) – can help people with a low satiety response feel more in control of their appetite – and protect them from the risk of over-consuming calories, making it easier to lose weight. 

“In April 2019 I joined Slimming World weighing 25st 2lbs. I was severely asthmatic and couldn’t move an inch without needing my inhaler. I’d avoided the scales for so long and was mortified when I saw how much I weighed. I had problems sleeping and found I couldn’t run or play with my daughter and I even struggled to walk her to school and back. All of my life I was always the bigger girl but when I saw a picture of myself with my partner Jordan, I was mortified at how big I’d become. I’d tried multiple diets and quick fixes before, but I always gave up because they left me hungry. I even went down the route of looking at having a gastric band. I knew I had to change and when my mum said she was joining Slimming World, I jumped at the chance to go with her. That was the best decision I’ve ever made.” says Stacey.

“From the very first time I went to my Slimming World group, I was bowled over hearing everyone else sharing their stories. I realised I wasn’t the only one struggling and it seemed there was a way to lose weight without hunger. Rather than prepare meals I’d constantly snack on biscuits, crisps and family size bars of chocolate without a single thought of the damage it was doing. Slimming World’s eating plan has helped me eat to satisfy my appetite because it's based on foods that are really healthy - filling and low in calories, so you can enjoy big portions and you never feel hungry. Now I plan all my week’s meals in advance, it’s helped me to save money too as when I go shopping, I only buy exactly what I need and I’m not thinking ‘What will we have for tea?’ when I’m in the supermarket aisle.  I feel more in control and I’ve stopped going to the fridge when I’m bored. I love that I can have a treat too and I don’t have to cut everything out. My partner Jordan enjoys the food I’ve been cooking – our favourite Slimming World meal is easy chilli con carne. Before joining Slimming World we used to go to our local ‘all you can eat’ buffet and I’d have plate after plate of food that was often cooked in oil or covered in batter and I never really felt full. My friends and family couldn’t believe I was losing weight as I continued to eat the same size meals although I knew what was on the plate was different and more healthy. My daughter loves eating the meals I cook too.  She’s so proud of me and wants to support me and both my mum and dad are in awe of how well I’ve done. 

“Losing almost 15st has saved my life! I don’t need my inhaler and I’ve discovered a new love of walking. I walk and run for miles and I feel I’ve been given the freedom to enjoy my life with my family again. I’m able to get out of bed in the morning and look in a mirror, something I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing before. I’ve gone from being a size 32 and far too self-conscious to go clothes shopping to a size 10 and finding a new love for clothes and fashion. Now I get up and take an extra 20 mins to pick an outfit and check what I look like in a mirror! It brings me such joy! I feel I’m now living the life I was always meant to live – I’m able to do activities with my family I never thought I'd be able to do and my confidence has grown massively. I no longer avoid the mirror or the camera and I’m happy for anyone to take my picture now! I’m not hiding any more, I make my own spotlight.”

Stacey’s story backs up the findings of a study, led by Dr Nicola Buckland and a team of researchers at Leeds University, which examined the role of satiety response in relation to weight loss as part of a major project[ii] exploring the links between energy density, satiety and the psychology of weight control. Researchers compared two groups of female slimmers, one following a typical calorie-counting diet, the others following Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan based on healthy, low energy dense foods, eaten freely. (These low energy dense foods are everyday staples such as fresh fruit and veg, lean meat and poultry, eggs, pasta, rice and fat free dairy products.)

The two groups contained people with both low and high satiety responses. The aim was to investigate the impact of these low energy dense foods on appetite satisfaction, and the role that feeling satisfied plays in feelings of self control and sticking with a weight loss programme.

Further analysis by researchers found that when people with a low satiety response ate meals based on low energy dense foods (which tend to be lower in fats and sugar, and higher in protein, complex carbohydrates and fibre) they were more in control of their appetite and their food choices than when they were given high energy dense meals. They also found that slimmers were able to eat a greater volume of food, while naturally limiting their calorie intake.

Overall, in the study, slimmers who were following Slimming World’s eating plan based on eating low energy dense foods freely, felt more in control of their food intake and lost significantly more weight than the group following a calorie-controlled diet.

Professor James Stubbs from the Leeds research team says: “People who have a low satiety response feel less satisfied after eating. They’re more likely to crave high fat foods, to snack between meals and generally are less able to stick to their plans around food choices – therefore they’re more likely to consume more calories than people with a high satiety response and find it harder to manage their weight.

“What this research looked at for the first time is how, for those people who have a low satiety response, choosing foods low in energy density (those foods naturally low in calories per gram) could help them feel fuller, limit their calorie intake and so help their weight loss,” adds Professor Stubbs.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs at Slimming World who contributed to the study, says: “Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan has always been based on an understanding of how the macronutrient content and energy density of foods affect satiation and satiety and we’ve been actively involved in research in this area for nearly 30 years. We’ve been building on evidence that filling up on low energy dense foods naturally limits energy intake, reduces hunger and results in better weight loss, and weight maintenance. In our eating plan, those foods lowest in energy density are designated as Free Foods, and we encourage our members to eat them freely to satisfy their appetite – however big their appetite is,” says Dr Lavin.

“It’s important to recognise that any dietary approach to weight management has limited effects in isolation. However, when it’s achieved hand in hand with a multi-component group-based support programme like Slimming World’s which empowers slimmers to make deep-seated shifts in their mindset, and their behaviour around food and activity, they’re more likely to achieve and maintain their weight loss goals in the long term,” she adds.

-ENDS-

Group: Stacey attends the Wakefield City Centre Slimming World group in West Yorkshire which is run by Consultant Nicky Cartwright. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Stacey Gascoyne

Starting weight: 25st 2lbs

Weight lost: 14st 8lbs

Current weight: 10st 8lb

BEFORE

Breakfast: Danish pastry or big bowl of chocolate cereal

Lunch: Shop bought sandwiches, chocolate and crisps

Dinner: Takeaway such as pizza or a kebab

Snacks: multi-packs of biscuits, crisps and share bars of chocolate

AFTER

Breakfast: overnight weetabix cheesecake is my go-to at the moment or I’d have smoked salmon & eggs, low-fat yoghurt, strawberries and blueberries

Lunch: lean chicken with lots of salad such as tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and red peppers  

Dinner: Slimming World chicken tikka masala with rice and peas

Snacks: high fibre bar or a babybel light or fruit

[i] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31340872/

[ii] https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/148/5/798/4990764

Donna says, “I was sick of looking at myself in the mirror and worried about my health. I suffered with palpitations regularly which was very frightening indeed. I had a lot of aches and pains; particularly lower back issues and I was also getting sleep apnoea. I would wake up bolt upright throughout the night with a sharp intake of breath as I’d stopped breathing. I always felt tired, I didn’t have the energy to cook or do any exercise which meant I found it difficult to lose weight.

“One morning I woke up and said: ‘It doesn't have to be like this anymore’.  A friend at work recommended her local Slimming World group and I thought I’ll give it a go.  That decision changed my life! I went on to lose over 7st and I know I will always feel forever in my friend’s debt for suggesting I join.  I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t agreed to go with her.

“Throughout my life I’d watched my dress size go up and up. I’d often tried to lose weight on my own, but I rarely lasted more than a month with my best efforts resulting in losing no more than one stone. I’ve always been large and was a bit of a chubby child growing up. I was often bullied at secondary school and can recall wearing a skirt one day and someone pointing at me laughing and shouting, 'Look at Donna's fat legs!'.

“I was also anxious about my family health as in 2006 my mum had a stroke at the age of 45 due to her weight. I remember the day very clearly as it was one of the worst days in my life and one of those pivotal moments where life would never be the same again.  I feel very lucky indeed as thankfully mum is still with us, but ever since that day I’ve been very aware of my health. In the back of my mind, I was convinced the same thing was going to happen to me and it was a source of great worry and stress.

“The first Slimming World meal I made was spaghetti carbonara and I loved that! It’s great that I can have a treat too and I don’t have to cut everything out. My favourite meal is salmon, chilli, chard and cucumber. I’m never hungry and I never feel as if I’m missing out. Without the support of my Slimming World group, I know I wouldn’t have managed to do so well.  Each week we get personalised support, share tips and inspiration for meals and if someone has had a tough week, we all pick each other up.

“I’m so much more active now too after taking part in Slimming World’s Body Magic programme which encourages members to take small steps and gradually build up until being active is part of their daily routine. I regularly walk to work (over 2 miles) and get out on my bike as much as I can. I find it incredible that I recently completed a 30-mile bike ride – my longest ever – I certainly would not have coped with that when I weighed 17 ½ stone.

“I work full time in a small local convenience store and often see the same customers, many of whom have told me that I’ve inspired them to lose weight too, and several have even said they've joined Slimming World because of me. Since losing weight, I’ve gone down from a size 22 to a size 10 and I love being able to go into any clothes shop as my options were so limited before.

“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved, I know I’m the best version of myself right now. I never knew that life could be like this! I’m sleeping well, I’ve got a lovely boyfriend and I’m doing things I never dreamt I’d be doing such as roller skating which was a childhood dream.  When I stopped breathing through the night, that was my wake-up call to do something about my weight. I’m so glad I did – joining Slimming World has saved my life!”

Donna’s Slimming World Consultant Dee Wright says, “Donna's journey is incredibly inspiring, her transformation is amazing and when she shares in group each week how active she is, how her confidence has grown and that she’s enjoying life it makes my heart sing! To think Donna used to stop breathing through the night is so scary. Since losing weight, Donna’s found she’s sleeping soundly, she feels healthier, and she’s reached her dream weight – I’m so proud of her!”

Group: Donna attends the Southport Slimming World Group in Merseyside run by Consultant Dee Wright at 9.30am on Thursday mornings. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Donna Ludlow

Starting weight: 17st 6lbs

Weight lost: 7st 5lbs

Current weight: 10st 1lbs

BEFORE MENU

Breakfast: white toast loaded with butter, or two croissants and a latte with sugar

Lunch: sandwich, crisps, chocolate and maybe a cake

Dinner: takeaway, followed by snacks

Snacks: chocolate or cake, sweets, crisps or biscuits

AFTER MENU

Breakfast: 40g wheat cereal and a banana

Lunch: baked potato with cheese and beans or tuna and extra light mayonnaise and a salad

Dinner: home-made salt and pepper cod with chilli and garlic vegetable stir fry or spaghetti Bolognese

Snacks: strawberry and banana chocolate skewer sticks, or a high fibre bar or low-fat crisps, or fruit 

Angela says: “I’ve never had a great relationship with food, but during my pregnancies I would easily put on a lot of weight and then lose it again.

“After the birth of my second child I fell very ill with leukaemia. My marriage broke down, I lost my hearing due to the cancer treatment, and I wasn’t able to do my job any more. I was feeling low, and the weight crept on, my blood pressure was high, and I had a number of health issues. When I moved area with my children and new partner Phil, I made the decision to lose weight and start taking care of myself.

“I tried to lose weight in the first lockdown, but I couldn’t do it on my own and I knew I needed the support of a group. I saw a message from Emma, the Consultant who runs my local Slimming World group, on Facebook in May 2021 with the Better Health offer, and although I’d never been to a Slimming World group before, I contacted her straight away!

“I was slightly nervous going to my first group and couldn’t believe it when I stood on the scales to find I was 18st 4.5lbs. I cried when I realised my BMI was in the obese category.

“Emma and the other members were so kind and welcoming, though, and they put me right at ease. From the moment I arrived, I felt no judgement, only acceptance. Going to group has been a lifesaver for me, it has helped me to set goals, understand where I might trip up on my weight-loss journey, and put plans in place to make sure I continue to lose weight. We are like a family at group; everyone is supportive, it’s motivational, and exactly what I needed.

Angela’s incredible weight-loss success backs up data from Slimming World which found that people who joined a Slimming World group through the Better Health campaign lost an average of 7lbs in six weeks***.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparity (formerly Public Health England) launched the Better Health campaign to encourage adults across the nation to lose excess weight, eat more healthily and get active after a survey revealed that over 4 in 10 (41%) adults in England say they have put on weight since the first lockdown in March 2020****.

“Before joining Slimming World, I didn’t really pay attention to what I was eating, but now I really enjoy trying new Slimming World recipes, such as spicy Cajun chicken with lots of vegetables and rice on the side – I never feel hungry. I’ve been able to adapt Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan to create meals my family enjoy, and make healthy swaps, like using leaner meat and less oil. My partner has supported me throughout and enjoys the food I make, along with a close family friend who regularly visits to try what I’ve cooked!

“For a long time I’ve been unable to even walk to the end of my road without getting out of breath, but with the support from my Slimming World group, I started introducing exercise slowly, and now I enjoy going swimming three to four times a week, and when I can’t go you’ll find me going for a long walk. The difference in the amount of physical activity I can do, and want to do, now is amazing.

“I’m still on my weight-loss journey, but I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. I always wore leggings before with large, baggy tops as nothing else fitted me, now I’ve lost weight I enjoy trying on clothes and really think about what I want to wear. Since July I’ve been living with endometriosis and perimenopause, and it would have been so easy to stop thinking about what I’m eating or doing any exercise, but I’m determined to stick with it as I feel so much better overall. Slimming World has given me the confidence in myself to continue making healthy changes and choices, and the energy to do all the things I want to.”

Emma Jones runs the Odiham Slimming World group and is Angela’s Consultant, she says: “Angela has fully embraced Slimming World’s Food Optimising and physical activity Body Magic programmes and is doing incredibly well. She is such an inspiration to our group and I’m so proud of how far she’s come.”

For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Angela’s Vital Statistics

Starting weight: 18st 4.5lbs

Weight loss: 5st 7lbs

Current weight: 12st 13lbs

BEFORE

Breakfast: Toast and cake

Lunch: Sandwich, crisps, a fizzy drink and chocolate

Dinner: Breaded chicken with ketchup served on a roll or with chips

Snacks: Cake, chocolate, ice-cream and sugary sweets

AFTER

Breakfast: Yoghurt and fruit or mushroom omelette

Lunch: Baked potato with baked beans or salad

Dinner: Cajun chicken with lots of veg & rice

Snacks: Fruit and cereal bars

The study by the University of Lincoln examined the relationship between weight loss and mental toughness over a period of six months and revealed that members of Slimming World groups lost weight more successfully than a comparison group (who were aiming to lose weight without the support of a group) and also significantly improved their mental toughness. During the six months of the study, on average Slimming World members lost over 2st more than those in the comparison group. Their measures of mental toughness on average rose 10%, from a low to an average score in Slimming World group members, whereas the comparison group had no statistically significant change to their mental toughness.

The findings of the study, which was led by Dr Elizabeth Stamp, a lecturer at Loughborough University, come at a time when the UK population faces a spiralling obesity crisis and increased mental health challenges. Government figures suggest more than 40% of adults in England gained weight during the pandemic², with the average gain being half a stone, while more than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%) said their mental health got worse during lockdown³. Joining a slimming group with expertise in helping people change lifelong habits is well established as a successful way to tackle weight gain, but only now has the impact of a supportive group environment on mental toughness been discovered. 

Mental toughness, a concept used in psychology and behaviour change that has been studied within the sports field for many years, is linked to characteristics such as keeping a clear focus on goals even when under pressure, having a strong sense of purpose and self-determination, and feeling in control. While it’s linked to resilience, it’s about more than being resilient, with sport psychologists noting mental toughness is what gives an elite athlete an edge. This is the first time the concept has been investigated in relation to weight loss. 

Dr Elizabeth Stamp, who studied the role of mental toughness on health-related lifestyle behaviour change when completing her PhD at the University of Lincoln, says: “Mental toughness is about how someone copes with the challenges and stressors they face. More than that though, it is about seeking out and taking on new challenges. People who have a high mental toughness have skills like being able to break bigger goals into smaller achievable goals, being in control of their life and the decisions that they make and having the confidence to seek help when needed. These are abilities that people who have a lower mental toughness can develop, and mental toughness has been reported to benefit individuals in other aspects of their life, such as achieving social and educational goals. 

Professor Peter Clough⁴, Technical Director at AQR International, developed the 4Cs model of mental toughness: challenge, commitment, confidence and control. The study found that Slimming World members had increased scores in all of the 4Cs during the six months they participated in the study.   

 Dr Elizabeth Stamp says: “Looking at the 4Cs model it’s understandable that Slimming World members showed an increase in mental toughness scores. The multi-level support to make lifestyle changes which the group provides is specifically designed to help members increase their commitment to their weight loss and the changes needed to ensure they achieve them. It supports them to feel in control of their choices and behaviours and feel more confident in their ability to make the changes even in situations where their commitment and motivation would otherwise be challenged (for example eating out, travelling, staying away from home, socialising etc). Helping members think about the challenges, make plans for when things may get in the way and develop strategies for these times, are all ways in which the group supports members to stick to their plans and successfully lose weight each week.”  

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs, says: “This research shows the depth of understanding about the psychology of weight loss we have at Slimming World. It’s been at the heart of our method for more than five decades. In our groups we share techniques to empower and enable members to make their own behaviour changes through a variety of methods, including setting goals, making new decisions, developing skills to overcome barriers by facing, and seeking out challenges and taking back control, which are all linked to the principles of improving mental toughness. By encouraging our members to try new foods, transform old, unhealthy habits and change their perception of food and activity, we create an environment for our members to challenge themselves on their own timescales. 

 “The mental toughness findings are supported by member data from Slimming World groups which reveals that as members progress on their weight loss journey, they feel more sociable, happier, calmer and more peaceful, and feel they have more energy.

Dr Jacquie continues: "Members’ emotional wellbeing improved over their time at Slimming World and even remained higher during the COVID lockdown, when Slimming World introduced their virtual groups for members, than when they first joined. They also had higher emotional wellbeing scores than non-members.” 

“Back in 2018 I had uncontrolled diabetes and was under threat of having to take insulin. I was taking nine tablets a day; six were to manage the diabetes, two were for my blood pressure and one statin,” says Helen.

“Losing 8st has changed my life. I had blood tests this month and the results are already back. It looks like my latest diabetes blood results are ‘41’ which means my diabetes is now in remission. I’m super chuffed and I feel fantastic. My cholesterol looks good too. I still take one tablet for my blood pressure and another for my cholesterol but I’m off all my diabetes medication and have dropped from taking nine tablets a day to just two.”

According to the NHS National Diabetes Prevention Programme there are currently 3.4 million people with type 2 diabetes in England with around 200,000 new diagnoses every year.

Type 2 diabetes, largely preventable through lifestyle changes, is a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. Treatment for type 2 diabetes accounts for just under nine per cent of the annual NHS budget - around £8.8 billion a year.

As well as those who have already developed type 2 diabetes, there are currently five million people in England at high risk of developing the condition. If these trends persist, one in three people will be living with obesity by 2034 and one in 10 will develop Type 2 diabetes.

Helen adds: “I joined Slimming World in March 2018 weighing 20st 8.5lbs. I’ve dieted on and off for my entire adult life but it always crept back on over the years as I slipped back into bad habits. This time, I’m confident I’ll be able to maintain the loss as being a Slimming World member and going to group each week has helped change the way I think about food.

“I worked from home for 25 years and sometimes I didn’t leave my house for days on end. Before joining Slimming World, I wouldn’t think about what I was eating at all. As I was always jumping on calls, I usually just grabbed quick food like toast for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch (with crisps) and then I’d have a cooked meal for tea. If I did ever have salad or chips, I’d have more bread with it too and although I didn’t ever eat fried food or takeaways or sweet foods or chocolate, I enjoyed many savoury snacks like crisps, nuts, crumpets and crackers.

“Soon after joining Slimming World, I lost 2 stone. Having retired aged 53 in March 2019 (after 35 years working for BT) I was going out socialising and eating at restaurants all the time. I used to think that was why I was so slow at losing the next stone. Then in March 2020, Covid hit and it stopped me from going out as much. After a few not very good weeks at the start of lockdown, I had a ‘light bulb’ moment when I realised that it was now down to me. I could no longer blame my social life.

“Being single and living alone, it’s been easy to plan my meals and I never feel hungry. I love the flexibility of the plan and I’m cooking everything fresh from scratch now. When I do eat out now I try and plan ahead to see what I can have and I also typically stick to just a main course rather than having a starter too. Also, if I know I’m going to be out for lunchtime, I will often take something with me (like a filled pitta) and just buy a drink somewhere and eat my own meal.

“I never miss going to group each week as the support is just fantastic, it helps to keep me motivated. The friendliness, camaraderie and support of the other members has been what’s kept me on track. I know previously I would have given up but the encouragement I get every week has made all the difference. It’s so good to hear other people talk as it makes you realise you're not alone in this situation. I also like that it helps you focus on what the week ahead has in store and how best to factor in any potential ‘danger’ meals or events.

“From being someone who used to avoid doing any exercise at all, I now walk 10-14K steps a day and go out of my way to walk to places I used to always drive to. I have so much more energy, I’ve even joined a gym! I’m able to get up and down the stairs a lot easier and as I’m now a size 14/16 (compared to a size 26/28 previously), it’s also far easier to buy clothes.

“I’m delighted that I’m healthier having lost weight and I’m especially glad I managed to reverse the diabetes. I’ve recently successfully applied for a new part-time job as an exam invigilator at my old senior school; previously I did not have had the enthusiasm or motivation to even look for a new role so I’m definitely looking forward to starting this new chapter of my life in the New Year.”

Dr Jacquie Lavin says: “Members following Slimming World’s healthy eating plan enjoy a diet of filling and satisfying everyday foods – including fruit, vegetables, eggs, poultry, lean meat, fish, beans, pulses, pasta, rice and potatoes -- which can be tailored to suit individual needs, tastes and budget. Sharing ideas about preparing meals and cooking from scratch and swapping recipe tips is a key part of the group experience. Members also inspire each other to become more active as their confidence and sense of wellbeing improves. As part of a supportive weight loss group, members motivate each other to make and stick with changes that they can live with. It both helps those with type 2 diabetes to improve their health and reduce medication and helps prevent those who are at risk from developing the condition.”

Angie Griffin runs the Water Orton Slimming World group and is Helen’s Slimming World Consultant. She says: “Helen is a real inspiration.  I think the reality of Helen’s achievements is now starting to sink in for her. It’s incredible she has lost 8 stone, reversed her type 2 diabetes and reduced all her medication! To see Helen 'really' smiling is wonderful. She is funny, caring, encouraging and so much more – I’m so proud of her!”

*Study results are from 222 members with type 2 diabetes surveyed in May 2020.

-ENDS-

Group: Helen attends the Water Orton Slimming World group which is run by Consultant Angie Griffin. For more information or to find your nearest group, visit slimmingworld.co.uk.

Helen Rogers

Starting weight: 20st 8.5lbs

Weight lost: 8st 1lb

Current weight: 12st 7.5lb

BEFORE

Breakfast: Toast spread thickly with butter

Lunch: Ham, cheese or tuna sandwich (granary bread spread with butter) & crisps

Dinner: Cooked roast dinner with gravy or chicken & frozen chips, sliced bread and butter

Snacks: anything really – Crisps, salted nuts, crackers

AFTER

Breakfast: Fruit and yoghurt or eggs

Lunch: Pitta or bagel thin with low fat sausages or meat and salad with bulgar wheat mix

Dinner: Slimming World sweet chilli chicken with lots of vegetables, spinach and/or salad

Snacks: Corn cakes, low fat crisps, high fibre bar, fish sticks, boiled eggs, ham, fruit or a Babybel light

“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t lost weight before lockdown. Now restrictions are easing, I’m seeing people I’ve not seen for a while and they can’t believe the difference in me. I’m a Scout Leader locally and when one of the parents I knew well didn’t recognise me at all, that really made me realise the changes I’ve made. I know I’ve inspired others to join too.”

John’s inspirational story backs up research* showing that people with type 2 diabetes can improve their diabetes control by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight following Slimming World’s programme. The study polled Slimming World members with type 2 diabetes. Of those who had been Slimming World members for six months or more and lost at least 10% of their body weight, more than half (54%) said they had reversed their condition.

Some 77% saw improvements in their blood glucose management and 60% of people were able to reduce or stop taking medication. An incredible 84% reported an improved quality of life and 75% of members with type 2 diabetes said they found it easy to fit dietary recommendations from their healthcare team into Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan.

The findings of the study are especially important as NHS research reports that people with diabetes face significantly higher risks after contracting coronavirus.

John says, “I joined Slimming World in January 2019 weighing 23st 4.5lbs. I was about to turn 50 which was a huge factor me although the main reason was being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the end of 2017. To be honest it wasn’t a surprise. I knew I was overweight, I was always tired and out of breath, had high cholesterol, high blood pressure and severe back pain. After being diagnosed, I had to take two tablets a day for my diabetes. I’d begun to ask myself what am I going to do about this? I tried in 2018 to lose weight by myself by just cutting back and watching what I was eating, but it was slow progress and I only lost about a stone. I knew if I wanted to be healthier in my 50’s I needed help.

“When a flyer for Slimming World dropped onto my doormat, I thought this is it, I’ll join! I’m so glad I did. I really wanted to do it and for the first few weeks I sat at the back and listened carefully. The advice from the Consultant Claire was so helpful that from the offset it helped me tremendously."

“If I think about what I used to eat before joining Slimming World, it was always fast food. We have two grown up children Iain, 27, and Ewan, 23. Thinking back to when the boys were small, I realise now we picked up some bad habits. I never thought I had time to prepare food, so we’d just get something quick like pizza or pie and chips. I wouldn’t think about what I was eating at all. Now I plan my meals and I never feel hungry. I’m cooking everything fresh from scratch and OK, maybe it takes a wee bit longer, but not always and yet it’s so much healthier. My favourite Slimming World meal is crustless quiche and I also love the chicken curry, it’s delicious.

“I never miss a group as the support I get there is just fantastic, it keeps me motivated. I know I would struggle some weeks without the encouragement I get every Thursday night. All the members are so friendly, we support each other sharing recipes and ideas. I enjoy being there and I’ve talked so much about how great it is, my wife Elissa comes along too now. I joined the virtual groups during lockdown and now we’re able to be back face to face, it’s lovely seeing everyone again."

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs at Slimming World, says:

“Members following our healthy eating plan enjoy a diet of filling and satisfying Free Foods – including fruit, vegetables, eggs, poultry, lean meat, fish, beans, pulses, pasta, rice and potatoes which can be tailored to suit individual needs, tastes and budget. In the study, 75% of Slimming World members with type 2 diabetes said they found it easy to fit dietary advice received from their health care professional into our flexible healthy eating plan, called Food Optimising.”

*Study polled 222 members with type 2 diabetes in May 2020. Data where blood glucose and weight change is reported refers to members with type 2 diabetes who were members for six months or more.

Group: John attends the Carron and Carronshore Slimming World group which is run by Consultant Claire Aitkenhead.

John Dick

Starting weight: 23st 4.5lbs

Weight lost: 8st 4.5lbs

Current weight: 15st

BEFORE

Breakfast: any cereal

Lunch: burger and chips from the burger van at work

Dinner: pie and chips

Snacks: anything really – chocolate, biscuits, crisps, salted nuts

AFTER

Breakfast: Slimming World cooked breakfast - scrambled or boiled eggs or lean grilled bacon, grilled low-fat sausage, grilled tomatoes and beans 

Lunch: vegetable chilli with rice

Dinner: chicken curry

Snacks: popcorn, banana and apples

Of those questioned who had previously tried to lose weight by counting calories, nearly 7 in 10 (69%) said they found themselves focusing on the number of calories rather than the nutritional value of food and nearly 3 in 10 (29%) said they chose to use their calories on less healthy high calorie snacks, replacing regular meals with chocolate (22%), crisps (22%) biscuits and cheese (19%) and alcohol (12%).

Over half (51%) of calorie counters who didn’t find calorie counting a sustainable way to lose weight said they found it too difficult to keep count, 36% struggled in any situation where they weren’t sure of the calorie content, for example eating at a friend’s house or in a restaurant and 31% felt too hungry. The survey revealed nearly a fifth (19%) of adults who had calorie counted to lose weight said they went to bed hungry every day.

In contrast, Slimming World members polled separately reported forming a new healthy relationship with food, with 81% saying they’d learnt how to cut calories without counting each and every calorie they eat. Two-thirds (67%) of Slimming World members who had tried calorie counting to lose weight in the past agreed that it can result in an unbalanced diet, and 62% agreed that in their experience, calorie counting doesn’t lead to long term weight loss success. Over three-quarters of members (76%) said that they always feel satisfied or full when following Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan which is based on the energy density (calories/gram) and satiating quality of foods rather than just counting calories.

Caitlin Trick, 21, from Swansea lost 7.5st in two years and says eating healthily has given her a new sense of freedom to lose weight and enjoy food. In January 2019, weighing over 17st, Caitlin Trick joined her local Slimming World group. Dropping 5 dress sizes in two years, Cait says, “I’d tried so many different ways to lose weight. I’d tried cutting out carbs and I used 16 different calorie counting apps, but they never worked. I could never stick to them long enough as they were restrictive and cut out so many options. The most I ever lost was almost 2 stone before I fell back off the wagon and back into my old habits. I used to have a very unhealthy relationship with food, now I love that I can eat almost everything that everyone else can eat!”

Previous research[1] showed that eating a diet based around low energy dense foods – foods that contain fewer calories per gram – is more effective for weight loss than traditional calorie counting. That study showed that people who followed a diet of low energy density food were more likely to feel full than those who tried a restrictive approach by counting calories and eating smaller portions.

Professor of Appetite and Energy Balance James Stubbs from the University of Leeds says, “Losing weight isn’t easy. Self-management and self-monitoring are important for weight management. Excessive and exclusive focus on counting calories, can take a huge amount of effort and resource and can be a distraction from the package of evidence-based behaviour change approaches that are most likely to lead to more successful weight loss. A lot of people give up on diets because they feel hungry or deprived. Eating low energy density foods can help overcome that problem. Gram for gram, low energy dense foods contain fewer calories than high energy density foods, so people are able to eat a larger volume of food for the same (or lower) calorie intake, leading them to feel fuller. The best evidence for effective, sustainable, weight loss is to use techniques to self-manage food intake, physical activity and lapses in weight that we all experience during a weight loss journey - to use evidence-based behaviour change approaches that are more likely to help us change our habits around food.”

Raising awareness of the number of calories food and drink products contain including placing calorie counts on menus in restaurants, may make it easier to keep track of calorie consumption, however it’s clear from this survey that the majority of people struggle to sustain calorie counting over the long term.

Carolyn Pallister, Slimming World’s Nutrition and Health Policy Manager says: “To achieve weight loss, we do have to eat or drink fewer calories than our bodies use, but that doesn’t mean we have to obsessively measure, weigh and count every calorie that passes our lips – there is an easier way.

“While counting calories can work for some people and may work in the short term, the survey highlights how for many slimmers it can quickly become tedious, boring and limiting and leave you feeling hungry. From a health perspective and to aid weight-loss, it’s important to think about the foods you eat and not only the number of calories in them. Choosing less energy-dense, more satiating foods which are high in protein and fibre will help to keep you fuller for longer.

“A key part of long-term successful weight management is behaviour change support. Members of our community-based groups learn to plan and base meals on foods which are naturally low in calories and that will fill them up and keep them satisfied for longer. These are foods like lean meat, fish and poultry, beans, pulses, fruits, vegetables and high fibre starchy carbs. Slimming World calls these foods ‘Free Food’ because members enjoy them without restriction, and without the need to weigh, measure or count which, as our survey shows, can be both unsustainable and unenjoyable especially in the long term. These foods are the basis of a healthy diet so members learn to base meals and long-term eating habits on them and eat them without having to measure every mouthful.”

In January 2019, weighing over 17st, Caitlin Trick walked through the doors of her local Slimming World group, not realising the impact it would have on the rest of her life.

“I feel like I’ve been overweight my entire life. Looking back to when I was younger, I always felt bigger than other children and I was always conscience of my weight. I started to put weight on when I was 10 years old and hurt my knee. I had to use crutches and with reduced mobility and boredom, I piled on the pounds. As I recovered and got older, I developed a bad habit of grazing and waiting for the next thing to eat. The bigger I got the less I wanted to go out with my friends so I would stay home and spend that time eating. It was a vicious circle.

“I’d tried so many different ways to lose weight. I’d tried cutting out carbs and I used 16 different calorie counting apps, but they never worked. I could never stick to them long enough as they were restrictive and cut out so many options. The most I ever lost was almost 2 stone before I fell back off the wagon and back into my old habits.

“The final straw came when I was in my first year at Swansea University. I ran for a taxi after a night out with friends and ended up badly dislocating my knee cap. This led to me seeing a knee and joint specialist who carried out tests and advised that surgery was needed to repair my knees. The GP advised that for surgery to be considered, I needed to lose 5st, which was a real wake up call for me and it made me realise I had to make a change.

“My mum did some research into different weight loss options and suggested I join Slimming World. We found a group near where we live, and mum came with me at first as I was so nervous. It was daunting as I’d never done anything like it before. I thought everyone would be judgemental, especially as I was young, but I walked into a room of people who completely understood my difficulties. Everyone was so warm and friendly, it felt like a big family. I soon realised no one wants to judge you because everyone in group is going through the same thing. Before I joined, I was embarrassed to talk about my weight to others. Now I feel completely different. I love having a laugh with the other members and after each group session, it always amazes me how fun attending can be. It’s amazing to be in a room of people who completely understand what you’re going through and they support you on the weeks when you haven't done as well. I always leave group motivated and inspired for the week ahead. During lockdown it was fantastic to keep in touch via the virtual classes which were set up, but I can’t wait until we can all see each other in person again.

“In two years, I’ve lost 7.5st which has been life-changing for me. As the weight came off my confidence grew, and I now feel much more comfortable when giving presentations to my fellow students as part of my history degree. I’m now able to do simple things that I could never do before such as cross my legs when I sit down and run up and down stairs quickly without getting out of breath. I now love seeing my friends and family without feeling self-conscious too.

“Before I joined Slimming World, I used to have a very unhealthy relationship with food. I’d often have a take-away pizza at least three times a week and I’d make sure the order included wedges, garlic bread and cookies! Now I would say I’m a good cook and the more weight I lost, the more I saw I was naturally switching to healthier options. I love that I can eat almost everything that everyone else can eat. Nothing is off the menu. I can have pasta, burgers, chips and even chocolate. It’s easy to incorporate Slimming World’s flexible healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, into in my everyday life and it’s very adaptable when I go out for meals. I love the frozen range in Iceland too, for when I can’t be bothered to cook.

“I wasn’t very active at all before I lost weight. My dad bought me a bike, but I didn’t use it as I had no confidence. As a family we can now go on long walks with our two dogs without me moaning that I’m tired. I enjoy going to the gym a few times a week, I’m using the bike dad bought me and I love attending yoga classes which I could never do before.

“We can now all go shopping too without me getting bored because nothing in the shop fits me – I love going shopping with my younger sister. I never understood the appeal of clothes shopping before and now I’ve gone down from a size 20 to a size 10, I love it! Sadly, I found when you're plus sized and young it can sometimes be difficult to get hold of the latest trends in your size. Now I can walk into any shop and I know the clothes I want to try on will fit me and even better, I feel confident they’ll look good!

“I’m so glad I listened to my mum and decided to join Slimming World. My group’s Consultant Joanna has supported my all the way through. I’m always able to ring or text her if I have any issues throughout the week. Losing weight has changed every part of my life. I graduate in the summer and now I’ve lost weight my main ambition in life is to always be happy and never miss another minute! I aim to finish my history degree and would love to be able to help others the way Joanna has helped me.

“I joined Slimming World to lose weight, what I didn’t expect was to gain a sense of freedom, for my outlook on life to be brighter and for the first time to be genuinely excited about what the future holds for me.”

Caitlin Trick

Starting weight: 17st

Current weight: 9st 7lbs

Menu BEFORE

Breakfast - massive bowl of cereal OR toast with thick layers of Nutella (sometimes both)

Lunch - sandwich with thick crusty bread and loads of crisps or pasty from the bakery

Dinner – large take-away pizza, wedges, garlic bread and cookies

Menu AFTER

Breakfast - yogurt with fruit

Lunch - soup or an omelette

Dinner - beef tagliatelle or shepherd’s pie

Snacks: apple, banana or a high fibre bar

*Between 7^th and 18^th May 2021, the survey questioned over 2,500 Slimming World members and a representative sample of 2008 adults in the general population completed an online survey asking their opinions about previous weight loss methods and weight management.

[1] NJ Buckland, D Camidge, F Croden, JH Lavin, RJ Stubbs, MM Hetherington, JE Blundell, G Finlayson 2018, A Low Energy–Dense Diet in the Context of a Weight-Management Program Affects Appetite Control in Overweight and Obese Women, The Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 145 no.5 pp 798-806

Interested in hearing more?  Slimming World dietician and public health manager, Carolyn Pallister and Professor of appetite and energy balance, James Stubbs join Clare Freeman and Anna Mangan on the Slimming World Podcast in a fascinating discussion revealing what we really need to know about calorie counting: Slimming World Podcast

The data revealed that overall, participants lost an average of 7.4lbs (3.3kg) or 3.5% of their body weight in six weeks, which can bring substantial health benefits, such as reduced risk for diabetes and other chronic conditions and can bring other health benefits such as less joint pain, improved mobility, less breathlessness, better sleep, and reduced blood pressure. 

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs, at Slimming World, says: “The European Congress on Obesity is one of the world’s most important obesity research conferences and is at the forefront of where the latest studies and ideas into obesity, and more importantly, tackling obesity, are shared and discussed. 

“We are exceptionally proud to be presenting this research as we have found during the COVID-19 pandemic that while the impact of face-to-face peer support has long been recognised as a key factor in successful weight loss, when people can’t meet face-to-face, receiving support virtually can still be highly effective.” 

Researchers at Slimming World analysed weight and attendance data for 1,935 adults (93% female; average age 43 years) who joined a Slimming World group between 12th October and 17th November 2020, after taking advantage of a 6-week discounted membership as part of Public Health England’s ‘Better Health’ campaign. The campaign aims to encourage millions of adults to take action to improve their health, whether they want to lose weight, quit smoking or increase their activity levels. 

In all, 1,733 participants attended a mixture of in-person and virtual groups due to lockdown restrictions, and 202 attended all sessions virtually. Each week the virtual sessions were delivered via video conferencing. Members received behaviour change guidance to form new healthier eating habits, boost their motivation to become more active alongside the shared support of fellow members to remain motivated and focused on their weight-loss goals. 

The analysis found that men lost slightly more weight than women by six weeks (3.9% vs 3.5%), and members who took part in more sessions lost more weight, highlighting the benefits of coming together with other slimmers for regular support. Of those who attended at least five of the six weekly sessions (1,391 members), average weight loss rose to 8.3lbs (3.8kg) or 4.0% of body weight (compared to overall average 4.8 sessions and 3.5% [7.4lbs] weight loss). And 1 in 3 high attenders achieved clinically meaningful weight loss of 5% or more. 

For the full press release on the data titled 'Virtual weight-loss support effective in pandemic, research shows', please visit here. 

The survey of 3,100 slimming club members reveals nearly two thirds (62%) said they had problems sleeping, with many waking up more than twice a night and tiredness affecting their diet and activity choices. Members with a higher BMI were more likely to struggle with their sleep. However, reassuringly, the survey also found that as people lost weight they reported improvements in their sleep.

The research reveals one in three respondents said they are less likely to cook healthy homemade meals (36%) and nearly half of those questioned said they are less likely to engage in physical activity (48%) after a bad night’s sleep.

The findings also show:

• three in four said that their food choices were affected by poor sleep (73%) with the most likely go-to snacks when tired being:

o chocolate and sweets (66%)

o biscuits and cakes (41%)

o crisps or salty snacks (36%)

• One in three also said they drank more caffeinated drinks than usual (30%) and just over a quarter (28%) were less likely to eat what they had planned
• Of those who said their food choices were impacted by a lack of sleep, over half (52%) said they were more likely to buy on impulse, one in four (39%) said they would buy more unhealthy food than usual and 28% said they would buy more convenience food
• A third were more likely to eat more sugary or fatty food for an energy boost (31%)

The research, from UK and Ireland weight-loss organisation Slimming World, is released as part of their Snooze More to Lose More survey* which surveyed its members over the course of week about aspects of their sleep. The survey of 3,156 adults looked at how poor sleep impacts weight loss and how weight, in turn, can impact on our ability to get a good night’s sleep.

However, almost 50% of Slimming World members losing 15% or more body weight said their sleep improved after losing weight and over a third of the members surveyed said they’d been sleeping better since joining Slimming World (38%), and the survey showed the more weight Slimming World members lost, the more likely they were to report improvements in sleep.

The findings are released on World Sleep Day (Friday 19^th March), at a time when many of us have been struggling to get a good night’s sleep because of anxiety, change and disruption to our lives caused by Covid-19. Previous research by Slimming World has found 16% of adults said they were drinking more alcohol during the first lockdown, which although initially causes drowsiness can also lead to a restless night.**

For people trying to lose weight, getting support to make healthy choices, helping them to become aware of their sleep patterns and receiving tailored advice on slumber strategies is key.

Laura Holloway, from Slimming World’s Research and Scientific Affairs team, says: “We conducted the survey to improve our understanding about how sleep, or lack of it, affected our members’ lives and their weight-loss journeys. The findings revealed losing weight with Slimming World has been beneficial to improving sleep for our members generally and reducing sleep problems.

“We knew from listening to our members how poor sleep can impact weight-loss success and how members feel their weight affects their sleep. It becomes a vicious sleep cycle – we reach for the high-fat, high-sugar foods because we’re tired, our weight goes up not down, despite our best efforts, and we find it even harder to sleep. Cue an alarming impact on our wellbeing! Lack of sleep affects key hormones and neurotransmitters that help regulate the appetite – and the way the body metabolises fat. Research also shows that poor sleep can stimulate the reward centres in the brain, which can influence the desire for food and mean you get more pleasure from it – making it doubly hard to resist temptation!

“Although we know it’s not always that simple, especially with the challenges and worries we’ve all been dealing with throughout the pandemic, if you want to lose weight successfully, getting a good night’s sleep can be crucial. In our Slimming World groups, members can talk through their experiences and identify their personal behaviours, including sleep patterns. Tips and tired-day tactics are shared and there is a wealth of advice and sleep habit strategies available online to members.

“One top tip is to try to batch-cook healthy meals for the week ahead – that way there will always be something comforting and slimming friendly on standby on a too-tired-to-cook day. Avoiding alcohol will also help. While it can initially cause drowsiness, which might help you to drop off, it can also lead to a restless night, early waking and a worse sleep overall. Banning screens from the bedrooms, enjoying a brisk walk in the evening and building a relaxing routine before bedtime like having a warm bath, reading a good book or having a hot, milky drink are all sleep habit strategies which can help.”

-ENDS-

For interviews with Laura Holloway, Research Associate, Slimming World, UK, please contact Slimming World Press Office: helen.smith@slimmingworld.co.uk// Tel. 07770 807728

*Holloway, L., Morris, L., Dowse, E., Bennett, S.E., Lavin, J. (2016) Snooze you lose? Views of the relationship between sleep and weight-related behaviours in people aiming to lose weight.

**Research conducted by Slimming World and presented at ECOICO in September 2020. 637 adults completed an online survey asking their opinions about their general health, mood, diet, alcohol intake, physical activity and weight management between 9^th April and 20^th May 2020.

Wimborne bricklayer Ryan has built a new future for himself after losing over 15st in 16 months

In September 2019, weighing over 34st, Ryan Money, 34, walked through the doors of his local Slimming World group, not realising the impact it would have on the rest of his life.

“Although I was never really ill and could count on one hand the number of times I’d been to a doctor, I always had terrible indigestion and my legs had started retaining water and swelling. I was never able to sleep for more than an hour at a time as I needed to get up to go to the toilet. I’d often stop breathing through the night too which was pretty scary.

“I was tired of not getting a good night’s sleep because of my weight. I didn’t know how to cook, so I snacked on crisps and sweets throughout the day and relied on takeaways for my lunch and dinner. Over the years, I’d been steadily getting bigger and bigger. It had been five years since I’d had a good night’s sleep and it affected my job as a bricklayer as I had no energy and would fall asleep at lunch time and on the lift home from work. When I did manage to sleep, I would snore loudly and keep everyone else awake! Some nights I’d wake up gasping for air because I’d stopped breathing in my sleep. A couple of weeks before joining Slimming World, I went on a camping trip with friends and found it very awkward as I kept the whole camp awake with my snoring. I know the other campers weren’t happy about this and I’m sure they knew it was me.

“I knew deep down something had to change and I’m so glad I decided to join Slimming World. A few family members had said how great it was and I knew I needed the support each week and that I’d have given up if I’d tried to lose weight alone at home. Going into the group I was nervous but as soon as I got inside, it was fine. I heard everyone talk and realised everyone there was in the same boat.

“At the first weigh-in, when I saw 34st on the scales I couldn’t believe it. I knew I’d got into a bad way, but I had no idea I was that heavy. I would have guessed I weighed 24st, around 10st lighter, if someone had asked me.

“I lost 16.5lbs the first week and that put a big smile on my face. I felt the changes almost immediately that first week as I was sleeping much better and had no indigestion. When I think about my diet before I joined Slimming World, I can’t believe it. I’d often binge on chocolate, crisps and sweets for a much-needed energy boost and, too tired to cook, I relied on takeaways! I’d have them once or twice a day. On one occasion, my girlfriend Steph and I drove to KFC but there was a big queue, so we drove to McDonald’s on the same retail park to get some burgers to eat while we waited!

“Now I’m eating constantly but this time it’s fresh fruit and veg and lean meat. I’m not much of a chef and you don’t have to be - cooking chicken and vegetables and a healthy breakfast tray bake is my favourite. I love tomatoes too and raw veg. I honestly never thought I’d be one to share recipes but at the group we love swopping ideas! During lockdown it was fantastic to keep in touch via the virtual classes which we set up, but I can’t wait until we can all see each other in person again.

“I work as a builder with my dad, we’re a father and son team and the clients we meet can’t believe it when they see me. They often ask, “Where’s the rest of you?” or ask me how I’ve done it. One guy joined Slimming World too after seeing my results and he’s now seen the benefit too which I find really heart-warming as it’s so lovely to think I’ve inspired someone.

“Losing weight has changed every part of my life, even things you don’t think about. I’ve always been a big sports fan, especially Rugby Union and boxing but I’ve never been able to just go and watch any match in case I wouldn’t fit into the seats. I support Bath and went to see them once but I was so nervous the whole match in case someone sat next to me as I was covering two seats.

“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved. I’ve gone down from a 4XL to an XL and a 58-inch to a 42-inch waist. Before I lost weight, I found it incredibly hard to find clothes to fit me and when my legs started to retain water, I had to buy stretchy jeans. Now I absolutely love buying clothes - even though my choice is limited at present to Asda and Tesco due to the lockdown. I don’t know who I’ve turned into!

“I realise now it was a vicious cycle – my weight left me so tired that it affected my choices around food and I didn’t have the energy to do any activity, which all meant I gained more weight and my sleep got worse. There is so much I can do now which I couldn’t before. After the pandemic I’d love to get into boxing – I’d never have had the confidence before or the fitness level. I’m so grateful to Tracey who runs my group and all the members. I’ve never met anyone there who wasn’t warm and welcoming. I joined Slimming World to lose weight, what I didn’t expect was to be part of such a great community.”

For more information, visit slimmingworld.co.uk to find your nearest group.

Ryan Money

Starting weight: 34st 3lbs

Current weight: 18st 10lbs

Participants in the study lost an average of 7.4lbs (3.3kg) or 3.5% of their body weight in six weeks after joining a Slimming World weight-loss group.

Researchers at Slimming World evaluated data from a sample of 1,935 members who joined a Slimming World group between 12^th October and 17^th November 2020 after taking advantage of a discounted membership offer provided by Slimming World as part of its involvement in Public Health England’s Better Health campaign. The campaign aims to encourage millions of adults to kick start their health and reduce their risk of serious illness, including Covid-19. 1,733 people attended in-person and virtual groups due to restrictions changing during their membership, while 202 people attended all sessions virtually.

The research team found men lost slightly more weight than women by six weeks, with male participants losing 3.9% of their body weight compared to 3.5%, and those who participated in more sessions lost more weight too, showing the impact of coming together with other slimmers for regular support. Of those who attended at least five of six weekly sessions (1,391 members), average weight loss rose to 8.3lbs (3.8kg) or 4.0% of body weight.

More than one in four (27%) of members lost 5% of their body weight or more in the six weeks, which is classed as a clinically significant weight loss and can bring health benefits such as less joint pain, improved mobility, less breathlessness, better sleep, reduced blood pressure and improved management of conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Weight change was similar across age, BMI categories and socioeconomic status, showing that the virtual support was accessible and effective across all communities.

Slimming World’s face-to-face community groups were first closed in March 2020 following the initial Coronavirus outbreak and the organisation developed an innovative virtual service to enable its thousands of self-employed Consultants to continue to support their members and earn a living. While in many areas real-life groups were able to reopen from August onwards, the restrictions throughout autumn and winter, culminating in January’s lockdowns, saw groups return to providing virtual support.

As part of the virtual service, members receive behaviour change guidance to form new healthier eating habits, boost motivation to become more active and, with the shared support of fellow members, remain motivated and focused on their weight-loss goals. Slimming World Consultants who would normally run real-life groups have adapted their support, and members log on at the same time each week via video conferencing, submit their weight on the Slimming World website and benefit from the same friendship, motivation and inspiration as in traditional in-person groups. They also continue to receive access to Slimming World’s members-only website, app and social media support.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Research and Scientific Affairs who led the evaluation, says: “These results highlight that, despite the difficulties we’re all facing as a result of lockdown restrictions, people accessing the invaluable support and community of Slimming World Consultants and groups – whether that be face-to-face when possible or virtually when needed – are getting their weight loss off to a great start and achieving significant weight loss in their first few weeks. They’re well on their way to achieving that first step of a clinically significant loss of 5% of their weight – some have even achieved this within their first 6 weeks already – which can start to bring many health benefits.

“This is just a sample of Slimming World data from PHE’s Better Health campaign which is still ongoing, and also provides membership to our Slimming World Online programme. These findings show how we’re supporting members to form new healthy habits, make changes and enjoy success despite restrictions, which is more important than ever when we consider the links between obesity and Covid-19 and the impact of lockdown on people’s diet and activity behaviours and mental health.”

• People who lost 5lbs or more in their first week of attending a Slimming World weight loss group were four times more likely to lose 10% of their body weight within three months
• Almost twice as many men (45%) as women (21%) lost at least 5lbs in their first week
• Age is no barrier to successful weight loss, with half (52%) of those aged 55 and over losing at least 5% of their body weight in three months
• Almost half (46%) of those with a BMI of 30 or over lost 5% of their body weight within their first three months of following a healthy eating plan
• People who attend a weekly slimming club regularly (at least 75% of sessions) lose more weight achieving:
  • 7.7% weight loss (15.4lbs) in their first three months and
  • 14% weight loss or 31lbs on average over the course of a year

The research, which examined one of the largest-ever datasets of slimming club members in the UK and Ireland*, found that those who lost more weight in their first seven days after joining a weight-loss group went on to lose more over three months – with the top 50% of slimmers, based on their first week’s weight loss, losing 5lbs on average within their first week.

The findings show that losing more weight in the first week of a weight-loss journey is a strong predictor of how successful a slimmer will be in the longer term.

Data analysis shows that slimmers who lost 5lbs or more in their first seven days were four times more likely to lose 10% of their body weight within three months and that men are twice as likely to see weight drop off in their first week. The findings also reveal people aged 55 and over were the most successful at losing weight over a longer period, with just over half (52%) losing at least 5% of their body weight in three months.

According to the data, the average slimmer joining a weight-loss group has a BMI of 33kg/m², putting them in the ‘obese’ range and at increased risk of health problems including more serious outcomes from Covid-19. The research showed almost half (46%) of those with a BMI of 30 or over lost 5% of their body weight within their first three months of following a healthy eating plan. A weight loss of 5% or more is considered clinically significant and can lead to health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Slimming World’s Senior Research Associate, says: “Many factors influence whether or not a slimmer achieves their weight-loss goals. This data shows us that one of the biggest predictors of success is a strong weight loss in the first week as those who lost 5lbs or more in their first seven days were four times more likely to go on to lose 10% of their body weight within three months. Significant weight losses are often associated with ‘quick fix’ 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. At Slimming World we know many new members are astonished by the results on the scales in week one as they can’t believe they’ve been able to lose so much weight by making simple, easy changes to how they shop, cook and eat, while still enjoying a satisfying, healthy and varied diet.

“There are several key factors which influence a good first week – an understanding of how to make changes that can work for you, a healthy eating plan that’s easy to live with and a realisation you’re 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. Slimming World’s expert support recognises all these things and every member who walks through the doors of any of our groups receives a warm welcome, an introduction to our Food Optimising eating plan and why it is so very different to other weight-loss diets, and an understanding of how to confidently get started and overcome past barriers to success. They hear what their fellow members have achieved, and share advice and strategies for coping with setbacks, so they leave inspired and motivated to make changes themselves. 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.”

Changes members made within a few weeks of their membership include having less takeaways, cooking from scratch more frequently and eating fatty and sugary foods significantly less often than before joining**.

The research of 1.1 million members also showed the value of losing weight as part of a group, with those who attend their weekly slimming club more regularly (at least 75% of sessions) losing more weight, achieving 7.7% weight loss (15.4lbs) in their first three months and 14% weight loss or 31lbs on average over the course of a year. Many lose a lot more – based on their weight loss over a year, the top 10,000 slimmers attend an average of 45 sessions in 12 months losing 30% of their body weight which equates to around 5st each.

Commenting on the study, Psychologist, Author and Broadcaster Dr Linda Papadopoulos says:

“What’s interesting about this research is it shows the benefit of seeing tangible results early on, giving you a psychological boost. You suddenly realise, ‘I can do this!’. Getting that immediate sense of achievement is incredibly powerful as it shows you have the ability to change your narrative, so if in the past you’ve felt defined by your failure to lose weight, that reality is very quickly rewritten. This all stands you in good stead for the longer term too, because inevitably you’ll face challenges and bumps in the road, but deep down you know you can lose weight because you’ve seen the results on the scales before.

“There is no doubt 2020 blind-sided us all. None of us saw it coming and that feeling of uncertainty is, sadly, still with us. Many of us are as eager to get a sense of control as we are a sense of normality and embracing change and thinking ‘what can I take responsibility for?’, ‘how can I adapt and change?’ allows you to re-establish your own safety and security.

“That’s where support can be crucial - when other people see the changes you are making and your achievements, it can feel more real. As human beings we’re social creatures and the simple act of speaking to others and being able to feel other people know what you’re going through and hearing they’ve experienced the same challenges can also be so uplifting”.

*Data relates to 1.1 million Slimming World members who first joined group between January and December 2016. The research followed their progress for 12 months through to December 2017.

**Slimming World’s Health and Wellbeing study is an on-going research project. Reported findings are from an evaluation of 545 members polled in November 2019 and February 2020 examining health-related behaviour changes made within a few weeks of joining and 3-months later.

“I was convinced I wouldn’t lose weight, then I lost 7lbs in my first week and went on to lose 17st”

Weighing 29st, mum-of-two Emma Boyce, 36, from Surrey has turned her life around after seeing results in just seven days

“I joined Slimming World in March 2018 weighing 29st 13lbs. My mum had recently joined and I’d seen incredible success stories on Instagram. Going along to the group, I was frightened and embarrassed. I felt so vulnerable walking through the doors. I sat at the back and listened and thought I'll give it a go, but it won’t work! How wrong I was! I lost 7lbs in my first week! I thought, ‘wow this does work!’ I felt so pleased, and yet couldn’t believe it! I was still eating potatoes and pasta and just by making simple healthier changes I’d seen results. That first week made me think differently. I had a big change in my mindset from that day forward. Just two years after joining Slimming World, I’d completely turned my life around, lost 17st and dropped 11 dress sizes!

My whole life I’ve struggled with my weight, even as a child I was always the big kid and the last to be picked for sports. It got worse when I got divorced and developed unhealthy habits which I now see was me using food as an emotional crutch. Food has always been my comfort blanket - I used it to mask what was really going on.

After my divorce, I met Ryan through online dating and we had our children who were born a year apart. At my check-ups, every doctor I saw said I should lose weight. I’d tried every single diet you can think of, but with no support nothing worked, and I thought I was destined to be overweight all my life. I was in constant pain, even getting out of bed hurt. My joints and feet would swell up and I’d feel so uncomfortable. I was always hot and sweaty; my asthma was awful, and I relied on my inhalers as if they were a form of life support.

As a learner support assistant for children with special educational needs, I was also finding it hard to keep up physically and always out of breath, leaving me with no other option when I had children of my own than to quit my job.

In 2016 I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, a serious sleep disorder where my breathing would repeatedly stop and start. For six years prior to the diagnosis, I’d wake up at least five times each night. I was just so tired all the time and would reach for pain relief tablets just to get through the day. After the diagnosis, I had to connect to a machine each night which meant wearing a rubber mask with a pipe that blows air on you every time you stop breathing.

The final straw came in March 2018 when in one week, I had three awful experiences which made me realise something needed to change. First, I got the photos back from my son’s baptism. It was a wonderful day, I was so happy surrounded by my nearest and dearest and the pictures were really beautiful, apart from me – I felt I ruined them, I looked hideous and cried my heart out. In the same week, I needed to buy a new car to cope with my growing family and I found in many of the models I either didn’t fit in the driver’s seat or the seatbelt wasn’t long enough to go around me. Then later that week, I was at a soft play with my children. It was the first time I’d gone by myself with the kids. My daughter got herself stuck right at the top and I was physically too big to get to her - I felt sick and heartbroken as the panic hit in. I had to ask a nine-year-old boy to help reach my daughter and I was mortified. I cried all the way home and that was it! I decided I would never ever put myself or my child in that situation again. My children deserved a mum that could do things with them and I wanted to be that mum.

There have been hurdles along the way of course but every time I’ve gone to my Slimming World group, just talking to someone and seeing a friendly face has helped so much. I’ve never once been to group and left feeling deflated or defeated. My Consultant Susanne is so friendly and I connected with her straightaway, she’s lost weight herself and understands the challenges.

I started cooking everything from scratch, especially my favourite roast dinner and instead of rewarding myself with crisps, chocolate or takeaways, I’d treat myself to a beauty or hair treatment or a new outfit! I try new things now instead of saying no. Pre-lockdown, I enjoyed saying ‘yes’ to rock climbing, abseiling and going on the roller coaster at Legoland. I’m making amazing memories with my children and I no longer feel like a spectator in my own life.

After losing 10st, I reapplied to work with children, and now I work in a lovely primary school. I would never have had the confidence or energy to do this before losing weight. By March 2020, I’d lost over half my body weight, 17st, and got a brand-new wardrobe after going from a size 34 to a 12. I’d gone from a 60-inch waist and 75-inch hips to a 37-inch waist and 40-inch hips. I’m also sleeping well, I feel energised when I wake up and refreshed with no headache, no sore throat and no pain. In June this year, I was told I didn’t need to use the sleep apnoea machine anymore. Now I can sleep anywhere and don’t have to worry about being wired up to a machine. Excitingly, this means we can go camping – something the kids are desperate to try which wasn’t possible before.

Everywhere I go people ask me how I’ve lost weight and they find it hard to believe you can eat all this fantastic food and still lose weight! Mum has lost 4st too and reduced her blood pressure. Although we go to different groups as mum lives in Norfolk, we help each other stay on track by sharing ideas and recipes. We’re both so proud to be able to support other members and encourage them by showing what we’ve managed to achieve.

Before losing weight I barely walked to the shops and now I swim, cycle and go to the gym – staying active helps to keep my mind positive. My main goal at the minute is to train for a marathon.

Losing weight has given me a huge boost of confidence! Life is so much easier, and I know seeing results that first week gave me the self-belief I needed and the motivation to think I can do this! And I did!"

BEFORE

Breakfast: 3/4 slices of white bread toast with butter and peanut butter

Snack: Milky sweet tea with 4/5 chocolate biscuits and a packet of crisps

Lunch: Two tuna sweetcorn mayo and butter sandwiches, chocolate bar, yogurt, apple, packet of crisps and mini cheeses

Dinner: Spaghetti Bolognaise with 20% fat beef mince and jarred sauce with cheese on top and garlic bread

Pudding: Apple pie and ice cream or cream or both

Snack: Sweet tea, biscuits and crisps

AFTER

Breakfast: Porridge and chopped fresh fruit

Snack: Fruit and/or fat-free yogurt

Lunch: Homemade veggie soup, followed by fruit and/or yogurt

Dinner: Homemade spaghetti Bolognaise (made with lean 5% fat mince or Quorn mince and lots of vegetables)

Pudding: Small meringue nest topped with fat-free yogurt and strawberries

Snack: Tea, fruit and high-fibre cereal bar

Three-fifths (60%) were able to reduce or stop taking medication for type 2 diabetes and 84 per cent reported an improved quality of life.

Findings from the survey also revealed:

• A fifth (22%) were able to stop taking medication completely
• 77% saw improvements in their blood glucose management
• 75% said they found it easy to fit the dietary requirements they received from their healthcare team into Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan

The findings demonstrate that people with type 2 diabetes can improve their diabetes control by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight.

The study also reveals 68% of those with type 2 diabetes who were advised by their healthcare team to lose weight achieved 10% weight loss or more, and 83% reported their healthcare teams were pleased with their weight-loss progress.

The research also found 77% of members participating in the study reported improvements in their blood glucose management since joining Slimming World and 85% said they were more active.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Research and Scientific Affairs at Slimming World, says:

“Given the links between obesity and more serious outcomes of Covid-19, the support and behaviour change expertise we offer at Slimming World is more important than ever this World Diabetes Day, particularly as NHS research reports people with diabetes face significantly higher risks after contracting coronavirus.

“Members following our healthy eating plan enjoy a diet of filling and satisfying Free Foods – including fruit, vegetables, eggs, poultry, lean meat, fish, beans or pulses, pasta, rice and potatoes which can be tailored to suit individual needs, tastes and budget. In the study, 75% of Slimming World members with type 2 diabetes said they found it easy to fit dietary advice received from their health care professional into our flexible healthy eating plan, called Food Optimising. As the research shows, being a member of a supportive weight loss group can help people with type 2 diabetes to improve their health and become more active. Our Body Magic activity programme is designed to provide gradual and personalised steps to moving more, no matter your starting point.”

-ENDS-

*Study polled 222 members with type 2 diabetes in May 2020. Data where blood glucose and weight change is reported refers to members with type 2 diabetes who were members for six months or more.

“My diabetes nurse looked at my chart, saw I’d lost 8 stone and danced across the room she was so happy!”

Faith Roots, 64

Weight loss: 7st 13lbs

Didcot, Oxfordshire

“It was February 2017 and I’d just got back from walking the dogs when the phone rang. I had to sit down while I answered it, I was so exhausted. The walk has been less than 10 minutes, but I was completely breathless, and my back was aching. It was my daughter-in-law calling to ask me if I would go with her to her local Slimming World group as she didn’t want to go alone. I was happy to go to support her and we joined together that night.

I didn’t think too much about it as I’d joined other weight-loss groups before myself and although I saw some success, as soon as I stopped going, I went back to eating the same things I did before and the weight piled back on.

Back then, I felt so unwell because of my weight. I had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, severe back pain and collapsed ankles as the extra weight I was carrying had weakened the tendons and ligaments in my feet which meant it was extremely painful to walk or even stand. I was taking three tablets a day for my diabetes and I just had no energy. I’d struggled with my weight my entire adult life and at 17st 13lbs, I knew I needed to do something about it.

On my first night attending the group, I was apprehensive, and I almost gave up the following week as I only lost half a pound. Then I decided I wouldn’t be beaten, I started cooking from scratch inspired by all the ideas shared in group and I soon started seeing results. I loved getting the awards each time I lost a little bit more weight.

My Consultant and the other members of the group keep me motivated and are always there for me, even if it’s not been a good week. I feel like part of a family as my group have supported me from day one and I know they will always be there for me to help maintain my weight each week. When this second lockdown is over, I can’t wait for the real-life groups to start again so I can see everyone in person.

Before joining Slimming World, I wouldn’t plan my meals at all and, now, I always make sure I plan ahead and have lots of fruit and veg in the fridge. I’ve stopped eating sweets and cakes and removed all fat from my cooking. I never feel hungry and I love making a Slimming World Sunday roast – it’s so easy!

In just over 14 months I lost 8 stone and my health has improved dramatically – my diabetes is in remission and I don’t take any medication at all for it now. My blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol is no longer high, and I don’t suffer from the back pain I had before either. I have so much more energy, I’ve taken up park runs and before lockdown I danced and attended regular exercise classes. I even insisted on doing my usual weekly 5k run the morning of my daughter’s wedding! Throughout the first lockdown, I was so active I ran at least 5k every day, sometimes 10k and on one occasion a half marathon distance. I’m planning to continue this over the next four weeks. Anything is possible if you really want to do it.

I know I’ve inspired lots of people to join Slimming World as I’m always getting asked for advice since I lost weight and seeing those people lose weight too has been incredible. When I saw my diabetes nurse, she looked at my chart, then looked at me and said, “You’ve lost 8 stone!!” and started dancing around the room. In the last few days, I got the results of my long-term blood sugars test and it’s been the same now for 6 months. If it stays the same for the next 6 months, I will have a diagnosis of complete remission meaning I’ll no longer have diabetes. I’ll have got rid of it! The nurse who gave me the results was keen to make sure I didn’t underestimate what I've achieved and it’s made me realise how well I’ve done and to make sure I keep the weight off.

I feel like a different person, losing weight has changed my life. Shopping for clothes is so easy now - I’ve gone from a size 26 to a size 12 and I love it. I never had any confidence before to talk to people and I would be the one sat quietly in the corner. I’ve been single since 1997, 23 years (!) and now I’m in a relationship with someone, which I never thought would happen. It’s clear to me losing weight gave me the confidence I needed. My family have seen me blossom and they are so proud of me. I can’t believe the difference physically and I never realised my personality would change too, I feel healthy and vibrant and I’ve finally found my zest for life!”

_BEFORE

_{Breakfast: several slices of toast with butter and jam}

_{Lunch: cup of soup and large roll covered in lashings of butter}

_{Dinner: anything with chips, for example pizza, fish and chips or spaghetti bolognaise covered in cheese}

_{Snacks: crisps or cakes especially cream cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolates.}

_{Supper: hot chocolate and cake}

_AFTER

_{Breakfast: porridge with berries or 2 Weetabix with berries and fat free natural yoghurt}

_{Snacks: coffee, banana and grapes or apples}

_{Lunch: pasta with tomato sauce and a variety of vegetables. Skimmed milk latte and some protein chicken or ham.}

_{Dinner: roast meat with all fat removed, lots of vegetables, potatoes or pasta with blueberries, grapes and strawberries and fat free natural yoghurt for dessert}

To mark World Stroke Day (October 29th) raising awareness of the risks of stroke, Slimming World’s Nutrition and Health Policy Manager, Carolyn Pallister shares nine golden rules to help reduce your risk.

“Every five minutes stroke destroys lives. In the UK, there are more than 100,000 incidents of stroke each year – that is around one stroke every five minutes. Many stroke survivors, of which there are 1.2 million in the UK, face significant challenges that include physical disability, communication difficulties, changes in how they think and feel, loss of work, income and social networks. Being overweight is one of the top ten risk factors for stroke and is associated with almost 1 in 5 strokes. This is because carrying excess weight increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes which all contribute to higher stroke risk.

“Maintaining a healthy weight and managing things like diet and smoking can help with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and in turn reduce stroke risk.”

• Aim for a varied, balanced diet. This means limiting fat (especially saturated fat which is found in butter, cakes, pastry, fatty strips of meat) and added sugar intake; enjoying a variety of fruits and vegetables (at least 5-a-day); and including some wholegrains (such as brown rice and wholewheat pasta).
• Be mindful of your salt intake. Too much can raise your blood pressure which is a risk factor for stroke. Making homemade sauces and meals can help cut your salt intake as there’s often a lot of hidden salt in ready-made sauces and ready meals. Try to limit having too much bread, cheese, smoked fish and meat, pickles and condiments and enjoy them in moderation.
• Be active where you can. Make the most of the great outdoors, your local parks, fields, leisure facilities, and at home exercises (housework counts!). Physical activity helps keep the heart healthy, which in turn can help protect against a stroke.
• Think about what you drink. It’s better for our health to enjoy alcohol in moderation. To help keep stroke risk down aim to drink no more than six pints of beer/cider each week, or six 175ml glasses of wine. This is equivalent to 14 units which is the maximum recommended weekly intake for UK adults.
• Stop smoking. Cutting down, quitting or not being a smoker at all can help reduce stroke risk.
• Aim for or maintain a healthy weight. This is one of the best things you can do to reduce the risk of having a stroke. Being of a healthy weight typically means your cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels) is healthier and is under less stress.
• Opt for lean cuts of meat. When it comes to enjoying your meat and two veg, opting for lean cuts of meat, such as 5% fat mince, trimming the fat off bacon and other fatty cuts of meat, and taking off any skin on poultry. This all helps in reducing saturated fat intake, which is one step closer to a healthy, balanced diet.
• Aim for two portions of fish each week. White fish such as hake, cod or haddock are a really lean source of protein while oily fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon not only provide protein but are amazing for omega-3 fatty acids which are said to help prevent the blood from clotting and protect our arteries. Aiming for two portions (one white, one oily) each week is one of many great ways to help towards having a healthy heart.
• Enjoy fibre rich foods. This fabulous nutrient is found in all fruit, veg and starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, pasta and not only keeps things moving in our digestive system but some fibre-filled foods can help towards keeping our cholesterol levels nice and healthy, these include oats, beans, peas and lentils.

ICU healthcare assistant loses 14st after mini-stroke scare.  It was the wake-up call I needed           

John Schofield, 49

Weight loss: 14st

Eccles, Manchester 

“Exactly five years ago, in 2015 I was working at Wythenshawe Hospital in the cardiology ward when I suddenly felt unwell and colleagues noticed I was slurring my words. I remember feeling disorientated and not registering what was being said around me. As I was at the hospital already, a specialist nurse took my blood pressure and did a quick ECG. The results showed I had atrial fibrillation, something I hadn’t been familiar with before then which meant my heart was racing and beating faster than it should have done. I was referred to a cardiology team and for the next twelve months I got more and more out of breath doing the simplest tasks, my skin was clammy and I was still slurring my words.

Eventually, I had a pacemaker fitted to slow my heart rate down but this didn’t stop me having another incident at work when I felt disorientated, my blood pressure dropped and I was rushed to A&E. After conducting a CT scan of my head, the radiographer asked me when I’d had a stroke and I remember feeling so shocked as I wasn’t aware I’d even had one. I realise now the first time I felt unwell and started slurring my words, I experienced a mini stroke – something I thought then only happened to older people. It was the wake-up call I needed to make a change. I knew carrying excess weight was putting more strain on my heart and that the pacemaker I’d had fitted wasn’t cheap. I felt if someone had put that much time, effort and expense into making sure I lived, it was time I did my bit to help.

At this point I was taking ten tablets a day, four in the morning and six at night. I have always suffered from asthma and I couldn’t go anywhere without my inhaler. My chest always felt heavy and my legs and joints ached all the time. I wasn’t very active at all and even a short walk to the shop would take me forever and a day.

Around that time, I bumped into two school friends in the local supermarket who had both lost weight and looking so much healthier I had to ask how they’d done it. They said they’d been going to their local Slimming World group. I’d tried so many weight-loss plans and slimming groups but I hadn’t tried this one so I thought I’ll give it a go. I didn’t hold out much hope but weighing 26 stone I was at a loss to know what else I could do.

The results were amazing. Everyone in the group was so friendly and we had such a laugh, sharing tips and ideas and supporting each other. Within two weeks I’d lost 15lbs and not only that, I was starting to feel better too. I had more energy and was less breathless.By the end of last year, just two years after joining Slimming World, I’d completely turned my life around. I’d lost over half my body weight, 14 stone, gone from a 60-inch waist to a 32-inch waist and was feeling so much better. I don’t take any medication and I no longer need an inhaler. I don’t have any aches and pains in my legs, and I’ve got a brand-new wardrobe too after going from size 5XL to medium or small sizes. I can buy clothes so much more easily, not just from specialist shops or online.

 A typical week prior to joining Slimming World would see me satisfy my savoury tooth with pies, pasties, sausage rolls and burgers, skipping breakfast and eating pork pies or scones as snacks in between meals. Now I eat a lot of fruit and I make sure I eat three meals a day. I’ve given up beer which I used to drink every night and I always make sure I have eggs for breakfast as that keeps me going until lunchtime. I still enjoy savoury foods like burgers, but I make them myself with lean mince and I’ve found a new love for cooking. I prep my meals most mornings before work, dicing and cutting veg for that evening’s meal and I’m a big fan of the slow cooker. I’m really proud of my meatball chilli. I used to drive past joggers and say to my kids that will be me one day! Now I walk everywhere rather than get in the car and I regularly walk around 4.5 miles to my dad’s house which takes me just under an hour. I recently ran a 10K raising £700 for the Ticker Club, a local heart charity. The old me would never have believed I could have done that.  

Since February this year I’ve been working in the ICU department of the Salford Royal, on the critical care ward as a healthcare assistant. Most recently I’ve been working on the Covid infection control ward. Being on my feet for 13 hour shifts and wearing the PPE, which is like something out of Star Wars, has been a real challenge. During the height of lockdown, I struggled to stay on plan as the panic buying meant empty shelves and my usual ingredients were nowhere to be found. Sheer exhaustion saw me forego my good intentions and I soon put on weight again. My mood was low and working shifts I found it hard to join my group at one of the weekly virtual classes they set up. It was all too easy to think if I wasn’t going to get weighed, and without the support of my group, it didn’t matter if I slipped a little, but I soon realised it did! I lost my way during lockdown but now I can meet my group again in person they help me feel motivated if I have a bad week. I feel back in control and I’m determined to get back on track by Christmas. I’ve seen first-hand the impact of coronavirus and hearing about the increased risks of being overweight if you contract Covid has made me so relieved I was in good shape this year and also more determined to stay that way. I know what I need to do, and I don’t want to throw it all away.”

In the study, 76 smokers were recruited to a randomised controlled trial, with all participants being offered access to NHS-commissioned Stop Smoking Services. Of the 76 smokers, 37 were offered free membership of their local Slimming World group for 12 weeks, while the remaining 39 were offered stop smoking support alone.

For the 17% of smokers in the trial who successfully managed to stop smoking, change in weight was analysed over time. Those who just focused on quitting were seen to gain weight steadily over time, whereas those who stopped smoking and simultaneously attended Slimming World lost weight at each follow-up point. At 12 weeks those who had been supported at a slimming group had lost an average of 1.3kg. At 12 weeks there was a 2.3kg mean difference in weight between the quitters who attended a slimming group and those who didn’t.

Carolyn Pallister, Nutrition and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World, says: "The results of this trial showed weight gain isn’t an inevitable consequence of quitting though and, in fact, it is possible – with weight-management support – to lose weight while quitting. We know making healthy changes and breaking habits isn’t easy to do alone and in Slimming World groups members are supported to make behaviour changes with tools and techniques such as for and against lists and motivational interviewing, alongside support from people who understand your challenges and who are also on a journey to better health and wellbeing. This study illustrated how the combination of attending Slimming World and smoking cessation support helped people give up and not gain weight."

Professor Deborah Lycett, Centre for Intelligent Healthcare, Coventry University says:“This is the first study, that we know of, to investigate referral to a weight loss provider during a stop smoking attempt and the results will be reassuring for those who want to stop smoking but are fearful of weight gain; there does seem to be a promising a way to tackle both simultaneously.

“This was a small study, however, so we have not proved definitively that losing weight while stopping smoking does not reduce your chances of quitting successfully. If you are a smoker, stopping smoking remains the single most important thing you can do for your health, even if you do put on a little weight.”

These findings are especially important as new NHS research shows if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good.

Given the risks to health that tobacco use causes, and as available research suggests that both smokers[1] and those with obesity[2] are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes and death, there may never have been a better time to consider quitting and managing your weight at the same time.

_{[1] Reddy, R. K., Charles, W. N., Sklavounos, A., Dutt, A., Seed, P. T., & Khajuria, A. (2020). The effect of smoking on COVID‐19 severity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of medical virology}

_{[2] Kassir, R. (2020). Risk of COVID‐19 for patients with obesity. Obesity Reviews, 21(6). Dietz, W., & Santos‐Burgoa, C. (2020). Obesity and its Implications for COVID‐19 Mortality. Obesity.}

“I stopped smoking while losing weight and it’s changed my life - I even bought a car with the money I’ve saved!” says Brian, who lost 10st

Brian Farmer, 51

Weight loss: 10st

Rayleigh, Essex

I’ve struggled with my weight all my life. I mainly put weight on when I started junior school and was always getting told to lose weight by my school nurse. I was bullied at school all the time. I felt like I was just a joke to people and each morning I would dread going.

I started smoking at the age of 14 or 15 – everyone was doing it and it helped me to fit in. Until around three and a half years ago, I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day which was costing me around £30 daily, then I decided enough was enough – my mind was made up: I was going to stop!

The previous year, in 2016, I’d already decided I’d got to make some changes – I put on a happy front around others but at over 22st, deep down I knew my weight was killing me. I had to go for regular check-ups with my nurse as I had type 2 diabetes and had to take tablets every day for both this and for my cholesterol as my levels were so high. I’d battled depression for many years and due to my size, I struggled to get out of bed and even put my socks on. Getting in and out of the car was a daily challenge and when I was in the car, my stomach was right up against the steering wheel making it uncomfortable to drive.

I realised that I needed to do something and change my eating habits. I was so desperate to get rid of my type 2 diabetes so I could achieve my ambition of driving a heavy goods vehicle again. I was falling asleep all the time as I had no energy. My health was getting me down and I wanted to see if losing weight would make a difference to my health. The final straw was when I saw a picture of myself. My partner was a member of Slimming World and as I saw how well she was doing, I decided to join her one evening.

Walking into group in April 2016, I was really nervous, and I think I may have appeared quite grumpy! I felt very embarrassed. I thought only women attended slimming clubs and was terrified of what the scales would say. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly though and suddenly I didn’t feel alone anymore, and I noticed some men there too. After just two weeks, I couldn’t believe the change in me. I looked in the mirror one day and was shocked at the difference, my clothes had started to get very baggy – I even had an embarrassing moment when my trousers nearly fell down! I like the fact there is so much healthy food to choose from and the fact that I’m never hungry has helped me stick to plan.

By 2017, I was a year into my weight-loss journey. I decided now it was time to give up smoking. I was so nervous that I’d put the weight back on and there were times when I thought I wasn’t going to succeed, but everyone at group encouraged me so much and told me how proud they were, it gave me the boost of confidence I needed and put me in the right mindset to quit. I remember my last cigarette clearly, one Sunday night I had two cigarettes left in the packet, I smoked one and gave one away and I’ve never looked back. I would eat fruit to curb any cravings. Aside from the health benefits, I soon realised, with the money I was saving on cigarettes I could put that monthly spend towards a new car – which is exactly what I did!

To think when I joined Slimming World in April 2016, I weighed 22st 9lbs and had a 52-inch waist. Now I have a 34-inch waist, I no longer fear being seen in public, I’m sleeping well compared to before and I love going out and socialising. I reached my target weight of 13st in November 2018. The nurse at my local GP cried she was so happy – she’d never seen results like this before. I’ve joined a gym, I go bike riding and the best thing is that I no longer have type 2 diabetes. I can now go into any shop and buy clothes. I’m able to go swimming, go for long walks, run upstairs, play with my granddaughter and I’m happy.

I’m so proud I managed to maintain my weight all over lockdown and kept active as well as eating healthy foods. I walked, exercised, did some gardening and I run regularly on the seafront. My partner and I batch cook to make sure we’re well prepared for the week ahead, essential for me as I’ve now achieved my dream of becoming a HGV driver. I make sure I always stay on plan and take pre-packed salads with me for lunch with fruit. I always make sure I have breakfast before I leave the house too. I cook a lot more for myself - my favourite meal to cook is homemade lasagne – it tastes amazing!

I feel like a different person now. I’m a non-smoker, I no longer have diabetes and I’ve managed to maintain my weight loss. Life is great and I’m looking forward to what the future brings.

BEFORE

Fried breakfast

Sausage rolls from a baker for lunch

Lots of bread

Takeaway for dinner

Cakes, biscuits, sweets

Lots of cans of coke

AFTER

Two Weetabix with strawberries for breakfast

Salad with ham for lunch

Yogurt and fruit

Chicken with rice and vegetables for dinner

The findings come at a time when the UK Government has unveiled a new obesity strategy with its ‘Better Health’ campaign to encourage millions of adults to kick start their health and reduce their risk of serious illness, including COVID-19. An estimated two-thirds (63%) of UK adults are above a healthy weight, with 36% having overweight, and 28% having obesity.

The new research was led by the UK’s largest group-based weight-loss organisation Slimming World as part of their Health and Wellbeing Study which is surveying new members regularly, over the course of one year about aspects of their health and lifestyle. The survey at the six-month point coincided with lockdown, so questions were added to learn more about how lockdown measures had impacted the nation’s health, wellbeing, and lifestyle behaviours.

Between 9 April and 16 May 2020, 222 Slimming World members* (94% female, average age 52 years) and a representative sample of 637 adults in the general population completed an online survey asking their opinions about their general health, mood, diet, alcohol intake, physical activity, and weight management.

Four in six of the general population (65%; 414/637) and Slimming World members (59%; 131/222) admitted to finding managing their weight since lockdown “very” or “somewhat difficult”. The four key reasons given by both groups included difficulty getting to the shops and obtaining the usual healthy foods; boredom and being at home leading to increased snacking; higher levels of stress and anxiety leading to comfort eating; and more sedentary time and exercising less. However, some respondents in both groups reported some benefits of lockdown including more time to plan meals, cooking from scratch, and sticking to a routine.

Two in five (42%) Slimming World members and one in three (34%) of the general population admitted eating more sugary foods during lockdown, while one in four (27%) members and one in five (18%) of the general population reported reaching for fatty foods. Key to note is members had already reduced how frequently they were consuming fatty and sugary foods prior to lockdown as part of their weight loss journey. When looking at key parts of the diet, data indicated that members had a healthier overall diet than non-members (healthy eating score 13 vs 10; with a higher value indicating better overall diet quality).

This could help explain why Slimming World members reported continuing to lose weight during this time, with an average weight loss of 2kg (4.4 lbs) at the early stages of lockdown compared to three months earlier.

The research also highlighted differences in the impact of lockdown on overall health and wellbeing - fewer members said that their general health had been negatively affected compared to the general population (14% vs 22%). In addition, members said they had exercised more (25% vs 17%) and reported higher overall wellbeing than the general population (wellbeing score 28 vs 24; with a higher score indicating more positive wellbeing).

More than a quarter (28%) of members and 16% of the general population said they were drinking more alcohol during lockdown. Their reported alcohol intake was within government guidelines (for Slimming World members 12.7 units per week; vs general population 14.2 units per week).

Slimming World, which launched virtual groups after temporarily suspending its community groups, is gradually reopening its in-person community groups after five months of lockdown.

Dr Sarah-Elizabeth Bennett, Slimming World’s Senior Research Associate, who led the study says: “Lockdown turned all of our lives upside down, disrupting our routines and the inevitable worries about our health and the health of loved ones made us feel more anxious than usual. So, it’s no surprise it’s had an effect on our choices around food, drink and activity. Interestingly, the findings of our study underscore the importance of the support we need if we’re trying to maintain healthy behaviours to lose weight and keep it off.

“Making and maintaining these behaviour changes prior to lockdown provided our members with a level of resilience during this challenging time, supporting them to continue to successfully lose or maintain weight loss. Given that excess weight is associated with a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and with lots of people coming out of lockdown feeling concerned about their weight and health, the findings of the study show behaviour change support is more important now than ever."

-ENDS-

Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight-loss programme, asked its members if they thought the Government had got it right.

And the results of the survey of more than 1,300 members of the organisation’s virtual groups and online service revealed that slimmers overwhelmingly support the Government’s new obesity strategy (90%).

The poll also revealed that the Government’s commitment to expanding weight-management services so that more people get the support they need to lose weight was welcomed. Some 95% of slimmers agreed access to slimming clubs via referral from GPs should be available in every community. Currently access varies across the UK, highlighting a postcode lottery in this area.

Slimming World pioneered referral and partnership with the health service nearly 20 years ago, and the scheme gives GPs, nurses and other health professionals the opportunity to offer free membership of a local Slimming World group to those patients who they feel would benefit. Independent research shows it is a cost-effective and successful system – with Slimming World leading to greater weight loss in 12 months than any other weight-loss organisation.*

As well as helping people to improve their health, a key focus for the Government is supporting families to make healthy lifestyle changes. The respondents felt slimming clubs, like Slimming World, were successful in this respect, with 94% reporting they believed they and their family were healthier since they joined Slimming World and that they were able to pass on healthy habits to their loved ones.

Commenting on the results of the poll, Slimming World’s Director of External Affairs Jenny Caven says: “The package of policy measures to tackle obesity that’s been announced by the Government is a positive step forward. Our members, who have real-life experience of the challenges and achievements of weight loss, know better than anyone that to lose weight successfully, people need support. In fact, 89% of those members we polled said having the support of a group of likeminded people was the most important factor in them adopting healthy habits and making long-term changes to lose weight.

“As the Prime Minister himself has acknowledged, losing weight can be tough and changing the habits of a lifetime takes real and sustained effort. In order to achieve their goal of helping people to urgently make changes to their lifestyles, any solution from the Government must address the psychological as well as physiological aspects of losing weight. Providing people with expert, effective, empathetic care and understanding, along with a good sound evidence-based behaviour change programme to help them eat more healthily and become more active, and to do both in ways they can sustain for the long term, is the only way to create lasting change.

“Slimming World already works with the Government via Public Health England as partners in the new Better Health campaign and with the NHS through our ‘slimming on referral’ service. Our research with 1.1 million members shows that on average Slimming World members lose a clinically significant 5% of their body weight (9.9lbs) within three months. Anyone whose weight is affecting their health – and that’s nearly two thirds of adults in the UK – needs to urgently find support to make changes to our lifestyle. Slimming World has the behaviour change expertise and is ready and able both through our local weekly groups and online programme to support members and their families in every community.”

Slimming World introduced a temporary virtual service when lockdown closed its community groups across the UK and Ireland. From Monday 10^th August, throughout August and September Slimming World Consultants and members will be safely returning to their much-loved groups in the heart of communities. As well as being able to provide the very best weight-loss support, the health and wellbeing of members and Consultants is Slimming World’s absolute priority. To ensure that every member returning to their group does so feeling as safe, confident and comfortable as they possibly can Slimming World is closely monitoring Government and local authority guidance and supporting its Consultants to ensure full risk assessments are in place and all groups are COVID-19 secure.

-ENDS-

Findings from a survey of 1,352 Slimming World members, who were attending a virtual Slimming World group or using Slimming World Online, conducted via Slimming World Online and LifelineOnline, the free site for Slimming World group members. Responses were captured between July 31^st and August 6^th, 2020.

*Research published in the British Journal of General Practice 2014 shows that at 12 months, Slimming World leads to a greater weight loss than other weight loss programmes. In 2015, an independent economic evaluation by the University of Leeds found that, compared to usual care, Slimming World on Referral is cost-effective against the standards set by NICE at 12 months and over a lifetime.

However, there is some good news, as the study* also revealed that 45% of respondents say they’re finding home cooking more enjoyable than they did before the pandemic. Half (51%) say they are ordering less takeaway food.

With early evidence suggesting people with obesity-related conditions could have an increased risk of dying from the virus, the new stats come as both obesity experts and the UK Government say there has never been a better time to support people adopting healthier lifestyle habits.

Slimming World, which launched virtual groups after temporarily suspending its 19,000 community groups, says the findings clearly show that staying in control of healthy habits is more difficult during lockdown and people need support to manage their weight and health now more than ever.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s Head of Nutrition and Research led the study. She says: “In these testing times, worries about your health and the health of those you love, coupled with a ‘new normal’ means people may be feeling more stressed or anxious than usual. They may also feel less inclined to keep up with healthy eating and activity and more inclined to slip into old, less healthy habits.

“Getting support so you don’t feel alone is incredibly important right now. During lockdown our members are loving the fact they can still attend our virtual groups, where they get the practical tips and expert guidance from our trained Consultants, along with the friendship and community spirit they’ve come to rely on from their usual weekly group. In these uncertain times, our virtual groups are giving our members a chance to focus on their goals, to regain control, and to feel a sense of togetherness with their fellow members. They’re celebrating wins, like having more time to cook, discussing challenges and sharing strategies for success. Along a weight-loss journey there are always going to be bumps in the road, so having a great support network and learning how to stay on track whatever life throws at you is vital to staying fit and well in the long-term.”

Commenting on the study, Psychologist, Author and Broadcaster Dr Linda Papadopoulos says: “Staying motivated on a weight loss journey can be tough at the moment, which is perfectly understandable given that all of our lives have been turned upside down. While focusing on your own motivation is crucial, it can be all too easy to lose sight of your weight loss goals when you’re feeling anxious about things and getting the support of others is invaluable in staying committed. By sharing challenges and hearing how others are staying on track as well as getting emotional support we’re much more likely to succeed. Empowering yourself to think about where you want to be at the end of this period and setting realistic weight loss goals to get there could give you a much-needed sense of control. So, while you might think this isn’t a good time to make changes, it could actually be a great time to think about your future self.”

As well as access to a weekly virtual group from the comfort of their own home, Slimming World’s temporary weight loss service includes access to Slimming World’s app and member-only website LifelineOnline, which offers an abundance of practical support, including more than 1,000 recipes, as well as inspiration and motivation to stay physically active and psychologically strong.

Amy Hodgson, from Liverpool, has lost more than 5st since she joined Slimming World in January 2019. She joined her virtual group in April and has lost 12.5lbs during lockdown. She says: “I’ll admit that when this all began I struggled – I lost all motivation to stay on track with healthy eating. After my first virtual group though, I felt completely different. It was just like my usual weekly group – except on my computer – and I felt so ready for the week ahead. I realised that while I might not be able to meet up with my Consultant and fellow members in person, I had a whole world of support at my fingertips – in my phone, on social media and on the Slimming World website. I’m definitely not feeling on my own with my weight-loss now and I’ve actually lost 12.5lbs since lockdown began. This is the lightest I’ve been in a long time!”

For more information about Slimming World’s new temporary weight loss service and virtual groups visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Dr. Linda’s Top Tips for Staying Motivated

1. Be motivated. We don’t know what’s going to happen over the coming weeks and months and we need to think how we want to come out of this surreal time. Our motivation – or our ‘why’ – might be different now and that’s OK. It might need to change from a longer-term goal to something more immediate. For instance, if your motivation was aiming to be fitter and healthier for an upcoming wedding or holiday, which now isn’t going to happen, it might now be all about ensuring when we leave lockdown you’re not feeling frustrated at having let go of any achievements you’ve already made.

1. Be kind to yourself. Choosing to eat nourishing, delicious food is one of the best ways of being kind to yourself – it’s like saying a big ‘thank you’ every day to your mind and body for working so hard. If you know you want to eat well and be more active, find positive ways you can make it as easy as possible for you to do that. Planning meals and having healthy snacks ready for when you feel hungry will make you less likely to reach for something quick and easy that might take you off track. Another great example is to protect yourself when you’re shopping, so if you know you’ll struggle to resist a tempting treat if you have it in the cupboard don’t buy it in the first place or choose a smaller treat that you’ll be able to enjoy without sabotaging your plans. These little strategies are called behaviour hacks. And, if you do go off track, don’t beat yourself up, just draw a line underneath it and start again – you’re only human, after all.

1. Be realistic. We can unintentionally set ourselves up for failure if our expectations are too big or set too high. It might be too much right now to think about an overall goal, so think instead about micro-ambitions – breaking things down into mini milestone targets. In the same way it might not be realistic for you to learn Latin or redecorate your whole home during lockdown, is it realistic for you to lose 2st or start running marathons? If it is, brilliant but, if not, instead you could think ‘I’ll go for a walk today”. By being realistic with both your goals and your expectations of yourself you’re more likely to hit your targets – and feel great about doing so, meaning you stay motivated and set yourself for success in reaching that overall end goal, too.

*Slimming World’s Health and Wellbeing Study is an on-going research project. Reported findings are a snapshot of data from the research relating to 1,000 UK adults polled in April 2020 which asked how Covid-19 affected behaviour, compared to previous responses from November 2019

Findings from the survey also revealed:

• 60% were able to reduce or stop taking medication for type 2 diabetes
• 77% saw improvements in their blood glucose management
• 84% reported an improved quality of life
• 75% said they found it easy to fit the dietary requirements they received from their healthcare team into Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan

The findings demonstrate that people with type 2 diabetes can improve their diabetes control by making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight.

The study reveals 68% of those with type 2 diabetes who were advised by their healthcare team to lose weight achieved 10% weight loss or more, and 83% reported their healthcare teams were pleased with their weight loss progress.

The research also shows 77% of members participating in the study reported improvements in their blood glucose management since joining Slimming World, 85% said they were more active and 60% said they now required less medication for type 2 diabetes with 22% able to stop taking medication completely.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Nutrition and Research at Slimming World, says: “The survey shows us how many members with type 2 diabetes start seeing benefits after losing 10% of their body weight. It’s so encouraging to see people can achieve such improvements in their diabetes management, in fact even reporting they have reversed it, by making simple changes in diet and activity. This survey highlights people with type 2 diabetes don’t need to follow very low-calorie or restrictive diets to transform their health.

“We know that being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can be daunting. Often people receive recommendations from their healthcare team and so can benefit from support to help them make these changes to their lifestyle. Our healthy eating plan, called Food Optimising, is so flexible that it’s easy to tailor it to your tastes, budget and life, and as this research shows also ensure it’s in line with any dietary advice received from a health care professional. In fact, in the study 75% of members with type 2 diabetes said they found it easy to fit dietary requirements from their healthcare team into our Food Optimising eating plan. Our Body Magic activity programme is also designed to provide a gradual and personalised introduction to moving more, no matter your starting point.

“The findings of our study are especially important this Diabetes Week as new NHS research is reporting that people with diabetes face significantly higher risks after contracting coronavirus. Many people are reporting feeling isolated and worried during this pandemic and those with diabetes may be feeling even more anxious at the moment. However, as our research shows, being a member of a supportive weight loss group can help people with type 2 diabetes to improve their health. The expert support and camaraderie you get from being part of a warm, empowering group environment is key to helping people eat more healthily, become more active and improve their health. Since lockdown began, we have been running virtual groups which our members say have helped them to stay on track with their weight loss and fitness goals, and we’re looking forward to reopening our 19,000 in-person groups as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

“I was told I wouldn’t be here in five years if I didn’t change my lifestyle. I lost 16 stone and now I’m medication free!”

Tracy McCormack, 52, from Leven in Fife, has lost 16st 2lbs.

In July 2016 I went to the GP as I was feeling so unwell, my weight caused me to fall asleep at work from time to time – sometimes mid conversation – and I knew something was wrong. I had blood tests taken and they told me the results would take seven days. The next day the GP phoned to say they had to see me urgently, though, and that same day I was diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. I was told I needed to change my lifestyle, or they couldn’t guarantee I would still be here in five years’ time. I was completely shocked and knew this was the wake-up call I needed.

At this point, I was taking four tablets a day for my diabetes on top of the tablets I was already taking for my blood pressure as it was shockingly high. I was also taking painkillers for my joints – I was in agony all the time and even walking was so painful.

My sister Dawn, who has now lost 5st herself, had joined Slimming World a few months earlier and she was doing so well and loving it too! As soon as I came out of the GP’s office, I phoned Dawn and asked her if I could go with her the following day.

I absolutely dreaded going into the group. Weighing 26st 2.5lbs, I felt certain I was going to be the biggest person there and that everyone would stare at me. I had nothing to worry about, though, as everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I promised myself then I would go every week as I knew I would need the expert advice as well as the support and motivation that everyone in the group brings; if I’ve had a tough week then they always pick me up.

I’d never cooked anything from scratch before, everything I ate was convenience food. We have a farm around the corner which I had never been to before, now I go there to get all my fresh fruit and veg. I love the flexibility of Slimming World’s healthy eating plan – we eat exactly what we ate before, just healthier versions. I never feel hungry and I can still enjoy my favourite treats in moderation too!

I’ve now lost 16st 2lbs and my health has improved dramatically – my diabetes is in remission and my blood pressure is now normal. I no longer need to take medication and I don’t fall asleep in work anymore. I have so much more energy and I can even tie my shoelaces, something I couldn’t do before as I couldn’t bend down.

I make sure I get my recommended steps in every day and I even ran the 10K Race for Life for Cancer Research UK with my Slimming World group, I’m getting more and more active each week thanks to their support and encouragement. I’m now a size 12 and love being able to buy clothes instead of ordering them from speciality shops. I’m also much more sociable. I accept invitations to go out, whereas before I would make excuses not to go.

I really feel Slimming World has saved my life. I love the virtual groups and can’t wait for the physical groups to start again so I can see everyone in person. My Consultant and group are like family to me and offer such a lot of support.

I have so much to look forward to now and feel like a different person.”

*Study polled 222 members with type 2 diabetes in May 2020. Data where blood glucose and weight change is reported refers to members with type 2 diabetes who were members for six months or more.

Along with useful infographics, the RCM has put together a coronavirus Q&A for pregnant women and their families, addressing a number of key questions, including the potential effect of the virus on mums-to-be and their babies, attending appointments, birth arrangements, working while pregnant and many more.

Find the advice and resources here: https://www.slimmingworld.co.uk/mums/expectant-mums/coronavirus-advice-during-pregnancy

Slimming World works in partnership with the RCM to raise awareness in supporting pregnant women and breastfeeding mums in managing their weight. We are the only national weight management organisation that supports pregnant and breastfeeding women and, with the backing and ongoing recommendation of their midwife or GP, actively support mums-to-be and new mums to make healthy changes to their diet and activity and to manage their weight healthily during this time.

We have a site specifically designed for women before, during and after their pregnancy: www.slimmingworld.co.uk/mums/

As part of a series of informative videos, Carolyn Pallister, Slimming World Public Health Manager and registered dietitian, has shared guidance on managing nutrition through the lockdown. She addresses the question of diet and immunity and provides practical tips on eating well. 

• New research commissioned by Slimming World looks at how critical and negative language around weight and body image damages our self-esteem and can spiral into a vicious cycle
• 60% of British adults say they sometimes struggle with their weight or body image
• Of those, 74% use self-deprecating (belittling) language when talking about their own weight or body image
• 63% of respondents report having used negative words to describe themselves against 37% who report using positive words
• A third (33%) of those who sometimes struggle with their weight or body image say that their friends, family or partner/spouse negatively affects their self-esteem on a daily basis
• 89% of Slimming World members say that losing weight as part of Slimming World has helped them feel more positive
• Behavioural psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos says that we must learn to break the cycle of self-loathing and negative self-talk and develop a more positive attitude to succeed in making changes
• Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Nutrition and Research at Slimming World says that peer support and learning to quieten our inner critic is crucial

New research commissioned by Slimming World has found that 60%[i] of British adults have sometimes struggled with their weight or body image, and of those, 74% have used self-critical language when referring to their weight or body image.

The Mind your Language report explores how we use critical language around weight and body image to denigrate ourselves. This has a negative impact on our self-esteem and can spiral into self-loathing. Participants in the research[ii] who struggled with their weight reported using words like ‘failure’, ‘shame’, ‘dissatisfied’, ‘hopeless’, ‘anxious’, ‘invisible’, ‘uncomfortable’, ‘insecure’ and ‘embarrassed’ to describe how they felt about themselves and their weight and body image.

Respondents to the general population survey were more likely to describe themselves using negative words than positive – 63% versus 37%. Nearly half of the respondents to the survey who sometimes struggle with their weight or body image (47%) report that they have described themselves as ‘fat’.

In contrast, Slimming World members who had started to lose weight and were part of a caring, supportive community which understood their feelings, reported[iii] feeling ‘positive’, ‘attractive’, ‘inspired’, ‘content’, ‘empowered’, ‘happy’, ‘determined’, ‘optimistic’ and ‘fit’.

The research found that one of the reasons that we self-deprecate is to motivate ourselves to change. However, far from helping with motivation, the research found that self-deprecation, can be exacerbated by external negativity and fat shaming, creating a vicious cycle of self-criticism that is difficult to break.

Behavioural psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos, who worked with Slimming World on the study, says: “People self-deprecate for a number of reasons which has an impact on self-esteem. This can then be made worse by external factors including social media and the media, and even friends and family. This onslaught of negativity can be particularly damaging because it takes a specific feature and generalises it. In our heads, the self-talk of “I am overweight”, turns into “I hate my body”, and then turns into “I don’t like myself”.”

Dr Linda continues: “It’s true that you need to feel that you don’t like something to be motivated to change it, but there is a difference between ‘I don’t like this’ to ‘I am this and I’m not good enough’.

Slimming World members reported that being a member made them feel more positive about themselves (91%), 89% said losing weight had helped them feel more positive, while 72% said their Slimming World group makes them feel like they are not alone.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Nutrition and Research at Slimming World, says: “The peer support available in Slimming World groups is what sets us apart. Our members are part of a community, something special, which helps them to realise, and feel, that they are not alone in the challenges they face. They are able to take pride in being part of a group that genuinely cares for and helps one other – it’s this pride and sense of belonging, where they learn to quieten their inner critic, and any negative thoughts they’ve had about themselves.

“Through the creation of a positive group dynamic, sharing solutions, recognising achievements and having a structured programme where healthy changes are rewarded and successes celebrated, members are motivated and inspired to change. It’s great to see that 91% of our members surveyed said that being a Slimming World member has made them feel more positive about themselves.”

The findings, published in the journal Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, busts the misconception that people with type 2 diabetes can’t manage their weight through healthy lifestyle changes.

The study, championed by Audley Health Centre in Staffordshire, involved 69 patients who were referred to a Slimming World group by their diabetes specialist nurse. These patients were given 12 funded weekly Slimming World group sessions and were offered a second 12-week referral if they achieved a 3% weight loss.

By 12 months, patients on average, had lost a clinically significant 5.5% of their weight showing Slimming World is effective for patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, a quarter of patients achieved more than a 10% weight reduction and over 80% of patients saw improvements in their diabetes control. Remarkably, six patients (just under 10%) were able to reduce or stop taking their diabetes medication altogether.

Participants also reported healthy lifestyle changes after this time, including less reliance on processed foods and unhealthy snacking and being more likely to go for regular walks.

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Head of Nutrition and Research at Slimming World, says: “We know the obesity crisis is a ticking timebomb, on both our personal health, and that of the NHS which is funding a vast range of treatments associated with type 2 diabetes and other weight related problems. The results above showcase what can be done directly in the community, at a Slimming World group. We believe the support you get from being in a warm, empowering group environment is key to helping you eat more healthily and becoming more active too.”

“There has been a lot of coverage in the press recently about suitable diets for people who have type 2 diabetes. Our Food Optimising eating plan is so flexible - the vast range of food which members can enjoy includes fruit, vegetables, lean meat and fish, and pulses as well as starchy carbohydrates such as pasta, rice and potatoes. For our members with diabetes, the plan can be tailored to fit their individual needs ensuring it is in line with the dietary advice from their health care professional.”

Commenting on the study, Audley Health Centre’s Practice Manager Julie Stokes says: “The results are truly impressive. Any drug manufacturers would be pleased with this outcome. The study really does demonstrate support for a Slimming World approach for patients who are overweight and have diabetes. While there was no control group, the reductions in HbA1c, weight and prescribed medication are very significant.”

GP Dr Sharon Turner, Audley Health Centre says: “We are hugely thankful to Slimming World for their hard work with our patients with diabetes. The skill and contribution to the care of these patients has made a real difference to their lives, their treatments and their health outcomes. We have received many positive comments from group members. All the hard work and commitment of the Slimming World Consultant is greatly appreciated.”

Slimming World on Referral allows health professionals looking for weight-management services to refer patients whose weight is affecting their health to Slimming World groups, offering them free membership, in blocks of 12 weeks. Many of these patients then go on to self-fund after their 12-week membership period is up. Slimming World’s research shows that referral members who attend at least 10 out of 12 sessions lose on average over 5% of their starting weight – a clinically significant amount – at about half the cost of obesity drugs.

“I struggled to wear a seatbelt, now I’m medication free”

Jason Anderson, 49

Weight loss: 14st 1lbs

"I’d been overweight for pretty much all of my adult life and it was starting to have a huge impact on my health. In 2010 I started taking medication for high blood pressure and in 2015 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I’m a HGV driver and at my biggest I struggled to connect my trailer and even wear my seat belt.

By August 2016 I was told I also had sleep apnoea and that I wouldn’t live to see Christmas unless I made a change. I was even offered a gastric band but I turned it down as I still wanted to enjoy real food. Thankfully my GP offered me 12-weeks of Slimming World group membership through the Slimming World on Referral programme. I decided I had nothing to lose and I haven’t looked back since.

I joined my local group in Bedworth weighing 26st 6.5lbs. I was really nervous before walking through the doors of the group for the first time but soon realised I had nothing to worry about – I loved it so much I continued to self-fund after my 12-week membership was up and now I’ve made real friends for life. I wouldn’t miss going to my Slimming World group for anything.

I couldn’t believe how much amazing food I could eat and still lose weight. I switched my diet of fry-ups, takeaways and pastries for homemade healthy meals like spicy chicken, sweet potato wedges and vegetables. The new way of eating enabled me to control my diabetes without worry.

I’ve now lost 14st 1lbs and I feel like a new person.

Since losing the weight my health has improved drastically. I no longer need to take medication for diabetes or high blood pressure. It’s the small things that have really made a difference too. I can run around after my grandchildren, I can put my socks on without sitting down, and I can fit the seat belt of my truck around me without worry.

I’ve also taken up running and by building up my distances gradually I’ve really started to enjoy it. I even finished my first half marathon in September – something I’d never have dreamed of doing before losing weight. Thanks to Slimming World I have the life I always wanted and a real future"

A recent report published by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) has revealed that whilst achieving a reduction in energy intake (necessary for weight loss), Slimming World members are receiving advice that reflects the majority of current healthy eating recommendations, and are consuming a diet that more closely meets UK dietary guidelines than the average UK female population.

The BNF reviewed whether the Slimming World weight management programme is consistent with current nutrient and food-based recommendations, and if members following the programme are then choosing foods which constitute a diet that meets these recommendations.

The review examined Slimming World’s dietary approach including the Food Optimising book which all members receive as a guide to help them succeed when following the weight-loss programme, a nutritional analysis of example 7-day meal plans, and dietary analysis of 40 7-day weighed food diaries completed by adult female Slimming World members.

The investigation found that the Slimming World dietary approach reflects many of the main messages in the UK’s Eatwell Guide⁽²⁾ and generally accepted healthy eating advice. It highlighted that the average intake of fruit and vegetables met recommendations of at least 5 portions a day and was higher than the UK adult female average intake. Slimming World members eat around 6.2 portions per day, compared to 4.2 portions for the average woman. The report commented that Slimming World’s encouragement of members to cook and prepare meals from scratch was likely to inspire a higher vegetable consumption. This was further reinforced through the organisations easily accessible recipes, available to members in recipe books and online.

In its report the BNF also highlighted that total and saturated fat intakes met recommendations and were lower than the average intakes amongst UK adult females. Salt intakes also met recommendations of below 6g/day and were below the average intake amongst UK adult females. Calcium intake also met recommendations.

"The Slimming World Food Optimising plan is based on energy density and satiety; encouraging members to enjoy filling, lower energy dense foods (those foods which have fewer calories per gram). It enables slimmers to consume a larger volume of food and avoid hunger while reducing their overall calorie intake – not feeling deprived or restricted is important to the psychology of anyone trying to lose weight.

“However, when you’re having less calories to successfully lose weight, it can be harder to get all the nutrients you need. We want to ensure we support our members in not only losing weight, but maintaining their weight loss for life, so it’s important that our approach enables them to have a balanced diet for long-term health. Food Optimising allows flexibility of choice over what a member eats – it’s the choices members make that impact on whether they meet current nutritional recommendations, and the plan gives members the freedom to select a diet that is consistent with UK guidance.”

The BNF review found that the members providing details of their food intake for this study were, on average, not quite meeting the recommendations for fibre, free sugars and oily fish consumption – however, their intakes were closer to the recommendations than that of an average female adult in the UK. Following the review, Slimming World has revised its guidance and is now further encouraging higher fibre intake and highlighting wholegrain versions of starchy carbohydrates, a greater consumption of oily fish through menu plans and recipe ideas. Changes have also been made to the Food Optimising plan to support members to further reduce their free sugar intake.

Slimming World is also encouraging its members to reduce the amount of red and processed meat consumed by promoting a variety of protein sources, including plant-based, in member materials and resources such as recipe books and the Slimming World Magazine. Visual representations throughout Slimming World materials have been considered so that photographic representations better support guidelines, for example pictures further portray balanced meals with plenty of fruit and vegetables, emphasise wholegrain and higher-fibre options, and show more moderate portions of red and processed meat.

Dr Lavin continues: ““We are constantly monitoring and reviewing dietary advice and guidance, and have this year updated our advice available to members to encourage them to better meet guidelines in specific areas.

“Helping people achieve and sustain their weight-loss goals is at the heart of everything we do, and we want people to do this in the healthiest way possible. We will continue to work closely with organisations such as the BNF to make sure our eating plan meets guidelines and that we are providing our members with the most up-to-date information on what constitutes a healthy diet and helping them to adopt new habits to ensure long term success in maintaining a healthy weight.”

Table of Recommended Daily Allowances compared to intake by average UK females and average female Slimming World members⁽³⁾

To mark Slimming World’s 50^th anniversary, the weight-loss organisation has today revealed the top 10 reasons people decide to lose weight. The list also includes making day-to-day life easier, moving around with ease, improving health problems and feeling good in clothes.

Dr Linda Papadopoulos, expert psychologist, comments: ‘When it comes to weight loss it’s important that people aspire to and can visualise themselves achieving success – whatever that ‘success’ looks like to the individual. Committing to losing weight can feel like a daunting task for us all, so it can be really helpful to focus on the reasons why losing that weight is so important and what the real benefits will be to your lifestyle – whether it’s feeling a million dollars for a wedding day, being full of energy to play with the grandchildren, or simply feeling comfortable on holiday.

“Finding a reason why is only the beginning, though, and it’s vital that people also get regular support to make healthy changes to their eating and activity habits and to help them stay focused, committed and encouraged. Working together with others to share experiences and solutions to challenges and to celebrate successful weight loss and behaviour change can keep people motivated to achieve long-term success. Slimming World groups surround us with like-minded people, offer support, and give us the opportunity to focus on ourselves, our goals, and share solutions to common challenges and pitfalls.”

"The reasons are remarkably consistent, some members don’t feel comfortable with having their photograph taken, some want to be healthier, and some just want to make day to day life easier.

“Capturing the top 10 reasons in this way shows anyone struggling with their weight that we are not alone and that getting the support from a group of people with the same goals can lead to life-changing differences. We are proud to have 50 years’ experience in supporting members to achieve their weight-loss dreams and learning how to stay slim and healthy for life.”

Top 10 Reasons People Want to Lose Weight

With 50 years of experience in helping people to lose weight, Slimming World reveals the top 10 reasons their members want to lose weight

1. To enjoy having my photo taken

2. Improve health problems

3. Feel good in my clothes

4. Move around with ease

5. Play with my children/grandchildren

6. Enjoy my holidays

7. Wear fashionable clothes

8. Making day to day life easier

9. See my children grow up

10. Improve mental wellbeing