Discover the difference Slimming World or WeightWatchers

Slimming World’s no-hunger, flexible healthy eating plan is called Food Optimising. At the heart of the plan is Free Food – a huge and varied list of over 350 foods and drinks that you can enjoy with no limits until you feel full - there's no need to count, weigh or measure. Think pasta, rice and potatoes, fresh fruit and veg, eggs and fat-free dairy products, lean meat, poultry, and plant-based proteins – delicious, nutritious, everyday foods that satisfy your appetite while naturally limiting your calorie intake. You’ll never be short of choice!

On top of all that, to ensure you’re getting a varied, nutritious (and delicious!) diet, you can enjoy measured portions of foods providing fibre and other important nutrients, like wholemeal bread, cereals, nuts and seeds, as well as food providing calcium, like cheese and milk.

You’ll have some ‘Syns’ to play with each day too, so you never feel deprived or like you’re missing out on your favourite things. Use them on absolutely anything – a glass of wine, some chocolate or crisps, a blob of mayo or ketchup. Nothing’s banned with Food Optimising – it's all about the balance.  

 
Food Optimising is so flexible you can tailor it precisely to you (and anyone else you might be cooking for at home) – your lifestyle, your dietary needs, your trigger foods, and other psychological stoppers that might have stopped you losing weight in the past. With Slimming World you can eat the food you love and still lose weight. Read more on the science behind Slimming World.

Weight Watchers typically update their plan every year or two. Their current PersonalPoints plan uses a questionnaire and a computer algorithm to work out your personal ‘Points’ budget – which varies from person to person and is based on your age, weight, likes and dislikes. There is a list of around 200+ ZeroPoints foods which can be eaten in unlimited amounts, like chicken breast, tofu, eggs, beans and lentils.

Weight Watchers changed their plan in November 2022 and some foods which were previously included in the ZeroPoints list such as pasta, noodles, brown rice and fruits, now have a Points value. You can add extra points to your day by exercising, although Weight Watchers have dropped the option to add further points by drinking water and tracking non-starchy veg. (1)

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

Slimming World members typically lose 1-2lbs per week by Food Optimising, although many of our members lose more than this – especially in their early weeks. And your dream weight is your choice. We call it your Personal Achievement Target – and once you reach it, we’ll continue supporting you with a specific, personalised weight maintenance plan, called Slim for Life – and we’ll give you free lifetime membership too – entitling you to come to any Slimming World group free of charge and get ongoing access to our members’ website and app, as long as you remain within 3lbs of your target weight.

Our effectiveness is just one of the reasons why we meet the guidance set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and are a chosen partner of the NHS. 

With Weight Watchers' PersonalPoints, you’ll typically lose 1-2lbs per week. Like Slimming World, WeightWatchers meet the guidance for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and partner with the NHS to provide weight loss support to eligible patients. Weight Watchers also offer free membership to members who achieve their target weight range, although they don’t provide a specially designed maintenance plan. (2)

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

Yes! Body Magic is Slimming World’s physical activity programme. Developed by experts in behaviour change, it’s the only programme that supports people at every level – from not even wanting to think about exercising, all the way to being physically active as part of their daily routine. We don’t tell you which types of activity to do or how much – you choose the things you love, whether that’s walking, waltzing or wheelchair basketball! We’ll give you the motivational tools and support to build up at your own pace, including members-only access to exclusive, on-demand video workouts, walking podcasts and fitness tracking tools, with awards for moving more. 

If working up a sweat makes you work up an appetite, there are 350+ Free Foods to refuel on. We don’t believe in ‘rewarding’ physical activity with more Syns, because this won’t help build positive habits – or a healthy attitude to fitness in the long-term.   

Weight Watchers members are given a weekly FitPoints goal when they sign up, which means they can ‘earn’ more Points when they’re active. They also offer live, on-demand video and audio workouts for all abilities in the Weight Watchers app. Members can track activity through the app, although they don’t receive awards or any specific help to get started. (3) 

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

With over 12,300 sessions running all over the UK and Ireland each week, Slimming World has more groups than any other weight loss organisation, so wherever you are, there’ll be a warm and friendly Slimming World group near you.

Our methods are deeply rooted in the psychology of weight loss and behaviour change. Each week, every member leaves group with a personalised plan for the week ahead – topped up with recipe ideas, caring support and inspiration from a highly trained Consultant and a community of people who really get it. You’ll identify your personal danger zones and self-sabotage traps, and create strategies to overcome them. It’s powerful stuff. That’s why research shows that you’re more likely to lose weight as part of a group than if you go it alone. You'll also get access to our top-rated members only app to help you make great food choices in seconds - plus there's plenty of motivation and inspiration to support you outside of group. 

Find out more about the magic of Slimming World groups. 

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World’s special advisor on the science of weight management, says: “The feeling of being part of something and knowing that others genuinely care about your success is arguably as important as our 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.”

What if I don’t want to join a group? 
 
We know from the very latest research that being connected in real life is the very best form of weight loss support – for a whole host of reasons, and being connected digitally is the next best thing. That’s why we have a digital membership option for members who can't make it to a Slimming World group. Our Slimming World Online members weigh in at home, submit their weight via our app and get tailored weekly support, access to regular live events and our friendly online community. Our Derbyshire-based support team are on hand for live chat too, seven days a week (including bank holidays).

Weight Watchers closed many of their weekly workshops during the pandemic. They are now reopening groups around the UK, although, unlike Slimming World, there are none in the Republic of Ireland. Members download the Weight Watchers app, which is geared around four pillars: food, activity, mindset, and sleep. Each week, the app gives you a weekly technique to help you stay on track, with activity and sleep recommendations. (4)

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

• Access to our top-rated app, featuring: 

  • More than 2,000 authentic Slimming World recipes

  • Meal planning tools to help you stay on track 7 days a week

  • The Slimming World barcode scanner - for quick and easy food help when you're on the move

  • Weight tracking and motivational awards as you lose weight

  • Exclusive on-demand video workouts, for all fitness levels

  • Daily weight-loss inspiration - the success stories of Slimming World members just like you

  • Mindset-reset features that'll help you stay focused and self aware

  • Access to the Slimming World podcast, including exclusive members-only episodes

  • Live chat with our expert team, Monday to Sunday (including bank holidays)

• The support of your warm and caring Slimming World Consultant and members in group (group members) - or a caring online community (Slimming World Online members).

• A gorgeous pack of books to get you off to a flying start (and keep your motivation on fire, even when you're screentimed out!). 

• Access to exclusive Slimming World recipe books

• Bi-monthly inspiration in Slimming World magazine - at an exclusive members-only price

• A specific, personalised weight maintenance plan - so when you reach your dream weight, you're more likely to stay there for life

• A programme to support your whole household with healthy eating - if this is something you're looking for

Weight Watchers workshop members receive a slim quick-start guide and a weekly support email giving useful advice and recommending products. Members are primarily supported through their app, which features:  

• An online questionnaire (when you join) to establish your PersonalPoints budget and suggest ways to ‘spend’ your points 

• Online recipes 

• Restaurant database

• A list of ZeroPoint foods, which can be eaten in unlimited quantities 

• A 24/7 live chat facility 

• On-demand workouts and meditations for improved sleep 

• A barcode scanner  (5)

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

Slimming World groups are great value at just £5.95/€10 a week (which you can pay by cash or card), with a one-off joining fee of £5/€9 (recommended retail price). Over-60s benefit from a reduced weekly fee of £5.65/€9.50, while 16-17 year-olds pay just £4.95/€8.50. Commit to a 6 or 12-week ‘Countdown’ course upfront, and you'll get 6 weeks for the price of 5, or 12 for the price of 10. There are special offers throughout the year too, in participating groups. 
 
You’ll find that we don’t ask you to sign up for any longer than 3 months at a time, and we don’t ask you to pay by direct debit. That’s because we pride ourselves on giving great service. We know that many people become locked into direct debit contracts for things like gym memberships or other weight loss memberships which they’ve long given up on, and we don’t believe in taking payment for our service unless you’re benefitting from it! With our online service, you’ll sign up initially for 3 months, which renews automatically – and if you stop using our service, we’ll ask you if you want to continue before taking any further payments. Visit our special offers page for Slimming World Online offers.

Weight Watchers have a wide range of special offers. Members must be over the age of 18 to join, and enter into a contract to pay for a 3-month, 6-month, or annual subscription by Direct Debit. A rolling 3-month subscription is £18.95 per month. This can be cancelled by members at any time through the website. (6)

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

We know that pregnancy and the early months of motherhood are a time when many women are concerned about their weight and overall health and in need of support. We’re proud to work with the Royal College of Midwives to offer a specially designed plan that helps pregnant and breastfeeding women make healthy food and activity choices at every stage of their journey. 

Weight Watcher’s programme is not designed for pregnant members, and WeightWatchers does not allow pregnant women to join. Women who are already members when they become pregnant are recommended to cancel their membership and to rejoin post-pregnancy, as and when they and their healthcare provider feels they’re ready.  (7)

For sources visit the 'Where did this information come from?' section.

• (1) WeightWatchers website and WWUK Facebook page

• (2) WeightWatchers website

• (3) WeightWatchers website

• (4) Birmingham Mail, WW annual report and WeightWatchers website

• (5) WeightWatchers website

• (6) WeightWatchers website

• (7) WeightWatchers website

All information correct at time of publishing.