So what exactly is Slimming World?

Firstly, hello everyone I'm new here. I'll be going to be first proper SW meeting on Tuesday and am feeling motivated and ready to lose weight! I've decided to go with SW mainly because of the great things I've heard about it, and at my old job two frequent women customers didn't come in for six months and then came in again and were half the size, and they have nothing but good things to say about SW.

I've tried WW before. It is ok but I find the counting quite restricting and difficult - it makes my diet always on my mind which I don't like.

So...this may sound a stupid question, but what exactly is SW? I know it's a diet obviously, but how does it work? Each diet I've looked into has some sort of method. So WW has their propoints, Atkins have their carb weeks...I've looked into it but I can't for sure find what method of dieting SW uses? I'm worried it is just simply 'healthy eating'. Is there a calorie limit in place? If not how do you lose weight?

Also, side question - I noticed on the SW website you have a 'target weight'...is this target weight assigned by the group or by yourself? Just wondering becuase I know you get free life membership if you reach your target and stick to it, so it would make little sense if it was your own personal target.

Thanks guys, I hope to stick around and hopefully have some happy weight loss posts here!

Firstly welcome to slimming world

It basically just a healthy eating plan which in my opinion, more easier to manage than ww. I have done ww before and did lose weight but found it difficult weighing and measuring all the time. With slimming world its about food optimising. You can have between 5 -15 syns a day. On extra easy you have two thirds free foods and one third superfree which are veggies etc. You also get two healthy extras everyday so let say a measured amount of fibre and measured amount calcium. Nothing is off limits.

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I'm sure someone can explain it better but it is a healthy lifestyle change rather than a strict diet that you can't stick to. For me it works well as I have a family so I can cook what I like as long as its done the slimming world way.

Btw you choose your own target.

Good luck with your journey x

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impossible said:

So...this may sound a stupid question, but what exactly is SW? I know it's a diet obviously, but how does it work? Each diet I've looked into has some sort of method. So WW has their propoints, Atkins have their carb weeks...I've looked into it but I can't for sure find what method of dieting SW uses? I'm worried it is just simply 'healthy eating'. Is there a calorie limit in place? If not how do you lose weight?

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Why does the idea of 'healthy eating' worry you? SW is healthy eating - that's how it works.

There is no calorie counting involved, although if you follow the plan properly then calories are automatically limited.

You have "free" foods, healthy extras which ensure you get enough fibre and calcium, and "syns" to make sure you don't get bored or feel deprived.

You do set your own target. It can be based on a BMI chart, or can be what you feel you can achieve. The target can be changed if you want to - sometimes people set a target which is too optimistic, sometimes people think that they have a little further to go.

I am sure that when you go to the meeting and get the books and hear the new members' talk it will all become clear - good luck!

This is a good thread that explains SW but it might be a little overwhelming as it's a lot of information to take in all at once. I'd maybe wait until you've had it explained at group and then if you're still a little unsure it might help you.

Missa!!! said:

Firstly welcome to slimming world

It basically just a healthy eating plan which in my opinion, more easier to manage than ww. I have done ww before and did lose weight but found it difficult weighing and measuring all the time. With slimming world its about food optimising. You can have between 5 -15 syns a day. On extra easy you have two thirds free foods and one third superfree which are veggies etc. You also get two healthy extras everyday so let say a measured amount of fibre and measured amount calcium. Nothing is off limits.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using MiniMins.com mobile app

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Thanks for the info! I have to admit, after reading some more of the threads on here (inc the one chipmunk posted) it sounds a lot harder to follow than WW, but with less counting, so I guess it depends on your style. I will have to see I guess.

AnnaFaraday said:

Why does the idea of 'healthy eating' worry you? SW is healthy eating - that's how it works.

There is no calorie counting involved, although if you follow the plan properly then calories are automatically limited.

You have "free" foods, healthy extras which ensure you get enough fibre and calcium, and "syns" to make sure you don't get bored or feel deprived.

You do set your own target. It can be based on a BMI chart, or can be what you feel you can achieve. The target can be changed if you want to - sometimes people set a target which is too optimistic, sometimes people think that they have a little further to go.

I am sure that when you go to the meeting and get the books and hear the new members' talk it will all become clear - good luck!

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Well it worries me because if I could simply change my diet to a healthy one I would have done that by now - I'd probably find calorie counting style diets easier because I can still have things I want as long as I have enough calories left.

I was under the naive impression that I will turn up to the meetings and just join in. So I get given some books and do I get a bit more of an explanation?

Chipmunk89 said:

This is a good thread that explains SW but it might be a little overwhelming as it's a lot of information to take in all at once. I'd maybe wait until you've had it explained at group and then if you're still a little unsure it might help you.

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Thanks for this. I've had a read of this and the FAQ from that page plus the misconceptions. It is a little overwhelming. The red/green day thing was explained very well so I don't know what that means, also the idea that I have to have 1/3 of a certain food on my plate at all times sounds a bit difficult - what if I go out to eat? Also, it worded it as if you can eat as many healthy carbs as I want until I'm full, such as rice. Is that correct? If so, I don't understand how that works!

impossible said:

Thanks for the info! I have to admit, after reading some more of the threads on here (inc the one chipmunk posted) it sounds a lot harder to follow than WW, but with less counting, so I guess it depends on your style. I will have to see I guess.



Well it worries me because if I could simply change my diet to a healthy one I would have done that by now - I'd probably find calorie counting style diets easier because I can still have things I want as long as I have enough calories left.

I was under the naive impression that I will turn up to the meetings and just join in. So I get given some books and do I get a bit more of an explanation?


Thanks for this. I've had a read of this and the FAQ from that page plus the misconceptions. It is a little overwhelming. The red/green day thing was explained very well so I don't know what that means, also the idea that I have to have 1/3 of a certain food on my plate at all times sounds a bit difficult - what if I go out to eat? Also, it worded it as if you can eat as many healthy carbs as I want until I'm full, such as rice. Is that correct? If so, I don't understand how that works!

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The red/green/ee thing is very confusing at first so it's usually best to start out with just EE until you get your head around it and then you can investigate the others. Basically in a nutshell, you can eat as much of most fruit/veg/lean meat/potatoes/pasta/rice etc as you like. You choose one "A Choice" which is generally a limited amount of milk or cheese and one "B Choice" which is a limited amount of bread/cereals/crispbreads/nuts etc.

You are allowed as much meat/potatoes/pasta/rice etc as you say to fill you up, but that is the point... that you stop as soon as you are full... which can be quite hard when you're not used to paying attention to when you are full.

The 1/3 fruit and veg is to ensure that the protein/carbs on your plate are automatically limited and therefore the calories are limited. Other than that, no one is entirely sure how it actually works but it DOES, believe me. I know it's overwhelming and confusing at first but please give it a try, it's the best thing I ever did.

Chipmunk89 said:

The red/green/ee thing is very confusing at first so it's usually best to start out with just EE until you get your head around it and then you can investigate the others. Basically in a nutshell, you can eat as much of most fruit/veg/lean meat/potatoes/pasta/rice etc as you like. You choose one "A Choice" which is generally a limited amount of milk or cheese and one "B Choice" which is a limited amount of bread/cereals/crispbreads/nuts etc.

You are allowed as much meat/potatoes/pasta/rice etc as you say to fill you up, but that is the point... that you stop as soon as you are full... which can be quite hard when you're not used to paying attention to when you are full.

The 1/3 fruit and veg is to ensure that the protein/carbs on your plate are automatically limited and therefore the calories are limited. Other than that, no one is entirely sure how it actually works but it DOES, believe me. I know it's overwhelming and confusing at first but please give it a try, it's the best thing I ever did.

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Ok, thanks for explaining. Hopefully I'll feel better about it on Tuesday night after getting an explanation at the meeting Sites like this really help, seeing your stats in particular because your start weight is practically the same as my current weight and our goals are the same, so to see you have lost over 3 stone is an inspiration and a great positive for Slimming World! Thank you for your help.

Good luck to you!! I look forward to hearing about the progress of your journey xx

The answers to all your questions will be on the SW website so I would have a browse on there especially these sections

It's not a diet - Healthy Eating - Slimming World

Slimming World - a world of support, a world of difference

Reaching your target - Joining a group - Slimming World

Lose weight with Slimming World - you'll never go hungry again


If you are looking for a more scientific explanation for how the plan works (some people need that) then the pages intended for health professional are a mine of information too

Lifelong healthy eating

Good luck, and make sure you pick up a copy of the Daily Mirror on Monday/Tuesday to get your free membership voucher

PatchworkPuss said:

The answers to all your questions will be on the SW website so I would have a browse on there especially these sections

It's not a diet - Healthy Eating - Slimming World

Slimming World - a world of support, a world of difference

Reaching your target - Joining a group - Slimming World

Lose weight with Slimming World - you'll never go hungry again


If you are looking for a more scientific explanation for how the plan works (some people need that) then the pages intended for health professional are a mine of information too

Lifelong healthy eating

Good luck, and make sure you pick up a copy of the Daily Mirror on Monday/Tuesday to get your free membership voucher

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Thanks for those links! Also thanks for letting me know about the voucher. I have a copy already but didn't see one in there so it's a good job you said.

pineappleplant said:

Good luck to you!! I look forward to hearing about the progress of your journey xx

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Thank you Hopefully it will be a step in the right direction.

I think for me although it is healthy eating, it sometimes feels like it isn't because you get to eat such nice food and a lot if the time you associate yummy food with naughty foods! I feel naughty sometimes when I have pasta with loads of healthy extra cheddar on it then I remember my cheese is weighed, it's full of veggies and enough carbs to fill me up without over eating : )

It's a healthy eating plan in that a) it sticks to all the mainstream nutrition advice, and doesn't cut out any big food groups like carbs or sugar or anything and b) it ought to be possible to keep to it, or a looser version of it, for life, without feeling particularly deprived or being hungry or having to measure everything. It is a diet in that there are rules and guidelines and you do have to count some things. For me this gives it the perfect balance of being 'normal' (ish) eating, but without all the pressure to magically be 'sensible' without knowing the 'rules' and the limits - so I can't fool myself and say 'oo, I've been healthy today, just one more cake'. I need rules and I'd agree SW is one of the best decisions I've made - I'm amazed at how easy it's been to stick to on the whole. I've lost weight steadily so far and that is with a day or two with too many syns most weeks!

Oh and about eating out - yes, sometimes it's a bit harder to have the 1/3 fruit/veg then. But to be honest most meals out will have syns in them anyway so you will already be being careful. You can focus on making the healthiest possible choice without stressing about the 1/3 for absolutely every single meal. And there is usually a way to get a fair bit in, whether it is having loads of tomatoey curry with your rice, or a side salad with your pasta.

Gwella said:

It's a healthy eating plan in that a) it sticks to all the mainstream nutrition advice, and doesn't cut out any big food groups like carbs or sugar or anything and b) it ought to be possible to keep to it, or a looser version of it, for life, without feeling particularly deprived or being hungry or having to measure everything. It is a diet in that there are rules and guidelines and you do have to count some things. For me this gives it the perfect balance of being 'normal' (ish) eating, but without all the pressure to magically be 'sensible' without knowing the 'rules' and the limits - so I can't fool myself and say 'oo, I've been healthy today, just one more cake'. I need rules and I'd agree SW is one of the best decisions I've made - I'm amazed at how easy it's been to stick to on the whole. I've lost weight steadily so far and that is with a day or two with too many syns most weeks!

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Gwella said:

Oh and about eating out - yes, sometimes it's a bit harder to have the 1/3 fruit/veg then. But to be honest most meals out will have syns in them anyway so you will already be being careful. You can focus on making the healthiest possible choice without stressing about the 1/3 for absolutely every single meal. And there is usually a way to get a fair bit in, whether it is having loads of tomatoey curry with your rice, or a side salad with your pasta.

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Thanks for your reply, very informative. I look forward to starting it properly - hopefully tomorrow once I've been to the meeting tonight and found out what to do. Then I'll go shopping and get some healthy stuff in

How did you get on at the meeting?

It limits calories with syns ( like ww points) then you have unlimited veg fruit lean meats and/or carbs, starches (Plan dependent ) when I started SW I did we before and I was like its never going to work... it does you have a 4 week money back guarantee too follow it go to group fill in food diary for 4 weeks if you don't lose weight you get your money back