Sometimes the referral isn't about money though, my consultant offered me slimming world on referral because of high bmi during pregnancy. I was very offended, and said no. My problem was never overeating, I quite often went for days and ate nothing because I just don't feel hungry so I couldn't grasp how going on a diet would help. I contacted slimming world and they were able to explain things a lot more clearly to me, I changed my opinion and decided to accept the referral. I paid for the first few weeks while I was waiting for the vouchers to come through, but since then I have used my countdown, I have missed a total of 2 weeks due to circumstances beyond my control, I am currently just over 29 weeks pregnant and still showing a lower weight than I started at. I have been really sick through this pregnancy like I was with all the others but there seems to be a lot less issues with the baby than normal (maybe because she's a girl and the others were all boys or maybe down to slimming world, I am not really sure and neither is my consultant). My countdown is almost up but I am still dedicated to the plan and this week my husband has actually registered himself, so even more incentive to stick to it. We are probably going to struggle some weeks to find the £10 for both of us to attend meetings and weigh in, but even on the weeks when we can't afford group we can still try and stick to plan. Either way slimming world is forcing me to at least try and eat 3 meals a day, and starting to make hubby realise that he was pretty much living on crisps, bread, coke and junk food. Would any of that have happened without a slimming world referral in a word no. I admire the people who have the dedication to make the decision to change their lifestyle and lose weight on their own, but a lot of us need a shove in the right direction first and allowing slimming world or weight watchers on referral gives that. Hugs Crystal xx