Why Slimming World is bad for your health and your wallet
We all know somebody who swears by joining Slimming World when they want to lose weight. I’ve been there myself and tried groups and the online membership option. But did you ever stop to wonder why, if it works so well, do people find themselves back to square one on their weight loss journey? In my opinion, Slimming World is bad for both your health and your wallet. That may sound like a bold statement, and if it works for you then that’s great! But I’m going to share my thoughts about Slimming World then you can make up your own mind.
How much does Slimming World cost?
As this is primarily a family finance site, perhaps the first thing we should address is exactly how much a Slimming World membership costs. There are often offers available either through certain magazines or online, so you can sometimes get discounts. But, at the moment, a Slimming World membership will set you back £5.95 per week – that’s over £300 per year. And there’s also an initial membership fee of £10 per person to factor in too. That’s a lot of money to pay for the privilege of being weighed in front of other people! On top of the cost of the weekly membership, Slimming World also try to flog you their membership packs and various recipe books, as well as their bars, shakes and meals. That membership can work out really expensive and is one of the main reasons I feel that Slimming World is bad for your wallet.
The true financial cost of Slimming World
I get that Slimming World can be a useful tool to help some people to lose weight. But I think that part of that is the support that you get from other people who are also on the same weight loss journey. But if you’re trying to lose weight and you’re watching your budget, then I’m sorry to say that Slimming World is bad for your finances.
Not only do you have the cost of the membership, but then you also have the added pressure to buy Slimming World compatible recipe books and even branded Slimming World food. These items are not cheap, with a box of Slimming World HiFi bars setting you back on average around £4 for one box containing 6 bars. I’ve tried a few of the bars and whilst they are tasty, they’re also tiny and definitely didn’t satisfy my craving for a sweet and fulfilling snack. They’re far pricier than similar products and far less satisfying. Take a look at Skinny Whip bars as a far tastier and more satisfying alternative, costing around £1 for a box of five bars.
Slimming World recipe books are great for helping you to create meals whilst sticking to the plan. But the vast majority of meals are available completely free online. So if you do want to follow the Slimming World plan, then don’t feel that you have to spend a fortune on recipe books!
Finally, how many people do you know who have been to Slimming World and hit their target weight? Of course, there is the odd one. But the vast majority of people who follow the Slimming World plan end up putting the weight back on and heading back to their group to start over again. This means that weekly membership payment keeps on adding up, and it’s one of the things Slimming World rely on in order for them to keep making money.
Why Slimming World is bad for your health
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I really do feel that following the Slimming World plan is bad for your health and wellbeing. OK, so there are certain things that I do agree with, such as filling so much of your plate with “speed” foods. But can we not just call these vegetables and try to get our five a day as part of a healthy and balanced diet?
One of my biggest bugbears with the plan though is the concept of “free foods”. The idea of these free foods is that you can eat as much of them as you like without worrying about calories or any other nutrients your body might need in order to stay fit and healthy. When I tried Slimming World, I found myself eating absolutely loads of “Slimming World chips” and pasta. It really wasn’t healthy and I insisted to anyone around me that the number of calories in these foods didn’t matter.
The other issue I have with this is that the concept of “free foods” and “syns” suggests that some foods are “good” and other foods are “bad” for your diet. I really think that this is a damaging concept, particularly for anyone who already has issues with food. There’s no such thing as good or bad foods, but we all know that we should enjoy a healthy and varied diet.
In my opinion, the Slimming World plans can contribute towards unhealthy eating habits, rather than helping people to acknowledge that the best and safest way to lose weight is to move more and eat better.
Slimming World and mental health
For a lot of people, losing weight is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. The food we eat and the way we see ourselves have a real impact on our mental wellbeing.
Some people will get a lot of support from weight loss groups, and that’s fantastic. But for me, I found that the group I attended was just one big clique and I definitely didn’t feel part of it. In fact, I felt like my presence wasn’t welcome.
If your weight plays a big part in how good you feel inside (and for many people it does), then it’s definitely time to do something about it. But heading to a slimming club each week to be weighed in front of everybody can have a hugely detrimental impact, particularly if you’ve put weight on or even just maintained the same weight.
So what is a healthy way to lose weight?
First of all, successful weight loss is definitely all about being in the right mindset. If I’m in the zone, then I know I can succeed. It’s just finding that mindset that can be the issue!
Secondly, don’t be fooled by gimmicks or schemes that involve you parting with your hard-earned cash. You do not need to spend a lot of money in order to successfully lose weight. Take a look at this free support group set up by Jason Manford where you will find all kinds of tips and advice to help you to count calories and succeed at losing weight for good.
Finally, move more. This doesn’t mean that you need to start going out for a 5 mile run every day of the week. Just take a look at how much you move at the moment, and start to increase that slowly. Walking is fantastic exercise and it doesn’t cost a penny. Get fit with Rick on YouTube is a great way to increase your steps without leaving the house.
Obviously, some people are incredibly fond of Slimming World and if it works for you then that’s great, no hate! But for me, it’s not been a healthy or sustainable way to lose weight long-term, and there are definitely better options out there.
