At Slimming World, we know how difficult making the decision to start a slimming journey can be. Many of us will delay taking that first step, for many different reasons – including simply not believing that we can get the lasting weight loss we want.
In our survey* of more than 2,000 UK adults…
- 50% say they’ve put off trying to lose weight
- 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)
- 42% have thought about losing weight at least once a week without taking action
These findings back up a separate study** of more than 7,000 new Slimming World members, in which 69% said that, before going to a Slimming World group, they didn’t dare dream they could lose weight and stay slim. 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 – with some people saying that they’d felt that way for 10 years or more.
However, in just one session, almost every new member left filled with self-belief, confidence and determination. This switch came from learning more about Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, seeing the success of other members, and experiencing the empowering support needed to help them overcome their personal barriers.
They left feeling…
- committed to their weight loss (98%)
- like 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 Charlotte Daniels joined her local Slimming World group weighing 20st (127kg), she’d been unhappy with her weight for years. It’s a decision she says ‘changed her life’ – and she went on to lose more than 6st (39kg).
Read Charlotte’s incredible weight loss story here
Dr. Jemma Donovan PhD, Slimming World’s research manager, says: “So many of our members tell us that after many years of feeling hopeless, out of control and desperate about their weight, very soon after joining our groups they experience a powerful shift in self-belief, determination and confidence. This shift restores their hope about what they can achieve – without resorting to weight loss drugs or surgery. And that shift happens in less time than it takes to watch a movie!
This January, people could look to weight loss drugs as a silver bullet. However, we know the costs are high, with painful and expensive weekly injections, plus possible side-effects of diarrhea, constipation, bloating, vomiting and more.
While we still don’t know the long-term safety of the regulated drugs, we do know that, unless a user gets effective support to make lasting changes to their eating and activity habits, they’re very likely to regain the weight once they stop the medication.”
Join us this January and get the weight loss you want
At Slimming World, we offer a sustainable way to lose weight and keep it off for good – without ever going hungry. We understand that taking that first step can be scary and difficult – and you’ll find a friendly Consultant and a community of supportive and inspiring slimmers waiting to welcome you. If you’d love to experience the switch that happens on that very first night as a Slimming World member, you can find details of your nearest group here.
*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.
**Between 2nd and 31st January 2024, 7,106 Slimming World members who joined their local group that week completed an online survey about their experience.