Being active brings so many brilliant health and wellbeing benefits, from strengthening bones to reducing stress. It can transform the way we feel, leaving us healthier and happier – and when we combine it with Food Optimising, it can also give our weight loss a boost, and help to maintain it long term..
It’s for all of these reasons that we encourage Slimming World members to get more active through the Body Magic activity programme, which has been designed to give you:
freedom to get active at your own pace and build up slowly, step by step
freedom to find an activity you enjoy and still reap those amazing Body Magic benefits
Whether you’re completely new to activity or you’re ready to ramp up your exercise levels, we will support you on your Body Magic journey. Here’s how…
Find a workout that works for you
At Slimming World we understand that the idea of going for a run or hitting the gym could put some people off getting active at all! We also know that doing something you enjoy means you’re far more likely to do it regularly. That’s why we take an ‘everything counts’ approach. From running around with the kids to walking the dog – if it makes you breathe faster and feel warmer, and increases your heart rate, then it will help to create that health-boosting Body Magic.
MORE FOR MEMBERS: Slimming World members will find a huge variety of activity inspiration on the website, with guides on everything from trying tennis to dancing your way fitter.
Go at your own pace
It’s really important to build up activity in a way that feels comfortable and manageable to you. Everyone’s level of fitness is different – for some, a short walk is a huge achievement. We support our members to begin at the right level of activity for them, starting with five or 10 minutes of activity a day, and building up slowly towards a lifelong Body Magic habit.
Mick (@micks_sw_lgrc_50) has lost 7st with Slimming World and is now really enjoying running at the pace that’s right for him.
“5 years ago I made the decision to change my life. I couldn’t walk 100 yards without being in pain so I decided to go to Slimming World to help me lose weight. Never did I ever imagine it would also lead me to take up running but here I am running, a half marathon in my home town. I’m never going to be in the top 10 but that’s not why I run. I run for me, I run for Body Magic and I run for my mental wellbeing.”
MORE FOR MEMBERS: Every Slimming World group member receives a Body Magic guide in their new-member pack, including FIT logs to plan and record activity (if they choose). Members can also log their activity online using the planner on the website or app.
Make a habit of it
We know that fitting something into our week and doing it regularly is key to helping it become a lasting habit. So, just as we help our members to create new healthy eating habits, our Body Magic activity programme helps them find their own enjoyable, achievable and sustainable ways of building activity into their routine – whether that’s walking the kids to school or meeting a friend for a fun exercise class.
MORE FOR MEMBERS: Read more about how to form healthy habits in our online features, Making Body Magic a lifelong habit and How to make changes that stick.
Remove your barriers
Of course, most of us already know that activity is good for us, yet we may have invisible barriers that prevent us from taking that first step. These could include feeling like we don’t have time to exercise, or worrying about working out in front of others. In Slimming World groups, we’ll help you to understand and overcome any challenges, and make getting started less of a struggle.
Our member Charlie (@charliedoessw) didn’t let the drizzly weather stop her from heading out on a hilly hike – and she feels fantastic for it!
MORE ON THE BLOG: Removing your Body Magic barriers
Feel rewarded
For our members who love to have a goal to work towards, Slimming World Body Magic awards can be a great incentive. Progressing through the awards will take you from an extra 5-10 minutes of activity a day, to a long-term goal of 30 minutes a day on five days of the week – with celebration every step of the way.
Slimming World member Sam loves to run, and has found some great ways to keep herself motivated. She says:
“Getting my Body Magic certificates meant the world to me and helped me realise that exercise didn’t have to be all or nothing – even doing 15 minutes a day added up, so it didn’t matter if I wasnʼt in the mood for a big run. I created a simple weekly chart to keep fitness at the front of my mind, and shared it with my fellow members, who loved it. We were all hula-hooping, walking or dancing about the house and sharing our achievements in group. It made me see that, when I ate well, I felt better in myself; and when I felt better, I wanted to exercise.”
Read Sam’s story: “How I broke that guilt and crash diet cycle.”
MORE FOR MEMBERS: The online planner makes it easy to log your activity to achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Body Magic awards, gradually building up until it becomes a natural part of your new healthy lifestyle.
