The pitfalls of Slimming World –
Now, I may upset a few people with this one but I’m just stating a few of the things that I see are wrong with the principles of Slimming World.
I’ll be the first to say that they have got people amazing results, no doubt about that.
They also leave lots of people frustrated and wondering why they haven’t lost weight.
Ever had one of THE BEST weeks you’ve had, got on the scales, and the leader has said, you’ve put on 1/2lb?
You’ve barely hit 5 syns a day all week yet nothing has budged. You’ve filled up on Free Foods, Super Free Foods and gone allllll out on the Super Speed Foods yet still bloody nothing.
What could’ve gone wrong?
You ate too much. That’s what.
Thinking of pasta, noodles, potatoes (white & sweet) as ‘Free Foods’ has implications too. You know how many calories in 2/3 of a plate of potato/pasta/noodles. A whole bloody lot.
I kind of like the idea of the protein sources being ‘Free Foods’ as not many people get enough of it in their daily diet but lamb, pork and beef carry along a good amount of fat with them as well, which, you’ve guessed it, carry CALORIES.
If you are snacking on banana’s, apples, pears and pineapple throughout the day then i’m sorry to say, you are still ADDING in calories.
So when the group leader suggests you keep filling up on the Super Free foods to help you lose weight, she is leading you down a long and winding road I’m afraid.
On the points of –
❌ Never go hungry again –
Sorry, but anyone that has dieted before knows this is a whole heap of crap. Yes, you can limit hunger, but its inevitable you will feel hungry. Telling people they won’t feel hungry will make them feel like they are doing it wrong when they do.
❌ Eat as much as you want, when you want –
Sorry again, but this is quite possibly the WORST statement I have ever heard if you want to lose weight. There HAS to be some form of restriction of calories for you to lose weight.
✅ No food is banned –
Now this i LOVE! Dietary flexibility is one of the best things to promote adherence to a diet. The only small problem I do have is naming certain foods as ‘syns’. It starts to create a poor relationship with food when you start thinking good or bad foods.
✅ We’ll support you every step of the way –
Again, the support of a community is a huge factor nowadays when it comes to weight loss and I love how they have meetings to discuss things.
✅ You set your own target –
Love it. As long as its realistic and has a sensible time frame then I’m all for this.
I like how it encourages people to eat whole, minimally processed foods the majority of the time and this is what is hugely lacking in todays western society.
What I don’t like is that it can leave people confused, misinformed and highly frustrated in why they aren’t losing weight.
Have you had any experiences of Slimming World? Let me know the good and bad in the comments below 🙂
Tony.