Welcome back to another Let's Chat, Diets. This week we explore the widely popular (Especially in the female demographic) slimming clubs. There are various ones out there but we decide to focus on a couple of big hitters in Weight Watchers and Slimming World. Pretty similar, however, there are a few key differences. We have no affiliations with any of these companies and are coming in as complete neutrals. Everything we say is based on our extensive research and from actual members.

 

Breaking down today's episode we start with Weight Watchers

• Pricing. Value for money?

• The famous point system. A lot of discussion in this one as we try to determine if it's more positive or negative! Bill compares it to Tetris and Tom comes in with the convenience side of things. We also discuss the potential to become trapped by the said point system and if it really educates on food choices. "Food is no longer fuel but points"

• Workshop Community. We absolutely love the community aspect and believe this is the real driving force behind success. Getting people together, holding each other accountable, helping each other out are all benefits. The issue comes with the "leaders" these are UNTRAINED people who are responsible for the workshops. Our research suggests they are basically just salesmen. Some will say they just love helping people but in reality, the training they receive is all very product orientated. What if someone comes to you with a dietary issue? You are not trained to deal with it properly. This is actually quite concerning.

• WW Products. The only good thing about these products is the convenience they offer if you're on the program as it states the number of points in each meal. The way they are pushed is a different matter.

• Buyers Bias.

 

Next up is Slimming World!

• Pricing. Value for money?

• "Food optimisation" So different from the point system you literally eat what you want BUT using their pie chart for plate filling and looking at the food types. They encourage the consumption of "free foods" "speed foods" "Healthy Extra A" and "Healthy Extra B". 

• Syns. This is another point that took some discussing. We kind of yo-yo between positive and negative. It's good you're allowed these "syns" and it makes sure you are only consuming in moderation but labelling certain foods as "syns"? Certainly an interesting discussion.

• Workshop Community. The leaders still don't require any qualifications but the only difference is you don't apply like some job but you are asked to become a leader. You must have been a long-serving successful member to be approached. This sounds great but it does lead to problems of its own and there's lots of back and forth when discussing this one. 

• Own Products? Once again they do have their own ready meal products available but from our research, it isn't as much a thing as on Weight Watchers. They are only stocked in Iceland and you are encouraged more to prepare wholesome natural meals using their recipe guides than to actually purchase these ready meals. They are simply for convenience.

 

If you are a member or have been one we'd love to hear your story. Of course, everyone's experience will be different so it would be interesting to hear the differences in peoples experience. We are actually going to do some follow-ups on this one where we get some people on who are actual members and hear what they have to say and see if they have any comebacks to points we made!

 

New to the show? Head back to episode 1 "Let's Chat, Covid & Fitness" where we give an introduction into who we are and talk about the current state of ourselves and the fitness industry during this covid pandemic

 

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Studies Mentioned

Efficacy of commercial weight-loss programs: an updated systematic review