The survey of 2,003 adults, commissioned by the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation Slimming World, reveals 77 per cent of adults say they’ve previously attempted to lose weight and on average people have tried to lose weight seven times in their lifetime.
Of those who had experienced a setback while trying to lose weight, 38 per cent say the top cause was feeling hungry and 29 per cent say it was a stressful life event such as a bereavement, job loss or family illness. For others, it was missing out on their favourite foods (25 per cent), and not planning healthy meals (23 per cent) which derailed them.
The top temptations which can cause setbacks, according to those surveyed who have tried to lose weight, are having unhealthy snacks such as chocolate, crisps, cakes and biscuits in the house (41 per cent), Saturday night takeaways (21 per cent), cakes and pastries when buying coffee (20 per cent) and fast food after a night out drinking (18 per cent).
Slimming World in Hucknall and more recently in Ravenshead, where a new group launched in November, have been helping and supporting people in Hucknall to achieve their own weight loss dreams. Collectively they have supported the loss of over 16522lbs and in their groups this year with 96 members achieving their own dream weight in 2024.
One of those members is Marie Tennant who attends a group in Hucknall each week.
“Before 6th January this year, life was ok, I had a great job & family & friends! But I found I was making excuses for why I couldn’t go out, I was going through an early menopause & I was told there was nothing I could do about my weight! On 6th January this year I was up & waiting to go through the doors at 7:15am - I felt sick nervous & was ready to go back home, but I stayed, that day I made the decision that that was a lifestyle change I needed to make and I have never looked back. Now I am over 3 stone lighter and I am maintaining my target weight. Slimming World has been my life saver & now I’m loving life and my confidence and energy is awesome ! I am so proud of what I’ve achieved with all the help and support of my consultant Nicola & all the people in class and coming through those doors in January was the best decision I have made”
Within Slimming World groups, members receive personalised expert guidance from their consultant, to help them with the motivation, accountability and commitment they need to avoid or navigate setbacks.
Consultants Nicola Bradbury, Sarah Parekh, Sarah King and Graham Murphy-Clarke who between them run 5 groups in Hucknall and Ravenshead throughout the week, all enjoy the part they play in changing members lives each week. “Seeing members walk through the doors of our groups, desperate to lose weight and often feeling unhappy in themselves can be upsetting but to see their confidence and self compassion grow as they lose weight is such a privilege, we have the best job in the world”
Slimming World’s approach combines support to change your mindset around weight loss with a flexible healthy eating plan and a physical support activity programme – both of which can be tailored to your lifestyle and ability. Members, who attend a weekly group or access support online, gain knowledge and expertise to understand themselves better as a slimmer. They are encouraged to use deep thinking and techniques including visualisation and planning to build their motivation, self-belief and commitment so they can change their relationship with food, physical activity and weight loss in general and achieve long lasting success.
If you would like to join one of your local groups in Hucknall/Ravenshead you can find more information by visiting www.slimmingworld.co.uk or calling 0344 897 8000 to find your nearest group at a time and day that suits.