The experts at Slimming World know a thing or two about weight loss. They also know the popular myths circulate in the ether, here they break these down and offer sustainable alternatives
When it comes to weight loss and exercise, many of us have spent time trawling the internet for a quick fix. Not really surprising then that a recent study revealed 56% of adults in Britain say they’ve followed a fad diet in an attempt to lose weight.
Research among more than 2,000 adults commissioned by one of the UK and Ireland’s largest weight-loss organisation, Slimming World, has found that of the 1,123 who had tried a fad diet, 71% reported they didn’t lose any weight or not as much as they wanted. And 11% actually gained weight.
“It’s easy to fall for quick fixes when social media is flooded with misinformation, especially when we’re desperate to lose weight. When it comes to lasting weight loss, we can see from our research how important it is to follow an effective, healthy and sustainable approach,” says Dr Amanda Avery, Slimming World’s health and research consultant dietitian.
It’s little wonder then that many of us have reservations when it comes to starting a new attempt to lose unwanted pounds. So what common myths should you watch out for when researching a new diet plan?
Myth 1 – You have to go hungry
Cabbage soup, apple cider vinegar, fasting – none of them sound very satisfying, do they? It’s no wonder some people are turned off losing weight before they even start.
The truth is, there’s no need to go hungry just because you want to lose weight. A more sustainable eating plan that focuses on real, everyday foods is much more likely to equal success in the long run.
Slimming World’s approach supports members to change their mindset around food with its healthy eating plan. It encourages them to base their food choices around everyday foods that are filling yet lower in calories, such as fruit, veg, lean meat, fish and seafood, pasta, rice, potatoes and eggs.
Members who attend a weekly group or access support online also receive in-depth help and encouragement to change often long-standing eating and activity habits.
Myth 2 – You should believe everything you see online
While consumers are often bombarded with “miracle” trends and claims of quick fixes – which can seem tempting when faced with a weight-loss journey – they don’t always come from the most reputable of sources. In the Slimming World survey of UK adults who had tried a fad diet, 38% said they found it on social media.
As for some of the promises made online, the general rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The prevalence of fad diets –promoting rapid weight loss without robust scientific evidence to support them – means they can be hard to ignore for people keen to lose weight quickly.
And of the adults in the survey who had tried to lose weight by following a fad diet, 27% said they believed weight loss could only be achieved through restrictive or extreme diets.
So try researching weight-loss plans that are backed by science, qualified nutritionists and people who really know their stuff to get positive outcomes.
Myth 3 – Weight loss doesn’t last
Of those who had tried a fad diet, 35% in the survey said they could only stick to it for up to six days. And 64% who wanted to improve their health said they were aware they may not have been able to stick to the diet long term, meaning the improvement to their health would likely be limited.
Sustainability is key – a full lifestyle approach including eating real, healthy foods and gradually becoming more active is a winning combination for long-term weight-loss success.
People often say that losing weight is the easy part but keeping it off is a whole new challenge in itself. That’s why Slimming World also has a maintenance plan which helps members navigate their new life at their target weight by making small and sustainable changes to help them maintain their dream weight.
Myth 4 – You have to start an extreme exercise regime
There’s no need to pound pavements on a run or get sweaty in Lycra (unless you want to). There are loads of different ways to get active – from walking and dancing to stretching and doing the housework. And choosing something you enjoy doing means that you’re much more likely to stick to it and make it a healthy habit for life.
Building activity into your everyday routine is the key to making it a habit. That could mean squeezing in an energetic kickabout with the kids or a fun activity with a friend. While mobility impairment can make working out more challenging, there are also options available so that everyone can experience the benefits of exercise.
This can be from letting the water take the strain at your local pool or joining an inclusive gym, to tackling a wheelchair-friendly walking route or trying seated activity videos (Slimming World has lots of these on its members-only app). Also it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any exercise programme.
Myth 5 – You need to try expensive drugs, jabs or supplements
Research has shown that although certain weight-loss medications do aid weight loss, they’re not a magic bullet and are certainly not for everyone. Some people won’t be medically eligible to take them, and there are many who won’t want to use a weight-loss medication.
There’s growing acknowledgement, too, that lasting changes around food, drink and activity are needed to support weight maintenance, even when using weight-loss medications. What’s more, with these costing between £130 and £270 a month, there are certainly more cost-effective ways to lose weight out there. Always consult your GP before taking any medications or supplements.
If all that advice has got you wanting to join the experts over at Slimming World, then we have an offer for you to join your local group for FREE – saving you £5/€9.
Simply enter your details in the form at the bottom to receive your voucher by email. You can download and save the voucher to your phone or print it and bring it to your first Slimming World group to join for free until Monday, January 20, 2025.
For more information about Slimming World visit slimmingworld.co.uk
