Many of today’s papers claim that the Australians are unexpectedly leading the way as the heavyweight champions of the world – with arguably a greater proportion of obese citizens than even the notoriously supersized Americans. A study released yesterday shows that Australia’s obesity epidemic has been considerably underestimated, with nine million adults – almost 60 per cent of the adult population – overweight.

And, although Slimming World groups haven’t made the journey to Oz yet, our international online membership – bodyOPTIMISE – has!  So if you have friends or family in Australia, or if you live in Australia and would love to eat big portions of delicious food, experience unique weekly slimming support and have unlimited online access to recipes, features and a huge array of motivational tools, join bodyOPTIMISE today and start your journey to weight loss success!

Once a female-only market, slimming clubs have been steadily gate-crashed over the years by member’s husbands, boyfriends and sons, who have proven that they are indeed better slimmers.  Data from our Slimming World on Referral* scheme shows that men’s weight loss is on average 23% greater than women during the 12 week referral period!

Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World Nutritionist said, “Men tend to have a more muscle mass than women do and, as muscle uses up energy, it means that men often lose weight a little faster than women. Men often see very good weight losses in the first few weeks, which motivates them to carry on and they often reach targets quicker than women.

“Men also tend to be focused when they start on a healthy eating plan especially when they joining a slimming club that’s full of women. And they tend to feel less social pressure than women feel and have fewer negative feelings about previous diets they may have tried.”

Success is made easy for male dieters at Slimming World.  We understand that curry, chips and beer are the things men hate giving up most – and the good news is that with Slimming World they don’t have to.

46 year old consultant Chris Nicholls, who runs a 44-strong male class in Mid-Glamorgan, believes some of his members could definitely give any female dieter a run for their money.

“Since I started running the class 21 months ago, the total weight loss of my members so far has been an amazing 334 stone. Our members range from 24 – 60 years of age, and are lorry drivers, office workers, builders or are retired. I lost 10 stone myself with Slimming World, before becoming a Consultant to help others.

“Life can get quite competitive with my members and their wives and girlfriends, some of whom also attend other Slimming World groups. Male slimmers have fantastic motivation, and are able to channel their energy to achieving their weight loss goal.

Many people contact us to ask if Food Optimising will fit in with their diabetes – the answer is a resounding YES!  Not only will it fit around the condition – many members tell us that it has helped control it.

Many of our members with diabetes have found their blood glucose levels and general health have improved significantly since Food Optimising and a number also report that they require less medication now they have lost weight. 

“Fourteen months ago I was told by my doctor that I would soon be injecting insulin if I didn't change my eating and drinking habits. Thanks to Food Optimising I now take no medication at all!” From John Ritchie  

A national survey by Slimming World, with more than 5,000 responses from men and women, found that just one month of healthy eating and exercise can lead to dramatic improvements in symptoms and significantly reduce the need for medication.

• 67% of members with diabetes reported an improvement since joining Slimming World
• 4% have been able to stop medication for diabetes, controlling it with diet alone
• 9% have been Slimming World members for just one month. Of these 64% reported an improvement in diabetes. Average weight loss was 8lbs
• 42% have seen an improvement in other health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mobility difficulties
• 70% are more active since joining Slimming World

www.slimmingworld.com/healthy_eating/motivation_diabetes_week.asp

As with all medical conditions, it is important to follow the medical and dietary advice given by your health care team.

On Wednesday 4th June, Slimming World was delighted to sponsor a reception in the Scottish Parliament to mark the formation of Scotland’s first Cross Party Group to tackle obesity.

The event was a resounding success: in fact, one of the best attended receptions ever held in the spectacular new parliament building, reflecting the fact that obesity is one of the hottest topics in Scotland right now.

Attendees included around 20 Scottish MPs and the Minister for Public Health Shona Robison (pictured above with Slimming World's MD, Caryl Richards), who said that the Scottish Government recognises that obesity is an increasing problem that poses a huge threat to health. An influential audience included some key figures from the NHS in Scotland, as well as employers, academics and journalists.

The speakers included former rugby international John Beattie, the minister Shona Robison, MSP Mary Scanlon, Dr Laura Stewart from the Children’s Weight Clinic and Caryl Richards, who talked about Slimming World’s unique approach to weight loss, the help that we give to slimmers every week around the UK, and the huge success of Slimming World on Referral in England, generating a lot of interest from the audience in getting the scheme up and running in Scotland too.

Successful slimmers, Consultants and managers from around Scotland came to the event too. Rita Gallogley, a Woman of the Year 2006 finalist who lost 11 stone attended with her son, 16 year old Sean, both members of Ray Mackle’s Chapelhall group, and they were a huge hit with the politicians and health professionals they met.

Scotland has one of the world’s worst obesity rates, second only to the USA. The reception was an important step in raising awareness of what Slimming World can do for slimmers in Scotland – at a time when government is looking for new ways to help the 1.5 million people in Scotland who are overweight or obese - and the first step will be the formation of a Slimming World group within the Scottish Parliament building itself, as a direct result of the reception.

Every year after Christmas, Slimming World members all over the UK take part in a 6-week Slimathon in aid of our charity SMILES (Slimmers Making It a Little Easier for Someone) which, this year, is supporting the NSPCC.  And we're delighted to announce that 2008's results have now been finalised and 2008's grand total is £42,000! An enormous thank you and congratulations to all 400 fabulous slimmers who took part and lost an incredible 232 stones between them for this incredibly worthwhile cause.

This year's shining Slimathon star is Jan from West Sussex.  Jan has lost an awesome 1st 4lbs, raising £1,000 in the process, and wins two tickets to the glittering Slimming World Awards ceremony in November.

For more information about SMILES, visit www.slimmingworld.com/smiles.asp.

A wet summer might be good for the garden – but not for your waistline! As climate experts predict above-average rainfall this summer (not again!), a new Slimming World survey reveals that almost 80% of slimmers dread a rainy holiday season more than a sunny one. That’s because staying indoors means there’s more temptation to eat and less chance to get active!  

Even with a bit of sunshine, slimmers still see summer as a high risk season:

• 52% say that going on holiday is the most challenging time
• 33% think eating outdoors at restaurants and cafés with tempting dishes is difficult
• 25% believe BBQs are the main culprit for weight gain

Come rain (boo!) or shine (hooray!), Slimming World groups are the sizzling place to be this summer, with plenty of practical, realistic, everyday solutions for the season – whatever the weather.  So whether your summer features theme parks, barbecues, weeks abroad, family days out (or in) or the occasional motorway service station stop, you’ll find ideas galore to make your summer slimmer!

Click here to find your nearest warm and friendly group today and fill your summer with sunshine and support: http://www.slimmingworld.com/join/join_a_group.asp

When Elaine Gammond, a manager at the Elliman Resource Centre in Slough, Berkshire heard about Slimming World’s referral programme she approached her local Berkshire East Primary Care Trust (PCT) to fund a trial service for people with learning difficulties at the centre.

The PCT already had a Slimming World on Referral programme in place, so they agreed to the extension of the programme. A new Slimming World group was set up in-house at the resource centre specifically for members with special needs who could be referred by their GP. A Slimming World Consultant ran the group with support from the PCT’s learning difficulties care staff. Members, ranging in age from 20-60 attended the group with their carers for 24 weeks.

Slimming World prepared visual aids such as laminated pictures of low energy dense foods (Slimming World’s Free Foods) and packaging to present Food Optimising, Slimming World’s unique, balanced, healthy eating plan. Members were encouraged to eat plenty of Free Foods and to choose healthier meal options. They also took part in Slimming World’s Body Magic programme which encourages small steps to regular activity. The centre arranged activities such as group walks and keep-fit classes which the members embraced enthusiastically. They also started a local beginners’ dancing class and held a Special Olympics day. Average attendance was 19 weeks, weight change was -4.2kg and 55% achieved a 5% weight loss within the 24 weeks.

“Slimming World welcomes members with learning difficulties or special needs accompanied by their carers at our groups,” says Sue Gibson, Business Development Manager (Public Health). “We have produced weight management support literature in Braille and larger print as well as an audio version for the visually impaired and other patient groups.”

If you love summer, you’ll love Simply Summer! Bursting with 50 flavoursome, Free Food-filled recipes, Slimming World’s vibrant brand new book guarantees a taste of sunshine – whatever the weather! 

From sizzling barbecues and perfect family picnics to easy al fresco entertaining, Simply Summer mixes the very best seasonal ingredients with the most satisfying healthy eating plan around – Food Optimising. 

Whether you’re a budding Jamie Oliver or a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll find every occasion on your summer social calendar is catered for – and your friends and family will never guess you’re slimming!

Choose from sumptuous starters and salads, mouth-watering main courses and delectable desserts – all quick and easy to prepare. And, with over half the recipes being Free on one or both choices and the rest having 5 Syns or less per serving, a deliciously slim summer is well and truly on the menu!

Simply Summer is only available at your local Slimming World group.  Join today and enjoy a simply sensational, slimmer summer!

Margaret Miles-Bramwell, founder and chair of Slimming World, celebrated her 60th birthday in style last weekend at the Alton Towers Hotel.

In a diamond-themed surprise evening, organised by Margaret’s daughter Claire Brackenbury and company buyer Pam James, guests were treated to a special version of “This is Your Life” hosted by ‘King of the Jungle’ Christopher Biggins!

Guests watched live via satellite as Margaret had the ‘Big Red Book’ presented to her at Callow Hall, then table entertainers kept the guests entertained while the entourage arrived for the ‘Bigg’ event!

Christopher Biggins welcomed key figures from Margaret’s life to the stage, including one of her first teachers from New Street Junior School, Margaret Greasley, and school friends, one of whom she hadn’t seen since she was 18, before presenting her with the famous red book.

Entertainment included artist John Hicks, Judge the Poet and sensational singers Ooh James, and the evening culminated at midnight with a laser light and fire spectacular!