Commercial groups
There are many commercial weight loss groups that are available throughout the country. They can offer a range of memberships depending on whether they offer face to face or digital plans.
Pros
The benefits to these groups are that you are guided through a nutritionally based program with others that can offer group encouragement and moral support.
They usually have a discussion session which focuses on topics that assist weight loss such as physical activity, getting into a routine or how to overcome potential barriers.
Many people like having the structure that these groups can bring and a weekly weigh-in helps you track progress, stay accountable, identify patterns, and adjust strategies for successful weight loss.
Cons
The downside to commercial groups is the cost. The price can vary depending on whether it is a face to face group or a digital service, with digital usually being the cheaper option.
Many organisations have introductory offers so it is worth doing your research before making a commitment.
The other part that is difficult is maintaining the weight loss – but that is true for whatever plan you follow. This is why changing your mindset is so important. The healthier habits you adopt to lose weight have to become part of your everyday life.
Which group is best?
This again is an area where you need to do your research and think about what will work best for you.
Some of the groups offer a somewhat flexible approach where you eat and cook real foods and work to a daily allowance. Others offer a total meal replacement plan for a set period with a slow introduction of foods.
Below are some of the key details of the most popular commercial groups:
WeightWatchers (WW) provides both digital and face to face services. With the face to face groups, you also get access to their app.
Foods have points values and you get a daily allowance, plus a weekly allowance to dip into. You can link up your fitness devices through the app and can earn extra points for doing physical activity. You can also access an online coach and a support community through the app to connect with other WW users.
You can choose different lengths of membership from month to month, 3 month and 6 month subscriptions. They do have offers on their subscription packages that work out at getting some months free.
To find out more visit the WeightWatchers website.
Slimming World provides both digital and face to face services. With the face to face groups, you also get access to their app.
Slimming World has foods that are classed as free, some which are in measured amounts and others that are ‘syns’ which are limited as they are typically high calorie foods. They provide a physical activity programme plus access to an online support community.
You can buy membership packages for the digital services and for face to face groups you pay a membership fee plus a weekly fee.
To find out more visit the Slimming World website.
The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan is a meal replacement plan which you follow with support from your personal Consultant.
You follow a series of stages through the plan, starting out with complete meal replacements with a slow introductions of healthy foods and meals.
Prices can vary from Consultant to Consultant but on average the cost per week for the diet is around £58 based on 3 meals a day plus your weekly consultation.
To find out more visit the 1:1 Diet website.
The Low Carb Program is a digital plan that provides virtual meet ups with coaches and others on the program.
Through the app or web portal, you can access low carb recipes and meal plans, speak with online coaches, access a support community and on-demand workouts plus sync the app with fitness devices.
Prices vary depending on your membership option as you can pay month to month, quarterly or yearly.
To find out more visit the Low Carb Program website.
Have you tried any groups or apps? We’d love to hear about your experiences and what you liked or disliked. Share any thoughts in the comments box below.
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