Q: Could I take my toddler along to my Slimming World group with me?
A: Do bring your child with you to the group if you cannot make other childcare arrangements. Your Consultant will appreciate it if you let her know and if you can bring some toys, colouring books or story books to amuse your child during the group. Many daytime groups have lots of young parents as members, and these will often have toys provided.
Q: Do I have to cook separate meals for myself while I'm slimming?
A: No, the whole family can benefit! Meals based on rice, pasta, potatoes, or lean meat and fish, with plenty of fruit and veg, are great for everyone's health. It's fine for children aged five and over to eat the same healthy meals as you do. Slimming World magazine is packed with great recipe ideas every issue and Slimming World's website also features dozens of delicious recipes and food ideas that are perfect for everyone.
Q: Do you do exercise in the group?
A: No, however we encourage you to combine healthy eating with an active lifestyle. Being active can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure as well as help protect against osteoporosis and diabetes. It can have positive effects on mood, self-esteem, stress and anxiety levels, and improve sleep, energy levels and general fitness.
However, Food Optimising doesn’t rely on you sweating every evening at the gym or training for the marathon from day 1! Food Optimising properly without exercise will result in a weight loss – we guarantee it! Food Optimising with exercise will bring even greater results. For further information, have a browse through our 'getting active' section
Q: How can I subscribe to the magazine?
A: You can contact our Credit Card Hotline on 0800 131 3150, 9am-5pm (UK time) Mon-Fri, or +44 1202 586 034 outside the UK.
Or download a subscription form from our subscribe page.
The prices are as follows:-
UK - £16.50
Eire and Europe - £26.60
Overseas - £38.55
This includes seven issues across 12 months.
Q: How much can I eat?
A: With Food Optimising you eat until you're satisfied. You're actively encouraged to eat, as opposed to not eat. You're actively encouraged to pile your plate high with normal, everyday foods that will satisfy the heartiest appetite. And the foods that we'll be asking you to 'lighten up' on by eating in generous quantities are also the foods that will give you maximum protection against cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure and a whole range of health problems that are caused by poor nutrition.
Q: Can I lose weight whilst on the contraceptive pill?
A: We would like to reassure you that we do have many members who are losing weight very successfully whilst taking all sorts of different medication and treatments, including contraceptive pills. We are aware that some contraceptives can cause fluid retention, which can make it more difficult to see a weight loss at times.
However, even if your weight shown on the scales tends to be more erratic due to fluctuations in fluid, your monthly weight loss should be good if Food Optimising 100%. There is a limit to the amount of fluid that can be gained in this way and members following Food Optimising will still be losing body fat, despite no change on the scales from time to time. The regular loss of body fat should soon start to show as a great weight loss on the scales!
Q: Can I still eat chocolate?
A: Yes you can. You'll probably find that you'll eat it less of it in time and quite soon you'll find you don't actually want it as much as you used to, but eating for wellness and well-being means being able to have a bit of what you fancy.
Q: Can I still have a drink?
A: Indeed you can. It's the same reason as why it's OK to eat chocolate.
Q: I have a lactose intolerance. Is Food Optimising suitable for me?
A: Limiting intake of dairy products should not be a problem when Food Optimising - it's very generous and flexible and does not require you to stick to any set meal plans. Because you get to choose the foods you want to eat it should be suitable for all dietary requirements or preferences.
We do have a section within Food Optimising, Healthy Extras, which helps ensure you obtain a good source of calcium each day. Although this section does contain a number of dairy products, dairy-free choices such as calcium enriched soya or rice milk are also options.
Q: I have asthma. Should I still exercise?
A: The combination of activity and Food Optimising leading to weight loss can help improve asthma and reduce the need for medication. Although exercise is a common trigger for asthma, gently increasing activity levels improves general fitness and well-being, and also the function of the lungs as they learn to cope with a higher breathing rate, which in turn helps the body cope with the condition.
The UK's National Asthma Campaign explains “asthma should not stop you doing any type of exercise as long as you consult your doctor regularly.” They do advise asthma sufferers to avoid exercising in cold dry air, warm up and cool down properly, and ensure their asthma is under control before beginning any activity.