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!

According to researchers in Venezuela a study of 100 obese women has shown that starting the day with a hearty breakfast helps to boost weight loss long-term.

The Daily Mail reported: At the end of the study researchers from the Hospital de Clinicas in Caracas found those eating big breakfasts had lost more than 21% of their body weight (compared with just 4.5% for the women eating a small breakfast) and reported feeling less hungry, especially before lunch, and having fewer cravings for carbohydrates.

And, if you fancy a big breakfast each morning, at Slimming World we say go for it!  Our generous healthy eating plan means that your breakfast can always be big!

Pile your plate with lean, grilled bacon, mountains of scrambled eggs, loads of grilled tomatoes, unlimited poached mushrooms and a couple of slices of wholemeal toast.  Add a squirt of tomato sauce on the side if you fancy, and finish off with a bowl of fresh fruit salad smothered in Müllerlight yogurt. 

Don’t believe you’ll lose weight eating all this?  Try our 7-day menu and see the results for yourself!

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.

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

Here comes the sun – and here comes the July issue of Slimming World Magazine! Dive in and discover how you can shine with our special summer body confidence section – plus much more:

‘Making time for myself helps me look after everyone else’. And taking time out to read Sharron Millen’s story will help you journey towards your target, too. Plus how cover girl Paige Ataou lost 3st and found the way to achieve her dreams.

 

7-day ‘summer slimdown’ eating plan. One week’s menus for wonderful weight-loss results! Try our easy-to-follow and fabulously filling plan.

5 ways to inner body confidence. You don’t have to be at target to have true body confidence.  Try our simple strategies and see your self-esteem soar this summer!

 

Cooking with herbs. Seven fresh and fragrant recipes – high on flavour, low in Syns. Plus the secrets of a perfect Slimming World pizza, and easy-to-make meals for kids who love to help Mum in the kitchen.

 

A fitter, firmer you in 4 weeks. Our summer exercise plans have been put together by experts – but you don’t have to be an expert to do them! Choose your favourite Body Magic activity and see and feel the difference in a month.

 The new issue of Slimming World magazine is available in group and on a newsstand near you on the 29th May.  Don’t miss it!

The News of the World this week reported that doctors in the North West are spending twice as much on obesity drugs as they do in the south, with £8.3million spent on diet pills in Manchester and Liverpool in a year. The smallest bill for pills was the South Central Health Authority which spent only £2.6million. The article claims that the NHS is set to spend £50million on obesity drugs this year. 

Is there an alternative?  Yes, yes, yes! 

Slimming World pioneered Slimming World on Referral as a way of working hand in hand with UK health professionals to help manage overweight and obesity from within the heart of local communities. The scheme is designed so that health professionals – from a single GP practice to a local health authority – can buy 12-week Countdown packs at a subsidised cost, while the patient benefits from Slimming World’s expertise and support free of charge. 

Members who are referred to Slimming World by their GP receive a 12 week course that costs just £44.50 – around ⅓ of the price of a 3 month course of anti-obesity drugs and at a fraction of the cost of a stomach stapling operation at around £7,000. People who attend Slimming World on Referral learn how to change the way they eat, become more active and receive the warm and friendly support of a group. They learn how to make the lasting lifestyle changes that will help them lose weight effectively and in the long-term – saving the NHS money and being more effective!  

Dr James Stubbs, research officer at Slimming World says: “The key to successful and long-term weight loss and maintenance is to make healthy habits a part of your everyday lifestyle. Research has also shown that the support that you receive at a Slimming World group plays a key role in boosting your confidence to make the changes and keep weight off in the long term.” 

Visit our Real Success section to discover how Slimming World on Referral was just what the doctor ordered for members Patricia and Lyndsey:
 www.slimmingworld.com/real_success/letter_patricia_hart.asp
www.slimmingworld.com/real_success/letter_lyndsey_stanley.asp

Researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden have recently announced that eating like a caveman can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

They’re not talking sautéed sabre-toothed tiger or marinated mammoth either!  The stone-age diet included fresh or frozen fruit, berries or vegetables, lean meat, fish, canned tomatoes, lemon or lime juice, spices and coffee or tea, as well as daily portions of potatoes – sound familiar?  They’re all Free Foods when Food Optimising!  

As well as reduced blood pressure, the 20 volunteers who took part in the study lost 2-3 kg over the course of three weeks.  Benefits that thousands of Slimming World members experience month in month out – without giving up their favourite modern-day treats!

Both the Daily Star and the Daily Express carry news that today - the second Tuesday in May - is the best day of the year to start a new slimming campaign!

So if you’d love to start your slimming campaign on the very best day of the year – or whenever the time is right for you – our warm and friendly Consultants (who have all been members of Slimming World themselves – are waiting to welcome you.

Click here to find your nearest group today: www.slimmingworld.com//join/join_a_group.asp