Group Support

If you’re studying at college or university at the moment, and that first taste of freedom – to shop for yourself, to cook whatever you fancy and to go to the Union bar at any time of the day or night – has brought with it a tightening waistband as well as a tightening budget, look no further for a cost-effective, healthy and delicious solution!

Whether you’re sharing a house or living it up in Halls, eating and drinking is an important part of student life.  Recent figures show that, on average, students put on 15lbs during their first year at college or university – nattily named ‘Fresher’s 15’!  A weight gain that is attributed to, according to a recent publication from the Food Standards Agency, ‘a reliance on processed and convenience foods’.

So is it possible to eat healthily and deliciously while living on a tight budget, enjoying an active social life and sharing a kitchen with 11 messy mates?  Absolutely! 

Food Optimising, Slimming World’s Healthy Eating plan, is based around healthy and filling everyday foods – many of which you’ll find in the ‘value ranges’ at your local supermarket: pasta, rice, chicken and other lean meat, vegetables (including frozen), potatoes, eggs and fruit to name but a few!

And many very successful members, including Nicky McDonnell, have attended a Slimming World group and Food Optimised during their studies. Nicky told us,

“I felt so uncomfortable with my weight that I used to hide myself away under a big black coat.  As my confidence dropped, so did my grades.  University was an amazing experience but it came with so much pressure - meeting new people, living away from family and friends and strict deadlines. Fortunately, in joining Slimming World, I

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discovered that I didn’t have to suffer with the issues that came with being overweight for very long.

“Instead of the bossy head mistress-figure I had expected to be standing at the front of the group, there was a fantastic buzz, noise and laughter. I was made to feel so welcome and my Consultant and the members were so friendly and supportive. I got to choose my own target weight, my current weight was always kept confidential and I was never judged or criticised. It was so easy - I could even eat chips, have chocolate and enjoy vodka and curries! I never looked back!”

If you’d like to beat the statistics and swap a 15lb weight gain for a svelte and healthy new you, you’ll be warmly welcomed at all of our 5,500 friendly groups across the UK.  What’s more, take your NUS card along and you'll pay a reduced weekly fee of £4.25 and can buy Countdown Plus at a special reduced fee too - that's 6 weeks of slimming for the price of 5 or 12 weeks for the price of 10! You can also attend a group near home during the holidays too!