Being a bit controversial, 02-10-25

 Hi, everyone! Welcome to my blog where I talk about my ongoing Slimming World and associated health journeys. I'm now around my target range and am aiming to keep this steady while following Mediterranean diet principles and the Slimming World structure which is now going to include the three different healthy extras - calcium, fibre and fats/oils.  I'm winging it a bit until the info about amounts is released - making sensible guesses based on prior knowledge!

One of the new things that SW is introduced - well, not a 'thing' but a new approach, is that they are actively welcoming people who use weight loss injections such as Wegovy or Mountjaro into group as members.

This has caused an awful lot of upheaval and some condemnation within SW circles on social media and I thought I'd have my say too because - why not.  

I'm thinking about situations where people are very overweight and have tried and failed to lose weight in more conventional ways because these are the people Slimming World can help.  Taking injections for other reasons are a different matter altogether.

I don't know an awful lot but my understanding is that these medications mimic gut hormones to suppress appetite and slow stomach emptying, thus reducing what is called 'food noise' which can be a real issue when you're trying to lose weight.  They are prescription only but can be bought online if the person doesn't conform to some fairly strict and extreme guidelines.

The are side effects, like all medication, and these are still being discovered - side effects such as sickness, internal pain, diarrhoea, giddiness which are relatively minor as well as more serious issues connected with the gall bladder and the C word is also bandied about.  They can also cause loss of muscle tone unless one takes exercise, especially weight training, seriously.

There are also side effects from being overweight though, arguably more serious.  I've copied this from Google because it says it pretty well really.

"Obesity in females significantly increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers (like endometrial and breast cancer). It also contributes to sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and fatty liver disease. Specifically for women, obesity can lead to fertility problems, hormonal changes, conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and complications during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.  "

And that is before one even starts to think about the mental and emotional health side of things, not to mention societal expectations and bias  . . .

I was very struck by something Professor Tim Spector said in a Zoe Podcast  while ago now when asked about whether he was in favour of weight loss injections purely for weight loss (rather than being prescribed for diabetes, for example). 

He said that his view was that the dangers of obesity far outweighed the known dangers of weight loss injections and therefor he was not against them - providing they were accompanied by a thorough nutritional education programme that taught and encouraged moving to minimally processed, mainly plant based meals, gut and heart healthy diet so that when they stopped the injections, they were in the best possible place to maintain any weight loss and to achieve optimum health benefits.

(that's very much a precis, by the way, and I can't find the original podcast, sorry)

I also know that big weight losses while having injections are not automatic.  It is a personal observation based on blogs and vlogs that those who do best with weight loss are those who have reviewed their eating and made changes accordingly, however that is monitored.  Those who have relied on reduction of food noise with no change in diet, have generally been disappointed.

Slimming World recognises that people having weight loss injections are just as much in need of and deserving of support, guidance and education as any other overweight person and thus they are welcomed into SW.  

It's not a question of 'the easy way out' or 'cheating' or any of the other quite unpleasant criticisms that I have seen over the last while.  Far from it.

I wouldn't consider injections now - because I don't need them - but ten years ago, morbidly obese, low self confidence, social confidence and self esteem, having failed in numerous attempts to lose some weight over decades (not SW though!) and with all sorts of health problems on the horizon. . . . well, maybe I would have.

I don't know now but just maybe I would have.

Therefore, I am perfectly happy that Slimming World is accepting and welcoming people on weight loss medication; I am glad that it offers access to what can really be a very good way of eating, especially with the changes that are on the horizon, with all the support that goes with it and without any condemnation or criticism.  

And I will welcome them to our group as much as I welcome everyone - with a smile and any helpful words I can offer.

Sorry - you know what I am like once I get going!!   This is far longer than I expected so I'll post it now and do another food based one this evening.  If you've made it to the end, well done and thank you.  
Any comments - please be kind.  xx