Slimming World online - How does it work?

A few weeks back I signed up to Slimming World online. I have done it before and I am hopeful that I can get back into the swing of it pretty quickly.

I have decided to sign back up as I have got into lazy habits and was reaching for the processed food a little too often, this meant that my clothes were getting a little bit too tight. I’m not driven by slimming ads or other people’s opinions when it comes to my weight, however, when I am uncomfortable with the weight I am at or how my clothes are fitting, I know that is the time to look at my diet a little better. With teenagers, I want to be able to show them there is a happy balance between eating what you like and eating healthier.

So, I took the plunge and signed up again! I have signed up for the online version, which gives you a similar package to that of the actual classes, without having to leave the house. For me, the key thing with the online subscription that I wanted to get was the app. This allows me to track not only how I’m doing but also scan and track what I am eating. Just being able to scan barcodes on food has made the whole process so simple to stick to.

I have set myself weight loss goals for where I would like to get to my dream weight, however, it is all in balance. I want to be able to live and enjoy life but just a more balanced way of doing so. So it is all about small changes to my diet that will also be enjoyed by other family members as I make meals that are tasty but also incorporate healthy habits.

How I'm getting on with Slimming World online

Before you would need to search what you were eating, make sure it was the right size for the product you had before you were able to syn the food. If you have never tried Slimming World before and have been looking for Slimming World reviews, let me try and explain to you how it works and what I have thought.

Table of Contents

How does Slimming World work –

On Slimming World, there are some key terms you will want to know. These are the following:

HexA – These are your healthy A options, you get both healthy extras A & B. They include your dairy items such as milk and cheese etc. You get 2 HexA a day, though this does not include all dairy products, some of these cost sync. When you sign up you will be told which items are part of your HexA plus how much you can have of them per serving.
HexB – This is your fibre option, so most people use it for their wholemeal bread. I personally use mine to have Alpen Light bars as I can have 2 per serving and it feels like a treat during the day.
Syns – You will be allocated a number of syns a day, for most people it will be 15 but it can vary from 10 -15. This is basically like currency for food that is not either free or one of your Hex. I like to save my syns for later in the day so I can enjoy treats in the evening however, you can use them however you like. you can make meals more of a treat using syns, save them for a glass of wine or use them for a bar of chocolate. They are yours to enjoy!
Free foods – Anything listed as free foods simply means it’s free. You can eat as much or as little of that as you like, This means that when you get peckish, you can reach for these rather than the things you really shouldn’t be eating.
Speed foods – Now this is the food group you want to be eating the most of. They burn more calories than you actually consume, so pile your plate high!

This really is the basics of Slimming World. Now of course, in an ideal world you will pile your plate with speed food and free food and the pounds will fall off. However, if like me you love your food, it is about finding that balance between what you should be eating and what you really would like to be eating. The only way this plan works is by ensuring you are food optimising with great food choices, using those free foods and speed food where you can.

I am now on week 3 of the plan and have hit my stride. I don’t find the whole plan that difficult now and have been enjoying all our meals. I know for many that changing food habits can be tough, I have never lasted longer than a few days on a diet however this is different. It almost feels as though I am not on a diet, it is more of a lifestyle change.

Over the last week, I have also started to add more exercise to my daily routine. Not loads, I will never be one to step into a gym. I have purchased the Ring Fit for Nintendo Switch and I have loved it. Over the last few weeks, the workouts have worked up a sweat but have been enjoyable too. It is about finding what works best for you.

How does Slimming World online work?

Slimming World online is very similar to going to a group, just don’t go to the actual weight loss group.

You weigh in and track on your app and there is a whole community online too. If you sign up for a local group, you get access to this app and community also the face-to-face group once a week. With your online subscription, you get unlimited access to the app and this includes things such as weight loss plans, exclusive members-only podcasts and real-life success stories.

On the app, you are able to track how much weight you have lost and it allows you to weigh in weekly, it also offers a place for you to set your target weight and shares weight loss know-how tips weekly.

How much is Slimming World online cost?

If you are thinking of joining Slimming World, either online or in-person you will still need to pay a membership. This is done first as a 3-month upfront cost, so bear this in mind if you are thinking of joining as you will want to commit for the first 3 months or you will be wasting your money.

The cost for the Slimming World online membership is broken out into 3 bands, bronze, silver and gold. Now there are a few differences between the bands and it will all depend on what you are looking to get from it. Each band gives you access to their app, which for me is the key thing, you are able to not only track what you eat but scan the food you are eating for the syn values. Here is the perks you get for each package and current prices.

Bronze (£60 for 3 months) – Access to the app and their website where you will find recipes, ideas and a community to cheer you along.
Silver (£65 for 3 months) – As above but you get a year’s subscription to the Slimming World magazine (7 issues).
Gold (£80 for 3 months) – You get all the features above plus some of the Slimming World books to get you started such as body magic and food optimisation.

I personally buy just the Bronze package as I already have the books and would not read the magazines but if you are just starting out you may find the gold package useful for your first few months. You might find there are some special offers that appear on these but for now, these are the current Slimming World prices as of May 2021.

Is there a Slimming World online discount code?

As with most things, you are able to save yourself a few pounds with Slimming World online. A simple Google search will give you a whole host of offers and deals at the time you are purchasing. I managed to get my new subscription for £40 for the first few months with some Slimming World vouchers.

Currently, I can not see them offering any free trial deals but it is worth just keeping your eye out.

Is Slimming World Online any good?

I am a fan of Slimming World online as I just feel a little uncomfortable in the groups, but you need to do what is right for you. Some people find the trip to be weighed in every week more motivational but for me, after a busy day at work, I just would rather do it at home.

There is a strong online community too which is great and lots of people share their meal plans, offer weight loss support and help promote a healthy lifestyle by making changes to your eating habits.

Can I do just Slimming World online?

Yes, you can!

With Slimming World Online, there is no need for you to attend the groups or weigh in at a group, it is all done remotely. Now for some people, this works better than attending groups, for others, the moral support in a group works better for them. You just need to decide what works better for you when it comes to your approach to it.

Online Slimming World doesn’t mean it doesn’t work, it is just a different approach to doing it.

What is the difference between Slimming World online and Slimming World group?

There are two options to approaching Slimming World, you can do with the online version that I have or you can go to a group and weigh in once a week.

Now, I have gone through the app in this post and this is available to Slimming World members that either do it online or in the group.

The difference with the groups is you get access to Slimming World consultants who will not only hold the weekly meetings, which run as a group support, but they are usually at the end of the phone or email should you need a little support. Personally, I am not a fan of weekly groups, but this is because I am not a fan of talking in front of people. However, if you feel like you need a supportive community to help in your weight loss journey, I think a group would work better for you.

Please don’t be put off by my opinions on the group, a lot of people attend groups and they find them great for discussing their healthy new habits, asking any quick questions they have and sharing their own recipes. The group I did originally sign up for was a friendly group and if you need to just get you on the right path, this is a good option.

How do you weigh in on Slimming World online?

If you have decided to do the online version, all you need to do is weigh in at home on your chosen day and when you log into the app it asks you to

Using the Slimming World app

I’ll be honest, the Slimming World app is why I pay my subscription. It just makes things so much easier to track and helps me stay on track.

The app itself is pretty simple to use, there is a section to weigh in on, a recipe section with the official Slimming World recipes (some of these are limited to the members-only website), a community section and a planner. Other than the weigh-in on a Monday, I use the planner section the most. Here you can add what you have eaten, scan barcodes to find out the syns of items and even search for things such as takeaway syns etc. There is a great Slimming World barcode scanner in the app, you simply scan the barcode of the food you are using and it will advise you of the syn value or if it is free etc. Great for when you are out doing the shopping.

It is very rare that I haven’t been able to find syns of something I have eaten. Another great feature is the fact if you are using a Slimming World recipe, you are able to add it straight to your planner, without the need to add individual ingredients.

Overall the app is super simple to use and tracks what you are eating on a day-to-day basis.

Easy Slimming World Recipes

Online as part of your plan, there are hundreds, if not thousands of recipes. But also online you are able to find some delicious recipes to enjoy, here are some of my favourite go-to Slimming Worlds recipes.

There are so many options for dinners that I try and keep my syn count low ready for a few treats.

Slimming world lunch ideas

The one thing I have really struggled with in the past when I am trying to lose weight has been my lunch ideas. Work is busy and there is only a microwave to warm up my lunch. With this in mind I tend to stick with some super simple ideas like the following:

Pasta salad – This can be just pasta with fresh salad or you can mix it up by adding some leftover meat or eggs.
Leftovers – I always take leftovers to work, why waste perfectly good food?
Sweet potato and butternut squash soup recipe
Quiche with Bacon and Leek
Syn Free One Pot Speed Pasta
Scrambled egg and beans – I love this if it is the weekend, so simple by filling.
Jacket potatoes – Minus the butter! You could have tuna, cheese or beans just to name a few.

I still have a long way to go on my Slimming World journey but I will be updating you more on how I have been getting on and the best ideas we have come across for dinner and much more. If you are on Slimming World, I’d love to hear your tips and favourite recipes in the comments below. Also if you do decide to join Slimming World online, please come back and let me know how you found it.

Slimming World online – How does it work?