The Social Side to Slimming World

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well!

I was out yesterday evening and it inspired me to write this. A bit different, or maybe not, I never know what I'm going to say, I just let me fingers do the typing.

Last night I went to the house of a fellow Slimming World member. A woman I have only met once. She messaged me after the blog I made the other week about my struggles and offered the hand of friendship and support. I received a few of these the day after that blog post, to which I am still grateful for. 

This lady mentioned that she had some empathy and understanding and asked if I would like a cuppa and a natter at her place. I took her up on that and we had a lovely chat. She's a member of one of Julie's earlier groups and I got a lot from talking to her. It helped me get to a point of neutrality, rather than being the emotional wreck that I was before I went to visit her.

Anyway- that's not really what I was going to talk about. 

She wrote on our Slimming World members group about having a girly night at her house- asked people to bring a SW friendly dish, just to make new friends and of course- eat lots of yummy food without breaking the syns bank!

I put myself down for it- and as the time got closer I was getting nervous....because most of the people going I had never met before and even now I struggle being around people I don't know.

I went- and within about 30 seconds that fear was gone. Syn free quorn chilli was being served up and we started talking about ourselves.

Many laughs were had- lots of tips and support- like a mini image therapy- I even passed round a packet of the Tikka mugshot like we would in group! (I've only just got hold of them- they've not sold them here- not that I could see anyway. Recently they've been selling them in our local Home Bargains for 33p each- 1syn a pack and worth it!!)

It made me think, this girly evening, about how much of Slimming World is socialising. 

Don't get me wrong- for some people it's nothing to do with that, and possibly never will be. But for me the social side is a massive part to play in my weight loss and my maintenance.

You see, when I first joined Slimming World, I didn't really speak to many people. I had a few close friends. When I went out I was full of fear and full of dread. I hated being out of my comfort zone- my comfy chair in my warm house. Socialising was so bloody hard that it was mentally exhausting and made me build up emotional walls more often- because I didn't want to let anyone in.

Sure I was cracking jokes- mainly at my own expense, but inside I was dying to just go home and hide from the world. I didn't feel safe.

Going to Slimming World, losing the weight- I started to get a little bit of confidence back. It started off talking to a group of strangers....only a bit at first but I got myself a bit more involved as time went on and as my weight went down.

I'd offer to make people a cup of tea or hot chocolate. I'd ask how their week went, shared with them how I got on or how I was feeling. Next thing I knew I was keeping in touch with one or two mid-week for that extra support and friendship.

Now, nearly 2 years on I am part of the social team. I am what I call the "Rocky Road Dealer" (I work on the shop) I talk to members all the time and my Tuesday group is "me time" where I can sit and relax, get ideas and encouragement for the week ahead and to *socialise*

I didn't join Slimming World to socialise- I joined to lose weight. I thought I'd go, lose weight and go.

Today I know it's not like that.

For me, I need that time between 4.45pm and 7.30pm on a Tuesday. I see people who I class as good friends. I look forward to going- even though I say I dread the weighing bit sometimes!! 

Going and sitting in that group, sharing how I felt and supporting others, in what I always called my "safe place"- that has helped me become a confident, happy young woman. I have a smile on my face. I'm not crippled with fear. Sure, I get it from time to time, but not half as much as I used to. I can deal with it. 

So the social side of Slimming World, that's a necessity for me now. 

I have met so many lovely people and I hope to continue to. I'm not planning on leaving just yet- I feel loved and like I belong- I want to grasp that with both hands.

I encourage anyone- if they're a member of a group but don't stay- try and find the time to. I know life can get in the way sometimes, but the support you get from people is priceless. 

If you do stay at group- if there is a new member- go out of your way to say "hello". They might not have the confidence to approach you. Offer them a cuppa or just ask how they are doing. Don't let someone sit on their own (unless they tell you they want to!) Offer the hand of support to someone else. I honestly get so much supporting others, it probably helps me more than it helps them because I learn so much!

Like I say often- we are ALL in this together- whether we've started out with 7lb to lose or 27 stone- we want to lose weight.

I tried for years doing it alone- I know I can't do it that way. There is one saying that someone told me once and it always sticks in my head:

"I Can't But We Can"

Stick together and we CAN do this.

Now I'm off to bed- work in the morning. I just wanted to share a bit with you guys.

Thanks for being part of MY journey- every single one of you

Much Love,
Tanya x