Support, not medication alone, is the key to lasting weight loss success, says Slimming World consultant

“Lasting weight loss success comes from support, not medication alone,” says Apsley Slimming World Consultant.

Penni a Slimming World Consultant in Apsley says long-term weight loss success comes from getting the support to make changes around food, drink and exercise and build positive lasting habits – even if you’re taking weight loss medication.

Name, who has over 7 years of experience supporting people to manage their weight, who herself lost 3st in 9 months, made the comments as Slimming World announces the launch of a new suite of dedicated GLP1 support, designed to help people using weight loss medication build the healthy habits they need to achieve and sustain their weight loss for life.

She runs the Group Slimming World groups in the Apsley Community Centre and says: “My goal has always been to support anyone and everyone who comes to our group wanting help to lose weight to reach the weight and size they want to be and, crucially,stay there. As more people turn to GLP1 medications, that hasn’t changed.

“What we’re hearing more and more is that weightloss medications aren’t designed to be used on their own. Everyone – from the World Health Organisation to governments – is agreed that people need ongoing, evidence based support alongside them to really make changes stick. That’s where Slimming World can help. We support people who walk through the door to reduce their risk of long-term conditions, improve their weight, fitness and health, and develop positive habits that last. Research shows that Slimming World is effective for weight loss, but it goes beyond the scales. Studies also show we help our members to improve their self-esteem, confidence and mental wellbeing.

“We know that it’s support that makes the difference – support to make practical and mindset changes, to build new habits, to develop strategies and resilience – so that people can achieve and hold on to their healthier, happier lives for good. And that’s exactly what members get each week in our groups.

“Slimming World has more than 55 years of experience helping and supporting people to achieve the weight they’d love to be, and build the skills to stay there, so I’m delighted they’ve poured that experience and expertise into developing this new support for people taking weight loss medication. I want everyone – whether they’d like to lose weight with Slimming World’s methods alone or alongside medication – to know they are 100% welcome in our groups.”

With the largest network of community weightloss groups in the UK and Ireland, Slimming World’s inperson model sets it apart from services offering digitalonly or shortterm medicationled solutions. Members taking GLP-1s are welcome in any of its groups across the UK and Ireland, including the Group group and others in the local area, as well as within its online community, and attend alongside members who are losing weight without medication.

Slimming World is now the largest organisation in the UK and Ireland offering in-person support for people taking GLP-1 medications, alongside its proven behaviourchange programme. The organisation has chosen not to follow others in the sector in offering a weight loss medication prescription service. Its GLP-1 support focuses on nutrition, physical activity and psychology – areas increasingly recognised as critical for long-term GLP-1 outcomes.

Developed by Slimming World’s expert nutrition, research and health teams, the new GLP1 support is available exclusively to members attending Slimming World groups and includes:

• Weekly inperson group support, led by Consultants who have successfully lost weight themselves, providing accountability, care, encouragement and a strong sense of community

• A new specialist booklet for members using weight loss medication, designed to sit alongside Slimming World’s healthy eating plan, Food Optimising

• A dedicated GLP1 online hub within the Slimming World app and members’ website, featuring:

o Tailored dietary guidance, including a 7day GLP1 eating plan and recipe collection

o Expertled content, including a podcast episode and Q&A videos

o Musclestrengthening activity videos to support overall health, help preserve muscle while losing weight and weightloss maintenance

o Clear guidance on preparing for and adjusting to coming off medication, including hunger management, highsatiety meals and protecting progress as appetite returns

• Slimming World’s proven behaviour change support, rooted in psychology, habit formation and longterm lifestyle change.

Penni says: “Research consistently shows that without structured behavioural support, rapid weight regain is likely once medication stops. That’s why wraparound support is so important. Our GLP1 package provides practical, evidencebased guidance on nutrition, muscle strengthening activity and appetite management, alongside the emotional and behavioural support people need – while they’re using medication and beyond it.”

If you’d like to find out more about Slimming World’s GLP-1 support, visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or contact Penni on 07801 054319. To join the Slimming World group, just turn up every Wednesday at 6pm at Aspley Community Centre.