The ‘Cult’ Of The Diet Club

Did you know that many brands now list their Weight Watchers ‘Points’ or Slimming World ‘Syns’ on their products’ packets?

If you do any Nutritional qualification you won’t be learning about Points or Syns — these are made up names that the companies use as a way of controlling portions and ultimately calories; the number on the food corresponds to calorie and fat content mostly.

These slimming clubs are clever -

They take vulnerable women with low self esteem and little knowledge of nutrition and teach them….

Their Way.

In a conversation with a serial dieter recently, the victim tells me,

“The only thing that worked was a 12 week referral to slimming world. It’s a short term solution though unless you get educated about your own body and food you are either on slimming world for the rest of your life or you gain the weight again.”

Ain’t that the truth.

You learn how to count Points, Syns, or whatever else they’re naming food.

Your learn how to save units so that you can have an entire deep dish pizza and half a tub of ice cream at the weekend.

You memorise the value of all your favourite foods.

I have one issue with the last comment and that’s that food becomes numbers not food. Digits to be added up rather than nourishment.

But that’s not the point I want to make in this email.

What happens when you stop attending the groups?

What if you don’t know the ‘value’ of a particular food?

What if you want to stop counting and see if you can automatically eat well?

Most people regain weight when they stop the classes.

Why?

Because you haven’t really learnt about food, nutrition, or your body at all.

You’ve just been taught their way.

Which means you either a member of their club for life,

Or you gain weight.

Ball and chain comes to mind.

Or you could choose proper education and skills you can learn once and apply for life.

Your choice.

Polly ‘cookie cutter plans don’t work’ Hale

xxx