Have you found a diet that has worked for you and kept the weight off let us know info@bigmatters.co.uk Why not share the experience by writing a weekly column on our website With so many plans available we asked two well know companies to let us know a little more about their plans - weightwatchers and slimming world

Weight Watchers® has been helping people achieve their goals for over 40 years and is one of the most successful weight-loss organisations in the UK. To find a diet buddy, for weight watchers or any other weight loss plan visit bigmatters community forum

Founded in the early 60's by Jean, from Queens, New York, the company is based on the principal that the best way to control weight is to be able to eat normal food and talk to people who can understand and support each other. Four years later, the first Weight Watchers Meeting in the UK was held near Windsor. Since then the UK company has continued to expand. Thousands of Meetings are now held each week by Weight Watchers Leaders who have also lost weight successfully with Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers offers a range of fantastic products and services designed to suit your lifestyle:

The POINTS® diet
Eat the foods you love and still lose weight! The POINTS diet is all about you - as you can personalise it to fit the way you like to eat.

Weight Watchers Meetings
Our best way to lose weight!

Weight Watchers Online
Can't go to Meetings? Do the POINTS diet online.

Weight Watchers eSource
Already going to Meetings? Our online resources make staying on track even easier.

To find the nearest Meeting or sign up to Weight Watchers Online by clicking on link above.

There are special offers running throughout the year – be sure to check the site frequently for details.

Founded in 1969, their current plan is known as food optimizing,

“ Free Foods – a massive variety of delicious, satisfying food you can eat as much of as you like. There is no measuring, no weighing, no calculating whatsoever! Members can fill up on Free Food at any time of day or night, so they are never hungry.

HEALTHY EXTRAS – Each day members choose from a huge list of Healthy Extra choices, designed to give the body all the vital vitamins, minerals and fibre it needs.

SYNS – our unique Syns system is designed to make sure members enjoy higher calorie favourite foods every day. For a steady weight loss most people enjoy around 10 Syns a day, though this varies according to weight, height and lifestyle.

FOOD OPTIMISING is in line with current guidelines on effective weight management and healthy eating. It guides members in making healthy changes to diet and behaviour towards food.

FOOD OPTIMISING consists of two choices; the Original choice and the Green choice. Both choices allow members the freedom to choose what they eat, when they eat and how often they eat. There is little or no weighing and no calorie counting involved.

The GREEN choice is suitable for anyone who prefers to eat less meat and loves filling up on pasta, jacket potatoes, rice, veg curries and chillies. It is in line with current nutrition recommendations – less fat, more fibre and is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

The ORIGINAL choice is available for anyone who enjoys a great British breakfast, Sunday roast, mixed grill, cold meats, fish and seafood. As with the Green, the Original choice is tailored to ensure that a balanced, nutritious and enjoyable diet is achieved.

FOOD OPTIMISING is very different to food combining. It’s not about separating different types of nutrients, but encouraging people to choose the proportions of different types of food they prefer. All food groups are encouraged in any combination. “

In conjunction with this they run Body Magic which includes getting members more active and Image Therapy – details of these can be obtained via their website.

• To find out where your nearest Slimming World group is visit our website at www.slimming-world.com or telephone 0870 7546 669. This line is open Monday to Thursday from 8.00am to 8.00pm and Friday 8am to 6.30pm.

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All content within Big Matters website is provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Big Matters Ltd is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any individual, including all independant consultants on this site, any commercial product or service mentioned or advised any of the sites including nutritional information supplied herein. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions regarding a medical condition, your diet or before embarking on any exercise program or if you're in any way concerned about your health. Under no circumstances shall Big Matters be liable for any loss, damage or harm caused by a User's reliance on information obtained through this site. It is the responsibility of a User to evaluate the information, opinion, advice or other Content available on Big Matters website.Jessica Villa, Leigh Brandon & Richard Krijgsman are all independant consultants.

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