How much does a Slimming World Consultant earn? That will depend on the group they manage and the number of members in that group. However, each consultant has a passion for their group and helping their members lose weight. As stated before my friend is a Slimming World Consultant and I am helping her with her groups. Let me explain.
Today, I was up extra early for a Saturday as my friend had agreed to cover another consultant group as she was sick. It was strange being back in the group as this is where I started my weight loss journey. However, I am much lighter this time, and helping in this group brings back some good and bad memories. I remember walking into the hall and thinking that here we go again. I know it is common for consultants to say that walking through the door is the hardest thing to do. Some consultants will even say they came to the group and then drove away because they couldn’t face walking in alone, etc.
I have to be truthful, I never felt like that. I know some people do, but most members walk through the door and are resigned to wanting to lose weight. That was me. I was 17 stone 12 pounds and knew I wanted to lose weight. There was no big drama; I was fat, big, whatever you want to call it, and I wanted to lose some weight. End of story.
Let’s Talk Money
Now, let us talk money. This is the one thing that seems to be the biggest secret where Slimming World is concerned. How much do Slimming World Consultants get paid? Well, this seems to depend on the size of the group, the more members you have the better paid. It’s all based on percentages. Consultants get a percentage of the income they take each week. This percentage can and does change each week.
For ease of reference here are the percentages
0-34 members = 35%
34 – 49 members = 45 %
50 – 64 members = 50%
65 – 99+ members = 55%
If you have 35 members, you will receive 35% of the fees that day. The rest of the money goes to Slimming World. The Consultant must pay for the room rent (although Slimming World will cover a small percentage).
The Consultant must buy all the food diaries they hand out, so they often hang on to them. Every time a member receives an award and is given a sticker and certificate, the consultant has to buy the certificate, and Slimming World pays for the sticker. Here’s the kicker: if you have a target member, they can come to the group for free. The consultant doesn’t get a penny for them being in the group. Also, they don’t count towards your number of group attendees. It’s only paying members.
So if you have a room of 35 people, 5 are target members, you only have 30 paying members. From that, 30 members (for example, 23 members paying £5.95 as they are under the age of 65, the income will be £136.80. 7 members are over the age of 65, so they only pay £5.65 so the payment will be £39.55).
It’s not that simple. Some of these members may have purchased a 6 or 12-week countdown, which means they get 1 or 2 weeks free. Additionally, the consultant get a percentage of the total countdown fee when they purchase it. That means the member joins the group for the next 6 or 12 weeks, having already paid. So, some weeks, the income will be much less than stated above.
Slimming World Consultant Earn after Room Rent
Room rent is split between the Consultant and Slimming World. For example m friends room rent is £55.00. So, working on the figures above, £176.35 (the fees, we are pretending there are no countdowns, so our figures will be good). Our income is £121.35.
From that figure, because we only have 30 paying members, our weekly income is £42.47.
How Much Does a Slimming World Consultant Earn – Hourly Rate
My Friend has worked out that it takes a minimum of 10 hours per week to run a group. You have to arrive at the venue an hour before to set up. Welcome the members and run the group, that’s an hour and a half. Answer questions, coach and support members on the day, usually another hour. Then packing up for 1 hour. Slimming World has some stringent reporting rules, so when you get home, there is about an hour’s worth of paperwork. Then there is mid-week support. You contact your members to ensure they are OK, coach them, talk to them, send emails, etc. This takes, on average, 3 hours.
Slimming World has team developers who like to chat with you every week for 30 minutes, which is an hour in reality. Once a month, there are team meetings that start at 7 and don’t finish until 9 on a Friday night.
Some nights, she has walked away from the group owing slimming world money. Her average income has been between £50-60 a group. she has selected to ignore the time she spend outside of the group.
I will discuss Marketing, Leafletting and the constant training she has to do, at her own expense, later.
Back to being a substitute Consultant
It is common when a substitute consultant takes a group for the group members to weigh and go. This is a shame as each consultant brings a new view and enthusiasm to the plan. She only had 10 members stay in the group, but we had a blast. At least I did.
The group was over by 11. She got £30 as a substitute consultant, and I was there to help my friend. We arrived at 8 a.m. and left at 11. £10.00 per hour, below minimum wage!!! She did buy me a coffee and we went shopping after, so she actually got a little less than that.
Back to me and my Plan
Breakfast was a massive fruit bowl of satsumas, grapes, and watermelon. It is one of my favourite meals. All speed foods. The rest of my food was on plan, and I love this renewed enthusiasm for weight loss.
What is Slimming World? We have had the introduction of why I am restarting in a new Slimming World group, if you missed it here it is. So, here I am, ready to start my new eating plan. I am excited about my new day one in a new group as a member. You’d think I’d be enthusiastic and prepared to tackle those 42 pounds I’ve set my sights on shedding. And trust me, I am!
But let me tell you about my quirky little family, who are ready to support me 100%. I discussed my plan of joining a Slimming World Group with them in the morning, and they were there. 100%, encouraging me to go to the group. They asked if I was greeted by a friendly group and if they knew I was the consultants friend, the whole kit and kaboodle. Then reality kicks in.
I’m on my way home after work, about 7 p.m., and I quickly stop at our local supermarket. My wonderful family, bless their little hearts, kindly requested some “treats.” In their language, that means cake, chocolate, and crisps. This is just a reminder that we had our heart-to-heart that morning about my renewed focus on this journey. Only 11 hours ago! But here we are, end of Day One, and they’re craving those “treats.” This will put me in a danger zone of ‘treats’.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that I’ll always be near those mouth watering goodies. Also, I don’t have the right to put them on the same plan because I am on a weight loss journey. They have the right to eat whatever they want. So, I decided to compromise. I selected crisps that work within the Slimming World plan. I chose a smaller bag of chocolate raisins for the family and treated myself to a small bag of Haribo Starmix.
So why did I select Haribo? To appreciate my choice, you must understand the Slimming World plan. So, let me explain my understanding of the Slimming World plan.
I don’t care who you speak to or what they say, but any weight loss program is about a calorie deficit. If you try the 80:20 diet, the cabbage diet, Weight Watchers, Calorie Counting, or my preferred plan, Slimming World. Each plan works on one premise. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight.
The food and drinks we consume are like little packets of energy. Our bodies are incredible machines that use these little packets of energy to help our bodies function correctly. This energy makes your heart beat, muscles work, and the other organs in your body function.
We can measure this energy, and the term we use is a “Calorie”. A calorie is a number that has been assigned to all foods.
Your body needs a certain amount of calories to function each day. If you lay in bed and do nothing all day, your body will burn calories. When you move around, just daily living, your body will burn even more calories.
You will gain weight if you eat more calories than your body needs. You will lose weight if you eat fewer calories than your body needs.
It must be said that not all calories are equal here, but that discussion will be for another post.
Slimming World also acknowledges that people don’t like to count calories; they want a plan that can fit in with their lives, and this one does.
Now that we understand that all eating plans are about a calorie deficit, let’s look at the slimming World Plan. This plan is one of the most popular plans to lose weight, as many people don’t want to count calories. A Slimming World plan is much easier to follow.
Slimming World has looked at all the available foods and divided them into five unique categories, each with its own name. There is no complicated jargon, just simple labels:
Free Foods
Speed Foods
Healthy A
Healthy B
Syns
To reconfirm, if you want to shed those extra pounds, you’ve got to create a calorie deficit. Slimming World gets that and discusses this in their books, which every member receives.
Slimming World employs expert dietitians and psychologists who’ve poured their wisdom into this plan. The psychological side of weight loss is often underestimated, but I think it’s the most crucial part of any weight loss program. We can all eat fewer calories daily and lose weight, but it’s that fear of losing out. When all around you are eating high-calorie, high-fat foods, you look at your apple or an orange with envy. Your friends are eating a bar of chocolate, and you have nothing. This fear of losing out or missing out is enormous. This is where the re-education and refocus of our goals and eating habits need to change. This, for me, is the hardest part of my journey.
Free Foods is up first on our list. Slimming World gets it – every food item has its own calorie value. But here’s the exciting news: they’ve identified certain foods that keep hunger pangs at bay for longer. These magical foods are called free foods. You can indulge in them to your heart’s content. No weighing or measuring.
However, there are three caveats to this:
You need to listen to your body and know if you’re hungry, bored, fed up, angry, or cross. If you are hungry, then eat. If not, you must create another coping mechanism and eat your feelings.
Stop eating when you are full. You do not have to clear your plate. You are in control.
Have a third of speed foods on your plate (we will come to this soon).
Slimming World has a few tweaks they want you to make to help you lose weight. For example, remove all the fat if you eat a pork chop or bacon. Grill or cook them in the oven. Roasting a chicken is perfect; don’t eat the skin. When pasta night rolls around, consider choosing wholemeal pasta.
These tweaks are your secret weapon for an eating plan that spells out success.
Now, let’s speed things up a bit with Speed Foods! These are the rock stars of our weight loss plan. These foods make you feel fuller for longer. Slimming World affectionately calls them Speed foods. It won’t surprise you to learn that these superheroes are none other than fruits and vegetables. Slimming World suggests that at every meal, you have at least a third of speed foods on your plate.
Add 1/3 of speed food on your plate; this could be a portion of broccoli or any other veg.
Then add your pasta. This is a free food, so there is no weighing or measuring.
Finally, add your Bolognese sauce, which is made from 5% less fat mince. A tin of tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and garlic (all free foods). And whatever else you make your Bolognese from.
This is now a balanced meal. Your Speed Food is put on your plate first. This gives you portion control (and it provides that calorie deficit). You are not filling a plate of whole pasta and adding a meat sauce. You are controlling your calorie intake.
What is Slimming World Healthy A
Up next, we’ve got Healthy A because even in the world of eating plans, we’ve got to keep health in check! Healthy A represents calcium, and it’s recommended that you enjoy two Healthy A’s daily. You’ve got options, whether milk or cheese – the choice is yours! Slimming World is about putting you in the driver’s seat regarding your consumed foods.
What is Slimming World Healthy B
And then there’s Healthy B, representing the fibre in your life. You’re encouraged to have one portion of fibre every day. The options for Healthy B are vast, ranging from bread to stewed apples.
Just remember, precise measurements are the name of the game for your Healthy A and Healthy B.
What is Slimming World Syns
Let’s discuss one of the most controversial aspects of the Slimming World plan. The Syns.
When Slimming World started in 1969, the plan was marketed as the “Sin A Day” diet. The plan was designed to help people lose weight while still enjoying the high-fat, high-sugar foods we all love. The plan was straightforward – keep your daily calories low, and if you wanted to, you could indulge in something you love that is higher in calories and fat only once a day (today, we call this portion control). People lost weight, and the plan grew and became one of the most popular eating plans in the UK.
What is Slimming World, well this was Day One
Fast forward to today, and with the advancement of science and technology, we better appreciate how the body and food work together. We now have a better understanding of food and weight control. The word “sin” has transformed into “Syns,” sporting a fresh spelling and a new meaning – “Synergy.” Meaning that you eat something in combination with a healthy eating plan. Foods high in fat, sugar and salt have been given a point(s) (just like calories, a number, and as discussed in a previous post, any weight loss program is about reducing the calories you consume). Consultants will suggest that each member, depending on their starting weight, will have a certain amount of Syns daily. As the member loses weight, the Syn value is reduced. Once again, PORTION CONTROL.
Slimming World isn’t shy about its history, but this topic keeps “popping up” in debates. From where I stand, let’s move on. It was “Sin” back then, and now it’s “Syns.” After all, in the 1960s, people would put butter on burns; times have changed. People evolve, adapt, and make better choices.
What is Slimming World on Sundays
So, let’s put it all together, shall we? Imagine a typical family meal – a hearty Sunday Lunch, for instance, with roast chicken, crispy roast potatoes, and a colourful array of veggies.
Roast Chicken – It’s a Free Food if you bid farewell to the skin.
Roast Potatoes – Dry roasted magic makes them Free Foods.
Peas – A Free Food.
Sweet Corn – You guessed it, another Free Food.
Cabbage – Speed Food, adding a burst of goodness.
Carrots – Speed Foods for some colourful crunch.
Parsnips – Count them as Speed Food, too.
Gravy Granules – Ah, here’s the kicker – these are your Syns, and the number depends on how much you sprinkle.
See, it’s as easy as pie! (Well, a calorie-controlled, Slimming World-friendly pie, that is!)
Now you understand that I selected Haribo because they are 4.5 syns for 25 g. Enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, be part of my odd little family treat night, and not feel left out.
It’s time for me to spill the beans on my latest adventure: reigniting my weight loss journey! As a Slimming World consultants best friend. I’ve already said farewell to a whopping 4 stone and 7 pounds. My journey started when I tipped the scales at a mighty 17 stone and 12 pounds and then halted. But hold on, there’s a bit of a twist!
With my return to the Slimming World group, alongside my friend who’s an absolute Slimming World aficionado, I restarted my journey. I also agreed to help her with her own group. This shared commitment gave me the opportunity to reignite my weight loss journey and strive towards achieving my ultimate goal. Agreeing to join the social team, solidified my dedication to her and my goal. Over the course of the past ten months, my weight had stealthily crept up by half a stone, serving as a motivating factor in my re-entry into the world of Slimming World.
OK, I admit it: I’m a tad peeved, maybe a little devastated and disappointed in myself. Truth be told, I haven’t been quite the poster child for the Slimming World plan in the last few months. Life’s been a whirlwind, and I’ve been all over the place with work, family and just, well life.
Excuses, I have them even as a Slimming World Consultant Friend
Excuses? I’ve got a few up my sleeve, from keeping up with my business, creating websites and various other reasons I could throw into the mix to justify my slip-ups. However, if I am honest, I have made a few bad choices and know it. The beauty of Slimming World is that all eating decisions are down to you. What you eat and the results you get.
My fear was that I have been advocating the importance of creating new weight-loss habits. And here I was, putting on weight. I think some of my new habits may have fallen by the wayside. So, have I really practiced what I preach? To some extent, yes! I’ve managed to incorporate some fantastic habits into my life. For instance, I’ve become a breakfast enthusiast, mastered the art of sitting down to eat every day, and amped up my fruit intake while ditching those sneaky liquid calories.
But some old habits from my pre-Slimming World days have crept back. The sneakiest culprits? chocolate and biscuits, of course! It’s like I’ve entered a race to finish the entire packet, and then, astonishingly, I’ll reach for more even when I’m stuffed. I even caught myself polishing off a bag of crisps just because I’d opened the packet. A habit I thought I had replaced!
After giving myself a stern talking-to (yes, I can be pretty persuasive), I decided it was high time to re-join Slimming World. With my friends as my consultant and coach I know there will some ups and down. Some fun and a few tears. For the next six weeks, I’ve set my sights on shedding those 10 pounds in weight, and I’m bringing you along for the ride with this blog to track my progress.
You May be interested in the other Articles in this series
What a question. Why did I start dieting? I feel like I have been on a diet all my life. My first memory of noticing anything to do with weight started when I was at school, and the school nurse would weigh me at the start and the end of the term. Then I was always underweight and told that I needed to add a few pounds. I didn’t understand what she meant and just carried on with my school life.
My next memory was watching my mother getting dressed for a party, putting on a red dress, and complaining that she was getting fat since she had stopped smoking, and my father had made a few comments about it. She was a size 12. She said she would join a weight-loss club and wanted me to go with her for company and support.
The price of coffee!
I joined her and listened to other women complain about the cost of diet food and the limited selection of diet foods available. These discussions would last for 40 minutes once a week for months. We would have the same debate, but from different people as the membership constantly changes. I refer to this kind of discussion jokingly ‘The price of coffee today is’.
Alternatively, they would moan about having to eat different food from the family and constantly moan about how hard done by they were. The final straw for me came when the instructor turned to the group and told each dieter that they should look at eating food as a treat and make it a performance. Lay the table and make it look beautiful. Turn off the TV and radio and don’t answer the phone and give themselves the gift of 20 minutes to enjoy their meal. I agreed with what she said, but the complaints from the women. Oh no, I can’t not answer the phone; it might be my child needing me. My husband works overseas, and if the phone goes, I will answer. The short-sightedness of what the instructor was trying to say was ignored.
The instructor was trying to say that they should look at their food, and their meal as something to enjoy. Think about what they are eating and be conscious about the food they are putting in their mouths. I was about 14 years old, and the group closed not long after, from memory.
What did I learn about dieting?
What this taught me was that all women should watch their weight. This is part of being a woman, one of the most important aspects of adulthood. A rite of passage. So, I started dieting because at 14; I was a size 10, five foot three, and told I should be a size 8. Moving on several years and dieting successfully and unsuccessfully since then, I managed to get myself to a size 24 and dream of being a size 14 as my ultimate goal. How things change!
It is true to say I started dieting because I wanted to lose weight. It seemed like the logical thing to do; after all, I had been told how to lose weight this way since I was 14. My logic was I was overweight. I should diet to lose weight. But it’s not that simple. Weight loss is complicated, both physically and mentally. It requires a lot of willpower and self-control, which I often lack. And even when you do everything “right”, there’s no guarantee that you will lose weight.
Dieting is such a deeply ingrained part of our culture, and it’s hard to imagine a different eating method. In my early 20s I learnt one style of dieting is not the only answer. I tried Slim Fast and going to the gym three times a week. I tried the cabbage diet, for two days. The 28 days to a better bottom diet, and Rosemary Colony’s diet and exercise. I also followed Susan Powter for a while and Jillian Michaels. For me, it lead to obsessing over food, feeling deprived and unhappy, and eventually giving up and overeating.
My thirties were just the same. So why do I keep doing it? Good question. Partly because I hope that this time will be different, and partly because I don’t know what else to do to stay healthy and look the way I want to. I have found a plan that works for me. I am a massive advocate of it.
Why I Started Dieting and found Slimming World
The Slimming World Food Optimising option works for me and my lifestyle. I like the fact that I can eat anything I want and that I am finding new eating habits. When I joined Slimming World I was over 17 stone. Now, 4 stone lighter I look and feel fantastic. I love the way I feel and that is what this site is about. It’s about my journey and what I have and will learn. It’s about me becoming a Slimming World Consultant and what I am learning and how this role is changing my life. I will tell you the good bits, the bad bits, and those that just don’t really matter to anyone except those who are in Slimming World.
Is this a new diet or way of life?
I have decided to live the life that works for me. A method that doesn’t involve just dieting but also focuses on listening to my body and eating what makes me feel good, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Because food nourishes us, not punishes us. And our bodies are meant to be loved and respected, not constantly criticised.
If you’re struggling with dieting, I encourage you to explore options that include a reduction in the foods you put in your mouth. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to eating, and what works for me might not work for you. If you’re tired of feeling a failure every time you diet, know that you are not alone. And know that there is another way. Dieting doesn’t have to be your only option–there is hope for something better. Something that feels good instead of bad. Something that leads to self-love instead of self-loathing. You deserve it, as do I. As mentioned above, I have found that Slimming World is working for me. Diet is about numbers. The number of calories you put in your body and the ones you expel through exercise and just living.
In conclusion why I starteddieting
If my mother had never started her weight loss program or taken me to her slimming club, I don’t think I would have ever put on so much weight. I’m not blaming her for my adult decisions, but it started a cascade of Yo-Yo dieting and focused on weight, weight loss, and physical appearance. Before then, I did not know the minefield of weight loss and the psychological difficulties of control over your own body. I still want to lose weight, and I still have the image in my head of how I want to look and how I look now. The image that I see may differ from the image you see, but ultimately it’s all about me in my head.
Why I started dieting was personal for me, why did you start? Was it for similar reasons?
There is a link to the Slimming World website; I am not paid for this link but. I thought it might be of use if you wanted to check it out.
The Fast Forward Plan with Slimming World – Thursday 17 February 2022
Starting weight: 86.2
Days
One 86.2
Two 85.8
Three 85.4
Four 84.8
Five 85.2
Six 84.8
Seven 84.8
Total loss: 1.4 kg. It’s still going down.
I made it. At last, it was a long seven days with a stringent diet. My eventual weight loss was 1.4 kg. I am thrilled, but I didn’t meet my 3kg weight loss, but it means that I am much nearer to my end goal of 70 kg within a week.
I am looking forward to going back to the regular Slimming World Food Optimising plan. Not having to weigh food and count units. Now I have to make sure I don’t put any weight on. I am not going mad at my free foods as I think the next week will be more critical than the Fast Forward Plan week.
Would I do the The Fast Forward Plan with Slimming World again?
Yes, I think that is maybe worth doing every few months. Not because I want the massive weight loss, but it reminded me about Food Optimising and that the choice is in my hands. I will not preach, as it was hard. Family mealtimes were difficult, and Saturday treat night was difficult for everyone.
I don’t think it’s a plan that should be used all the time; the calorie intake is low. Slimming World says this is the last resort plan. I can’t see why. Consultants use other tools if you are struggling to lose weight. For example:
Food diaries
Individual consultation with your consultant,
Extra easy SP,
For and against lists.
Self Sabotage
However, this plan is a helpful booster for those who need it. It should be kept in the back cupboard under a large box and padlocked. It is just another valuable tool to help kick-start your weight loss journey once you get stuck. You will need the same motivation you had when you first started your Slimming World journey. It is useful and it has its place, and it works as a short-term fix for a quick boost of weight loss. I know that it’s NOT food optimising, which is probably why Slimming World doesn’t want to discuss it a great deal. It will make you appreciate the plan again, get you to reread the books, and start to plan your meals.
What has this plan taught you?
It has shown me I don’t always count my syns. I am eating more significant portions and need to keep them in check.
You may be interested in my other posts on The Fast Forward Plan with Slimming World
Starting weight on the Slimming World Fast Forward Plan: 86.2
Days on the Fast Forward plan
One 86.2
Two 85.8
Three 85.4
Four 84.8
Five 85.2
Six 84.8
Struggling today
I am struggling to stay on the Plan today, as the food selection is limited. Even though I’m eating healthy, the meals feel monotonous, and with yesterday’s gain, I do not see the results I want. I am tempted to give up, but I only have tomorrow left. However, after finishing the Fast Forward, I am now looking to spice up my “food optimising” and make it more exciting.
While the food selection is limited, I have to remind myself that the Slimming World Fast Forward Plan is meant to re-start my weight loss. After finishing the plan, I know I can add more variety to my diet. There are plenty of healthy and delicious recipes available. I have been a member for a long time and have ALL the recipe books. I know that adding in these recipes will make my diet more exciting, but I will also lose weight at the same time. As I mentioned above, I won’t give up on the Slimming World Fast Forward Plan – but use it as a fresh starting point to help me reach my ultimate weight loss goals.
Day 6 of my Slimming World Fast Forward Plan.
As you can see, I am feeling a little despondent today. The weight has come down again. The plan is hard work. I look at the family’s food and feel a little envious. However, I also hear that Bliss bar yelling at me in the cupboard. I know I need to lose weight, but it should be easier than this. The sad bit is that it will be a lifelong battle once I get to my target weight. But I will keep going – I know this is worth it!
It seems so sad that I have to keep watching what I eat so that I won’t put on so much weight. The real question is, why is the way we look so important? Why are we judged on our physical appearance? Our outward appearance shouldn’t be as important as the person we are inside. When I weighed more, people thought I was stupid. As I was losing weight, that attitude changed.
In conclusion, I know that one of the most important things I can find is a healthy and sustainable diet for weight loss. The Plan may be restrictive with food selection, but this is only meant to be a temporary measure. Once I have finished the the next two days, I will add more variety to my diet. This will mean that the plan I follow should not be too restrictive, as this will make it challenging to stick to in the long run. Roll on tomorrow and weigh in.
I am looking forward to going back to the more extensive selection of “Food Optimising”. I never thought I would miss it.
You may be interested in my other posts on Slimming World Fast Forward Plan
