Losing weight is no easy task, and it can be even more challenging when you’re a man, because sometimes it feels like we live in a culture that actively discourages men from tackling their weight. Slimming World’s Machobesity Report* revealed that men are encouraged to see fatty foods and beer as ‘manly’ and attempts to lose weight as ‘feminine’.
With so much conflicting advice out there, it’s no wonder some men think that Slimming World won’t work for them. In fact, our research shows that men can actually lose weight faster than women when they join their local group.
It’s not just for girls…
In our research**, the most common concerns and misconceptions men had about joining a weight loss club – before they joined Slimming World – were that it would be:
- aimed at women
- complicated
- strict
- cliquey
- restrictive
- controlling
As our 30,000 male slimmers will tell you, that isn’t the case! Men soon see that everyone in group has been through the same struggles and experiences, and want to support each other on their weight loss journeys. So, male or female, you never feel alone.
Within six weeks of joining Slimming World, and discovering the positive power of being part of a like-minded group, 92% of those same men told us they’d recommend Slimming World to a friend or colleague.
“Getting wedged under cars was a workplace hazard… not any more!”
Nick Furlong joined his group with four friends, which meant that they could support each another in achieving their weight loss goals. He’s now 6st (38kg) lighter! Nick says:
“I’m a mechanic by trade and gave up working roadside, partly because of my weight. I’d been known to get myself wedged under many a car while working, and the physical side of the job was getting harder. Becoming a dad again at 40 was another big factor that spurred me on to join Slimming World – I wanted to be as healthy as possible for my son, Oscar.
Four of my best friends were also keen to lose weight, so we decided to go along to a Slimming World group together. I was very sceptical at first. I was nervous about taking part in the group sessions, and worried that it would become just another thing I wasn’t able to stick with – but I was so wrong. My Wednesday night group is now a highlight of my week. I soon realised that I don’t have to miss out with Slimming World – I can still eat all my favourite foods, just with some small changes to make them slimming-friendly.”
Men want to improve their health and fitness – and, at Slimming World, they do!
An overwhelming majority – 90% – of the men surveyed said they wanted to lose weight to improve their health. Just 21% rated their health good, very good or excellent before joining Slimming World, but that rating rose to 81% after they became members! Plus, the men said they had more energy and felt stronger and more enthusiastic, proud, inspired and determined.
Almost two-thirds of the members and potential members we surveyed told us they wanted to improve their fitness, too.
Our unique active lifestyle programme, helps to get members moving more and feeling fitter. Just over half the men who took part in our research were doing more than 30 minutes of activity every week before they joined Slimming World. That increased to 89% after they became members.
“I went from barely moving to running miles every week”
Alex Lambert-Lea lost 4st 3½lbs (27kg) and fell back in love with running – rediscovering confidence he thought he’d lost forever. He says:
“At my biggest, even day‑to‑day things felt difficult – walking around, playing with my two children, working my job in a coffee shop. My body image was at an all‑time low: I avoided photos, hid behind people and wore baggy clothes. I covered up completely even at the beach. I just didn’t want to be seen.
When I was at university, I loved running – I’d built up my mileage and felt really proud of what my body could do. But I stopped as soon as I left. When I heard about Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme, I thought, ‘This is my chance.’ It empowered me to set achievable targets that never felt overwhelming – and each time I hit one, my confidence grew. I took up running again, starting small and building up gradually, which helped me increase my speed, mileage and belief in myself. Now, I’m racking up the miles every week!”
“A stag-do disaster helped turn my life around”
At 23st 3½lbs (147kg), Craig Stokes was falling asleep at work and struggling to walk his dog. Now he’s lost half his body weight and has run the London marathon! He says:
“My big turning point was my nephew’s stag do at Thorpe Park. I was excited to ride the big rollercoasters, but I couldn’t get the shoulder restraint to click into place. I decided then that I wanted to transform my health and lifestyle for good.
Despite my love of sport, I wasn’t active at all before I joined Slimming World – I struggled to walk the dog around the block without being in significant pain. I started following Slimming World’s active lifestyle programme, and progressed from short walks to tackling long walks with ease. Running’s now part of my weekly routine, and I was so proud to run the London Marathon as one of the Slimming World 2025 team.
My Slimming World Consultant, Beckie, and my fellow group members have played an incredibly important part in my weight loss journey. They provide invaluable support on the weeks I need it most and celebrate with me when I hit key milestones. I now weigh 11st 12lbs (75kg) and, with the support of my group, I’ll be maintaining this weight for ever!”
“I was in constant pain. Now I’m enjoying my favourite activities again!”
Dave Winchester was nervous about joining his local group – but he did and went on to lose 14st 7lbs (92kg). He says:
“I had a perception that the group would be really cliquey and full of women – and I worried I’d be made to feel even more ashamed about my weight than I was already. It was nothing like that at all, though; in fact, it was so much better than I imagined. I wasn’t the only guy there and everyone I met was so warm and supportive. Plus, of course, we all had the same thing in common – we wanted to lose weight!”
“My GP said I wouldn’t make it to 30”
After a stark health warning, John MacDonald joined Slimming World at nearly 28st (177.8kg). Now he’s celebrating his milestone birthday an incredible 16st 12lbs (107kg) lighter. He says:
“I went to see my GP for what I thought would be a routine check-up, but he immediately sent me to hospital by ambulance. Tests revealed my heart had become enlarged due to my weight, putting me at serious risk of heart failure. I was also diagnosed with prediabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnoea. At just 20-something, I was told I was heading towards an early grave.
The group support at Slimming World made all the difference for me. I thought it would just be about getting weighed, but it’s so much more than that. There’s loads of encouragement and practical help every week. With the support of Carrina and the group behind me, I began to believe change was possible.
As the weight came off, everything changed. My confidence grew, my energy returned and the depression I’d struggled with for years began to lift.”
Slimming World men have more confidence and more energy (and more sex!)
Just over half (58%) of the men surveyed said they wanted to lose weight to feel fitter, while 29% said they wanted to feel more attractive and more confident… and Slimming World delivered!
Our survey showed that after losing weight with Slimming World, men felt more energetic, happier with their physique and more confident to have sex. In fact, they have more sex since joining Slimming World!
Slimming World men lose more weight than women, dramatically improve their physical and mental health, boost their energy and get fitter! It’s no surprise, then, that 92% say they’d recommend Slimming World.
Slimming World support – tailored to you
If you want to lose weight, we’ll support you all the way to feeling fitter, stronger, and full of confidence. With more than 55 years of experience and expertise in weight loss success, we can arm you with all the tools and know-how you need to make lasting lifestyle changes while eating real food and never going hungry.
**The workplace virtual pilot study: A Partnership pilot study, conducted in 2020, involved a small number of men who were invited to attend a bespoke virtual Slimming World group (consisting of six sessions over six weeks, with the option to continue for a further 12 weeks, either online or in group) via their workplace (Transport for London/Govia Thameslink Railway). Weight outcomes were assessed and the men completed a short survey at the end of the pilot.