18-07-2025
Wicklow weight loss consultant on why Ozempic can't replace ‘power of group support'
Having become a Slimming World member in 2008 and lost five stone after struggling with weight since her late teens, Tracey Delaney, who now runs groups in Baltinglass and Tullow, says that she and her members are 'living proof that lasting weight loss can be achieved without drugs'.
Citing weight loss injections like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro as having 'undoubtedly changed the weight management landscape', Tracey said she understands the temptation to try something new that promises instant results when you're desperate to lose weight, but believes that drugs will 'never replace weight-loss methods based on lifestyle changes, like Slimming World'.
'The truth is, there's no magic bullet – losing weight and maintaining that weight loss requires change,' Tracey said.
'Weight loss drugs need to go hand-in-hand with making changes to your diet, activity and mindset. They're not a replacement for those changes.
'A recent University of Oxford study (at the European Congress on Obesity 2025) found exactly this. It showed that people who stop taking weight loss drugs typically regain the weight they lost within a year, with full weight regain expected in under two years, if they don't maintain a healthy lifestyle afterwards.'
Highlighting how Slimming World's approach is focused on helping its members make lasting changes, Tracey explained that their eating plan encourages members to eat nutritious food every day, so they can lose weight without deprivation, while an activity programme helps members increase how much and how often they move, 'at their personal pace'.
'In our groups, members get behaviour change support, which helps them to understand themselves more deeply as a slimmer and change the way they think about food, activity and their weight,' Tracey said.
'We're committed to offering support to everyone, including providing wraparound care for members who are taking weight loss drugs alongside attending Slimming World.
'Many people join our groups after trying to lose weight beforehand, often alone and unsuccessfully. They understand they need support because it isn't easy, and it's even harder on your own. Whether you're using weight loss medication or have had surgery, lasting change needs real support.
'My members form strong friendships in group, and there's nothing quite like the motivation and accountability that comes from losing weight with others who understand the challenges. Being part of a group helps you to stay on track and committed until the changes you're making become everyday habits.'
Despite more weight loss drugs now being available, a recent poll of a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults revealed that 69pc of adults would still be unlikely to take weight loss drugs, with 25pc of those saying they don't want to change the way they eat, drink and socialise, 21pc worried they wouldn't be getting the nutrition they need for good health and 20pc said they love their food too much.
Meanwhile, a survey of members of Slimming World's 13,000 community weight loss groups and online programme conducted in March this year found that 89pc "love losing weight while getting all the nutrients they need'.
Over three-quarters (77pc) of the members questioned now make healthy, nutritious, filling meals that the whole family enjoys, and 76pc felt proud that they're passing on healthy habits to their families, with 56pc reporting being surprised at how quickly they've lost weight since joining Slimming World.
Reflecting on the survey and her own weight loss journey at Slimming World, Tracey said that she often hears from new members how amazed they are that they can lose weight 'without feeling like they're missing out', adding that, 'in fact, in the recent survey of our members, 85pc told us they were surprised they could lose weight while still eating the foods that they loved'.
'I'm delighted with my weight loss. It's something I never dreamed I'd be able to achieve. While I wouldn't ever judge someone for going down the route of weight loss injections, I'm personally glad I didn't choose that option because I feel confident that I've learned how to make changes I can keep up forever, so I'll never go back to the old me.
'I've changed the way I think about food, and the expertise shared at group has helped me to see where and why my previous attempts at losing weight didn't work.
'Now I know my triggers, I can spot when something might have the potential to send me off track and put a plan in place to protect my weight loss. I'm so grateful to Slimming World.'
