New Survey Reveals the Outrageous Extremes Women Are Willing to Go in Order to Lose Weight and Keep it Off

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With New Year's resolutions already a distant memory for many, Slim-Fast^®, one of the most popular and clinically proven weight loss programs, surveyed more than 1,000 women across the country to find out the outrageous extremes they would be willing to go to in order to lose weight and keep it off.  The survey reveals scenarios – some of which are shocking - women across America claim they would do to slim down or keep off a dress size.  The surprising findings include:

• Six out of ten women (59 percent) would have sex everyday if it helped them keep their weight under control.
• Forty-five percent of women surveyed would never have another glass of wine (or other alcohol) if it meant they would never gain another pound.  Coffee (35 percent) and chocolate (29 percent) followed closely behind.  
• A tight friendship is apparently more important than a tight waistline.  When asked if they would give up their best friend to never gain another pound, only 5 percent of women surveyed would choose to never speak to their best friend again.  
• The idea of getting into a bathing suit (e.g. summer holidays and vacation) provide the most inspiration for women to slim down (40 percent).  New Year's resolutions (33 percent), weddings (25 percent), and high school reunions (20 percent) also provide significant motivation.
• Almost one in ten women, 18-34 years old, would expose more than just their flirty side by treating themselves to a one-night stand, if they lost one whole dress size.

"We all read about the weight loss extremes celebrities go to, but these findings represent statistics about what REAL women -- our  friends and families or  the woman next door -- would do to drop a few pounds!" said Virginia Blake West, Brand Director.  "Easy, effective weight-loss is top of mind for American women, and given these survey results, it's clear that the promise of never having to worry about weight again is extremely compelling.  While there is no magic bullet, the Slim-Fast^® 3-2-1 Plan^® is a safe and clinically proven way to help Americans lose weight without going to extremes."

The Slim-Fast^® 3-2-1 Plan^® combines weight-loss science with balanced nutrition and convenience, giving a structured approach that makes it easier to lose the weight fast.  Offering a simplified method, the plan uses a variety of delicious portion-controlled meal replacements and snacks.  The name "3-2-1 Plan" specifically outlines the daily meal plan regimen of 3 snacks, 2 shakes, or meal bars, and 1 balanced 500-calorie meal.  This plan allows women to eat six times a day, and still lose weight.

"Helping people achieve short-term weight loss can be an important predictor of long-term success.  But many people, anxious to see results, may turn to fad or crash diets even though these approaches do not provide adequate nutrition or long-term weight management," said Ali Auerbach, M.S., R.D., Registered Dietitian for Slim-Fast^®.  "Unlike fad diets that promise a quick fix with no scientific proof, the Slim-Fast^® 3-2-1 Plan^®  offers a safe and effective solution that is easy to follow and offers balanced nutrition.  

Slim-Fast^® products are available nationwide.  For more information go to www.slim-fast.com or follow Slim-Fast^® on www.Facebook.com/slimfast and www.twitter.com/slimfast.

Methodology

An online survey was conducted using the field services of Toluna. The study reached a national sample of 1,055 American women ages 18 and older. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 3.0% at the 95% confidence level.  This means that if the study were replicated, we would expect to get the same results (within 3.0 percentage points) 95 times out of 100.  

About Slim-Fast Foods Company

Slim-Fast^®, a business unit of Unilever, offers a complete line of delicious meal replacement shakes and bars and portion-controlled snack bars, along with meal planning and exercise advice for successful weight management. The Slim-Fast^® product line includes an affordable range of Shakes, Powders, Meal Bars and Snack Bars that are available in retail outlets nationwide.  Visit the new slimfast.com or call 1 800 SLIMFAST for more information.

About Unilever

Unilever [NYSE: UL, UN], one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.   The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli®, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline.  All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.  Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 13,000 people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico – generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

SOURCE Slim-Fast