My Green weekend...

So the weekend turned out Green for me....

Being a major coffee drinker, my Healthy A allowance is almost always 350ml of skimmed milk to use in it (just can't seem to do black coffee...) The main problem with that being that I LOVE cheese but it makes quite a dent in my Syn allowance.

The solution? Red or green days because then I get 2 Healthy A's and 2 Healthy B's! Happy days! Have to say that I struggle with red as I need carbs to fill be up, so Green is my preferred option.

Yesterday (Saturday) started out a bit frantic so I just grabbed some fruit very early in the morning and then had French Toast (eggy bread) with loads of fruit at about midday.

Saturday night is usually takeaway night and as I hadn't had any meat at lunchtime, I decided to get vegetable and black bean with boiled rice from the Chinese (5 syns for a 360g portion). I was really hungry, so I stir fried some extra veg at home to add to my measured portion (boosted my superfree too!).  Having the veggie option allowed me another Healthy extra B in the evening which is always a bonus! I chose 20 almonds as I really love nuts and they always feel like a real treat! Of course I still had lots of syns left as well so I had a Bendicks Bittermint which was left over from Christmas (3 syns). A girl needs a bit of chocolate at the weekend!!!

I was organised enough last night to soak some oats in a muller light overnight, so this morning I had magic pancakes for breakfast with loads of fruit (picture in earlier post). At lunchtime I had the remainder of my Chinese from last night (2.5 syns worth). And for dinner I had cheesy (bean) chilli chips - one of my favourite comfort food dinners - it feels so naughty (but isn't)!

A couple of Alpen light bars (with coffee during the day) and 20 almonds were my Healthy Extra B's for the day and lots of fruit as snacks in between meals.

And still a few syns left if I feel the need for some indulgence later! 

Slimming world Magic Pancakes - Easy like Sunday morning.....

Weekend mornings mean that I have a bit more time to prepare breakfast.... 

I love eggy bread (2 slices of M&S Count on Us wholemeal as a Healthy B) or Magic Pancakes with loas of fruit.

Magic pancakes this morning.... I use 15g of oats (3 syns) mixed with half a tub of vanilla muller light. Leave to soak in the fridge overnight then in the morning whisk in an egg to make the pancake batter. Fry in frylight...Delicious!!

WI - Thursday 9 January 2014

And the results are in........ 1.5lbs of my Christmas weight is gone!! Hoping for a bit more tbh, but hey back in the right direction..... 

Just back from WI and had a lovely tea (because everyone knows you can't eat anything before WI!!!). As per usual on a WI night I allowed myself a (not so) naughty but nice dinner. Tonight was M&S lightly dusted plaice (5.5 syns) with SW chips and mushy peas....real comfort food.... Have had loads of super free today, so allowed myself a bit of a reprieve on that tonight. 

Now, HiFi bar or 20 almonds for my healthy extra? Decisions, decisions!!

Some SW Meal ideas

Diet? What Diet?!

2014 is going to be my year!

Hello and welcome to my New Blog. Hopefully you have found this page because you are interested in, or a member of, Slimming World.

I am 43 have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember, trying every diet there is. For every lb I lost, I put on 2!

I promised myself that I wouldn't be fat and 40, but I was. Shortly after my 40th birthday I decided that I had to take control for my own health. I was a size 22 at that point. 

Exhibit A  (lol) - BEFORE SW (2011)

After talking to some work colleagues, I started Slimming World online and lost 2.5 stone. Then I got stuck. Although I kept the weight off, I couldn't seem to lose any more so when a Slimming World group opened in my daughters school I summoned up the courage to go along. My Mum came with me for some moral support! The consultant and group were so supportive and inspirational offering loads of tips and recipes. I found my mojo again! 

Since joining (May 2012) I have lost another 3.5 stone making 6 stone in total. I feel fantastic and at 43 I am finally comfortable in my own skin. I am now a very comfortable (no holding my stomach in to get the zip up!) size 14. 

Exhibit B - NOW (December 2013)

My weight loss journey, like most peoples has had its ups and downs and it has not been quick. It has, however, been relatively easy and enjoyable. I love food and I can eat lots, enjoy takeaways and nights out and not feel deprived. I have started this blog to document my continued journey to target weight in the hope that people will find help and inspiration on this page. I am a novice blogger, so please bear with me!

I started the year with a 6.5 lb gain on the scales. I was disappointed (as I always am with a gain!), but I can't say I was surprised after all the Christmas and New Year excess - I am quite partial to the odd glass of wine or 6! And a glass of wine isn't the same without a few nibbles.... And it was Christmas after all.... And so the excuses go on! 

However - onwards and downwards (on the scales!). Feeling very inspired and motivated after last weeks group, I have been really on plan this week and am expecting good things tomorrow night at Weigh In.  At this point I would urge everyone to find a local group and stay after weigh in if you can possibly afford the time and money - it is so useful. Visit http://www.slimmingworld.com to find a group near you.

If you decide to revisit my page, you will find that I LOVE trying new recipes, so I look forward to sharing some tips, ideas and food dairies with you all in the coming weeks and months.

S x