Heading for winter with Slimming World

ammonite

drinkupretty wrote: »

Weigh in on Thursday, I lost 3.5 lbs

:T Well done! That is fab!

maman

ammonite wrote: »

It made me realise how upset I am about the way I look in fancy gear and how desperate I actually am to lose some of this weight. Then I realised what a long, hard slog it's going to be and I've disintegrated. (I do realise there are far more important things in life as evidenced on this thread in recent posts, but I still feel sad about looking like a whale).

How on earth do you keep yourself going?

I need helpful tips from those at goal and those who have been losing well over long periods.

Hi ammonite, sorry to hear you're feeling down. I am at target (since August) and I just have to tell you it's so worth sticking at the plan for the HUGE feel good factor afterwards. And it lasts, I'm still feeling great 4 months down the line. I know what you mean about other things being more important but being overweight was making me so miserable it was changing my attitude to life. Feeling good about myself makes it so much easier to cope with whatever life throws at you.

I love food too. I have a large appetite so would never have coped with a diet that only allowed minimal food. I enjoy cooking and take some pride (and enjoyment) in putting a decent meal on the table every evening. We also have a good breakfast.

As for tips, other than sticking with it: Planning is definitely essential. I've always done a weekly meal plan plus associated shopping list. These days I plan for 7 SW friendly meals instead plus ingredients for breakfasts and lunches. SW recipes are good but you can also adapt your own favourites. Batchcook some ready meals for the freezer so you're not tempted by take-aways when your tired/busy. If your circumstances allow don't buy synful things so if you don't have any biscuits, chocolate, crisps etc in the house then you can't eat them. Personally I have most of my syns at the weekend and eat syn free during the week. I prefer it that way because it makes weekends special and gives something to look forward to. I think you have to be absolutely honest with yourself as to what you would really miss most. For me it's wine:o so if I have severely curtailed cheese, bread, butter and other things I enjoy. I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas.

Stick with it, it's worth it!!

ammonite

Thanks Maman, that is really helpful. I think in the past I would have said I would miss chocolate the most, but actually the thing I'm finding most difficult is living without my cereal (can only eat rice krispies - oh how i miss oats and weetabix ) and my bread for a sandwich (white nimble only), so perhaps I need to put those into my syns rather than saving the syns for chocolate every day. I have got a majorly sweet tooth, but managed to curb it to one boiled sweet during the day plus a low-calorie chocolate bar in the evening (I know that sounds like a lot, but I'd eat a mars bar with every meal if I could). The fun-sized Milky Ways are only 3.5 syns so maybe I can have a few syns on chocolate and a few on bread. I luckily don't drink anyway (purely because I can't face wasting the calories! Would much rather have aforementioned mars bar!).

I am quite lucky with snacky foods as I can buy Wotsits and Doritos and Club chocolate bars and not touch them because they make me ill - the husband loves them for his lunches so in that respect I'm quite lucky that we don't have the temptations all around. I think once I fall off the wagon, I figure I might as well blow it for the week then start afresh, that is probably something I need to work on!

Off to a buffet this afternoon, had a slice of toast with spread and a mini babybel light before I go to help fill me up!

Thanks for the advice, it is really useful

Flat_Eric

maman wrote: »

As for tips, other than sticking with it: Planning is definitely essential. I've always done a weekly meal plan plus associated shopping list. These days I plan for 7 SW friendly meals instead plus ingredients for breakfasts and lunches. SW recipes are good but you can also adapt your own favourites. Batchcook some ready meals for the freezer so you're not tempted by take-aways when your tired/busy. If your circumstances allow don't buy synful things so if you don't have any biscuits, chocolate, crisps etc in the house then you can't eat them. Personally I have most of my syns at the weekend and eat syn free during the week. I prefer it that way because it makes weekends special and gives something to look forward to. I think you have to be absolutely honest with yourself as to what you would really miss most. For me it's wine:o so if I have severely curtailed cheese, bread, butter and other things I enjoy. I'm sure you'll get lots of ideas.

Stick with it, it's worth it!!

very interesting and useful paragraph that I almost want to print off and tattoo to my arm....

can I ask, how are you planning on dealing with/managing xmas ??

maman

Flat_Eric wrote: »

very interesting and useful paragraph that I almost want to print off and tattoo to my arm....

can I ask, how are you planning on dealing with/managing xmas ??

No problem, eric I'm so glad to be of some help. I certainly had enough from the lovely people on here in the 10 months I took to get to target.:A

Actually, Christmas itself isn't that bad. Last year I actually lost weight between Christmas and New Year. My consultant was amazed (as was I).

For me the biggest problem was the 'nibbly' parties leading up to Christmas when I did gain. There's so little on many buffets that is SW friendly. I'm sure you know all the obvious stuff like chicken without skin and crudities with maybe salsa. I think ammonite has the right idea in filling up before you go but it is a danger time.

Christmas itself was easier partly because it fell at the weekend so I had my alcohol syns saved. If you do SW roasts and parsnips the only syns need be in the gravy. I happily went without cranberry sauce, had a minimal bit of stuffing and made a few plain bacon rolls (blankets without pigs:)) for myself. Having loads of superfree was no problem at all. All the family were too stuffed to eat pudding but I had planned to have a tiny bit with some Total or Fromage Frais. For tea, instead of sandwiches (I hadn't discovered WW Brown Danish back then) I had a plate of cold meats, salad and pickles. if really hungry (who is at teatime on Christmas Day?:D) you could have a JP, chips or fried potatoes. Similarly Boxing Day it's so easy to have the cold meats. Here we always have bubble & squeak with a full English in the morning so that was fine too. Turkey curry, also no problem.

It is easier for me as I don't have a sweet tooth. Bottom line, I'd say enjoy your Christmas and have what you want, making any adjustments that won't spoil it for you. What I think is is essential is that you don't just say 's*d it' but get back to the plan (prefereably syn free) as often as possible between festive occasions.

saidan

great advice maman thanks - will have to bear in mind when i desperately want the choccie tin over xmas!

red today:
2 weetabix, s milk (hea, heb)
banana. 2 slices white kinsmill (9 ) spread (2)
butternut squash soap, simply cook lamb shank, brocoli.

have done 20 mins of swimming lengths today too.....hoping the FIT log keeps me in shape too.

WI tomorrow evening so we'll see. It can go either way after yesterday xmas lunch!

saidan

Flat_Eric

Another SW week almost at an end and another frustrating week food wise.

I have no one to blame but myself. Bad planning this weekend has put paid to being good (heading into town shopping yesterday having eaten very little for breakfast then being very hungry and wanting something as soon as (hence coffee shop naughty treats). Not planning lunch properly so ended up having a pannini. I'm too frightened to look up the syns....

Dinner was ok but not the cake I ate afterwards or the toffeee chocolates that I picked up in the £ shop! or the alcohol syns.....

Today has been busy - xmas decs have gone up and lots of tidying up too meaning no proper meals again and this evening, had dinner cooked for me but pastry.... need I say more?!

There is a distinct lack of fruit and veg in my meals at the moment and I am really missing it. I must sort myself out.

I've started to meal plan for the xmas period. If I have something to follow over the xmas break then Im hopeful things won't go too pear shaped.

ps I tried on a skirt yesterday that in my early days of SW, fitted me. it doesn't anymore and yesterday it put me in a really bad mood. Wouldn't it be nice to be good over xmas so that I can get into it as soon as in January ??!! :j

Magnolia

Good morning folks - WI day for me yesterday and I forgot to post! :eek:

Nothing spectacular here - had my first STS - I knew they would come at sometime so I am ok with it. Things will even out over the next few weeks so I am not bothered.

There is always January for a big push:rotfl:

TakeItEazy

Well done on the loss Dizzy 5lb is fantastic. BIG hugs for your other news am really feeling for you x x x x.

WI the weekend and as expected a 2lb gain ( coulda been so much worse). Am ok with it as really didn't need another loss.
Last week before end of term, can't wait as so exhausted.

maman

TakeItEazy wrote: »

WI the weekend and as expected a 2lb gain ( coulda been so much worse). Am ok with it as really didn't need another loss.
Last week before end of term, can't wait as so exhausted.

:Tnever thought I'd congratulate someone on a gain on this thread:D At least MrTIE will be appreciative.;)

I've been thinking about the 'advice' I was offering yesterday. I want to stress that it's what's worked for me and not the only way. Although SW is often presented as a bit mysterious and magical there is a lot of psychology involved too. I'm not trying to be deep but although it's basically about healthy eating, there's a lot of motivation and restraint needed too. I was determined to hold on to my lifestyle of socialising with friends, meals out, indulgent holidays etc. so I took what SW call the 'scenic route'. That suited me as I didn't feel deprived. I do understand that some people are far stricter with themselves especially if they have a specific date/occasion to aim for and need/want to lose the weight more quickly.

My EE plan for today:
B: NAS squash, HEB toast, HEA milk for teas, baked beans
L: beef soup and banana
Going to Zizzi's for a Christmas meal so will be flexi (back on the tank tomorrow)