Slimming World Support Thread

Flat_Eric

Chaos_Theory wrote: »

SW *is* a diet. It restricts what you eat otherwise we wouldn't need to count syns or HEs. It works and I'm glad I do it, but it's a diet and should be thought of as such. It isn't particularly healthy eating either compared to how I ate before (or at least the meals bit...let's not talk of snacks!). Any regime that suggests so many uses for pasta'n'sauce, mugshots and mullerlights, isn't! They have so many ingredients that aren't great. I have got round it by adapting most of my recipes (which is easy as all I had to do for most of them was change olive oil for frylight). My meals are fine being mostly free (maybe 2 syns) and using HEs. If I used my syns for meals then I'd be stuck with just free food in the evening and sometimes I want a glass of wine or bag of crisps. I much prefer to save my syns for the time I'm most likely to blow it.

I know what my friends and family eat, so I know whether they are being careful or not. Some people have good metabolisms, some don't. I had a fab one then turned 30 and gave up my 30 B&H a day habit at the same time. I ballooned. I know I can't eat how I used to and get away with it.

I found your response rather patronising. I was sounding off about my husband spending money we don't have on food neither of us is going to eat. Maybe offering
quick and easy green day veggie meals to do when I have come home after a 12hr day at work and cannot face cooking so shove yet another potato in the microwave would have been a way of constructively criticising my potato habit!

I dont see SW as a diet but as a healthy approach to eating for life. i dont quite agree with the nothing is banned statement though.

I eat better than I ever have but do fall flat on my face occasionally when Ive got in late and the easiest option has been an unhealthy one. The odd thing bought now and again for my OH which I then end up eating or he wants fish and chips so its easier for me to have it too rather than cook two separate meals.

Ive considered giving up class because I have quite a lot of food in my freezer/cupboards that isnt SW friendly but I cant afford not to eat it or cant keep affording to buy endless fresh veg / fruit / meat etc / SW friendly alternatives.

Ive tried recently to cook up a few meals from the SW mag so that I can then freeze them then all I have to do is take out the day before I want it and re-heat for ten odd mins when i get in and cant be bothered with all that chopping and preparation etc.

I sometimes have a green day but have too much meat so am not strictly sticking to the plan but its better than all the pizza I used to eat! I could eat jacket chips until they were coming out my ears so i think we all have something that makes our SW journey easier.

I used to use syns for food items, sauces etc and have alcohol as well so went well over my syn limit but Im trying to cut back and base all my meals on free food.

It takes an awful lot of planning and motiviation this SW business and everyone thats doing it should pat themselves on the back. Its important not to be too hard on yourself though and allow yourself the occasional night or weekend off or the occasional treat. It might take me longer to get to target following it this way but Im happier for it.

Kandipandi

Flat Eric I totally agree with you, it is hard work and it is restrictive, in that I have a family and they dont want to have to eat what I eat and i dont blame them I wouldn't if I didn't have to! It takes a long time to get your head around it and once you do its quite simple to follow, but it takes constant looking items up etc. as you have new things. But its like everything else you have to put the effort in to get the result and it depends on how much you want the weight loss. Saying that I have been on various eating plans / diets since I was 14 (20 years ago!!) and this is the best one FOR ME. It is a way of life I can manage and like you said it may take a little longer to get where i'm going but it will be a more comfortable ride!

Chaos_Theory_3

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I dont see SW as a diet but as a healthy approach to eating for life. i dont quite agree with the nothing is banned statement though.

I eat better than I ever have but do fall flat on my face occasionally when Ive got in late and the easiest option has been an unhealthy one. The odd thing bought now and again for my OH which I then end up eating or he wants fish and chips so its easier for me to have it too rather than cook two separate meals.

Ive considered giving up class because I have quite a lot of food in my freezer/cupboards that isnt SW friendly but I cant afford not to eat it or cant keep affording to buy endless fresh veg / fruit / meat etc / SW friendly alternatives.

Ive tried recently to cook up a few meals from the SW mag so that I can then freeze them then all I have to do is take out the day before I want it and re-heat for ten odd mins when i get in and cant be bothered with all that chopping and preparation etc.

I sometimes have a green day but have too much meat so am not strictly sticking to the plan but its better than all the pizza I used to eat! I could eat jacket chips until they were coming out my ears so i think we all have something that makes our SW journey easier.

I used to use syns for food items, sauces etc and have alcohol as well so went well over my syn limit but Im trying to cut back and base all my meals on free food.

It takes an awful lot of planning and motiviation this SW business and everyone thats doing it should pat themselves on the back. Its important not to be too hard on yourself though and allow yourself the occasional night or weekend off or the occasional treat. It might take me longer to get to target following it this way but Im happier for it.

You put that better than I ever could :T:T:T

consultant31

Chaos_Theory wrote: »

It works and I'm glad I do it, but it's a diet and should be thought of as such. It isn't particularly healthy eating either compared to how I ate before (or at least the meals bit...let's not talk of snacks!). Any regime that suggests so many uses for pasta'n'sauce, mugshots and mullerlights, isn't! They have so many ingredients that aren't great. I have got round it by adapting most of my recipes (which is easy as all I had to do for most of them was change olive oil for frylight). My meals are fine being mostly free (maybe 2 syns) and using HEs. If I used my syns for meals then I'd be stuck with just free food in the evening and sometimes I want a glass of wine or bag of crisps. I much prefer to save my syns for the time I'm most likely to blow it.

I found your response rather patronising. I was sounding off about my husband spending money we don't have on food neither of us is going to eat. Maybe offering quick and easy green day veggie meals to do when I have come home after a 12hr day at work and cannot face cooking so shove yet another potato in the microwave would have been a way of constructively criticising my potato habit!

Whoa, it's not SW who suggest the many uses for these quck and easy foods, that is done by slimmers who choose to eat them in preference to the other healthy options outlined in the food optimising book. They are listed in the book, true, but then so is butter, chocolate, booze etc etc - it's up to the individual to make the final choice. Pasta'n'Sauces are still a healthier choice than takeaway pizza for instance!

Neither was I in any way criticising your 'potato habit' - I have one myself! I'm sorry you found my answer patronising as that is far from why I bothered to answer. If as you say, you can't remember what pastry tastes like, why not use your syns to make a small pasty which may help to take away any feelings of deprivation.

Though it's nice to have the option of 'spending' your syns on wine or chocolate if you crave them - another choice would be to use the syns to make meals more interesting and varied, but again, that is the choice for the individual.

If you have any old SW magazines, their 7 day plans are usually lovely with very varied meals made up of cupboard essentials for the most part. If you're veggie you could always miss out the original/red days and double up on the others. There are also lots of recipes here for followers of various plans http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1948340&postcount=3

One of the things my Consultant asked me when I first joined SW as a member was "you have to change the way you shop, cook and eat - do you want to make those changes?" I ask my members the same thing, I don't think of it as restriction, but as a choice to be made.

Finally, Flat Eric is spot on, as usual except for saying 'nothing is banned'.
There is truly nothing you cannot eat, but as in all things, moderation is the key and planning is vital.

judderman62

Chaos_Theory wrote: »

You put that better than I ever could :T:T:T

Yup nicely put.

Just been for a walk straight from work, get some body magic going, and ended up doing a 50 MINUTE WALK :eek::eek: :D

Now doing egg, chips n beans yummy - love my chips - oooh tip - try making 'em with baby potatoes - made some the other day with baby or new or charlotte or some such and they were even more scrummy and a bit quicker to make too :j:j:T:T

Pennylane

Have only had time to read the last few posts but I don't find SW restrictive at all. I cook the same for the whole family, mind you I have never ever cooked different meals for different family members prior to doing this, so that's nothing new.;)

I think I have re-educated myself totally since starting SW & losing 2 stones. That's taken nearly 7 months because I lose just half a pound or a pound a week and stay the same a few weeks. BUT I am quite happy with that now and I don't compare myself with other slimmers because some lose it much faster.

I have just had liver/bacon/onions with broccoli and mashed swede with spring onions and very nice it was too. (DH had potatoes extra) Had Total 0% yoghurt for pud with sprinkle of options choc drink swirled through. I don't feel I'm deprived in any way and am totally satisfied. I know people who say they're on a diet and literally have lettuce and tomatoes with a cup of black coffee!!:rolleyes: They must be permanently starving.

I don't buy any special foods, just fresh meat, tons of fruit & veg etc. Normal stuff. No pies, pastry, cakes, biscuits - yes, I know I can choose them and count them if I like, but I feel miles better without them.

I'd like to lose another stone but I am very happy that I have learnt a lot about what foods to eat and what to avoid and also how to cook them in more healthyways.

Chaos_Theory_3

consultant31 wrote: »

Whoa, it's not SW who suggest the many uses for these quck and easy foods, that is done by slimmers who choose to eat them in preference to the other healthy options outlined in the food optimising book. They are listed in the book, true, but then so is butter, chocolate, booze etc etc - it's up to the individual to make the final choice. Pasta'n'Sauces are still a healthier choice than takeaway pizza for instance!

Neither was I in any way criticising your 'potato habit' - I have one myself! I'm sorry you found my answer patronising as that is far from why I bothered to answer. If as you say, you can't remember what pastry tastes like, why not use your syns to make a small pasty which may help to take away any feelings of deprivation.

Though it's nice to have the option of 'spending' your syns on wine or chocolate if you crave them - another choice would be to use the syns to make meals more interesting and varied, but again, that is the choice for the individual.

If you have any old SW magazines, their 7 day plans are usually lovely with very varied meals made up of cupboard essentials for the most part. If you're veggie you could always miss out the original/red days and double up on the others. There are also lots of recipes here for followers of various plans http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1948340&postcount=3

One of the things my Consultant asked me when I first joined SW as a member was "you have to change the way you shop, cook and eat - do you want to make those changes?" I ask my members the same thing, I don't think of it as restriction, but as a choice to be made.

Finally, Flat Eric is spot on, as usual except for saying 'nothing is banned'.
There is truly nothing you cannot eat, but as in all things, moderation is the key and planning is vital.

Thank you for your reply. That's really helpful. I get what you mean. And I can remember what pastry tastes like now. I spent 11 syns on a mince pie at work! Although when I ate it I didn't know the syn value, if I did I would have passed on it!

Choice is a much beter way of putting it. I make my choices now and I choose to do what I think will help me lose weight. I do however reserve the right to moan about my long journey

LouiseJ

Ohhhh I have just found this thread, I have been joining in with the DFW Slimming world thread (Hello consultant 31:D ) but I think that I may join in here too:cool:

I am going to group tomorrow night for the first ever time as a current members guest just to see if it is for me. So far I have been managing with the magazines and the help of people on the DFW forum but I know I am making mistakes as I dont have all the information.

I hear its half price membership too. If I get a good vibe from the group then I will probably join.

Either way I will be back here:D

consultant31

Chaos_Theory wrote: »

I do however reserve the right to moan about my long journey

This we are all perfectly entitled to

Hello LouiseJ, nice to see you. I hope you enjoy the group tomorrow, but either way, we look forward to seeing you here any time

Flat_Eric

LouiseJ wrote: »

Ohhhh I have just found this thread, I have been joining in with the DFW Slimming world thread (Hello consultant 31:D ) but I think that I may join in here too:cool:

I am going to group tomorrow night for the first ever time as a current members guest just to see if it is for me. So far I have been managing with the magazines and the help of people on the DFW forum but I know I am making mistakes as I dont have all the information.

I hear its half price membership too. If I get a good vibe from the group then I will probably join.

Either way I will be back here:D

welcome :hello: lovely to have you