Slimming World Weigh-In #24 - A New Beginning

Slimming World Weigh In #24 - A New Beginning 

I knew I had been off plan for a month but when I looked back I have actually been off Slimming World for over two months! Wow, I really didn't think it was that long. I wrote a post about losing two stone but not losing four dress sizes. Looking back I can see how fed up I was. I was losing weight but not actually seeing a difference, even though photos told a different story.

I've lost 2 Stone so Why Haven't I dropped 4 Dress Sizes?

I've lost 2 Stone So Why Haven't I dropped 4 Dress Sizes?

I read somewhere that for every half a stone you lose, you lose a dress size. I have lost two stone with Slimming World (yeah go me!) but haven't lost a dress size yet. How is that? Am I cheating?

Well to kick off I am not cheating. I really have lost two stone and have the lovely award to go with it so why haven't I lost any dress sizes?

Slimming World Weigh In #23 with 7 day meal plan

Slimming World Weigh In #23 with 7 day meal plan

So I am back on the plan except, there's always an except, that on Friday I had a little celebration with some neighbours. It involved lots of Prosecco.
Food wise I have been good, no sneaky choices or uncounted Syns. It's been tough but I am so determined to get to my target weight. With the weather being warm salads appear more and pea shoots are back in the shops which add another flavour.

Slimming World Weigh In #22 - with 7 day meal plan

Slimming World Weigh In #22

To be honest when I started Slimming World I though I would lose a pound a week. That would make me reach my target after 42 weeks, on 24th October. At my last post, week 21 I had lost 22.5 pounds, well on schedule even after my couple of weeks naughtiness. 

To encourage me to stay on plan I am now going to include my target date in each post. I'm hoping it will drive me to work harder to get there sooner. Well that's my theory.  I am back on plan and without further pre-amble, how did I do?

Slimming World Weigh In Week 21

Slimming World Weigh In Week 21

Anyone following my progress with Slimming World will have noticed that I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. My last weigh in was on 10th May - week 18. I have been a bit naughty, eating all the wrong food and drinking all the wrong drinks.

This was because life gets complicated and I compensate by eating, I guess this is how I got overweight in the first place. Nothing serious happened, just my husband recovering from surgery so I bought him the odd cake as a treat (yep I had to "taste" it, the beginning of the slippery slope) and looking after my grandson, and invalid, alone just made me crave pastry, chocolate and cake.

Slimming World Weigh In #18

Slimming World Weigh In #18

I have been very busy this week, lots of walking and running after my grandson so I should have lost weight. Except (there's always an except isn't there?) I have had a sneaky biscuit, chocolate coin and lots of wine. I even had butter on my bacon sandwich. I say sneaky because I haven't counted the Syns. I've just thought "oh one won't hurt" or "I deserve a treat". This, I know, must stop or I will be back to eating as I used to, and that means putting on weight.

The Perfect Slimming World Baked Potato With Spring Onion and Cheese - Recipe

The Perfect Slimming World Baked Potato With Spring Onion and Cheese - Recipe

To make the perfect Slimming World Baked Potato is not difficult. Just buy large potatoes, floury not waxy potatoes, and bake. What could be easier? To make it fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside you need to add a little more. Although it is possible to cook potatoes in the microwave I find they shrink and go rubbery if over cooked just a little. For the best baked potato cook it in the oven.

Slimming World Weigh In #17

Slimming World Weigh In #17

This is the second week of doing all the cooking and meal planning as Mr P is recuperating. After my big loss last week (3.5lbs) I have high hopes for this week. Well I would if I hadn't been a little bit naughty. It was my wedding anniversary and as we couldn't go out we had a takeaway delivered. Before I started Slimming World I would have a Chicken Biryani but this time I chose Tandoori Chicken. I was very good and scraped off the sauce and had it with the salad the restaurant provided. I think I may be one of the few people that have actually eaten all the takeaway salad! Naughtily they added a few popadoms for free, and I couldn't resist so ate a quarter of one.

I also had a chocolate biscuit, a couple of chocolate coins (I found them in the cupboard and I have no resistance once I've already broken the rules) and a packet of Pom Bear crisps. All of these are totally OK if the Syns are counted, but I didn't count I just ate.

Slimming World Weigh In #16

Slimming World Weigh In #16

It's been an unusual week as this is the first week where I have done all the cooking and shopping. I have also made all the decisions on what we eat. Because my husband is recovering I have been doing everything. I have been shopping which means walking more and on top of all the household chores I have been tending the garden. I mowed the lawn today, the first time in years. In fact Mr P had to tell me how to use the lawn mower as I had never used this one. I have cut down on the gin's too as he isn't drinking at all so I don't enjoy drinking alone. This has cut my Syns so I could use them on something else. 

I have had a couple of meals that were not Syn free. Bear visited on Saturday and we had chip shop fish and chips. I just had the fish with mushy peas. I did remove the batter though! I also had a Scotch egg from the deli counter at Waitrose. I ate it before I checked the Syns and it was a scary 16 Syns. Oops! I must check first.

Slimming World Garlic Chicken with Spicy Cumin Vegetables Recipe

Slimming World Garlic Chicken with Spicy Cumin Vegetables 

Before I started Slimming World I loved to cook recipes from Madhur Jaffrey's cookery book from her 1980s TV series. The recipes involve lots of spices and oil to fry them in. I thought I'd try adapting one of my favourite recipes, Spicy Cumin Vegetables and have Garlic Chicken to go with it. This is not a quick meal but it is easy. The chicken needs to be marinated for at least 6 hours so can be prepared the day before.

Slimming World Weigh In #15

Slimming World Weigh In #15

It's been a bit topsy-turvy this week. My husband had a hip replacement on Wednesday and he does all the shopping and cooking, so I was thrown in to prepare my own meals. What with looking after a toddler and visiting until late in the evening I went slightly off plan. Not too bad but then there was Easter. I stupidly bought myself a white chocolate sheep from Lidl. I just love white chocolate and it was my treat for all the hard work I was doing. 

Slimming World Chicken Soup Recipe

Slimming World Chicken Soup Recipe

We have been making this chicken soup for many years, the original recipe is long forgotten. It is a French rustic dish with lots of carrots and potatoes to make the chicken go further. It also called for big dollops of butter, totally not Slimming World friendly. This is the recipe adapted and it is still delicious. I like it as it is but you could use your healthy extra's and have it with a wholemeal roll spread with Laughing Cow cheese.

Slimming World Fish Cakes Recipe

Slimming World Fish Cakes Recipe

I love fish and when I was looking for a quick way to use a tin of tuna I thought of fish cakes. Don't skimp on the fish. I use tinned tuna as I have it in the cupboard and it's already prepared but any strong flavoured fish will do, salmon, smoked haddock, mackerel. Just cook and flake while the potatoes are boiling. This goes well with salad but would also be great with lots of your favourite vegetables. I used a mixture of potatoes and sweet potatoes to give more flavour.

Slimming World Weigh In #14

Slimming World Weigh In #14

I have been good with drinking water but exercise has taken a back seat (or couch potato to be honest). I am full of good intentions but just haven't got my head around it. Like all things it has to come from inside, and it will, I just don't know when.

Slimming World Weigh In #13

How am I doing this week?

I started with good intentions. I was drinking lots of water and had intended to start exercising every day. I have walked more than usual but not dusted off my exercise bike yet. I am so doing it next week. I have also been trying some ready meals. Slimming World meals from Iceland. I saw an advert in the Slimming World magazine and thought I'd try them.

Slimming World Creamy Vegetable Pasta with Chicken, mushrooms and peppers - Recipe

Slimming World Creamy Vegetable Pasta with Chicken, Mushrooms and Peppers.

I have been trying Laughing Cow cheese triangles in some meals and they are very versatile. I have used them instead of butter in ham sandwiches and instead of cream in pasta. This recipe uses the triangles to make the pasta creamy. This is an easy, fast and delicious meal great for a quick lunch or supper.

Slimming World Weigh In #12

Slimming World Weigh In #12

This week I thought I would try drinking more water. Somewhere in the back of my mind I know it can help with weight loss, and that's what it's all about. Trying new things to see if they help or hinder. I plan to drink at least a litre of water on top of any other fluids.
I have been good this week and only had one hiccup. I went for lunch with an old friend and ordered grilled chicken with avocado and bacon. I asked for salad in place of the fries and coleslaw. What I got was a few rocket leaves with tomatoes, a brioche bun (??where did that come from??) with FRIED chicken. Yes I did eat it but I left the bun and the avocado. The avocado was going to be my treat but I just couldn't eat it once I saw the chicken covered in oil. Too many Syns.

Slimming World Chip Shop Curry Sauce Recipe

Slimming World Chip Shop Curry Sauce

If you are looking for a true Chip Shop Curry Sauce then you will be disappointed as the only place you really can get that is your chip shop. If you are looking for a delicious, easy Slimming World friendly Chip Shop Curry Sauce then try this. It is easy to make and really is delicious. This is adapted from a Slimming World on-line recipe.

Slimming World Weigh In #11

Slimming World Weigh In #11

Back on plan and now I am starting to think about the variety of the meals that I eat. I think we are very good as we have fish at least twice a week and also lots of chicken. We also are very good at eating vegetables, fruit and salads. My only hesitation is that I do love Slimming World chips and roast vegetables and wonder if it is a good thing. We eat lots of boiled rice, pasta and boiled potatoes but roasted veg (including chips) are my favourite. We do cook them all in Fry Light so Syn free.

Slimming World Sea Bass with Tomatoes and Bacon Recipe

Slimming World Sea Bass with Tomatoes and Bacon Recipe 

This is another Slimming World recipe from one of their books. My initial thought was that bacon and fish was a very strange combination but they go together beautifully, cod works very well too.