SLIMMING WORLD: ONE MONTH ON

So as of today I've been at Slimming World one month. One month since making the decision to get my flabby backside into gear and making some changes to my diet. I was actually inspired to get back on the Slimming World waggon by fellow blogger Victoria who is currently on week 15 of her journey and has lost 16lbs so far. Definitely follow her blog and Instagram account if you're looking for inspiration and ideas of what to cook. She looks amazing, and has really incorporated exercise into her routine, which is something I'm yet to do. 

I've been a fan of the Slimming World concept (where you eat a very varied diet, with loads of fruit and veg, just less fat overall), since I joined a group in June last year. But I used to get weighed in the evenings and it was really hard for me to get to the group after work, especially as I was getting into the busy season at work where I travel a lot. So I stopped going. 

Then I rejoined early this year, again on an evening when I thought I'd really try my hardest to get to the meetings. Two weeks in again and I stopped. 

Finally I discovered a Saturday morning meeting and four weeks on I've finally found a group which I can stick to - and enjoy more importantly. 

I had a little slip up last week when I was celebrating my win at the Amara's, which included lots of alcohol, a McDonald's, a Chinese and fish & chips (spread across three days I might like to add). That meant I didn't go to my meeting that weekend because I knew I'd put weight back on, but I've worked really hard this week and so far I've lost 9lbs since starting.

It's taken a little getting used to in terms of what I'm allowed on a daily basis (for those Slimming World guys and girls, HexB and HexA were confusing me slightly when I started), but now I can start my day and not be worrying about what I'm going to cook for dinner.

What I love about Slimming World is the fact that there are so many alternatives for the things I love. Before starting I was a sucker for a McDonald's. I would order a Big Mac meal and some chicken nuggets - as a side! You wonder why I put weight on. Yesterday at work, the cravings for a little Ronald lovin' were getting out of control so I decided to make my favourite meal, but the Slimming World way. I made Big Mac in a Bowl, with some Slimming World chips, and four little chicken strips with a crispy coating. And it was delicious. It took time to prep and time to cook, so it's definitely not fast food, but I could go to bed without the guilt I'd had if I'd crumbled and got the greasy McDonald's.

I even went to the cinema last Saturday night to watch James Bond and I knew I would want to eat something so I prepared grapes and strawberry's, a banana and a low fat yogurt. I'm not going to say it was easy walking past the pick 'n' mix station, but I definitely felt better for sticking to my guns. 

Some of my favourite meals I've cooked have been the southern fried KFC style chicken, the chicken kiev, the overnight oats, steak fajitas with rice, homemade scotch eggs and the banana loaf I made for the group the other week. 

The group I attend is great. For those that haven't been the Slimming World before, you get weighed in private and if you don't want to talk in group, all you have to do is let your leader know and she won't come to you. Simple. I found it incredibly nerve wracking at first, meeting a room full of strangers but now I don't mind at all. Plus I find going to group keeps me on the straight and narrow because you actually want to have something to shout about when it gets to your turn to talk about how your weeks been. 

I have 3 stone and 2lbs left to lose so it's going to be quite a long journey but least you'll be with me to keep me company. If you have any questions about Slimming World, or how I'm getting on just get in touch. Even if it's via email because you don't want to leave a comment. 

As for this weekend, I've finished my weigh in now and I got all my chores done last night so it's a little trip to Hobbycraft and a bonfire tonight, but not before a nice Swedish massage I booked myself. Hope you have a great weekend whatever you're doing.