Catching up

I've  been meaning to post all week but I have been soooo busy. I am seriously exhausted.

4 weeks into Slimming World and I have lost 15lbs. I really don't know how this has happened given I've had 4 of the busiest weeks of the summer. Still, I'll clearly take it.

The girlie weekend was a challenge, but very lovely. I managed to drop 0.5lb that week, although insignificant, it proved to me I could do it. Trying to convince myself that my Beetroot salad was as satisfying as my friends Fish and Chips, was impossible but I did it.

Last week proved slightly less ridiculous, although I did have a night out with the girls from work on Friday which began at 1630 and saw me roll home at 0330am. A lot of alcohol was consumed (and very little food) so imagine my surprise when I dropped 4.5lbs this week. I was duly awarded Slimmer of the week and of the Month. Somewhat mortifying, I can tell you.

This week is not without it's challenges. We're away on Saturday night with friends so drinking/meals out to navigate, but I am hopeful  that my stellar work for the rest of the week will keep me right.

So I'll stop tying to catch up at break neck speed and leave you with the last few weeks in photos.

Weekend in Newcastle with my school friends

Amazing food at Electric East

Slimming World friendly dinners - cauliflower cheese!!

Sunny Spa nights

Sunny nights

Work drinks

Breakfast in the garden

Slimming world 'fried' chicken and 'coleslaw'

Show off

Hangover hell

Week 2 of Slimming World. Bit more of a struggle. After the awesome 9lb drop in week one, I was a little bit cocky. I knew Wednesday would be bad as we went on the Orient Express to the cricket - which was amazing but clearly not diet friendly, but I had hoped the rest of the week would be plain sailing.

 

I was wrong. I had a work night out on Thursday and I had a plan to drive. That plan went out of the window and I got to bed at 0430am after a lot of gin and sambucca and had to be at work on Friday (I'd cleverly left both my car and my laptop at the office). Puke. I can't tell you the last time I had such a bad hangover. Friday was a mess, I barely ate, but I couldn't overly function either.  I had done more than my weekly Syn allowance already, it was never going to be easy after that.

Anyway, I managed somehow, to lose 1lb. 10lbs in 2 weeks, I'll take that.

Whilst I am over the moon to have still managed a loss, I still can't help but feel a tiny twinge of disappointment in myself for being such an idiot on Thursday. I am still not fully recovered! Lesson learnt.

So this week see's another challenge in the form of a girls weekend away. I'm going to have to take it one meal at a time and limit the booze. I cannot be guzzling gin til the early hours of the morning again... wish me luck!

It works?!

What do you know, Slimming World appears to actually work. My last couple of forays into SW were not successful, mostly because I didn't actually follow the plan. It seems a lot more straight forward this time round. I suspect the new 'Extra Easy' plan is the reason for this. It's so straightforward, even Matt is following it without any hesitation :)

I felt very focussed for my first week. I was organised, I had meals planned, I had a strategy in place to cope with the Champagne tasting meal on Thursday. I brought lunch to work mostly, I researched menu's for the days I had to eat out. I resisted the numerous cakes in the office on Wednesday, I made cauliflower base pizza for Saturday when I was babysitting so I felt like I was having a treat, I resisted the free Pizza lunch in the office yesterday. It's taken a LOT of willpower.

L'Ortolan Champagne tasting meal

Syn Free Cauliflower pizza

Eating out, being excessive, drinking alcohol after a stressful day, have all become the norm for me. I need to get back to mindset where a meal out is a treat, something to look forward to. Where a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night is acceptable, not a couple of bottles. It's about give and take and I'm getting there, struggling at times, but I'm going the right way.

I've come to realise that the things I love the taste of are fatty. Roast Chicken on Sunday was bland  without the gorgeously seasoned crispy skin I am used to, mashed potatoes without tons of butter, meh. Wholemeal toast (a struggle) without lashings of butter, gag. Tuna without mayonnaise or salad cream - bleurgghhhh.

However, this just means I have to be more inventive. I'm getting an idea of what is 'Free' food & bookmarking recipes that appeal. I managed to produce some very tasty meals last week without using any 'Syns' and I just need to keep doing that.

My hard (ish) work was rewarded with a loss last night. 9lbs?? Far more than I expected and absolutely what I needed to make sure I continue in the same vein.

We're off to the cricket tomorrow via the Orient Express - completely OTT, I know. It's another day I have no control over, but at least I know I can plan around it and hopefully not completely sabotage myself.

Fingers crossed.

Think of a number

.... and add on at least an extra 11 pounds and you'll have where I am now. Sigh. I've been kidding myself for far too long.

Slimming World has started in earnest. I'm enthusiastic, but I always am whenever I start a new plan. Let's see how week 1 goes. I've a Champagne tasting meal tomorrow night to contend with, but other than that it should be plain sailing....

Here's hoping.