Plum Clafoutis

Serves: 8
Syn's per serving: 2 on EE

300g Plums cored (4½syn's)
3 tbsp Flour (10½ syn's)
4 eggs
7 tbsp Sweetener
2tsp Vanilla Extract
500g Fromage Frais
½ tsp Cinnamon

Preheat oven at 200º. Beat eggs and sweetener together. Add Extract, fromage frais and flour. Mix well and add cinnamon. Cut up plums and place at the bottom of the baking pan. Pour mixture in baking pan and bake in oven for 40min. Serve warm.

My new hobby...Running

Well I have to start of by saying SORRY. "Forgive me it has been a while since my last confession"... Ha ha couldn't resist always wanted to say that. I have been rather busy the last while. I first had my best friend visiting then the in law's and to top it my Step family. Was lovely to have them all but, after that was hubby's operation and that set him back for a bit again, so much for me time. He started back on track and I took up running!!!

Yes I said running lol.

I have a moto..."Never say Never". Gotta tell you I use to cycle as a kid sold my bike and said never again. ( I want a bike now) I said I would never have kids... I have 2...by choice. I said I would never be a runner... Funny how I said these things as a youngster and look now. I altered my view on life shortly after I decided that I was in fact ready to have a kid. From that day, if a friends said they would never I said "never say never".

I started off with just a 10min run/jog. Increased it to a 15min and then up to 20min run. At this point I was looking at the Santa Dashes everyone was talking about but was not ready for all that. I kept going and got up to 2miles in 20 min...and low and behold I fell ill. I was that ill that I lost my voice. You know how it is, you have responsibilities that comes first. Had all kinds of things going on at school so had to just plod on and get done with it. I was ill for nearly 3 weeks.

I managed to get my self all well again just in time for my mum to arrive for Xmas holiday. However at this time my last recorded run was end November. Obviously with family here and it being Xmas and all, there was not much time for anything else other than indulgence. Well all things a side I really enjoyed having my folks here and I really enjoyed Xmas. My exercise consisted of a lot of site seeing in particular going up the Conwy Castle towers a few times, lol.

Hubby also for once listened to what I "desired" as far as Xmas prezzies go, and I got loads of things for my new running hobby. Got a heart rate monitor watch and chest strap. Running shoes and outfit and accessories. Was pretty pleased with them and couldn't wait to test them. I had to wait unfortunately till the folks had left and I was actually jealous when friends started to talk about there first run of the year etc.

Any who. Got going as soon as they left and was pretty happy with my goodies. Was a slow start but was still able to do 2 miles. I was just doing it at a slower pace. 2 days later and I was feeling good again. Tried going a little further everyday. My goal for this year started off as The Liverpool 5k Santa Dash and a few of my group members said they would be up for the challenge.

One evening a friend sent me a message with a link... http://www.sportrelief.com/the-mile. Said her family was gonna do it, and she thought I might be interested. You have to agree it looks like fun since the family can do it to. It is a fun day of 1, 3 or 6 miles and as ours takes place at the Gulliver's were we get free entry after the race. This seems like a brilliant day and this is become my more immediate goal. This gave me a bit of a boot up the ... The next day I went out and pushed even harder. I was up to 2.7 miles and and decided that if I can do that I can do the full 3.1 miles.  I then realized that the park that seems so far to drive to is in actual fact only 1.5 miles away from home ha ha. Seemed easy enough.

I was doing ok. Not to out of breath, only get a little tired on the few uphills I got coming back. Once back on straights and got my breathing back under control I was ok again. I can proudly say I can do a 5k and not worry about it. I am trying to go little further and went 3.2 miles to day. Don't think I will push much further than that, maybe just go up to 3.5 miles and then start to work on time.

From what I figured out most people have different ideas of how you should train. Personally I don't think that if you run as a form of exercise that it really matters, but do agree that you should know your limits. I started off with just going for as long as I could and as it got easier went for a little longer. Don't push yourself that you drop when you get to the end. And read some info to get an understanding. Make it a mission to run at least 3 times a week and make it a habit.

A little motivation. Make a deal with yourself that you'll run for 10min. If you can't commit to that, just put on your running clothes. It's harder to talk yourself out of running once you're dressed.

I am looking forward to my challenge this year. I first have the Sainsbury's Sports Relief Day to look forward to and then I will be doing the Liverpool Santa Dash. I am planning  to do it as a Sponsored run and will be donating to either BOFAS or BASK. These organisations are involved with the research of knee ligament reconstruction and the improvement of Foot drop. They are both close to my family, as my husband surgeries were all experimental. For now I am doing the running for both of us as he will more than likely never be able to run again.

If you are thinking of taking up running, keep hold of this "Running is the greatest metaphor for life because you get out of it what you put into it." Oprha Winfrey and "There is no such thing as bad weather, only soft people" and have fun.

Just wanted to share this page with you gave me some insight http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/beginners/start-running-now-our-get-going-guide/4741.html

Cous Cous Quiche.

I have said before I make this a few different ways but gave this ago after someone else made it in group.

In an oven dish sprayed with Fry Light add some diced onion, chopped peppers, chopped tomato,  bacon, sliced mushroom and what ever else you want. In  a bowl beat 6 eggs and a tub of cottage cheese together add some salt and pepper. I then add a handful of couscous (and a tsp of curry powder). Pour the mixture over the veg layers in the oven dish. Put it in the oven at 180ºC for 45min to an hour. When it has set and golden brown it is ready, take it out and leave to cool down. Cut in squares and serve with salad or even as a snack.

Happy days.

½ Syn Cake.

Some one gave this ago and posted it on there Facebook so had to give it ago myself.

4 eggs separated whites whisked till stiff. Mix yolks with ½ tub of Quark,  4 tbsp of sweetener (or to taste) 1tsp of Baking Powder (½ syn) and 1 tsp of vanilla extract (I added 2). Fold in the egg whites and pour into baking tin. In the oven for 30min on 180º .

When it comes out it will be puffed up pretty high and as it cools it will sink down, this is normal don't worry.  Mix the other ½ of the tub of quark with 2 tbsp of sweetener (or to taste) and pile this on top of the cake with selection of fruit.

                                                                  Enjoy it guilt free.

Quick and easy Curry Sauce

Everyone has been talking about this in group so eventually I had to give it go. Mind you the only reason I hadn't was because hubby doesn't eat peas, so I didn't share that bit with him lol.

Quick & Easy Curry Sauce

In a pan fry some chopped onion with frylight, add a can of chopped tomato, can of mushy peas and can of baked beans in tomato sauce. Heat it slowly and add salt and pepper to taste, teaspoon of hot curry powder (or mild I suppose) and I add teaspoon of turmeric as well to make it go yellow. I use my stick blender just to mush it up a bit so hubby can't see the peas in it, that would be up to you I suppose.

I have used the sauce over Jacket potato and with wedges or chips. The other night I added chicken and veg and even the kids loved it. The one day I had left from lunch and every one else had pizza or something so I added a bit of white fish, crab sticks and veg to make a seafood curry, was yummmmmm.


Will add picture when I make it again...

Target Member

This was a very debatable subject for me.
As you know I have struggled the last few months. Having many ups and downs... I got my 6 stone award and was only 4lb away from my own target. The consultant did want me to keep the weight at my award as my target, but noooo I wanted more. You know how it is you get a nice round figure in your head and that's what you want.

Ohhh boy. Then I gained, maintained and only had small losses and I was not happy. I had to go sit down and really think about target weight. I had far surpassed my original goal and set new goals, as we all do with things like this.

This was my conclusion...
My first goal was Club 10 (this obviously is one that they give you.)
My goal when starting SW was to fit in a Size 14... Did that.

Then I changed, the more I lost the more I wanted it. I started to look at my BMI and what they say it should be. I decided that I wanted to push for more. I set my personal goal (I am not there yet) and tried and tried. I got to 3lb away. After having a stressful time with not getting to my target I decided to take my 6 stone award weight as target. That would give me a breather, it would be close enough to my target and if I lost more I would change it when I got to the weight I really wanted. Besides if I stayed in my 3lb either side allowance I would be at my own target at the bottom end.

You might ask what my point is. I am no longer outside of  a healthy BMI so I am happy. It is all so nearing Xmas and I want to enjoy it as I have family visiting this year but I will keep trying to get to my personal goal (an extra 3lb) I am just not gonna try so hard.

This is my way of life I will not go back to old habits, but I feel free to have a few treats. If you are struggling keep thinking of your end goal. I look and feel a different person and I happier for it. I persevered and it payed off.

Good luck to you in your journey.

Savory Pancakes / Breads

I came upon this one the other day by mistake but have to say really enjoyed it. It has grown a little and reminds my hubby a bit of french toast, so I suppose it could be used in that way to. I made it in place of pancakes and then instead of bread with my soup this evening. (Keeping my HEB for my Alpin bars lol)

Really easy to do. In a seal able container add about a hand full of couscous. Top with boiling water just till it is covered and seal for 10min. Open it for a further 5min so it can dry and then mix in some salt and curry (optional) or what ever you would like. Beat 3 eggs and add to couscous.

Mini pancake size

Brown on both sides

In a hot pan sprayed with fry light pour some of the mixture to make small mini pancakes. Turn over till both sides has browned and serve hot.

Breakfast-Savory cake with fruit as super free

Reckon this would be good with a curry as well. Hope you enjoy.

Curry Cake with a bowl of Tomato veg soup...yumm

Chocolate Baked Rice Pudding

Being from SA I do miss my traditional Sago pudding. I have not managed to find the same thing here and most people eat rice pudding. I can't however say that I like it. I have tried the recipe that SW gives us but it just was not nice to me.

I decided to try make my own thing. I was in desperate need to get a chocolate fix and for that matter wanted to have a pudding of my own when the rest of my family had there's.

So baked Rice Pudding was born.
Serves 4 for ½syn each.

Add 1 Cup of rice mixed with a Mint Chocolate Options (1½ syn's) and 350ml of Boiling Water in a microwave safe bowl. Put it in the microwave for 10min on high. Give it a stir and if you need more boiling water then add some. Just remember that all the water needs to have been absorbed by the end. Back in the micro for a further 5min and let it cool.
Add 2 tsp of Vanilla Extract and Sweetener to taste. Mix in 2 eggs and 6 to 8 heaped tbsp of Framge Frais.
Spray fry light in a smallish Pyrex dish and pour mixture in to it. Bake in oven for 40min or so at 180º

Serve warm or cold with a Custard and Banana Muller light (1syn). The Muller you could share between 2 so in that case it would be 1 syn per serving. Yummmmmm. Better photo to follow

I will try get better picture next time I make it.

Weight Loss Update.

And what a good week this was.!!!

I have not shared any updates in a while as been really busy but I still go to group every week. Since I last updated I had family visit from SA so we took a bit of holiday with them. It was a little like a yo yo as dropped nicely then picked it up with the next lot of family that arrived.
Last week I got back to my mid holiday weight and was happy with that. On Sunday I attended the Merseyside District finals for Women of the Year, as my consultant had entered me due to my weight loss so far.
I had to weigh in there (I did not expect that and had a nice cooked breakfast lol) and gained ½lb...oops so this week I decided I wanted to shake things up a little. I then decided to have 2 red day's Monday and Tuesday. Only because I wanted 2 HEA's and weighed my HEB potatoes, and result. On Wednesday when I went for WI I had lost 3½lb, whoop whoop, and got my 6 stone award .

On top of that we held our Women of the Year for the group and my fellow SW group buddies all voted for me.

Julie my consultant and me

Ahhh thanks guys...

After all this good news it had to get even better and I was slimmer of the week.

I am not at target yet but really close, I only have 4lb to go and a wonderful 6 stone and ½lb lighter. Thanks to Slimming World I feel like a new person and look like a new one as well.

Totally syn free Pannacotta

Was looking for something as a dessert cause my family like to have an ice cream or mouse after there supper. Looking in my books I found this one in the Four Seasons Cookbook.

Serves 4 and is syn free (yeaahhhh)
200g Quark
5tbsp Sweetener
1tsp Vanilla extract (I used 2)
400g Vanilla yogurt (I used the onken fat free one)
1 10g sachet Gelatine
1 egg White

Whisk the quark, sweetener, extract and yogurt in a bowl until smooth.
Place 2 tbsp boiling water in a small bowl and sprinkle gelatine on it. Stir till dissolved and let it cool. Whisk it into the yogurt mixture.
Beat the egg white until peaks form and gently fold it into the yogurt mixture.
Pour into 4 moulds and chill in fridge for 3-4 hours till set.
When ready dip moulds into hot water to unmould onto plates. serve with fruit.

I don't have nice mould but just used a normal bowl

Meatball Stoup

6 servings
1.5 syn's per serving

This was a recipe that I use to make a few years ago. I saw it on Rachel Ray's show and had to try it myself. We really enjoyed it but I have not made it in a really long time.
With wanting to change it up a bit in the kitchen I decided to look at it again. Made a few changes and and ta ta Meatball Stoup Slimming World way.

Thinner than a stew, but thicker than a soup...it's a stoup! Add peppers, mushrooms and even zucchini to make it more super speed. Add them at the same time as the onion and serve with a salad.

fry light for frying
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bay leaf
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 carton passata (500g)
2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 quart chicken stock
750g Extra lean mince
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Flat leave parsley, finely chopped
1 egg
½ cup couscous
40g Grated Italian Hard cheese ~ optional (syn's 40g = 9.5.)
Salt and Pepper to taste (I add some chilly as well)
Spaghetti broken in half enough for 6

In a soup pot fry the garlic, onion and bay leaf add carrots and sauté for 5min or until softened. Season with salt and pepper and then add the passata, chopped tomatoes and chicken stock. Cover and bring to a boil.

Place the mince in a bowl and add the Worcestershire sauce, parsley,egg, couscous, cheese, salt and pepper. After thoroughly combining everything with your hands. Roll mixture into small balls and drop into the soup pot.

Leave to simmer for 10min stir in the spaghetti and leave for further 10 min. Season to taste and serve with cheese as topping for syn's.
If stoup gets to thick just add boiling water to thin it out a bit.
If stoup gets too thick, just add boiling water.

I didn't use the cheese as did not want to use the syn's but that would be up to personal preference. It is definitely nicer with it.

Meatball Stoup

Nice to know

All of us buy things from all over not everyone shops around for best syn value items.

Tomato Soup quick and easy.

I find that not always having everything you need to make something is not always a bad thing. I enjoy the 12 speed soup but I don't always have all the ingredients in. So one day I decided to take what I had and mix it all together. Have to say it is a good way of clearing things out at the same time.

I have a slow cooker so this works great for making soups. In the pot I add 2 cans chopped tomato, 1 can Baked beans, handful of split lentil or peas, handful of pasta and 2 veg stock cubes. I then add from the freezer what ever frozen veg I have and some onion. Fill the pot up with boiling water and let it cook.

Ta da soup. I do add some chilly and salt pepper but that is to taste.

Falling off the wagon

We are all to familiar to this term it is scary. We have all lost the plot at some point. It is what we do after that counts. I am no saint in this department. If I have a bad WI and feel really crappy I am more than likely to go binge eat.

This week was perfect example. I had a gain last week, this did not surprise me as I had visitors and was not really following the plan. I was having a "holiday" with my folks. Getting back on plan and back in to my exercise routine was hard and even though I was 100% I gained what I had lost over my holiday time. This meant I was back to pre-holiday weight. I could deal with this.
This week was a really hard week. My husband went for an operation and was away from home most the week. WI day last week was my daughters birthday and I had some cake and things with them. Other than that one day I was perfect. I was stressing a little but still kept my snacking to super free food. I was not able to go to WI this week as my husband came home day before and is on bed rest but my scale is pretty dead on with SW scales. What a surprise after a perfect week to have gained another ½lb.

I was not happy to top it off I was moody. This meant one thing, *week. That just peeved me off even more. Started to eat everything that I had wanted to eat that week. Tea cakes, rice crispy balls, cheese and what not. I actually felt sick to my stomach. Now that is truly falling off the wagon. Anyway, the next day I pulled myself together and started a fresh. I forgot about the day I had and started a new week.

Now most of us do want to pull our rains a little when we have had a bad day. That is when you have had more of a flexi day rather than full on pig out. In most cases best thing is to cut syns, however don't cut them all. Have at least 5 a day till WI. Don't cut your HE options as these are healthy, instead have more super free food. Have a veg stir fry instead. Make a super free soup for lunch. Have loads of salad.Don't forget to keep doing your exercise.

One thing that has also come up loads is, "I keep getting caught over lunch while out". If this happens often you should think of making a quiche and packing some in when you leave the house, this will help. There is also other options. Most shops has a lovely range of ready fruit salad. Have this with a yogurt. Most take out places do salads. McDonald's has a grilled chicken salad that is 3 syns with out dressing. If you go to a chippy have the fish and take the batter off. Most say have it with mushy peas. You have other options. I am sorry if you are out over meal time and you do need something to eat there is better options if you really want it. If you are wanting to choose the unhealthy option count the syns and don't do it again the next day. That is how simple it gets. Don't try to blame your choice on circumstance there is always another option.

We all do this at some point. I think one of the things I have learnt is that I am the biggest reason for getting over weight, nobody else was to blame. We have to learn to believe in ourselves and believe that following the plan works. There is many of us that has proved that it works, need I say more.

Weekly planning.

People have been asking me what I would normally have to eat. I don't really plan a week in advance. I like to decide the night before or even the morning of. My mind changes to often, don't feel like this today or hubby doesn't want that today or for that matter the kids had McDonald's and I am not making a meal just for me.

I keep basics in the house. What ever is on special is my usual shopping list items. Pork chops, Chicken fillets Gammon roast. whole chicken and the all important mince.

ASDA has a smart price brand of caramel wafers it is only 4 syns a bar and that gives me a chocolate fix. Poundland sells Weight Watchers puff balls and that's only 4 syns as well. That kinda keeps me going on syns and snacks. I do eat a lot of fruit and raw carrots as snacks.

One of my previous downfalls has always been biscuits and the kids sweet jar. I would want a a snack and grab the easy stuff bread with butter or pack of crisps ( and I ain't referring to small packet either.) These day I make sure I have fruit, yogurts and things that is easy to make in.

When I want to make a special meal that is well thought out prior I go to the shop with a list. Weekly planning to me is keeping it simple.

I start my day with coffee with out it you will not get anything out of me. At ASDA I found a container with screw lid that is perfect for milk. I have red milk so it is an exact measure. This is kept in my fridge and everyone knows that is my milk for coffee. This will be my HEA option.

Breakfast: This will be one of a few choices.
1. 28g of Oats (HEB) made with water add some cut up fruit to make it nice and bulky.
2. Fried egg, mushroom and tomato with toast (HEB) and bacon.
3. Cut up fruit with yogurt.
4. Omelet with fried onion, peppers, tomato, mushroom and ham. Topped with cottage cheese.
5. Toast (HEB) with scrambled egg and tomato and mushroom
6. Low syn sausage with sauteed potato fried mushroom, tomato and eggs.

Lunch:
1. Toast (HEB) with ham, cottage cheese, tomato and lettuce.
2. Ryvita crispbread or crackerbread (HEB) with fillings. I have some ideas on previous blog post.
3. Salad.
4. Jacket potato with filling.
5. Tomato Soup
6. Potato tortilla and salad

Dinner: By this time of day my kids are home and they need to eat as well. Most days they eat the same as us.
1. Cottage pie with salad or veg
2. Chicken pasta with salad.
3. Pork chop with veg and potato
4. Chicken Stir Fry
5. Prawn Paella
6. Diet coke Chicken with couscous and veg

There is always 1 meal in a week that is unexpected so don't worry about it to much.

Plan new recipes but try and keep it for weekends. If you work or have kids you don't always have the time and if you are new to the plan you feel very unsure of your self. Start of easy and progress to better things. I have a blog post that has a general shopping list. This would be your best bet. I always have those things in the house as that is what I use all the time.

Good luck.

How do you know if you're exercising too much?

 At Slimming World we are not required to do exercise while following our eating plan, however it has advantages that they do remind us about. There for they have Body Magic Awards that they do to give us some motivation.

Body Magic Awards

Bronze standard

45 minutes per week (spread over at least 3 sessions in 5, 10 or 15 minute blocks), maintained for 4 weeks.

Silver standard

6 x 15 minutes or 3 x 30 minutes per week, maintained for 4 weeks.

Gold standard

10 x 15 minutes or 5 x 30 minutes per week, maintained for 8 weeks.

Platinum standard

When active living is a lifestyle! Maintained Gold Standard for second time

Most of us that have joined SW wasn't doing enough exercise or for that that matter none at all. We all know we can benefit and some might not even know the risk of being over weight. Health risks associated with being overweight or obese include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis. Exercise can lower body fat and reduces risk of diseases. Regular activity reduces stress, anxiety and depression. There are some people that exercise to much so beware to much can make you susceptible to injuries and illness. 

The research tells us that you should exercise thirty to forty-five minutes a day, five days a week. It is sufficient to acquire health benefits and as much as your body needs activity it also needs rest, to much exercise can lead to long term health problems. Here are a few pointers of to much exercise: Typical symptoms include insomnia, achiness or pain in the muscles/ or joints. fatigue, headaches, sudden inability to complete a workout, not hungry, no energy and elevated morning pulse. Too much exercise can cause injuries such as stress fractures, strains and sprains, low body fat, fatigue, dehydration, osteoporosis and arthritis. Women have also been know en to stop there period when exercising to much. If you feel you show these symptoms you should see your doctor just to make sure.


The big secret is moderate activity instead of big sessions once or twice a week. Create a routine that best fits you be it 15 min a day walking the dog add on to that a fast pace walk for 15min on the way to fetch the kids at school and maybe even 15 min on the kinect with the kids jumping around. Break it down and then it doesn't seem that big a deal, does it. 


Before you know it 45min a day is really not that hard as you get more confident in your self you will increase your fast pace walk to 20min then to to 30min. You will do your 45min as a session with out thinking about it and your on your way to a healthier life style.

Almost syn free Smash Pizza

I did not use a rolling pin.

I used Mr Mash for this - there are 3 bags in each box; 1 bag = 1 Pizza which I could easily eat myself! Whatever make of instant mash you use just make sure it's Syn Free on EE and Green.

1 Bag Instant Potato
Cold Water
Passatta
Garlic & Herbs
42g Grated Low Low Cheese (HExA choice or 6 Syns)

Heat oven to around 220ºC
Put Instant Mash into a bowl - add enough water to make a firm dough.
Roll out into a Pizza shape and place onto an oven tray.

After flipping it over

Put base in the oven for around 10 mins until surface is browned - take out of oven and flip over - put back in oven and cook for another 10 mins or so. 
Mix Passatta with garlic and whichever herbs you fancy.

Add the passata

Spoon passatta mixture over Smash Pizza Base - don't be afraid to use quite a bit as the potato does absorb it! Top with the grated cheese and place back in the oven for a few minutes until cheese is cooked.
Serve with a big salad - delish!!

You can add any superfree veg, ham, other free meats that you like to top your pizza

Put on your toppings

Grill it till cheese melts

I made this as a proper pizza and added some onion, peppers, mushrooms and ham. I didn't have proper cheese so just cut the slices I had instead.




Besides the cheese this was syn free. So there you have it Friday night pizza can still be done as a family night. Even my hubby said it actually tasted nice. 

Smoking

When you make life changes it usually combines healthy living, for example weight loss, exercise and more often than not giving up smoking.

I started to smoke when I was 16 and it was more a rebellious thing than anything else. I think most people who smoke know that it is not so much that you like the habit it become an addiction. My experience with smoking was much to do with needing something to occupy myself. If I was hungry I had a smoke. If I got angry I went to have a smoke. If I was stressing I had a smoke.

When I gave up the first time round it was before I decided that I wanted kids. It was more a thing of wanting to stop for myself. They had brought out a new tablet on the market and I went straight to the doctors for a prescription. It was called Zyban. With these tablet you started off with taking them while still smoking and they would have some effect on your brain or something to make you not want it.

It worked pretty well as I stopped with in a few weeks. I did not take up smoking again for many years. However as all things go, tragedy struck. The night my husband had his accident it was all just to much for me and I started to smoke again.

Two and a half years later I had joined SW I was eating healthier and I wanted to stop again. Hubby had just had another operation and we needed to save money anyway.
So we stopped again and 10 months later (my husband this time as well) we were eating healthy, looking healthy and following a healthy life style.

My point is if you can join Slimming World and have the courage to eat healthy, then you can stop smoking and become more active. The trick is not to do it all at once I think. You will no when you are ready. I started SW in June, I stopped smoking in November and I become very very active by March. Go at it at your own pace and enjoy becoming a healthier you.

Holiday

I am backkkkk... Yes I know I have been gone for a bit but I am back. I have had a lovely 2 weeks off from SW while having visitors from South Africa. I have not taken much time off from SW since I started so I felt no regret in having a very flexi two weeks. It is not every day that you have family from abroad.

Most days we ate SW meals. I don't cook differently. If you visit you eat what I eat. I just had more syns than normal. Well you can't exactly not eat your fav chocolate from SA, it would just be wrong lol. We walked to the shops instead of driving, and even the family enjoyed it. They shopped up a storm. and then we had to carry it all home again. So that was my BM for the week, lol. (I did not have time to do my normal exercise routine.)

However, the day after they left all went back to normal. I went straight back on plan and had about 3 days before WI. Yesterday was WI day and I was so pleased with myself coming back from "holiday" and I had lost 3lbs. Yeah me.

Moral of the story is. When you go on holiday take the time off from SW. Make the correct choices when choosing food, in other words, instead of taking the high fat content meal pick the low fat choice. Have loads of fruit and salad and do a lot of activities.  If you want the Cornetto cone have it, don't think twice. If you want the blueberry muffin, have it. Hell if you eat the bag of peanuts so be it. It is holiday. My advice is go rock climbing, swimming, snorkeling, bike riding or even fast pace walks. every day. Then have some fun.

On your return, go back on plan the very next day. That way you will get your frame of mind right again.

I enjoyed my holiday. I did a lot of activity and chose low fat options. I flexied my syns and went back on plan after they left. I went to my very next WI and lost 3lbs. It goes to show it can be done. Even if I had gained I would still have made the same choices. It was worth it.

Have fun on your next holiday...

Syn free Potato Salad

One thing I miss is know and again taking a potato salad pot off the shelf in ASDA. My eldest daughters loves them but when I made it at home with the Helmans lighter than light Mayo it seems to tangy for her then she doesn't like it. To me having the lot my self was just to many syns and left nothing for chocolate. So with having family and friends visiting the last few weeks I started to look for syn free option online. To my surprise I found one. I did tweak it a little but even if I do say so myself was really yummy. My eldest loves it and my friends also enjoyed it.

Firstly you will need to peel some potatoes and boil them. This to me is a sticky one. Some prefer to peel some don't. Some like the canned new potatoes and some like big chunks. It is up to you how you do this. While that is boiling away get out the following.

Some eggs, vinegar, sweetener, fromage frais, salt and pepper. The basic steps are:

1. 1 Egg yolk
2. 1 tsp White Wine Vinegar
3. 2tbsp Fromage Frais
4. Sweetener to taste
5. Salt and Pepper to taste.
6. Blend all together and chill - The longer it chills the thicker it gets.

When I make potato salad I kinda double or triple the recipe depending how much I am making.

It is a really nice syn free option and you can make a lot and keep it in the freezer for a day or two as a salad.
Hope this gives you a nice BBQ option for the summer time.

Update on my weight loss.

I have recently done some new pictures. Mostly to get of my kids but ofcourse can not help my self these days. I feel good about myself and like to compare what I use to look like to what I do now.

After doing Slimming world for a year I am around ½ Stone away from target. I have gone from a size 22 Jean to a 12. You would not believe how much healthier I feel. It has been such a change in our family life. We go for long walks I can jump on the trampoline with the kids. I don't have pain in my feet anymore and I am not out of breath after a few stairs. Not only as it helped me but my family too. My children eat more fruit, and my hubby has lost some weight. The change it has made for him with all his disabilties is so great I don't even  know were to start.

Looking at the old vs the new is shocking to me now. I never thought I was that big and frankly just kept hiding it away under clothes. It was honestly depressing. I can look in a mirror now and not just do what needs to be done. I want to go clothes shopping and I not only find nice things but I fit in it to.

I am so much happier with the new me....

Fish and chip night.

It is Friday and we ask the girls, "what do you want for tea tonight?". They reply, "Fish and chips". I have to tell you I am very strange as I don't like the batter on chippy fish and chips, never have, and for that matter I don't like KFC. I know it's funny cause for someone that never ate fatty foods I sure did have a lot of extra weight, lol. Anyway, I didn't fancy chippy and so my hubby said why don't we got get fresh fish at the counter, YIPPPPY. ASDA fresh fish counter had Salmon fillets on special so that's what we took. £8 for kg not bad and believe me it was loads. Picked up some potatoes so we can make SW chips and off home we went.

Salmon and chips with salad

It was really simple to make after just having a quick google. Started off with the potatoes, cut them up and in to the oven they went. Then all I did with the salmon fillets is skin it, as didn't realize they had given it to me with all the scales on lol,maybe ask them to this for you at the counter before hand to save some time. In a hot pan with fry light just seal both sides sprinkle with salt and then turn it down and let it cook for around 15min, turning it over half way. 

Made a little sauce to go with it, this too was really simple. For one serving it is about 3 - 4 tbsp of fromage frais with 1 tsp of Dijon mustard (½syn). Add some lemon juice and there you have a lovely sauce for your fish, I even had it as a salad dressing.

I served it with salad, and believe me this was better than a chippy fish and chips. I reckon it would have cost us around £15 at the chippy and it cost me £10 and little of my own time and best of all it was a free meal with out the sauce. For that matter, I don't no if anybody else feels a takeout should be plentiful, it was a really big meal so I felt like I had a takeout.

There was plenty of left overs, so the next day I had a salmon salad for lunch. It was really delicious. There you have it folks. You can do your own Friday night takeout.

Salmon Salad with dressing

Chiken Chasseur

 

6½ syns per packet

This is again one of those Schwartz packets that I used, really simple to make and low in syns. First you will need the packet...
Then you make it as directed and stick it in the oven. While that is on,  you can make some veg. I used my new steamer that my sister in law bought me over the weekend. I didn't fancy potatoes so made some rice. So easy just grab a packet of Bachelor's rice and make it in the microwave.

Mild Curry is free on EE

 This tasted really good. Will be making it again I am sure.

Just out the oven ...yummm

This works out to 2 syns per serving so all in all not a bad meal.

What's for Dinner/Lunch

I find that I like to use my HEB for my lunch. I don't have the same everyday as I got bored at the start with it. Here is a few of my ideas that I use for lunch...

I like snacking, it is probably my downfall over all. But I find this to be a nice way of doing just that. As a HEB I can have either 6 crackerbreads, 4 crispbreads or 3 slices of Weight Watchers Brown Danish bread, so that would be my starting point.I have my cottage cheese and quark on hand and if I have it cheese triangles then I add them to.

I use my quark as a butter for the days I miss my butter. In general quark and cottage cheese has replaced my cheese, butter and sauces and when you make a white sauce pasta, mash or even scrambled eggs these help with the milk replacement. Anyway you top your bread with one of these (or a variety of them, that's what I do). I then add some tomato, sliced pickled onions and gherkins and salt and pepper. I then add some ham or fish or even just have it like that.

We all know Tune is free, but here is some of my fav's...

Princes's Mackerel in Tomato Sauce (free), in Spicy Tomato Sauce (free) and in Mustard Sauce (½ syn). Particularly the mustard one is really nice and looking at the syn value it is not a lot. I even use tuna if I have.

Mackerel in tomato sauce with trimmings

Crab stics with trimmings

Ham with trimmings

That is more than often what my choice would be. However I do on the occasion have an omelet or quiche. I would even do Jacket potato with fillings. Just this afternoon I had jacket potato with beans/spaghetti in tomato sauce and salad on the side. It really depends on if I have cereal in the morning or if I am planning on burgers for tea/supper. You just need to figure out what you like and work around it. I really can't be asked to make proper meals at dinner time. So HEB would be my choice most of the time. I am having a go at cereal in the morning so will see how it pans out having to live on potato for lunch.

Sausage Casserole

5 syns on all plans

The other night I made a casserole and used one of the Schwartz packets as the sauce. Must say it was really nice and will make it again, definitely worth the syns.

½ syn on EE and Red and 3½ syns on Green

On EE this would work out to
2½ syns per serving.



This is really easy to make. You follow the instructions on the back of the packet and then serve it with mash and veg. I make my mash from scratch but you can use smash as well. Sometimes it is worth a trip to other shops to stock up. For one I drive to Morrison's once a month just for these sausages as they are only ½ syn each. Morrison's also have sausages called Skinny Lizzy's that are 1 syn each. They are worth it cause they are really tasty but they don't BBQ very nice.

Enjoy

Chicken Pasta

I suppose that this is one of my favourites. I make it often as I can keep it in the fridge to snack on as well. I made this on Friday night, new I was not going to want to make food after Saturday's day. It is really simple to make and goes quick. Serve it with salad or what ever you fancy.


Firstly start off with your pasta. In a microwave bowl add some pasta salt and boiling water. Cover with cling wrap and pierce. Into the microwave on high for 15 min. In mean time in a pot sprayed with Fry light add your onion  peppers and mushrooms, if you have any. Add some diced chicken and brown it up. After that you add 2 cans of chopped tomato and half carton of passata, season to taste with salt, pepper and herb. I add some Worcester sauce and sweetener to counter the acidity and if I have I add some sweetcorn as well. Leave it to simmer till pasta is ready. Drain the pasta and add to the chicken sauce, mix it up and simmer for 5 more min.  Ta da all done in 20min.  I had this with cucumber, tomato and raw carrots on the side. Al so for those how like a little heat in there food, I added some hot sauce to mine, just a few drops will do.

Enjoy...

Chicken in Sauce

A few weeks a go I had a very syn full meal, Chicken in Peppercorn sauce on rice. Really enjoyed and thought why not make my own. So the first time I made I used ASDA's onion and chive Instant sauce mix. It was really good so had to try it again.

This week I had ASDA's instant Cheese sauce mix so used that, 9½ syn's for the packet.
Firstly 1½ cup of rice in a micro bowl with 3 cups of boiling water and cube of veg stock. Cover with cling wrap and pierce. In to the microwave on high for 19 min. Give it a stir when it comes out.
Second in a pan fry light some onion and add strips of chicken till browned. Mix op the sauce but add more water to it. You will need it to be a little runny, but add little by little. Add it to the chicken and let it simmer on low for a while. Don't forget to mix it up once in a while so it doesn't burn.
And thirdly in a saucepan add some of that bag of frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots enough water to cover the bottom of the pot and salt. Put the lid on and on the stove for about 15min.

Serve it up. It makes about 4 portions so it is around 2 -3 syn's....Enjoy

The man in my life...

You love to hate them but can't live with out them. What you gonna do? My hubby and I disagree on loads of things and food is near the top subjects. When I started this journey a year ago my husband just had major surgery and was at his heaviest weight. After his surgery he started to loose weight but it was not until I started to make SW food that he really slimmed down. He feels great (and looks it too) and the health benefits have been greatly to his advantage. You see my husband not only had the big accident and all the injuries to deal with he had to deal with DVT's and arthritis too.

At the time of his pre-opp, wearing size 38

At the time of his pre-opp he was wearing a size 38, and as I now call it, had a pelican neck...lol. (I can share that I have been compared to a potato vs a McDonald's chip,size wise that is)

June 2nd the week I joined SW

I can't say that he follows the plan 100%, but I don't make different meals all the time. He still has a lot more syn's than I do but just by eating healthy meals at dinner time, has already done him wonders.

April 2011, now fitting in a
size 34 and M Shirt.

After just one year and with no real effort from him self he has lost over 3 stone already. He is now wearing a size 34 and M Shirts and he himself has had a complete wardrobe change. As for his health since he is lighter. His back aches and sore feet is dealing better with his current weight. It is less to carry in a sense and has helped him somewhat with his arthritis too.

He looks good and feels great about him self. This is something that the family can do together. My kids love SW chips they enjoy diet coke chicken and even love salad, the oldest even prefers water.

We don't get hungry and we still have treats. It's just a healthier lifestyle.
My point, you ask, is that this is not just a plan that you alone should follow. Make meals for the whole family and know that you are teaching your children a healthier way of living.

The ups and downs of Weight Loss

I am no saint or angel when it comes to Slimming World and following the plan, but I can share that we have a SW family online and in group that can help you.

We have all had our good day and our bad. I certainly have had many bad days too. When I started this journey I was doing so great that I was getting awards weekly. I got slimmer of the month slimmer of the week even got awards like Miss Skinny and Greatest Loser. Ever other week I was getting Stone and Half Stone awards and I was averaging a weight loss of 2½lbs a week. It made me feel on top of the world.  On the bad weeks I followed with a really good week and over Xmas and New Year I still had weight losses. That's when I started having many down days. The first 5 stone seemed to go really fast and this last Stone I have to target seems to be taking forever. I have maintains, followed by gains, followed by very small losses and it seems so unfair since I am so annul about it the plan. I have many times thought of giving it up or taking long absences from group. So far I have not taken many days off, as I feel that guilty to my self. 

To me I have come so far to go and ruin it would just hurt my self. When the new year started and I was 5 stone lighter, I think I got a little greedy or something. I started to walk loads and then have a bad week and give it up for a week then try again. I cut syn's drastically and then was still not happy with that weeks loss and then have every last single syn the next week. I would be that depressed about the days WI and go binge and have not 1 but 2 danishes after group, then feel guilty and count the syn's for the next 3 days.
I have been finding hard the last few weeks as I am so close to target yet so far.

I am persevering and in doing so took up Zumba. I went from twice a week to 5 days a week, I enjoy it that much. I have to add in the last 2 weeks I have had gains and not been happy but done some of my own research and feel better about it. I have kept going and this week been doing my consultants challenge as well.  I can feel my waist is toning up and feels very good. I even can say that my current clothes are now a little baggy on me.

There is other ways to boost your loss as well, I have not tried this as it seems a little harsh to me. It is called Success Express. It is in a nut shell: 3 meals per day. Each meal fill 2/3 of your plate with Super free foods (food that is free on BOTH green and red days)
Fill the remaining 1/3 of your plate with foods free on either day, for example a jacket potato with Tuna fish.
Also have your 3 or 4 healthy extras each day and any syn's you have must be counted at the higher value.
.....

I must share that this week I got my 5½ Stone award, and must say that it was a really good day for me. I am proud of myself and hope that I have gotten past my bad patch. And happy days, result, the Zumba I have persevered with paid off. Please go read the post on group discussions it will explain some things as well and it might just help you get your "be hind" into gear, lol. I know it did me.

All I can say to you all is keep going, you will make it in the end with this plan.

Group discusions

There has been a lot of controversy over the following subjects and I for one did not really want to believe in any of this. So, I went and did some research on the subjects and found that know that I have read the following I understand it better. It makes more sense if you get all the facts and things behind it.

Is muscle heavier than fat?
"Now, there is something else that can happen that will result in a weight gain and will show up in the muscle tissue and may increase the size of the muscle and it is not more muscle. It is glycogen (which is 75% water). So, if you are glycogen depleted in anyway and go on this program, you will fill your glycogen stores and you may see yourself gaining a few lbs and appear a little leaner an/or muscular. There are actual studies documenting this phenomenon and showing changes in muscle weight and size (and % Body Fat) coming strictly from increased glycogen stores."
http://www.healthscience.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=549-muscle-weight-more-than-fat&catid=102:jeff-novicks-blog&Itemid=267.

Is there such a thing as slow metabolism?
"Yes, there is such a thing as a slow metabolism. But it's rare, and it's usually not what's behind being overweight or obesity - that's usually a matter of diet and exercise."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/slow-metabolism/AN00618

Has my body not reached it's natural weight loss limit?
This is actually called a weight loss plateau... who'd have thunk lol.
"Nothing is more frustrating to a dieter than not losing weight when you expect to. Just when you've started to get the hang of a new lifestyle your body stops responding to the hard work that you are doing. This is generally referred to as a plateau in weight loss.
What's most frustrating about these signs is the fact that it might seem like you're doing everything right. You're eating what you're supposed to be eating, working out when you plan to, and even cutting back further than you have to on your chosen diet plan.
The reason why your body does this is to avoid starvation. It senses that it's not getting as much food as it used to and so it tries to hold onto what you're giving it. Or it's getting used to the exercises that you're doing, so it's not responding in the same way. Basically, your body is leveling out - hence, the term plateau.
But now that you know what a plateau is and what the signs of it can be, you can start to tailor your weight loss routine to prevent or stop a plateau. What you need to do is change up what you've already been doing so that your body has to respond."
http://www.healthandgoodness.com/article/weight-loss-plateau.html

Hope this helps you as much as it has me.

Roast Dinner

This week has been really hard for me as my consultant has given me a "challenge" for this week. Since I have been struggling with my last Stone to target she said I should try decreasing my syns to 5-10 syns a day. I have to say it has been easier said than done. I have to budget most things and that includes my syns per day. I can't really afford to buy extra lean mince etc., so when using lean mince have to include the syns. Keeping that in mind I do enjoy a treat of some kind, whether it be a packet of crisps or a chocolate,especially when my kids enjoy there treats to. We had made muffins and peanut brittle over the weekend for them and I sat there watching them eat when I knew I would not be able to give 10 syns away on a small piece of peanut brittle. This lead me to thinking why I should not need to waste syns on gravy for our Sunday roast.

Well this is how it played out... The chicken is plain and simple. Pop it into a oven dish spice it up and stick it in the oven. Now depending on how you want to do this is depended on time I would assume. Most days I would put it in the oven on it's lowest around 10am in the morning and just leave it there for the day and eat around 3ish., but today I put the oven on 180ºC and did it for around 1½hrs. In the last half hour I started the side dishes. Felt like making rice the paella way as I actually like that, so in a microwave safe bowl I put 1cup of rice with boiling water and 2 veg stock cubes. Stir it up cover with cling wrap, don't forget to pierce the wrap, and in the microwave on high for 15 - 20min.  I tend to do the frozen packs of broccoli cauliflower and carrots  and just steam that. I also had a few small potatoes and although I felt like roast potato, I didn't feel like the hassle. I cut them up in squares and put them in a zip lock bag with some salt and herbs and few drops of water. Put the bag in the microwave on high for around 5 -8 min.
Then syn free gravy was born... I did start this off in a saucepan so please don't make the same mistake I did. In a pan Fry Light some diced onion and add 2 beef stock cubes with ½cup of water. Add some Worcester Sauce and passata, about 4 or 5 table spoons should do. Then add ½cup of diet Lemonade/Coke. Bring to a boil then simmer on high. Add water as needed till correct consistency or quantity.  The reason for a pan is because it has a larger surface than a saucepan, it spreads out more so simmers faster.

When you all ready drain the rice and veg, Let the potatoes just dry out a little and then serve all together. It is one of those meals in my home that the plates get cleaned off. No fighting with the kids to eat there food.

Enjoy

Shepard's Pie...

My husband and I have very different ideas of what is nice and what is just edible. There is many things he doesn't eat...peas, pumpkin, white sauce pasta, etc. We work around it most days and either he makes him self food or keeps quiet . I make carbonara for myself when they have pizza and stir fry for us both when the kids want nuggets.

Well decided yesterday to make a Shepard's pie. Hubby doesn't like this really, but surprisingly ate it. I started off with boiling some potatoes for mash. When it was ready to mash up I added a few spoons of cottage cheese and salt. In a pot with Fry Light brown some diced onion and mince. Then I added half a bag of casserole diced veg and 2 beef stock cubes some seasoning and 350ml of boiling water.

I then thought to myself how can I thicken it up a bit... I decided, why not try the diet coke chicken basic idea. So I added a couple of drops of Worcester Sauce and couple tablespoons of passata and let it simmer on high till it started to go thick. Ta dah.

Pour the mince mixture in a  oven dish and top it with your mash, sprinkle a bit of Paprika over and in the oven on about 200ºC for about 20min or till golden brown. I had this with some salad on the side and it was really yummy.

Lazy Cook

If there is one thing I am it is a lazy cook most days. Don't get me wrong I love food and love preparing big extravagant meals, but most days I really cba.

This morning I made myself a cooked breakfast, while doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen, it was that easy.

Fromelet

Fromelet with cottage cheese

Remember I said I keep the frozen bags of diced onion and peppers in freezer, yes that's right take them out. In a pan with Fry light add your onion, peppers and some mushrooms. What ever you fancy really. I added sweetcorn and chopped tomato to it. Fry that till browned then add 3 eggs, mix it in and leave it to set for a bit. Stick under the grill till golden on top and serve with some cottage cheese. Yumm. Like I said fromelet, not really and omelet but not quite a frittata.

Scrambled eggs

Who likes scrambled eggs? Who likes cleaning the pan after?. Not me, I hate it especially when the hubby makes it... I had a friend teach me this one, was really impressed by it and use this method often. Crack open your eggs in a large microwave dish. Add your salt and pepper and beat it up with a fork. Pop it in the microwave for about minute and a half and give it a stir. Keep doing this till 70% cooked then leave in the micro for few min, it will carry on cooking. There you have it, break it up a bit and dish over your toast. Done. Doesn't take more than 5 min and no pan to scrub. One happy me.

Ok so you have previously seen that I talked about making potato in the oven and even the pasta and rice. Talk about lazy cooking, lol. I tried making paella the other day and had to improvise a little so here is my suggestion for easy paella...

Paella

Firstly I took 2 veg stock cubes and dissolved it in 400ml of boiling water. Added this to a 350g of rice and popped it in the microwave covered with cling wrap for 15min, don't forget large bowl for rice. By the way the first time I tried this, I cooked the rice in the pan like they said and still had hard bits in it at the end, just shows you I can not do rice on the stove lol. Right in a pan with Fry light fry some onion, peppers and mushrooms. Then add a can of chopped tomatoes.and let it simmer. when the rice is done add the whole lot to the pan and give it a good mix. Add some veg, like beans peas and carrots and give it another mix. Add some prawns and some crab or mussels etc. The last lot I made I had a packet of prawns from ASDA and a can of minced crab and it was delish. I really enjoyed it.

The best thing in my day is when asking my girls "what do you want for supper tonight" and they reply "ghetti and meatballs" dead easy. A can each of spaghetti in tomato sauce and meatballs and couple of slices of toast. That easy then I am only left with what to feed myself. Well tonight it was mixed veg for a starter and sw chips with my own brew over it.

Tomato relish sauce - my style

Remember that frozen bag of onion, peppers and mushrooms, bring them out. In a pan add a handfuls of each and brown it up. Add a can of chopped tomato and couple of tables spoons of passata and season to taste. Add some sweetcorn, Worcester sauce and a can of diet lemonade/coke. Let it simmer till it thickens up. There you have it pour over your sw chips and yummm.

to be continued...

Charity Shopping.

Yes I know what you are going to say... I didn't want to go this route myself at the start. The reality is that most of us can not afford the wardrobe changes we go through when we are losing 4 stone plus. Face it droping 2 sizes on it's own makes your pre clothes look drab. I didn't want to spend money on a new wardrobe as I had so much weight I had to loose. I couldn't afford spending £10 on one pair of jeans let alone needing 2 or 3. I was chucking things out my cupboard at such a rate that I got to a point that I had nothing hanging in my cupboard. I am not joking, it was that bad.

My husband has also lost around 3 stone and was also in need of some clothing, so he dragged me down to the charity shop. We have 3 locally and some are a little more expensive than others. I have one favourate one that is a £1 an item, what ever you take off the shelf. Really the first time I just browsed, the second time I found an item, the thired time...well I walked out with about 3 outfits. That is how it got me going. I am still picky, but I find things that still have tags on so thats great.

I have managed to go from nothing to wear, to a wardrobe full and can honestly say I don't think I have spent £50 on it yet. In other words don't feel like while you loosing weight you can't start to feel good about your self. I went from looking fat to drab, found charity shop blis to feeling good. We go look once a week if we can and I try not to go to the more expensive ones as I am happy with £2 to £3 a week on something to wear.

Might add you can find great things in these places as well. People give things away that honestly there is nothing wrong with. The other day I found a set of lady weights for a £1, great stuff. Don't feel bad cause you go in a charity shop please. I reckon if we girls stick together we might even beable to start our own charity shop in group lol. We all started at some odd size and we all go down during our journey. Might actually mention this to my group sometime, "Bags 2 Group" drive.

Well thats may thoughts on Charity shopping when on a budget...

Body Magic

When most people start there slimming world journey they look at the plan and wonder if they will be able to do this. The consultant makes it sound easy enough with the extra easy plan, but when they start to talk about body magic I think that just scares you... I know it did me. I was that bad that I use to drive the kids to school and back and considering that it is only an 8 min walk either way I was really not doing anything to help myself.

Well before you go, "but I can't do exercise", this is how I started off. The first few weeks I just did the eating plan, getting my head to the right place was more important. I gradually started with fetching my eldest daughter from school in the afternoons and she really enjoyed the walk. I then started to walk her to school in the mornings. So there we have two school runs a day at least 3 times a week.When the kids started there summer holiday we started to walk to the park and I might add, for a 4/5 year old a 25 min walk there, play time and 25min walk back is no easy feat. This was the easy way to entertain the kids so we went often.

When the kids went back to school I started to walk home the long way around, this meant instead of the usual 8 min walk home I did a 25min walk home. Mind you I didn't do this more than twice a week at the start. Come Xmas time I started to get greedy, walked more often and further, honestly it did not help my weight loss. In other words if you don't feel up to that kind of exercise keep it simple.

Almost 11 months down the line I have now got a routine. Most mornings I walk the kids to school, The youngest still gets fetched from school 50/50 as she doesn't like the walk home and most of the time we are on our way too or from the shop. At 3 I fetch the eldest and the joke of it all is she hates it when I fetch her with the car (how is that for motivational walking... lol).

I recently decided to get myself the Zumba DVD's for home. I didn't feel very comfy in exposing myself till now anyway, and the classes are a tad expensive for me at the moment. I have lost so much weight and after 2 kids my tummy has excessive skin that just is not tightening up. Anyway, I started off with the basic DVD work out, it's only 20min and is a slow start so you can learn the steps. I did this a few times till I felt comfortable then gave the Cardio party ago. Tad more difficult but the work out felt great, I took it up a notch and tried to do this 3 times a week the first week. well I felt so good I tried the Sculpt and tone DVD...a lot harder, but damn did I feel the work out later. I really enjoyed it and upped my game and started to do it more often. I would really recommend this to everybody who doesn't like the normal gym workout or aerobics. It is more like dancing in a club, even if you do it at home.

You will see in a previous blog post that I talked about android apps that you can use for tracking this kind of thing, so go have a look.

There is other ways of doing your BM and the consultants will explain more about that. I am just sharing what I have experienced so far. Everybody is different remember that.

My advice is work at your own pace as you lose weight you will want to add a bit more body magic. You will feel better, you'll want to do some toning etc. Have fun that's the most important.

Shopping Lists

Everybody always asks me, "what is on your shopping list". Well it differs from week to week but I suppose this would be a breakdown of my list from ASDA...

Ham

Good for You Cottage Cheese: Plain/onion and chives

Mince

Bacon
ASDA Reduced fat Sausages 1 syn each

Eggs

Skimmed Milk (red)

Banana's

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Onions

Mushrooms

Cucumber

Lettuce

Grapes

Apples

Check what fruit is on roll over for the week as well.

Carrot sticks

Rainbow Stir fry mix

Turkey Steaks

Pork chops

Onken Fat free/ Muller light 500ml Yoghurt: Strawberry and loads of it lol

Good for you Fromage frais

Quark

Pasta: spaghetti etc. Really what you like, I like fusilie

Wholegrain Couscous

Beetroot in a jar

Onions in a jar

Gherkins in a jar

Spaghetti in tomato sauce

Baked Beans

Mackerel in Tomato sauce

Can of chopped tomato and loads of it, I use around 6 a week

Carton Passata

Pasta and Sauce tomato flavour

Savoury rice mild curry (Batchelors is free)

Weight Watchers Spicy tomato puff balls (4 syns each)

Tea Biscuits (2 syns each)

Smart Price Caramel Wafers (4 syns each)

Diet coke/lemonade

Weight Watchers Brown danish bread

Frozen section:

Sliced peppers

diced onion

sliced mushrooms

sweetcorn

country crop veg

fillet chicken

This would be my weekly fill up, I would add other things as well like stock cubes, coffee, sweetener, etc.
For those who are happy to go to a few different place here is some of my fav's... Morrison's have a sausage that is only ½ syn each they are the Eat smart sausages or the Skinny Lizzie's for 1 syn each. They also have Eat smart melba toast, ½ syn each, or Eat Smart crackers is 3 for ½ a syn.
I like an ice cream know and then and once found Skinny Cow mini dippers it worked out to 3/4 syns each but have not found them again locally. Then for those who want to try a bought burger patty for less syns try Sainsbury's Be good to yourself Chargrilled quarter pounder beef burgers for 1 syn each. Have not tried one yet as we don't have a Sainsbury's close by but making a plan, will keep you posted.


I have many questions over the months I have been doing this so if there is any questions you want to ask, just post a comment and I will see what I can russel up for you. Don't be shy.