Slimming World- First Impressions
Weight loss at the end of September, are you insane?
Yes I am insane. After suffering yet another summer feeling like a washed up whale I have decided that I have had enough. Beginning something in September makes sense for me, I always feel like September is a fresh start. If you have read my previous post on all of this business (**LINK**) you will know the real reason I have had a change of heart. Prior the Slimming world diet I was classed as obese with a shocking BMI of 32.7. At the age of just 19 this is an awful feeling. If I think of the circle of people in my life; friends, family ect I am always most definitely the largest person. I became sick of ordering clothes online and having to send it back because it didn't fit. Being a teenager and not being able to have one successful shopping trip is very depressing. My aim is to be able to go into a shop again and think, 'yeah that's my size, I'll have that', instead of pondering on whether it will suit me, what size, will it cover the lumps ect... Not only that, my health is beginning to deteriorate. My back, hips and now even my knees struggle to cope with the amount of weight I carry. Feeling tired and lazy is something which has increased over the years. I have slowly began to feel like 90 year old Grampa not a 19 year old girl. Most importantly, I don't feel good about how I look. Not feel good about myself lowers my confidence and self esteem. Overall I am fed up of feeling so depressed just because I have not been able to control my food intake, enough is enough and it's time for change.
Out of the blue one evening I went to Slimming World with my mum (who was already a member) to sign up. Joining a Slimming club can be very intimidating but you have to remember that each and every single human in that little room is in the same position as you. Everyone has joined because they are or were unhappy with their bodies, some are young, some are old, but everyone is there for the same reason. With this in mind I try feel comfortable within the environment. Talking about your weight loss journey in front of others actually makes you feel more confident as well as others. If you've had a little nibble on something you shouldn't have, just admit, 9 times out of 10, so have all the others in the room. Admitting your weaknesses only makes you stronger. I have learnt some great recipes and food ideas by attending the meetings and listening to what others have to say. If you have a great recipe, share it, others will praise your creativity essentially boosting your confidence.
Talk to me?
I used to think that Slimming World was just milkshakes, cereal bars and little cheese biscuits snacks; I had no idea how wrong I was. On arrival I was given a big pack of booklets which explains the whole diet plan. I follow extra easy which is, by the title, the simplest plan to follow. The majority of fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables are super free foods, which means you can consume as much as this as you like. Then, there are free foods which include things like; rice, pasta, potatoes, beans and noodles. Unlike most diets you can eat as much of these types of carbohydrates as you wish. Then there's an A and a B choice which involves one dairy and one fibre rich food- these choices are so they a healthy, balanced diet is maintained. All other foods have a syn value. Up to 15 syns can be consumed within one day and they cannot be collected or passed onto the next day. At first the diet is slightly complicated but after a few days I got my head around it. In contrast to fad diets that I have repeatedly attempted, Slimming World allows me to be in the driving seat. It's refreshing to know I don't have to be constantly counting or worrying about the weight, volume and points of the food I'm eating.
Saying NO.
One major concern for me was how on earth will I be able to stick to plan when I'm not in control. For example, I spend a lot of time at my boyfriend's house. Usually we cook meals which are full of syns and it's no wonder why I have piled on the pounds. However, I am very pleased to say that we have been cooking our own meals and surprisingly he likes Slimming World recipes too. Though at times my boyfriend has been like 'can we have pizza? Can we add this into our meal? Chocolate for pudding?' I just have to say no. It doesn't mean that the person who is offering can't have it. It's important to make them feel comfortable about your weight loss journey too. Another example is when I went to visit my Dad when he was having a little holiday in the seaside town of Skegness. Skegness is the home of fatty food and it was so so difficult to steer clear of the fish and chips, doughnuts, ice cream and sweets. I had to say no to lots of offerings and I did feel quite rude but at the end of the day it's ME who wants to lose the weight. Unfortunately it's true that you have to put your foot down and say no because without doing so weightless will not happen.
Overall
I have now lost 6lb in two weeks which I am more than pleased with. Slimming world is definitely the most positive thing that I have stumbled across. Within the short space of me joining my whole mind set about food has changed. I will admit I have given in to the odd sweet or two but I just look past that and think next time I can say no. There are so many free or low syn recipes which only take minutes to make, there are also many options for takeaways, eating out and on the go meals. Slimming World cost £5 per week plus a joining fee which many deter people from signing up, however, if you're struggling with weight loss and have been for a long time (just like myself) I highly recommend giving this club a go.
Ellabella
♥ ✝ ☮
Random Fact: A healthy weight loss rate is between 1lb and 2lb per week.
No comments:
Post a Comment