Every Cook'n'Cranny

So its official, I’ve been attending Slimming World for one whole year, and what a year its been!

Full of ups, downs, losses, maintains, gains, frustration & pride.  Yeah, that is a lot of emotion, but let me tell you its been a worthwhile journey (not that its over by any means, but we can get into that in another post).

So here it is , a quick overview of all that I have achieved in this past year, if you want to come on this journey with me I would be more than delighted!

12th February 2019

I took the plunge & joined my local Slimming World group & my god was I bricking it going in, thankfully my mother-in-law to be joined with me, so I didn’t feel totally overwhelmed.

We were met with friendly faces. Such a relief!

That relief quickly turned to shock when I had my first weigh in.  I couldn’t believe it, I was a lot heavier than I had thought, but in a way it made me more determined to change my eating habits and have a healthier life for myself and my family.

I just put my family in the forefront of my mind.  I needed to this for us, to teach my little girl healthy eating habits and have a healthy, happy relationship with food.

Week 1, I was so excited! I kept reading my manual and was beyond proud of the lovely meals that I was handing to my family (a far cry from what we had been tucking in to). I lost 3 lbs that week and although I lost weight I couldn’t deny that I was a tad disappointed  as others in the room were losing staggering amounts, but I had to tell myself “its not a race, its a process and you’re doing it right”.

I stuck with it, kept on plan, kept going to group and the weight was slowly but surely coming off. Within a month I’d lost 9 lbs and received my half stone award! BUZZING!

The feeling of doing well kept spurring me on. Then by April I’d lost a stone!

I started getting more confidence in myself & feeling more energetic.  I started walking & exercising! May came around and I’d lost a stone and half. I was so happy. I could really see so many changes in my health, my energy levels and my appearance.

I was so rigid to the plan that some days I would torment myself terribly about eating one thing  “off plan”.  This is the moment I learned, if this is to be a sustainable lifestyle change, I can’t be so hard on myself or ashamed!  I then felt confident about going to family functions, dinners and the likes.

Stick to my plan throughout the week and its totally okay to have family time. We only have one family and we must treasure the times that we get to spend in each others company!  This was a turning point for me, I was more relaxed in myself and in the entire process.

July came around & 2 stone down!  This was when I could really see massive changes in my appearance, clothes began to be ill-fitting ( and all those lovely pre-baby clothes were starting to look appealing to me again).

2 1/2 stone award came around along with my engagement ring being too big (non scale victories were flying in hard & fast. I could fit into my jeans, you know the kind with a zipper lol ). Along with a few maintains & gains but look, its all part of the process and I’ll admit at the time I found them disappointing but looking back on it now I found a gain to give me the kick in the arse I needed to get back on track!

By October I had lost 3 stone & was so close to my target that I couldn’t believe it. In just 8 months I had come so far!

Then came my slump! I was up a  pound, down a pound for what felt like forever.  I was beyond frustrated.  I was so close to target & I just wasn’t getting there!  What was stopping me? ME!  I think I felt so comfortable being so close to target that I wasn’t really trying?

December came, I got involved in my first ever sponsored cycle! I hadn’t been on a bike since my childhood! But my mother-in-law and I got ourselves sorted and we did it. I struggled so bad, but I did it all the same and I remember cycling in the dark, my legs  in so much pain, but hearing everyone singing Christmas carols , seeing our bike lights all aglow.

It felt amazing. I was so proud of what we were doing & who we helped.  A year ago we would never have had the confidence or energy to achieve something like that.  That set me off,  I’m currently undergoing another sponsored fitness challenge, 100 miles in 1 month in aid of The Mater Foundation.  It brings me so much joy to have a challenge in my life, especially one that will benefit others !

Within a week of my cycling challenge I lost the final half pound to get me to my target! I was elated, it was like a Christmas gift from me to me (with no return policy ha ha)

So in 10 months I was 3 stone 3.5 lbs lighter.

I could never have imagined when I started my journey, that I would be a completely different woman. The woman I am today is so much stronger, fitter and healthier (physically & mentally).

I am proud!

Proud of the changes that I have made & the positive impact that it is having on my family. When I see my little girl loving her fruit & vegetables (some chocolate in their too we all deserve a treat here and there) I just know If I hadn’t changed my ways she could have a very different relationship to food.

So now, my new journey is maintaining all of this hard work.  I know I’m going to have weeks were I am up and down and I’m totally okay with that. It’s only natural. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead & tackling any challenges that come my way. If you’ve read to this point then fair play to you. I would love to share this new part of my journey further with you all.

Thank you!