Getting back on track

While recovering from my operation last week I found that I had lost my appetite.  Eating on minimal food, which was mostly toast and soup, and the fact that I was still quite swollen, I knew that Thursday weigh day may have been a gain.  A 5lb gain! 

My appetite is back now but I'm finding that I can only eat little amounts.  With this in mind I knew snacky bits were needed.  I spent Saturday and Sunday making mini quiches, a quiche loaf, scotch eggs (recipe from my lovely friend) and soup.

The scotch eggs are to die for, and completely free!  To make you need 4 hard boiled eggs and 6 Linda McCartney Rosemary & Red Onion sausages.  Defrost the sausages and then squash them up.  You need approx. 1 and a 1/2 sausages to one egg.  Spray the wrapped eggs with fry light and bake in the oven.  They're a quick and easy snack to keep in the fridge and packed with protein.

Soup is always a good call, even with the lovely weather we've been having lately!  I had planned on making sprout soup but had a pack of leeks to use up.  I cheat and use a soup maker as it does everything for you.  I put in the leeks, sprouts, ham and a stock pot (a lot more flavoursome than a normal Oxo cube!).  Once it had cooked and pureed I added some extra ham to add a bit of bite.  Was really tasty :-)

Let's hope the scales will be kind to me this week, the swelling has gone down now, so I just need to concentrate on the Food Optimising then all will be good.

M x

Happiness is....

On our groups FB page our amazing consultant posted a thread asking people to finish of the sentence 'HAPPINESS IS...' with you SW journey in mind.

My response....'Knowing how far I've come and what my journey has in store'.

I love reading threads like this as people are natural with their answers and they come from the heart.  There are some wonderful replies that really put a smile on my face.

My response is not the only reason why my SW journey makes me happy, there are many reasons.

- 'knowing that my family and friends support me in 100% on my journey'
- 'seeing the reaction I get when I see people who I haven't seen in a long while, that reaction spurs me on to succeed'
- 'sharing my journey with people that maybe struggling.  I was that person struggling once and I love the fact that I maybe helping somebody realise the potential they have'
- 'my SW family.  Fair enough I go to get weighed but group is so much more than that.  It's a chance to get tips, ideas and most of all support other members.  I love my group'
- 'knowing I have the support from my consultant.  Any time of day or night, drop her a text and she will reply. Expressing words in the right way, whether it be a well done or them non-judgemental replies, she is that rock that holds our group together'

Honestly, the list could go on and on and on!!!

Hope you're all having an amazing day

M x

For and Against

Last week while at group we were given a piece of paper about writing a for and against list for loosing weight.  Never really bothering with anything like that before, I did the usual and put it in my member pack to get lost in the abyss of other information and books! 

I realised this afternoon that it was about time I started a for and against list.  I am focused but I think that this would help me along the way and keep me focused if I loose track.

There were more FOR points but one AGAINST point was going over and over in head.

'SAFE CLOTHES'

We all have them items in our wardrobes, the ones that we used to wear which are now too big.  the ones that 'I'll keep just in case I put the weight back on'.  Why the heck am I keeping them?  This journey is for the long haul.  It's not something I'm going to grow tired of.  I NEEDED to rectify this.

So two hours I spent this afternoon trying on every single piece of clothing I own.  There were many items with tags still on, just shows how much I need them!

I now have three bags for the charity shop.  The FOR points for me sorting through my clothes are:
- the temptation to loose focus is gone as now the only clothes I own are the ones that currently fit me
- my three bags will go on to be sold to raise money for a worthy cause

I'm pleased with my productive afternoon. Now, how long is it going to be before I have some more bags for the charity shop?!

M x

Pain free life (well not just yet!!)

Living with the pain of gallstones has been a long slog.  I'm one of them people that don't like to bother the doctors, but being forced to go and see my GP by my mother last May was the best thing I have ever done.  Three years of abdominal pains and leaving it became too much to handle and thanks to my mum pushing, I was found to have a gallstone, just one but it was an inch big!

I got referred quite quickly and once I'd seen my consultant I was told I would have to loose weight to make the surgery safer.  This was the kick I needed to go back to Slimming World.  

I ended up getting admitted to hospital a couple of times over the next few months while I was loosing weight.  The pain is horrendous and I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy (even though I don't have a worst enemy!!)

After the second hospital admission I was given a new consultant as my original one had left, my next clinic appointment was a week after getting admitted.  It was like music to my ears when I walked in.  'Well Melanie, after looking through your file I'm really impressed how much weight you've lost since coming to clinic and I'm going to put you on the list for surgery'. I couldn't contain my excitement and sat there with a huge grin on my face when she was explaining the procedure.  Once my letter came through I only had about a month before I was due surgery.

Yesterday was the day.  Knowing that I don't have to live with the pain from a flair up ever again is the best feeling.  I'm in pain now but I'd rather have this pain than the other pain.  

My eating habits won't change and I will still be food optimising, I do have a size 14 bridesmaid dress to get into by September!!  So my journey to a new me will continue.

M x

First gain in 10 weeks 🙁

So I got weighed last Thursday, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting though.  I put on 1.5lbs but I know where I went wrong.  That's the first step of accepting a gain is to draw a line under that week which I did as soon as I stepped off the scales.

Going to try for a maintain this week as I had my operation yesterday and knew my appetite would not be up to much.

M x

Sabotage....why do I do it to myself?!

Every now and then self-sabotage sets in and I loose all focus.  This is one of those weeks 😕

The initial intentions were good, meal planning, food shopping for what I'd planned (nothing extra added to the trolley) and writing down the daily food intake.  So where did I go wrong?

A number of reasons for why I'm drawing a line already under this week.
- not making the meals I'd planned
- not drinking enough water
- not walking/exercising enough
- eating naughty things, mainly ruddy crisps **hangs head in shame**

But I know where I've gone and I AM going to rectify the damage.  The first is complete, I've admitted my mistakes, the second step is getting back on plan.  I have 2 days of clean eating to help.  Extra Easy SP days are being followed.  I won't be upset if it'll be a gain on Thursday at group, I'll be focused to change it around.

I can do this, the last 9 weeks are proof of that!  Not one single gain or maintain over that 9 week period.

Come on Meli, that bridesmaid dress is calling 😄

M x