Hello! How you been? You’re looking great by the way!
I’ve been pretty good myself this week. I’ve done more stuff with The Boy than I’ve done in a while, including trying some new activities and watching him explore. We’ve had one or two false starts, but in the last week we have had some amazing triumphs and that always cheers me right up. The weather’s definitely taken a turn for the colder, but I love this time of year. It’s been crisp and sunny on a couple of occasions and that, plus jumpers and wellies, always makes my heart happy. It’s also allowed me to indulge in some serious stew making and there is little better to warm the cockles of your heart than a home cooked stew. I don’t know why, it must be the Irish in me, but I’d take a good stew over a soup any day of the week.
I’ve also been baking! After making biscuits for last week’s taster session, I realised how much I’ve missed baking, having made nothing (except a failed sponge cake in February) for ages. I also realised it’s actually the process I enjoy more than the result. And as the process is free on Slimming World 😉 I’ve been indulging. So this week I’ve made flapjacks (as a treat for Ben as he spent Sunday morning helping a local organisation, Logs 4 Labour, clear some local woodland), Ginger Cake (for Ben to take to his office on his birthday) and 2.5 litres of Granola (as a present for Ben’s birthday). I’ve LOVED doing it, although I swear I’m not trying to fatten my husband up 🙂 . I’ve not felt I was missing out at any point by not eating it, although if my house could smell of sweet cinnamon and ginger from now until Christmas that’d be great! So I might have to do some more!
Anyway last night’s weigh in was added to the triumph pile when I found I’d lost 1lb which is 6 Stone 4.5lb in total. It wasn’t quite the two I had in mind, but I’ll take it as I’m still on track to reach 7 stone by Christmas. Group was great again last night. Everyone’s really motivated at the moment and its lovely to see everyone getting their awards and feeling the love. As it happens, I also got an award last night. Alongside the weight loss, Slimming World also run something called Body Magic Awards. It’s proven (by important people in very clean, white coats I assume) that a more active life will lead to a maintained weight loss, so while exercise is not part of the SW ‘plan’ it is encouraged to increase self esteem and help maintain the weight losses you’ve achieved. There are four levels of Body Magic (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum). The first, Bronze is awarded for 45 minutes of activity a week, over three days, maintained for four weeks. Now, I know I’ve been doing this level of activity longer than I’ve been doing Slimming World, what with the walking I do. But for some reason I didn’t want to get my award for just pushing the buggy. I wanted to be doing something more, well, organised I guess. Anyway this week was my fourth week at Core Stability, so I felt ready to get my Bronze award. Woohoo! The Silver award is 6 x 15 minutes or 3 x 30 minutes per week maintained for 4 weeks. Again I probably already do that, but I want to know I’ve earnt it. So I’ll look at it again in four weeks and see if I can hand on heart say I have!
It was nice getting a certificate though – it’s been a while 😉
I also got my copy of this year’s Christmas Cook Book and my ticket for our groups Christmas Party last night. The book is similar to last year’s to be honest, although it does have an extended section on things to do with left overs, that could be used throughout the year. I’m looking forward to trying the Salmon Kedgeree and the chocolate pots look divine. All this Christmas talk has put me right in the mood and I’m listening to festive tunes while writing this. So what that it’s only October!
Hope you have a great week, wrapping up warm and getting your stewing freak on!
xxxx