Extra Easy SP

Happy Thursday, so glad this week is nearly done.

This week has been a real challenge in terms of my weight loss and as with all challenges there’s been good, bad and lots of learning.

As you may recall last week I decided to give the ‘new’ Slimming World Extra Easy SP plan a go. High density, low energy (S or speed) food paired with Protein. The social media world has been aflame with people trying it and getting marvellous results and as I had such an abysmal gain over Christmas, I felt it had to be worth a look. Trouble was I decided to do it after doing a weeks shop and so found myself to be ill prepared, having bought food I ‘couldn’t’ eat and not enough of what I could. So first lesson learnt, don’t go into this without preparation. The first few days were a real eye opener I’ll give it that. As a long time member it’s been a while since I looked at my books, but suddenly I needed to check things all the time. It was a reeducation of sorts and in that respect it was great. It really got me thinking more positively about my choices.

Anyway, I managed to stick to it for entire week, writing a full food diary, something I’ve not done for God knows how long. That got me back in the habit of counting my syns religiously again and I found I was having things I really wanted and enjoyed (Daim Bar anyone?) but using less syns than I would normally. Writing it down made me more conscious of everything I was eating. I also discovered dried split yellow peas. I had them in casseroles and curries and they’re gorgeous! I can’t believe I’d never had them before. They’re so good for you and delicious. I’ll certainly continue to use them in place of other thickening agents and/or side orders of carbs occasionally.

After being so strict with myself all week I was indeed hoping for a good result last night. I lost 7lb. At first I wasn’t that pleased – I’d heard of people losing 9 or 10lb in a week, why hadn’t I? Also it still wasn’t the full 11lb I needed to loose to get back to where I was before Christmas. Cue grumpy face. But after a while it began to sink in that I’d just lost half a stone in a week and I should stop my nonsense and be pleased. Which I am.

However, I would like to make it clear just how much I wouldn’t recommend SP as a plan, particularly for any people new to Slimming World. SP is a handy weapon to have in your arsenal, to be used occasionally. Maybe if you’ve hit a wall in your weight loss journey or need to get back on track as I did. It is not a long term solution AT ALL. Firstly it made me incredibly irritable. I was missing my carbs and was constantly hungry to begin with. It took me a good few days to get into the swing of bulking up with beans and pulses. Secondly I’m not good at being dictated to. For the first time ever since starting Slimming World I actually felt like I was on a diet, a feeling I disliked in the extreme. I was one grumpy mare. Just ask Ben! I would hate any new starters to think this is how Slimming World is and be discouraged. It really isn’t. Making informed choices and using a bit of savvy with my food has enabled me to lose over 6 and a half stone. Being barked at (eat this, don’t eat that) has not and would not. I’m disappointed such a deal has been made about it in groups (not just ours, you should see my Twitter feed) and I hope once the dust settles people will realise it it’s there as a tool. And nothing more.

Point made.

So 7lbs off this week takes me back to 6 stone 5.5lb lost. It also takes me over half way to my mini target of losing 12lb by Valentines Day leaving me with 5lb to lose in four weeks. As I discussed last week any goal needs to be far enough away to be realistic but close enough to be a stretch. Now I’ve lost such a chunk in the first week the stretch part is missing somewhat. So, do I bring my target date forward or increase the amount? Hmmm, I think I’ll leave the date where it is and increase the amount. To 8.5lb in four weigh ins. That brings back the stretch element (2 or 2.5lb a week). It will also take me to 7 stone lost! Boom!

And stretching myself is something I’ve been doing in more ways than one this week. My beloved Fit for Life Mums core stability (which I highly recommend btw) has moved to a Wednesday class only now. As I’m busy at SW on a Wednesday, my neighbour Jane and I decided to search out an alternative and found a local Monday session at Haslemere Pilates. I was expecting to be a bit rusty after the Christmas break, and while the class was quite different to what we were used to we both really enjoyed it and will be going again. If the pain in my ribs ever subsides. Jeez louise! It didn’t kick in until Wednesday, but it’s still hurting now! But I’m glad to be back doing something. I’ve really missed it.

Hope you all have a great week

Xxxxx

Hello my lovelies – how are you?

I’m OK, I guess. Been better, been a whole lot worse. Had a bit of a shock at weigh in last night. But rather than upsetting me (well it did upset me, but more of that in a minute) it slapped me round the face. It was like Weight Loss Me grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me, saying “Hey! Buddy! Wake up. This is NOT OK. You know that right?” After last week’s ENORMOUS gain of 10.5lb I gained another 0.5lb. 11lb over two weeks (taking my weight loss back to 5 stone 12.5lb). And Weight Loss Me is right. This is not OK.

Last week I just laughed as I stepped off the scales. Yeah it was a huge gain, but it had been Christmas guys, come on! Pah! I thought. I’ll lose it all again in a couple of weeks, it’s probably mostly water. I was flippant and cavalier and I paid the price. A slap in the face of another gain (no matter how small). I didn’t make choices that would give me the results I wanted. Simply not making as bad a choices as I did over Christmas was not enough. I knew that deep down. Granted it resulted in 0.5lb gain and not 10.5lb gain but still!

So yeah I had a bit of a moment in group yesterday. I didn’t mean to, but then my consultant was nice to me and I burst into tears. I was just so angry with myself and sad and disappointed. It’s so hard to just draw a line and start again, when you know what’s come before. I can’t help but focus of the fact that this gain has taken me all the way back to the middle of July. 6 months hard work – poooof – gone like that. And how easily too. I mean, it’s frightening how quickly it all unravelled!

Right, wallowing over. I was talking to a friend last night and we came to the conclusion that this far along the journey motivation is harder to come by, partly because I’ve forgotten where I’m going and partly because I’ve come so far already. I never imagined I’d get so far, so imagining I’d go further, in reality, is proving much more difficult than I thought. Do I really want to go further? Yes I do. Why? Hmm not an easy question, I tells ya. Why do I want to lose at least another 2 stone if not a bit more? Do you know, I could say all the things you would expect me to say, to be healthier, to be fitter to be able to fit into a pair of size 12 jeans. And all these things are true. Honestly they are. But really, I want to do it, JUST TO SEE IF I CAN. Hahahaha does that make me bonkers? Probably. But I’ve spent some time looking at this and while all the positives that come from weight loss are absolutely true in my case, in my mind I just keep hearing this voice. Can you? Well can you? I think it’s time to stop asking and start telling. Yes. I. Can. Can’t I?

So OK, these targets need to be real and achievable. They also need to be far enough away to be realistic, but close enough that it’ll keep me focused. Make sense? That being the case I’m setting my first target as 12lb lost by 11th Feb. That’s in 5 weeks time and right in time for Valentines Day. It requires consistent losses every week of around 2.5lb. It’s a stretch and no mistake but I have absolutely done it before. Ultimately I would like to reach my target weight this year, and although I still don’t have this in mind yet it is something I will decide on this year.

So to make a fresh start and give myself a boost I have chosen to start off with Slimming World’s new Extra Easy SP plan. As I mentioned last week it’s a kind of ‘high volume low energy (Speed) paired with high Protein’ plan. It’s not meant to be how you live your life, but rather a week long boost if you hit a rough patch. And they don’t come rougher at the moment so I’m giving it a whirl. To be honest I couldn’t do it long term. It’s restrictive in what you can and can’t have and having followed Extra Easy for so long it’s taking a while to get my head round. However, I’m definitely giving it a go, to see what can be achieved. Breakfast took a bit of thinking about this morning, as I normally have banana and coffee (bananas are out!). Eventually settled on mushrooms and eggs on wholemeal toast (HEB). And it was delicious. Having never been much of a brekkie person, while I have to time to prepare things like this I really should! Lunch was tuna mayo with lettuce, spring onions, beetroot, red cabbage and tomatoes and dinner was a massive plate of chilli with tonnes of beans in. All good, but I don’t think I’ve eaten enough S and P foods during the day as I’m not feeling full enough. This one takes a bit more planning than perhaps I’m used to, so would recommend reading through the items you can have and getting plenty in before starting! I’ve ended up with a load of fruit, all classed as free but not Speed. Ho hum

Mushrooms and eggs on toast. A great SP breakfast

We also had lots of new starters yesterday which was great to see. Loads of people wanting to take that first step to a healthier future. Plus it’s always lovely to meet new people. One of my best friends even took the plunge and joined a group down in Plymouth. I know how hard it was for her to take that step and I’m so, so proud of her. She’ll be covering her cupboards with certificates in no time. The only advice I’d give a new member, is not really advice more an observation. When you’ve been eating what you liked, when you liked, without moderation for a long time, it can take a couple of weeks to get your head in to the zone of making better choices. People tend to deny themselves things instead. Slimming World doesn’t work like that. If you want it, you can have it. Just count it. Unless it’s free then fill your boots. Seriously. I couldn’t have come this far if I had to deny myself anything (least of all smoked salmon droooool). And also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If ever you’re not sure, the books, the website, your consultant or fellow members will have the answer and gladly share it with you.

So my goal for this week is not to cry when I get off the scales.

Have a great week people

Xxxx

Extra Easy SP

Slimming World Update – Week 78

Slimming World Update – Week 77