Still at target - some musings

It's been a strange few weeks since I reached my target weight. I think we get consumed with losing weight each week, working towards our goal, and when we reach it it feels somewhat strange. Suddenly that impetus has gone and we enter Stage 2 of the journey, the Maintain phase.

Reactions towards my weight loss have been mixed - the vast majority of people are really pleased for you and tell you how well you've done. But there are the 'other' comments from others to deal with, e.g.  you'll be on a diet for the rest of your life (which shows how little they understand Slimming World!) and even 'you could do with putting a bit of weight back on' !!  Is it any wonder many of us get anxious?

Since getting to target, I've lost another 1.5lbs unintentionally, and had to have my target re-set as I was right at the bottom of the 3lbs leeway we're allowed.  I've increased my Healthy A and B allowances (includes milk, butter, cheese, bread) and also am eating a few more syns each day. Hopefully on Friday when I weigh in I'll have maintained, and really don't mind if I've put on a lb or so. Another target member in my group warned me that being at target can 'mess with your head' and I understand now what she meant - the mind games really start.

I joined a new Facebook group for SW target members which is brilliant - so good to hear we all feel much the same and to learn strategies to deal with it all. 

Meanwhile, I still eat my Slimming World meals as that feels normal to me and far more enjoyable than the stodge or processed food I used to eat up to 8 months ago.  Tea tonight was a lovely chicken salad with some potatoes and a squirt or two of a tasty garlic mayonnaise.  Yum!

Magic pancake

Love these - sweet pancakes.

You mix 35g of porridge oats (HEB allowance) with about 3/4 pot of Mullerlight yoghurt (I used a dark cherry one) and leave for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.

Add 2 beaten eggs plus 1-2 teaspoons granulated sweetener, and fry using Fry Light. Absolutely delicious!

When I first got the recipe, I was a bit dubious.....but tasting is believing :)

Oven baked meatballs - and an award :)

I reached target 2 weeks ago, but decided to go for another half pound loss, to achieve my 2 stone certificate. Got that today! Very happy indeed.
I've gradually increased my Healthy B choices to 2 per day, and use all my 15 syns each day. I think I'll try out increasing my Healthy A choices and see what effect that has - am hoping that'll keep my weight maintained, after the half pound loss today (which of course was very welcome).

Tea tonight - oven baked meatballs with onion, garlic, courgettes and aubergine.  Served with carrots and potatoes, and delicious!  Not a syn in sight - but I shall be having my usual chocolate fix later on :)

Reached my target!

....and also lost a further lb :)

Now the work begins to stay at target, but I have 3lbs leeway either side of my target weight. For now, I have free membership of SW for life whilst I stay in target range. However a further 1/2lb loss will give me a 2 stone loss award, so that's what I'm planning to do, then that'll be it. 

Today however I had a day off and celebrated Easter with family - oops, way too many syns!
Back on it tomorrow :)

Doner kebab loaf

I don't normally venture out of my food comfort zone, but decided to try the Doner Kebab loaf out of the new Slimming World 'Fakeaway' recipe book.

This contains not one single syn - unlike a takeaway version!  Mine was absolutely delicious, and the ingredients include extra lean mince, onions, garlic, ground ginger, cinnamon, paprika, egg, and mixed herbs.

I had a few slices for lunch with a salad, and again at teatime as I loved it so much :)

SW fishcakes

These were a bit fiddly to make, but well worth the effort. I added grated carrot and courgette plus chopped spring onions to mashed potato and flaked white fish, then seasoned it, also adding fresh dill and chopped chives ....

..and put the mixture into the fridge for a few hours. I made 12 fishcakes, which were then dipped into egg and then into breadcrumbs. I cooked them for 20 or so mintes on 180, and had some salad with 3 of them. Very tasty - I added lemon juice when served, but tartar sauce would be good too :)

0.5lb to go

Last week I maintained, this week I'm hoping the target I set myself will be achieved. My progress to date......

A total of 26lbs lost to date (1 stone 12 sounds better!), and so 1/2lb to go. But, I'm going to increase that by a further 1.5lbs so I get a 2 stone award. Could take a few weeks as my weight loss has slowed right down, but that's fine by me :)