General Chat

I will look out for those noodles, I've a feeling I read somewhere that they weren't particularly pleasant so it's interesting to here another review, thank you.

A stressful day for me today, I did eat lots but it was still on plan. I will remember what you say about making the small changes..

Jacqueline I think that shows how it is better to make small changes and be able to keep them up rather than trying too hard and losing heart.

I think you have hit the nail on the head for me about giving up on cooking healthy meals too Lavender! It takes a bit more planning and as we eat out more now than we ever used to plans often don't work out. We tend to go to carveries so I can have mostly turkey with lots of veg, but lately I've succombed to the temptation is to have desert as well so that will stop now! I didn't know about the SW meals in Iceland so will try some. A healthier ready meal is a useful standby sometimes as the portion size is controlled for you and you can always add a bit of extra veg.

One thing I discovered and found effective this time last year was those Slim Noodles that only have a few calories. Don't be put off by a slight fishy smell when you open them. Once they are rinsed and added to a stirfry there is no taste or smell and even hubby liked them. They drastically reduce the calorie count of a meal yet are filling. I think they would be useful for the 5.2 diet Wendy mentioned which might work well for me with me eating out 2-3 times in a week.

Anyway I have started today by weighing me.......shock, horror no wonder walking about is so tiring, so change begins now.

Another of the volunteers in the charity shop where I work used to be diabetic. About three years ago she decided to change her eating a little. After about six months she had lost about half a stone and said she felt a little more healthy and active so she decided to work an extra shift in the shop. She continued with the change of diet and the extra shift and lost more weight. Gradually over time she has lost about three stones, works four or five shifts a week and at her last hospital appointment was told her blood sugar level was normal - no sign of her being diabetic.

Just small changes seem to have worked really well for her - we all really enjoy her company at work and she sets a really good example to us all!

I remember you did amazingly well, Ann. You are so right, it is remarkably easy, it's just that I give up on cooking healthy meals which means that I"m constantly eating too many carbs and reaching for the cookie jar, bread, cakes, chocolate etc.

As soon as I begin to cook healthy meals and take the time to prepare salads the weight comes off, and I feel so much better, even before the weight goes.

The majority of people at the slimming clubs have food issues, they use food as a way of coping with life. I've never smoked or drank alcohol but my fix has been food. It's not that I'm greedy at table, I never eat huge meals, it's more that I just keep eating all through the day.

My husband is one of the few I know who lost weight and kept it off. He never went to a club, just took himself in hand (whoosh). He does keep a careful eye on his weight and cuts down on bread as soon as he creeps up by a couple of pounds.

The diabetes study sounds very interesting, Annx. I have noticed in the past that when I keep moving I do feel better and have increased losses also.

If SW doesn't work, it isn't the diet. It's because we revert back to our old patterns of eating. There isn't anything magical, although it does appear so!

Did you know that SW now have their own food brand sold in Iceland, Ann? I'm not sure when the range came out but I think it was only recently? I tried a couple this week and they were very good, reproducing some of the old favourite recipes without too many additives. I'm not usually a fan of ready-mades but these were acceptable for occasional use :-)

I always loved the Spitfire Andy, it looks so stylish. When I was a teenager I was lucky enough to have a chap give me lifts sometimes in my all time favourite car, a Jaguar XK120! His brother had a big Mark 10 Jaguar but so they could afford to run them they used motorbikes to go to work at a quarry in the week and just wheeled out these beauties for a polish and run out at the weekends mostly. I would be taken on the then recently built and far less busy M1 and the car would reach 130mph! I remember at 120mph one of the wing mirrors would turn with the wind resistance. I sometimes wonder what happened to the car. I know he had it resprayed from black to white but then I lost touch as you do.

Yes I find it harder to diet in winter too Sylvia. I am happy to have lots of salads in the summer and I tend to potter around more be it in the garden of looking in shops. When it's cold in the winter you do want more hearty and warming meals as you say! Potatoes don't bother me if there is plenty of veg but I do like a jacket potato sometimes. I like the idea of tortilla chips with a salsa for a snack and will try that as it is strongly flavoured with a nice crunch which is what you miss sometimes!

The diabetic plan was great because it actually called for 3 meals and 3 snacks a day .............. so you didn't have to give up snacking, just change what you snacked on!

I changed most of the snacks from cheese and crackers for example to tortilla chips and salsa dip or humus ............... and I had (and still have) 3 or 4 Nairn Oat Cakes before bed. The Ginger and Cranberry (or Mixed Berry) Nairn Oat Cakes don't have dairy in them. I don't know what I will do if the local drug store (!!!) stops selling them!


Like Andrew ............. I got rid of a lot of my clothes, and was able to buy new, or get into some of those that I had pushed to the back of my closet because they didn't fit, but I liked them and "one day ........".

I've actually lost another 5 lbs since the 30, but I haven't been trying as I was before ............. it has just come off.


Actually ............... I don't know whether this really has any validity, but I always found winter the hardest time to diet ................ it's when you want comfort food, stews, casseroles, hot meals, etc etc. Summer was always easier for me because I could eat salads and did not want those roast or mashed potatoes!

Hi Ann.

It is easier to get in and out of my Spitfire now. The steering wheel doesn't rest on my stomach any more! Life in general is just that bit more pleasant.

Andy

I'm the same as you Lavender, try really hard and lose some, then put it back on again. I think in my case any stress sends me off the 'diet rails' and last year with my in laws health problems was certainly stressful........plus a hubby who is always thinking and talking about his next meal doesn't help! :-S

It might be of interest to some that a year ago I was a volunteer in a research study to do with Diabetes. It was all to do with the effects of less sitting in post menopausal women and the effect on blood sugar levels. Put simply, I did a day of sitting and a day of sitting but also standing up for 5 mins every half hour. The results showed a significant lowering of blood sugar levels throughout the day on the day I stood every half hour. I was told the explanation for this is that in order to just keep your body standing, the large thigh muscles are using the glucose from your blood. So the thinking is that if you stand up more during the day and don't sit for long periods you will keep your blood sugar levels lower and less spiky! Of course glucose being used means calories being used too so that will help to lose weight.

A lady in our village I know well is giving up a tearoom she runs this year to run a Slimming World group having lost about half her own weight in the past couple of years and I have thought about joining her group if I struggle again. I keep thinking if she could do that whilst cooking and looking at food every day then I should be able to as well.

My other incentive is a new sports car I've had for a month now. I have to slide the seat back to get out with the big doors and bending and reaching to do that makes my back play up with the tummy in the way and staggering out like an old granny isn't the cool look I want!! :-) When I saw your avatar Andy I thought you must find it easier to get in and out now, but then realised it may be a car from your past! :-)

I'm going to look at those menus Sylvia as I expect they are the sort of meals we should all eat really. You have done very well to get your levels and weight down like that. Some good ideas from Andy too and I know myself how much easier walking is when you are even just a few pounds lighter.

Please let us know how you get on Lavender . :-)

Hi peeps,save yourself a fortune by buying the 5.2diet book it really works.the great thing with it you dont have to give up anything or buy expensive foods .just eat your normal things you eat normally for 5 days, then fast for 2 by just 500 calories for women and 600 for men.its worth every penny of the £5 75.

you may have seen the series on tv with i think hes called michael moseley.
give it a go ,many famous tv stars have done it.no awful side effects .

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

wendy(lincs)

My diet is just getting to the expensive stage. I've lost so much off my waist etc that I need a new wardrobe,,,,,everything I have now just hangs off me, at least a size to large

I do find walking and exercise is easier now. I can go longer and further.

Andy

I have promised to slim down enough to get into my mess uniform for my son's wedding. I will weigh myself every Monday. Giving up the beer will be the hardest. Watch this space.

I was a successful Slimming World member year before last - now lapsed totally - toying with the idea of returning as it was so easy

So well done, you've very obviously worked extremely hard! I've never managed to be so good..

It does go to show that eating healthily pays off with a reduced cholesterol and BMI. I bet you've loads more energy, too. I know that I feel so much better in myself when I cut down on the junk food.

:-D :-D :-D

Last time I went for my regular medication review....Blood pressure to high, BMI far to high, Cholesterol still going up....answer loose some weight. Well actually quite a lot of weight.

Never really done a diet, but gave it a go. No more pies, pasties, cake, biccies, chocolate or big bowls of breakfast cearal. More fresh veg, fish, eggs etc. Smaller portions and no snacks between meals.

Result over last six months? Blood pressure well down, BMI down 3 and half points, cholesterol now in normal range. I've lost nearly two stone so far and still going. I can't eat a large meal now,I feel so bloated. Its been hard work but the results make it worth while.

Andy

I have been losing and gaining all my life, Anne. It is difficult isn't it? Especially for those with a sweet tooth.

I had been feeling unwell all year and never thought about my blood sugar, Sylvia. My daughter has gestational diabetes and took a reading for me on waking. She said it was much too high. It was one of the reasons I decided to have another go.

I've joined more times than I can remember but I must say that apart from the first attempt when I did lose 4 stone, I've never found much inspiration, the eating plan is excellent though.

I lost more weight by being challenged to reduce my pre-diabetic blood test to normal range in 6 months, and going onto (self) modified diabetic meals

It was so easy ............. OH does 95% of the cooking, so I didn't want to challenge him too much

but smaller meals, smaller amounts of meat or fish portions, good ides for snacks, etc etc

I had to modify because I'm dairy-intolerant and cheese and yoghurt play a large part in these menus.


I did reduce my blood sugar level in the 6 months, but I also lost about 30 lbs in about 8 months ................. and have kept it off for the last 3 years

Just google British Diabetic Society menus .......... I actually used a combo of Canadian and American Diabetic Society suggestions.

I did half heartly follow my daughters book at home for about 6 mths and lost 8lb. Its all back on now though.

thats good that you feeling more positive a good consultant can make a big difference.

I've joined yet again, even though I swore that I never would!

However, my new Consultant is truly inspirational, I knew she would be good as soon as I walked into the room.

A few days on and feeling so positive and back eating healthy, sensible meals and snacks. :-)