Having put on enough weight over the last two years to necessitate a new wardrobe of clothes, a visit to my GP gave me the kick up the backside to join my local Slimming World group and get my weight down to an acceptable BMI. Since starting group in August, on the first week back after the lockdown restrictions imposed by our government in March 2020, I have lost just under 5% of my body weight. I still have quite a lot to go but I already feel the benefit of losing a small amount; it’s easier to move, my taekwondo movements are more relaxed and I’m back down to a size 12 trouser size. Rather unfortunately, I had thrown out all my other size 12 clothes earlier this year as I had been unable to get into them for the last couple of years. Now the size 14 clothes are in a bag in the spare room. What I eat in a day is my attempt for some accountability too.
September Struggles
The cold and wet weather tempts me to make terrible food choices. I get cravings for carbs, sugar and fat and become helpless in my need for filling my face with rubbish food that makes me feel unhealthy and gain weight. I lost almost 5% of my body weight in August and put most of it back on in September. Now in mid October, the stupid cravings have subsided thank goodness. But I need to get back on track and I figured that by posting the occasional food diary of what I eat in a day on my blog might motivate me and anyone else who is interested.
Breakfast – Skyr With Apple and Blueberries
I bought some Skyr from the supermarket as I hadn’t had it before. The texture is nice and thick. This is the plain version as the flavoured ones have to be counted as Syns. I put 2 tablespoons in to a bowl and grated in an apple for sweetness and texture. Then I defrosted half a cup of frozen blueberries in the microwave and added them on top. It was very nice. Some nuts would have gone well or some home made granola, but I didn’t want to use my Healthy Extra B for breakfast or start counting Syns before lunchtime.
Light Lunch of Ham & Cream Cheese Lettuce Sandwich
I need to eat as many fruit and vegetables as I can. Most of them are “free” foods; avocado is the main one that is not due to the high fat content. You can eat avocado but you need to count the Syns. Here I used a freshly purchased crisp and crunchy lettuce as a base and added ham, low fat cream cheese, black pepper and some spring onions. It was really very nice but definitely not as filling as a bread based sandwich. What I eat in a day is really helpful to me to identify patterns in my food choices. Maybe I need to eat bigger meals.
Trip To The Cheese Store And (Another?) Snack
I wanted to go to the local cheese store and buy some cheese. I bought some Brebisrousse sheeps milk cheese which I had never had before. The texture is rather like Dairylea and it’s really rich and creamy. I had to Syn this cheese rather than use a Healthy Extra A as it’s a creamy cheese. The accompanying crackers are Sour Dough and weighed 10g each. These also have a Syn value but less than bread. I added the celery sticks to up the speed food content for the day. Crisp and fresh celery complements the cheese board really well as would grapes. I don’t tend to eat grapes as they are very high in sugar and my skin doesn’t like it.
Other Food That I forgot to Photograph
I also had a peanut butter roll which I enjoyed very much. After my supper, I ate a new Slimming World Lemon Drizzle Hi Fi Bar. I’ve never eaten anything like this as I like proper food not diet bars. However, these were really good and I will be buying some more at group next week along with some of the other flavours.
Supper – Spaghetti and Meatballs – What I Ate In A Day Final Meal
This is one of my all time favourite foods and I’ve now got a quick version of this recipe. I love a slow cooked version with beef and pork made into meatballs simmered in a tomato and milk sauce. That takes too long and my quick meatballs recipe is here: https://cookingwithfi.com/healthy-home-made-meatballs/
So far as Syns are concerned, all this is free food. That doesn’t mean I can eat four portions but it does mean that I won’t be going to bed hungry, feeling deprived or resentful.
My consultant is Nicola and her Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1212443655448632