Slimmer of the Month!

Dear Diary,

How on EARTH could I have forgotten to mention??! On Monday, I won an award at Group:

Thanks to my completely unusual and unbelievable 8-pound loss earlier this month, I won Slimmer of the Month! Chose the gorgeous silver keyring to give myself a daily reminder of how far I'd come. Oh and ended up on the coveted board, too:

 

 

OK, so you have to squint a little, but I'm definitely on there!

 

 

xxxxxx



 

 

 

The making of a bridesmaid

Yesterday, I got some news. The best news ever. And since it links SLIGHTLY to my ongoing battle for weight loss, I thought it warranted a mention on this humble blog.

Louise - my friend, who I've known for 14 years since that first month of high school - my fellow warrior on the path to slimness...... is GETTING MARRIED!!!

Found out last night, as I was dropping off to sleep. My phone buzzed, and reluctant as I was to check it, Joel convinced me it might be important. And boy, was it. Short and sweet, all it said was this:

"Will you be my bridesmaid? :-D"

She'd texted me from holiday, where presumably Mark (her partner of 5 years) had proposed. Naturally got very excited, and a texting flurry began. So there you have it. If I didn't have enough already, an extra incentive to lose as much weight as possible, in order to look beautiful in a bridesmaid's dress. Got very giddy at the thought of dress fittings and hen parties, spa breaks and rehearsals with my friends...... all of us slimmer, healthier and on the road to success!

It still hasn't sunk in yet. Needless to say, keep getting randomly giggly and smiley at the thought of not only Louise's happiness, but also of walking down the aisle in a stunning dress, my hair and make-up professionally done, posing for photographs. I suppose that sounds a bit vain, but who DOESN'T like to look good?

And it certainly takes my mind of the fact that Joel bought us Subways for tea tonight, and I didn't say no. But in all fairness, I've saved my Syns so far this week and had plenty to spare. Was originally saving them for my favourite annual treat (a Nutella pancake and and a hot dog) at the Christmas market on Sunday, when Joel and I are going with his dad and brother. But we've decided to take them to Tampopo's for tea afterwards, so I shouldn't be filling up on rich snacks beforehand. So, a perfect excuse not to indulge, followed by one of my favourite Free meals afterwards! Perfect.

Slight disappointments

LOSS: 1/2 A POUND

Yep, it seems that even after a week of sticking RELENTLESSLY to Food Optimising, following Slimming World better than I've ever done in my life and generally being healthy as all hell - it doesn't make too much of a difference. It feels like all of it was for nothing and that I might as well have had all those extra Syns I really wanted this week.

That's what I thought, originally, after finding out about my pathetic, and practically microscopic loss.

I went into Group tonight on Cloud 9. Genuinely looking forward to it, thrilled in myself at the amazing week I had had, excited about being weighed for the first time in ages. At first I'd GAINED half a pound, but once I did a quick dress-swap with Mum (out of the slightly heavier clothes I was wearing today) it was revealed to actually be a loss. But still - half a measley pound??! Was pretty pissed off at first, until everyone reassured me that it's more likely that my body doesn't know it's Monday yet, and that I'm probably still catching up from my awesome week. So, most likely (as long as I stick to it this week too) I'll have an amazing loss next Monday instead, which I guess is something to cling on to! And as we all know, Slimming World logic more often than not doesn't make ANY amount of sense. So, you know...... whatever. I'll just take it as it comes, and pray for losses every week, beavering away towards the goal. At least I'd be getting healthier.

On the bright side, my 8 pound loss last week meant that I was able to be entered into the Free end-of-year raffle 8 times, not to mention getting 8 shots at the win-a-bottle-of-champagne-for-Christmas game as well! Sadly, I didn't win Slimmer of the Week - due to not having a loss BEFORE my highest-in-the-group loss last week, or whatever the hell the rules are. Apparently, if I lose the most in the group NEXT week, I'd win Slimmer of the Week because I had a loss this week (ie: the week before). Confusing!

So, I've got my week prepared and am raring to go. Going to try harder than ever, whilst doing the same as usual - relentlessly planning Free meals for tea and eating the remains for lunch. Writing EVERYTHING in my Food Diary for Joan by day, and blogging by night. I'm going to the German Christmas Markets on Sunday with Joel and his family, so planning to save up loads of Syns throughout the week, so I can enjoy my annual Bratwurst hot dog/Nutella pancake treat. And have persuaded the Moore men to try Tampopo's for tea after all the walking around, so still a nice Free yummy meal on a Christmas day out. Exciting times!!

RECIPE: Lemon and Garlic Chicken Bake

 

This is another one of those marvellous meals that not only looks multicoloured during preparation, but also smells INCREDIBLE. Again, it takes a while to make - but this is perfect for a lazy day like today. And it tastes fantastic - the sweetness of roasted vegetables combining with the tanginess of lemon and garlic makes for a wonderful Sunday dinner (and a damn good first-ever-experience of roast vegetables for yours truly!) 

 

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc.... I won't put any down. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

1 tbsp Reduced Fat/Fat Free Balsamic Vinegar
Chicken legs/thighs (with skin removed)
Carrots (peeled and sliced)
Potatoes (peeled and cubed)
Fry Light
2 garlic cloves
Lemon juice
Parsley

SYNS:

1/2

TO MAKE:

Spread all of your peeled, chopped, and freshly-washed veg over a baking tray and spray with Fry Light. Season, toss, and drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar.
Nestle the chicken legs/thighs between the veg, and bake the whole tray at 180 for 40 minutes.

                        
Meanwhile, mix together the lemon juice, crushed garlic and parsley together.
After 40 minutes, bring out the tray, and coat the chicken in the lemon mix. If any remains, spread over the surrounding veg.
Cook in the oven for a further 10 minutes, then SERVE.

 

An excellent week

So, today's post is going to be an absolute EXTRAVAGANZA of photos. Mainly of things I forgot to post earlier, combined with some actual photos taken of me today! But that's another story......

Firstly, forgot to mention, I received this on Monday:

A lovely ornamental stone, to symbolise my first Stone loss. So far, I've taken it with me absolutely EVERYWHERE - kind of like a talisman to remind me of how far I've come. And also, everytime I'm tempted (as cheesy as this sounds) to eat bad things, a simple fiddle of the stone reminds me of my achievement so far, and not to blow it.

Secondly, I got this in the post yesterday - ANOTHER card from Joan!

Inside, it congratulates me on my "amazing" loss, and reminds me to keep it up. Well, there's no need to worry about that. I've been an absolute ROBOT this week - sticking religiously to Food Optimising, keeping my Syns lower than 15 (and occasionally 10!) every day, and steering COMPLETELY clear of crisps, chocolate and alcohol in ANY form.

Well, apart from today, when I had 2 glasses of Bucks Fizz. But it was only 7 Syns in total, I had a Free tea afterwards, and it was in mitigating circumstances! Those being that today was basically, just PERFECT. Stayed in bed with Joel till about 12 oclock, before we decided to go into town for some lunch. Guess where we ended up? Tampopos! So I broke out the incredible "Pho" noodles I had last time, and we shared some Tempura prawns.

Afterwards, I ended up at Fusion Studios in the Northern Quarter..... long story short, a friend from work was meant to go with his wife for a make-over/photoshoot (like I had on my birthday) but unfortunately none of them could make it - and it would cost over £100 to cancel. So they asked if I wanted it, which is why I was trotting into town on a sunny Saturday with a huge bag full of outfits! Well, it was infinitely better than my birthday one; the make-up looked better, my hair stayed the way they styled it (as opposed to immediately wilting) and the photos made me look unbelievably different. Sadly my ass still looked huge (despite the stone loss) and the editor refused to airbrush my double chin, but the end results still made me very happy!

 

 

 

 

RECIPE: The Famous Cheesy Pasta!

 

So, gentlefolk, the time has come for me to finally reveal the recipe I have been promising since..... pretty much the beginning of this blog. It's not some closely guarded secret or anything - in fact, exactly the opposite. This is one of the nicest meals I've ever encountered - and I want to spread the joy across the world (or, more likely the total of 4 people who probably read this blog). This was my absolute favourite meal growing up, and since Mum passed the recipe down to me 5 years ago, my life has been complete!

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc.... I won't put any down. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

Tomato Passatta
Pasta
Mozzarella (try to get Light)
Fresh Basil (off a plant, not packaged)

SYNS:

Not sure. Count 40g of Mozzarella as your Healthy Extra A, but depending on how much of this meal you eat, I usually count 3.5 and leave it at that.

TO MAKE:

Dead easy. Pour your passatta into a huge wok/pan. Stir whilst on a Medium heat (you want it bubbling, not leaping)
Meanwhile, grate the mozzarella into the passatta, and stir until melted (ideally until you see a white stringy texture)

                        
Chop the basil and sprinkle on top of the simmering mix. Put to one side but KEEP WARM.
Meanwhile, boil pasta in boiling water and pre-heat oven to 180.
When cooked, mix the pasta into the tomato mix - which, in honour of it's origins, should now be a mass of red, green, and white...... and should smell of Heaven via Italy.
Bake in oven for 10 mins (until the top gets a slight crust). SERVE.

(For a treat, add Garlic Bread!)

               

Thought for the day #3

 

Currently the background picture on my phone. Helps to look at it everyday!

Mid-week ramblings

Not much to report today. Ive been doing a lot more walking than usual, in a vain attempt to get the "30 minutes of gentle exercise a day" recommended to people of my size. Apparently, Slimming World is just about the eating habits and lifestyle - so maybe once I'm a litle thinner I could work on improving my general health and fitness.

So, after a long day at work, I convinced Joel to wander round town and the Christmas Markets with me - you know when you're in one of those moods when you don't want to go home just yet, and cant stop walking.....? I had that. Managed to persuade Joel into eating out, so opted for a healthy Nandos - chicken and salad for me, and a couple of Joel's chips to boot!

Mind you, I shouldn't feel guilty. Had a nice healthy jacket potato for lunch......

....... before realising that the tuna was in fact subtly mixed with mayo - and the tub of grated cheddar I was told was "8 ounces" actually equated to about 225g. What the hell?! Good job I didn't eat it all.

By the by, I am on FIRE with my Syns this week. Don't know what's changed - maybe it's the fact of my 8 pound loss and subsequent Stone achievement, but I'm WAY more focused then usual. In fact, I think this is the first week where I've completely and genuinely stuck to Food Optimising - having 10 Syns or less a day (instead of 15 or more) and making Free meals every night. And then packaging the leftovers of said meals and eating them for lunch at work the next day. Even tonight, when I had a few chips and the skin of my chicken - I'd still managed to stay under where I'm supposed to be (Syn-wise) halfway through the week!

This stuff ROCKS.

RECIPE: Chicken and Bacon Hotpot

                
This meal is absolutely amazing - not only does it resemble a savoury rainbow whilst cooking in the pan, but the smell coming off it is BEAUTIFUL; smokey, meaty, and absolutely mouth-watering. Plus it's a brilliant recipe if you have some bacon lying around that you need to use up!

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc.... they're not always accurate. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

2 x chicken breasts (or thighs, whatever you prefer)
1/2 onion
3 carrots (peeled and chopped)
5 bacon rashers (or however much you want. Remove the fat!)
Parsley (chopped)
300ml chicken stock
Mixed herbs
Potatoes (peeled and sliced)

SYNS:

FREE

TO MAKE:

Brown the chicken in Fry Light over medium heat for 5 minutes in a large pan.
Drop in chopped onions and bacon and fry for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the parsley, carrots, stock and mixed herbs and bring to the boil.

 

Put the chicken in a casserole dish, and pour the mix over the top. Arrange the potato slices on top and sprinkle with a few more mixed herbs.

                             
Spray with Fry Light and bake in the oven for 1 and a half hours. SERVE.

HELL YEAH!!!!!!!

LOSS: 8 POUNDS

Yes. You read that right. By some strange, unknown, Act-of-God miracle, I have somehow managed to lose 8 WHOLE POUNDS in a week.
Don't worry, I'm not going to scream and capitalise everything and shower this post with exclamation marks, I've already practially done that in real life! Might as well start from the beginning.

Well, as you know, last week I was in the complete depths of despair. Couldn't stop crying, yet another gain getting me down, totally on the brink of quitting, thinking I'd be destined to be fat forever.

But the cards and packages I got through the post - not mention the humiliating thought of MORE failure - inspired me to keep going, not to quit and scarf chocolate, but to rise up and cook healthy, delicious, FREE meals every night, with limited snacks. I cut crisps out of my diet completely, and stopped drinking "Slim-a-Soup" sachets every day (since I found out they were actually worth 3 Syns each). I made every last one of the recipes you've seen this week, put a complete embargo on takeaways (being skint helped) and refused my usual King Prawn korma when out with Joel's friends at a curry house on Saturday (opting for a 6-Syn Rogan Josh and plain rice instead).

And then tonight came around. Having some rare time off work meant that I made a whole batch of my favourite Cheesy Pasta recipe for lunch, (freezing some for later in the week) and making the concious decision to walk the full hour-and-a-half journey to Mum and Dad's from my house - instead of getting the tram from town. Which was quite enjoyable, until I texted Mum to tell her, prompting a panic (at me walking alone in the dark) and her zooming over to get me. Oh well, still managed to get a 45 minute Power walk out of it!
Once at Mum's, I had just enough time for a quick shower, a portion of Slimming World Chicken curry, and plenty of reassurance that "however I've done this week, at least it won't be as bad as last Monday." Jesus, and then some!

The weigh-in itself - excuse my French - was just absolutely un-f**king-BELIEVABLE. It was one of those moments practically big enough to knock you over and leave you dizzy. I stepped up to the scales, terrified that Friday's excursions on the vodka would come back to haunt me. Or, at the very least, a mere 1 pound loss. David (Joan's husband) really didn't help - doing the "daunting silence" thing he does when preparing to give you news of a gain - as I stared fixedly out the window. And then I heard; "Well, that can't be right." "Christ," I thought to myself, "it's gotten worse. I've had such a massive gain that he genuinely thinks the scales are broken. It's probably the most anyone's gained in a week." I felt myself go bright red and my eyes well up, waiting for him to say something, ANYTHING. Unable to bear it, I decided to speed things along and look down at the scales. I saw 16st 4,5lbs and dumbly thought to myself; "Holy shit, I've put on so much that I've gone right back up to 17 stone!" In my head, the scales had a 1 missing in front of that 4 - I just assumed that that's what had happened (despite that being impossible, as it would just say 17st 0.5lbs).

"Could you hop off a minute, Katie?" I heard David say. "I just want to check again. 'Cos according to this, you've lost 8 and a half pounds in a week."

Suddenly, the numbers seemed to jam into place in my brain. I heard gasps from the other women, standing nearby, which I normally HATE when getting weighed, but tonight it didn't seem to matter. My head swam and I jumped off, convinced it was a mistake, knowing I'd have to get re-weighed - but just wanting to enjoy the moment where it felt like I'd lost 8.5 pounds. I climbed back on, waiting for the inevitable "Oh, here we go...... yep, sorry, the scales seemed to have had a slight blip there - you've actually only lost 1 pound, sorry about that!" And I waited. And then, after a small intake of breath, David told me that he HAD made a mistake - I'd actually lost 8 pounds.

In a week.

It was like a bomb went off. Mum cheered, I shrieked "OH MY GOD!" and hugged the life out of David as people laughed. I practically fell off the scales and into Mum's arms, my hands shaking and my head swimming. I started crying as she shouted "I'm so proud, I'm so proud" over and over again - and through the midst of it all I heard David calmly inform me; "This means you've hit your first stone!"

It hadn't even occurred to me. In the midst of all the celebrating, my mind never once made the connection between the numbers 6 and 8 - and the second I stopped and thought about it - it made sense. 14 pounds. I had finally - after years of dieting and never losing a stone in my LIFE - finally made it. I ran to the bathroom to call Dad, and frantically texted Sean (my brother) - both saying the same thing; they were dead proud but now I just needed to KEEP GOING. And by God, will I.

The reactions from Group were amazing. Of course, I got the light-hearted teasing from some of the cockier members, but the look on Joan's face (and the whooping applause led by Mum!) as she handed out awards and realised the 1 stone award was for me, was just wonderful. Especially after I took her aside before my weigh-in and thanked her for my card with a huge hug. It just felt so worth it. Even better were the other Group members constantly asking how I did it, (even though I'm still not entirely sure) and our target-member Tim telling me "that's the biggest weight-loss in a week I've ever heard of that wasn't from a man or new starter!" - as men tend to lose more and quicker than women...... and the first week of a diet change always loses you the most weight.

Got home and surprised Joel with the news. Added the certificate and details to my wall charts and put the news on Facebook - within an hour I had 19 "Likes" and 5 comments. Not to mention Louise and Alex's reactions made everything totally worth it. And even more good news - since we all hit 1 stone by the end of November, as planned - we can treat ourselves with a girly day at the spa around Christmas! AND Alex's friend has got us all tickets to Rhianna (supported by DAVID FRICKING GUETTA!!) in London, next June!!! So we've vowed that when we go to that particular gig, we will be in slinky dresses and knock-out heels to boot!

I'm telling you - right now, I feel like I'm wired to the moon.

                

              

The Facebook photo!

RECIPE: Fish Pie

                          
It seems like I say this about every meal I put on here - but this is genuinely gorgeous. Yes, the preparation takes a while, but if you have 2 people working on it, as I did this pleasant Sunday evening.... it's definately worth all the work you put into it. And for a complete seafood-fanatic like myself - it's Heaven on Earth!

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc.... they're not always accurate. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

Potatoes (peeled and sliced)
200g Philadelphia Extra Lite (it says 200g but I used WAY less than that, and it was still gorgeous)
2 smoked haddock fillets (boned and skinless)
Lemon juice
Parsley (chopped)
Fry Light
Any other fish - I personally went for Prawns and Mussels

SYNS:

3

TO MAKE:

Add 2cm of water to a pan over a Low heat. Bring to a simmer and add the haddock. Cover and poach for 8-10 minutes, then drain.

                   
Boil the potatoes for 10-12 minutes and drain. Meanwhile, toss the prawns and mussels in Fry Light for just long enough to cook.
Preheat the grill to medium - flake the haddock into pieces in a casserole dish, and gradually (in layers) add the Philadelphia, lemon juice, parsley, 2 tbsp of water and remaining fish.

                   
Arrange potato slices on top of the fish mix. Spray with Fry Light and grill for 10 minutes until golden and bubbling. SERVE.

 

To borrow a slightly 90's phrase - Witness the fitness!

RECIPE: Rosemary/Garlic steak with roast potatoes

 

This, sadly, is one of those pesky recipes (I'm looking at you, Red Pepper Casserole) that takes over an hour to make. But it's so worth it, particularly nice if you're feeling flush and happen to have a few steaks lying around the freezer. Not to mention, it's incredibly convinient to have a spare hour if - like me - you tend to leave the washing up and making tomorrow's lunch until 5 minutes, and need some spare time to do it! 

 

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc.... they're not always accurate. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

2 sirloin steaks
Rosemary
2 garlic cloves (crushed)
4 potatoes (peeled and cubed)
Fry Light
Mixed herbs

SYNS:

FREE

TO MAKE:

Marinate steaks with Rosemary and Garlic (no set time limit, but the longer the better for the steak to soak up the flavours)
Boil the cubed potatoes in a saucepan for about 10-15 minutes. When done, drain and spread over a baking tray. Sprinkly liberally with Mixed Herbs and spray all over with Fry Light - before putting in the oven for 45 mins (thank Joel for this little tip - the tastiest and healthiest way to make FREE Roast Potatoes!)
Right before the potatoes finish, cook the steaks in Fry Light for 2-3 minutes on each side, over a High heat. SERVE.

 

Sadly, it was so yummy, I was unable to take a full photo before digging straight in! But you get the picture. Seriously, try it - it's such a treat and packed full of flavour.

More cards!!

Well, you could knock me over with a feather. The support, it would seem, just keeps on coming! Got a big package in the post today with these inside:

 

Inside the card, it reads:

 

"Dear Katie, hope this card and heart helps you to be calm and happy, whatever happens. We are only ever a phone call away. Lots of love, Louise and Alex xxx"

 

And then on the other side, there's a quote from Harry Potter:

 

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's (with an arrow saying 'or any shit Life throws at us!') gift for spreading discord and emnity is very great. We can fight it by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all, if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

 

So, for the 3rd time this week, I found myself crying. Because isn't that the nicest gesture, not to mention the most relevant quote, I could get right now? It made so much more sense to me - that instead of hiding from our weekly Skype just because I'm upset or have had a gain, I should stand tall and face it with my two best friends - both on the same journey. And yes, they're approaching it differently to me. Yes, they're doing more exercise, looking at calories instead of Syns, and are altogether skipping things that I can't do without...... like salad dressing, cheese and pasta. But we're all striving for the same result, and even if we do it differently, it's still the ultimate goal that counts. As long as we lose weight, and altogether make ourselves healthy, who CARES how many mistakes me make, or how many times we trip up? If it means slender bodies and healthier hearts by the time we hit 30, then it will all have been worth it - and no amount of hurdles we fall at, and "weak moments" we have can stop the journey as long as we support each other.

 

OK, so pardon me while I vomit a mixture of moonbeams, Hallmark cards and Richard Curtis films into a glittering, heart-shaped bucket. But I meant every word.

Caring card

 

Look what I got in the post today! Joan sent me a hand-made card, basically trying to cheer me up and keep me inspired. Unfortunately it just made me cry even more (I'm pretty much a human waterfall this week) but it was the kindest, sweetest gesture. Inside, it reads:

 

"Hi Katie, how are you doing? I could see how upset and disappointed you were the other night, and I do understand how you were feeling. It is soul destroying when you see the numbers on the scales and they're not showing what you were expecting, but you can turn this around, I know you can do it. Write everything down, Food Optimise 100%, especially as much as you can when the weekend is here. Keep counting your Syns to include alcohol and still enjoy yourself. You CAN do it, and I'll be with you every step of the way on your weight-loss journey. I'm always here for you.

Have a good week! Last week and Monday night are behind you, move forward, have a think about what you can change this week, and don't listen to others, do this for you! Love Joan xxx"

 

So this has taken pride of place on our mantlepiece, as a daily reminder to stay strong. Let's just hope it works!

RECIPE: Red Pepper Chicken Casserole

 

So, after the Monday-from-Hell, I decided not to quit. Because that way I'd end up doing exactly what I did last year - quitting, packing on all the weight I lost, and feeling exactly as bad as I did last time. Well, no more excuses, and no more quitting. This time I'm getting back on track and sticking to it - even if I only lose half a pound a week, that's still a stone and a half in a year. And that's still something.

 

Anyway, getting back to my getting-back-on-track, tonight's meal was Red Pepper Chicken Casserole, a recipe I got from one of the many Slimming World magazine.  And it is absolutely goddamn DELICIOUS! Not to mention easy - you can eat it on it's own or with anything. For example, in this, I added Pasta for more substance.

 

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc....   they're not always accurate. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

 

YOU NEED:

 

Fry Light

2 chicken breasts

2 garlic cloves

1/2 onion

2 Red peppers (de-seeded and sliced)

25g Serrano (or Proscuitto) ham

Chopped tomatoes

200ml Chicken stock

Pinch of chilli flakes

The end of a Chilli (chopped and de-seeded)

Thyme

Potatoes

Pasta

 

SYNS:

 

1

 

TO MAKE:

 

Fry the chicken, garlic, and onions in Fry Light for 5 minutes in a casserole dish

Add the ham and peppers and fry for a further 2 minutes

Add the tomatoes, stock, chopped potatoes, thyme, chilli and flakes. Stir and bring to the boil

Cover, reduce the heat and cook for 1 hour, stirring throughout

Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water. Add the the mix and SERVE.

 

 

Low points

GAIN: 2 POUNDS

Today has not been the best day ever. In fact, it's been pretty goddamn horrible.

First of all, it's my "Star Week." Which probably didn't help, in hindsight. Then I found out that an uncle who's in hospital awaiting treatments has got yet ANOTHER infection, meaning he can't get the treatment he needs until that's dealt with. And then to top it off, I've had another gain.

Now, the rational part of my brain is telling me that 2 pounds is nothing. It can be lost in a WEEK. That, compared to all the major bad things going on in the world, 2 pounds is not remotely a big deal. But the irrational, hormone-fuelled part of my brain is the part that made me burst into tears in front of everyone and flee to the bathroom at Group tonight. Mum had to come in and calm me down, as I sobbed that I'd never make it to a damn stone and can't even shift away from the 6 pounds/half a stone mark. She asked if I wanted to stop coming to Group, as it was upsetting me so much - and for a moment, I genuinely considered it. I felt like I was destined to never lose more than half a stone in my life, and was just supposed to be big - that this was just one in a line of all the failed diets I've tried.

I finally composed myself, and went back into Group. Joan came over to talk to me and I found myself spilling - about not being able to stop snacking, about Louise and Alex both making it to a Stone loss before me even though they were doing it the calorie-counting way (something Slimming World strongly advises against), about how Alex gave me some of her old clothes because she's lost so much weight. And at that, I broke down crying again, so Mum decided to take me home early.

So, here I am. Told Louise and Alex I wouldn't be Skype-ing them tonight as I feel so damn low. Got Joel to take me to MacDonald's to "make me feel better" - which I realise was completely stupid and counter-productive and ridiculous. So, even more failure. And right now, I feel like shit.

RECIPE: Seafood Risotto

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc....  they are not always accurate. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

Fry Light
1 garlic clove
500ml fish stock
200g dried risotto rice
150g Philadelphia Extra Lite
3 spring onions (chopped)
King (or normal) Prawns
Tinned crabmeat

SYNS:

3 and 1/2

TO MAKE:

Fry the crushed garlic in a large pan in Fry Light for 3-5 minutes.
Put the rice in the pan on a Low heat. Stir in half the stock until liquid is absorbed. Pour in the rest and stir until rice is tender.

(* Note: The recipe SAYS this, but seriously - it's not as easy as that. What they forgot to mention is that stirring risotto is like stirring metal CHAINS - and you'd better believe when I say; the risotto absorbs liquid like a desert, but takes about 45 minutes to fully tenderise. Seriously - have a pretty free evening while you're making this, and swap arms - or people - CONSTANTLY*)

When done, stir in the spring onions and cheese spread, and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until everything is clumping together and sticky.
Meanwhile, cook the prawns, and add to the mix with the crabmeat and seasoning. SERVE.

RECIPE: Smash Cake

       
Yes, as gross as it sounds, this is a cake made of Smash. But it's not actually as bad as it sounds - in fact the whole cake is only 1/2 a Syn AND it's great to have lying around if you ever want a snack or a cheeky slice.

(DISCLAIMER: As I'm terrible at measurements, quantities etc.... I won't put any down. My recipes are always to serve 2 - just use your own common sense. If you make too much, freeze some for another day. If you make too little - learn for next time!)

YOU NEED:

3 eggs
8 tbsp of artificial sweetener
60g Smash
2 pots of vanilla fat free (Mullerlight) yoghurt
1 tsp baking powder
Fry Light

SYNS:

1/2. For the WHOLE CAKE. Just think about that!

TO MAKE:

Whisk the egg whites until stiff
Separately, whisk egg yolks and sweetener together until it resembles thick custard
Add the yoghurts to this mix, and stir well
Add baking powder and Smash, and stir
Finally, add egg whites
Meanwhile, spray a cake tin with Fry Light, add the mix and bake in the oven at 180 for 30 mins.
Take out of the tin, allow to cool, and SERVE.

London calling

LOSS: 1 POUND

Haven't got time for a long post tonight, sadly. Suffice to say that even though I'm thrilled to have clawed some back, I still wish it was the full 4 pounds I gained last week. Oh well, you win some, you lose some!

On a side note, got an early finish this week and met Joel for lunch in Waxy O'Connor's - where I got a Caesar salad and the most GORGEOUS Seafood broth!

 

Also spent a brilliant weekend in London for Alex's houseparty. It was fantastic to see her and Louise again, and SO much fun to be able to drink again.

 

                                 

Met some really nice people as well, and the city was absolutely beautiful. AND managed to indulge in a bit of Body Magic on a Boris Bike! And as scary as it was riding on a main road without a helmet, feeling the wind through my hair and my legs going again just felt absolutely amazing - even though I was totally out of breath by Hyde Park.

 Really made me want to get back into cycling again, though. Maybe when it's less rainy!