My Journey So Far

I thought it was important to write this. I think a lot of people just expect a diet to help them lose weight and they never think of gaining/maintaining, I know I thought that. I thought i'd be at my goal in a year and be loving it. I probably could have done that if I didn't have a life, or if I'd have been 100% on plan 24/7 for 365 days but who can say that they can physically do that? I know I can't. Here's my graph from SW Online, it shows my losses but it also shows my gains and maintains, you can see how close I came to my target (the purple line) and also the massive gain the week after as I just couldn't physically maintain that weight, I don't think I was in the right mind set.

2016 was a busy and eventful year as you can see, and I finished the year 1.5lbs heavier than what I ended 2015 but in that year I learned a lot.

I learnt to accept that there is no harm in a gain and I also allowed myself to enjoy everything and just get back to plan when I can.

I plan on reaching target this year and I feel a lot more focused now than ever.
I know that it is possible and I feel I'll be able to maintain it this time which I think is down to proving to myself I can maintain a weight which is what I did last year. I'll never be back to where I started - which truth be told is another 18lbs on top of where this started, and I've now accepted that.

I'm confident in achieving my goals this year and I just wanted to write this for the newbies out there or the ones that have lost their way. I lost my way the entire year last year, I'm only human. It just takes something to click and all of a sudden you're back and you're raring to go. So to anyone starting out don't be afraid to fall off the wagon just get back to it as soon as you can, and to those currently off the wagon I hope you find you're way back soon!

A lot of people see weight loss stories and just assume it was all plain sailing and it dropped off just like that, and for some people it does. But for some of us it doesn't and that's okay too!

What a way to start 2017!

So I went to weigh in expecting a gain, and probably a hefty one at that! I was amazed to find out I'd lost 1lb. I lost 2.5lb over Christmas last year and I lost the same this year, I'm quite impressed. It's shown me I can still enjoy myself and lose weight, I definitely wasn't on plan! I also won Slimmer Of The Week, because hardly anyone had lost both last week and this week! The last time I got a SOTW Certificate was 2015, time to start adding some more I think!

I normally have a takeaway treat on weigh day, but I remembered I had some Egg Fried Rice to use up and after a hefty lunch I wasn't overly keen on a massive tea so I just had the rice and some Mayflower Curry Powder (4 syns for 28g) so easy to do and really nice, it felt like i'd nipped to the Chinese! Even better! Here's to a good week and another loss next week!

Christmas Party & Weigh Day

So Monday was our annual Christmas Party in London and safe to say I was completely off plan. I haven't been on plan all week and weighed in today with a 6lb gain. I was devastated in all honesty but going off everything i've consumed this week it should have been a lot worse. I'm now 12.5lbs from my target which I know I won't get before xmas now but I'm still going to try my best to get as much as possible off again! I'm so close now and i'm determined not to sabotage it! This photo is from my Christmas Party (left) and the right hand one is one time hop kindly decided to show me from several years ago. I never remember actually being that big to be honest, I think I was in denial. I know a xmas party or a few days off with most likely end in a gain but I also know I will never be back at the weight I was on the right. This has been more about finding a love for myself rather than losing weight. I am finally getting happy with how I look and it definitely isn't about the number on the scales anymore it's more about how I feel in myself and when I can look in the mirror and know that i'm happy that's when I will know to call target; for the sake of SW I have set a target but this could change depending on the above.

Best Voucher

For anyone wanting that bit of help before the festive season kicks in properly, I cannot recommend Slimming World enough, you don't have to go without. I still manage to enjoy all my favourite meals using my syns or just cooking things different. It's amazing. There is a voucher on sale from TUESDAY in BEST magazine that will give you free registration. What more could you want?

I'm looking forward to indulging this Christmas and if I gain a few pounds I know it will be worth it. I know I won't gain all the weight i've lost and as soon as I'm back on plan 100% it will be off. Trying to get as close to target as I can beforehand, 10lbs TO GO! This has by far been the hardest 10lbs to lose, I got down to 3lb from target and just couldn't maintain it but I am feeling a lot more positive this time round and I'm ready to get there!

Miss Slinky 2016

So now that I've got over the shock... I won this at group tonight.
I genuinely couldn't stop shaking I was so amazed to have gotten it. So many incredible people at my group tonight that inspire each other week in, week out. I've had a bit of a wobble recently I'll be the first to admit that so I didn't think I would even be nominated let alone win this.
An amazing taster full of low syn and syn free treats too, loads I want to remake, and my heads back in the game! 8lbs to go to target! Let's do this!

Weigh Day

So I maintained tonight. I was a bit gutted but I need to remember that 2 weeks ago I lost 7lbs (admittedly I gained 0.5lb last week) and that I should be happy i've kept it off.
Onwards and downwards! Here's a THROWBACK THURSDAY just to show how far i've come! Uni Days vs. a few weeks ago! 8.5lbs to go!

Christmas Wish

So we got our little baubles last night to help keep us on track. It's completely up to us where we keep it, and I haven't decided yet, but I've taken a photo of it so I can set it as a background on my phone if I want to remind me of why I'm doing this. After my big 7lb loss last night I am now 8lb from target which should be completely doable by Christmas if I keep my mind to it!
What's your Christmas wish??

Weigh Day

So after 2 weeks on holiday I finally went back to group tonight. In my head I wanted 7lbs but after not being on plan for about 75% of my two weeks off I was doubtful. Safe to say I was pleasantly surprised to see I'd still managed to get my target! 8lb's to go until I reach target now and I want that by Christmas!

Transformation Tuesday

Late night Transformation Tuesday. Now vs March 2015. Not a massive difference in weight but a massive change in how I feel about myself ❤️ 

11lbs until target although this might be lowered!

Christmas Target

So has anyone realised how quickly Christmas will be here?

Today is 100 days until Christmas Day!
I currently have 11lbs to lose until I reach my target, I would quite like to lose a stone (to put me 3lb under) so I know I can over indulge over Christmas and still be within target. Does anyone else have a plan? I know a lot of social calendars get booked up pretty quickly this time of year with nights out/birthdays/christmas parties etc. Have you actually looked to see if you have any full weeks on plan between now and then?

I'm struggling at the moment with maintains and very small losses so I know I need to switch it up and try new things if I have any hope of getting to target for Christmas... CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

I'm going to try and be a lot more active on here and on instagram (doylie_sw) as I find it really helps me stick to plan if I'm being honest about where I'm at and what I'm eating!

Would love to know if any of you have set targets for Christmas and any plans of action?

xxx

Woman Of The Year Nomination

So I found out over the weekend that i'd been nominated for Woman of the Year at my Slimming World group. Safe to say I was gobsmacked and it's definitely given me the kick up the bum I needed to help me re focus! Our finals are this Thursday and we've been asked to bring a before photo and/or some old clothing. I dug out my shorts that I used to live in at uni when I was at my biggest (a size 20) and I was pleasantly surprised with just how different I look in them now (I can't wear them as they fall off me) I've only dropped approx 3 stone at the moment but the difference is ridiculous! 

*photo to follow*

5 Years & a Non Scale Victory

So I've been with my other half 5 years today, I was probably about 3 stone heavier when we got together. I'm amazed at the change in me in such a short time. I feel so comfortable in myself and I'm actually happy with what I see. Here's a few of my favourite photos of us: 

Today we went out for lunch and enjoyed watching some of the football with our friends. I wore this dress, it's a size 10! I never thought I'd ever wear a size 10. I know different places vary in sizes but this is definately a none scale victory for me. So happy with how far I've come, I've made so many friends through both my group and my Instagram and I love helping others on their journeys too. 

Face to Face Friday

So last night I lost 1.5lbs. And I wasn't happy. And that's okay! I felt I deserved more after my hefty gain last week for no reason. I've had an awesome week on plan and in my eyes should have lost that 3.5lbs and more. It's okay to feel disappointed. It's okay to want more. But  the important thing is to draw a line and not let it effect your new week. 

This face to face really helped me realise just how far id come. I'd urge anyone to do it who isn't seeing the losses they want to right now ❤️❤️❤️

Weigh Day

I've always been honest about my weigh ins and whether or not I feel they reflect my week.
Last week I got weighed in the morning and lost 1lb, baring that in mind I think an evening loss would have even shown a gain.
Therefore my 4lb gain last night should really have been a whole lot worse going off everything I ate in the past seven days, takeaways, chocolate & alcohol. And a lot of it!

4lb may seem like a lot to some people but believe me it isn't!

Here's a pic of my current weigh in graph in all its glory. Ups and downs throughout but I've never stopped having fun and wouldn't change a thing. 17lbs to go!

One Year Statistics

March 12th 2016 marked my 1 year since joining slimming world. Decided to sit down and look at my stats today after not being well for the last week. Super happy with where I'm at, and the fact that I've kept it off. I've got 10lbs left to go to reach my target weight now. I'm the lightest I've been in about 10 years of not more! Massive thanks to you lovely lot for the support, tips, ideas and the friendships formed along the way! And a massive thanks to my other half for listening to me moan, being there to celebrate the losses and for helping me keep my head held high even when the scales aren't my friend ❤️ honestly never thought I'd find a 'diet' that I actually enjoyed!

I've still gone out, enjoyed birthdays, parties, nights out and everything else in between but food optimised during the week to make sure my gain wasn't massive. My biggest gain was 4.5 in two week and that was after 10 days on holiday in Javea, so I could live with that!

I've gone from a size 16 to a size 12, sometimes 10, which is something I never thought I'd ever do!

I couldn't be happier, there's so much to choose from with SW, you can make virtually any meal SW friendly it just depends on the preparation!
I'd recommend it to anyone, whole heartedly.

 

2.5 Stone Award!

Finally got this at group tonight! 3lb loss, 8lb loss in two weeks!

Face to face Friday

Timehop likes showing me some lovely photos from my time at uni, when I went out every night and ate what I wanted and generally just didn't care. Nice to see such a difference! So proud of myself for sticking to Slimming World, would recommend it to anyone!

Friday night

Went to my boyfriends gig on Friday night in Manchester and didn't have to hide under a big cardigan or dress just to feel comfortable. Finally adjusting to being comfortable in my own skin and I love it!

Miss Slinky 2015

Completely gobsmacked to get this last night! Congratulations to all the nominees and winners in all the other groups! My head is back in the game!

Weigh Day

I am ecstatic that I managed to lose 4.5lbs this week. Determination paid off! But also a little gutted it wasn't 1 extra lb so i'd get my 2 stone! Ah well, next week!!!