Day 22 (weigh in day)

As predicted, no weight loss this week, all due to three meals out and a large amount of alcohol (for me at least!)

I'm going to reduce the blogs to once a week now as I'm finding it hard to blog everyday with a (nearly) toddler.

Day 21

Back on it today! And did nearly two hours of walking too :-)

Breakfast - Slim Fast Café Latte shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast BBQ tortillas (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha shake (230cals)
Dinner - Tomato pasta, cheese, focaccia (795cals)

Day 20

Hubby bought hot crossed buns for breakfast this morning and of course I had to help him get rid of them. However, I do have to say that I missed having a shake for breakfast. There is something rather nice about an ice cold tasty beverage in the morning. I'm actually looking forward to my lunch shake!

We're off to a christening today so I expect there will be cake forced into my hand at some point which I must dutifully eat with coffee later ;-)

Day 19

Spent 4 hours getting my hair done today (don't ask!) And as a result of sitting still and reading a ton of magazines I was very aware of my stomach growling.

In the evening my husband and I went out for my birthday dinner and I ate lots again!

Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate shake (230cals)
Snack - Chocolate Nutty Nougat bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (95cals)
Dinner - lots and lots

Day 18

It's my birthday today.

This means only one thing. Dinner tonight will be gluttonous and I won't feel guilty about it. I'm going to stick to the shakes, drink plenty of water. Of course, this will also involve some alcohol too which are empty calories. But it's one day and not the end of the world if I over indulge.

Although in total I haven't lost much weight, my clothes are noticeably loose. This is a very nice feeling and although it's so rewarding seeing the numbers dwindle on the scales, loose clothes is always my fav feeling!

Breakfast - Slim Fast Café Latte shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha shake (230cals)
Snack - Special K Choc & Raspberry bar (95cals)
Dinner - Not a clue, but I do know, lots!

Day 17

Today I met a friend for lunch which meant my usual food intake was a bit messed up... Meaning I had Prezzo pasta! Yum.

We got some walking in too.

I didn't have time to eat any snacks today which has actually worked in my favour seeing as lunch was calorific.

Breakfast - Slim Fast Mocha shake (230cals)
Lunch - Prezzo Penne con Salmon (956cal)
Dinner - Slim Fast Meal bar (210cals)

Day 16

I'm starting to feel quite pleased with myself for keeping to the Slim Fast diet quite well. Granted, I may have a pretty calorific evening meal occasionally but that doesn't seem to be hindering anything too adversely. Perhaps I may have lost a bit more if I had been strict with myself, but I know me and I can't do restrictive dieting - particularly where chocolate or pasta are involved. This is why I like Slim Fast. Lots of chocolate related snacks and can still eat pasta for dinner! Win - win!

Some have said that Slim Fast doesn't teach you good eating habits and that when you stop using the shakes, you will only regain the weigh you lost. I don't agree with this (1) because I've used it before and (2) Your appetite should have decreased somewhat so the obvious answer is to use your common sense and eat smaller and healthier portions. Anyone who says they can't do this is lying to themselves.

Rant over.

Breakfast - Slim Fast Rich Chocolate Shake (230cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Rich Chocolate Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95 cals)
Dinner - Higgidy Beef, Stilton & Ale pie (659cals) & Mash (97cals)

I would like to add to the above rant that I have a child to run around after and entertain all day, plus I am out walking most days for at least half an hour. Hence why I don't feel too bad about having a pie for dinner. It was only bad before when I was also scoffing a whole pack of bourbon creams with my afternoon coffee.

Day 15 (weigh in day)

With a day trip to Paris this week and two full days at my parents house - where my mum is the best cook in town - I think that a half lb weight loss is pretty good. I was expecting no loss this week.

Weight Loss
0.5 lbs

I was so busy running around after madame today that I forgot to have lunch! Oops. It's amazing how the body can be distracted from it's usual routine.

DAY 15
Breakfast - Slim Fast Café Latte shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Lunch -
Snack -
Dinner - Arribbiata Tortellini, sauce, 2 x garlic bread (659cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)

Day 14

I think I'm generally getting the idea that I need to cut down on things I don't need, like grated cheese on pasta, or a massive chocolate pudding after dinner.

I'm learning that I should eat when I'm hungry and not before due to being bored. Sounds simple enough but it's so easy to get struck in a rut of bad habits.

Two of my friends are doing Slim Fast now. It's nice to have some dieting company.

Weigh in day tomorrow. Let's hope I've been good enough :-/

DAY 14
Breakfast - Slim Fast Café Latte Shake (230cals)
Snack -Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Chocolate Crush meal bar (210cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Dinner - Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini & Gaelic bread (689cals)
Pudding - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)

Day 13

Left my parents place this morning.

Hot cross buns for breakfast :-/ and a Whisper for snack before I left though :-O

Then I got back on the Slim Fast wagon at lunch time.

Breakfast - Hot Cross Buns (400cals)
Snack - Whisper (140cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Dinner - Pollo Pesto Pizza (500cals)

Under 1500 cals. Not bad really :-)

Day 12

Slim Fast is not on today's agenda. My mum won't allow it!

But tomorrow I will start again!

Day 11

Today my husband took me to Paris for the day. We had a wonderful time! Our feet are aching and we are gorged on all the tourist attractions Paris had to offer. It was a very long day with an alarm set for 4:45am!

Needless to say, Slim Fast was not on today's agenda. However, I tried to be sensible(ish). However, as it was a special occasion, what the hell!

DAY 11
Breakfast - Tube of Rolo's
Snack - Pain au Chocolat
Lunch - Potato Gratin + Coke
Dinner - Croque Monsieur
Pudding - Chocolate torte

No idea of the total calories but we walked for the majority of the day so I won't feel too bad about the Rolo's for breakfast :)

Day 10

Just a quick one.

We are visiting my parents for the next few days, so my Slim Fast efforts will be difficult but I will try to only eat when I'm hungry and eat sensibly.

We are off on a day trip to Paris tomorrow so I will be busy running around d sightseeing. Let's hope too busy to think too much about food.

DAY 10
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Crunch Meal bar (210cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Sour Cream& Chive Pretzel (95cals)
Dinner - Pork Roast Dinner & Rice Pudding (?)

Could have been worse.... But my mum's cooking us so bloomin' good, you just can't say no lol.

Day 9

My husband got me some more Slim Fast supplies the other day when he went out to Sainsburys and managed to pick up the Slim Fast Meal bars by accident.

Being a massive fan of the shakes, I was unsure as to when I would use these, but this morning I fancied a black coffee and something to eat, so I reached for a Meal bar. I was pleasantly surprised. Tasty.

The Slim Fast Chocolate Crunch Meal bar is about 3 times the size of a normal cereal bar and feels nice and substantial with a cuppa.

DAY 9
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Crunch bar (210cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Dinner - Home made Chilli Sin Carni (?) and brown rice (402cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)

Another fairly good dieting day :)

Day 8

Walked into town today so that's about an hour of exercise. It was raining so it wasn't really a slow pace, neither was it power walking.

Does 5 minutes of vacuuming count too??

I decided to try another flavour shake. The Café Latte was rather tasty, but the Mocha is still by far my fav.

DAY 8
Breakfast - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel Bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Café Latte shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel Bar (95cals)
Dinner - My Goodness (Sainsburys) Mascarpone Chicken Noodles (333cals)

All in all, I'm pleased with today. I haven't been naughty at all! :)

Day 7 (Weigh in day)

Unsurprisingly, after having Gastroenteritis two weeks ago, I lost a significant amount of weight through fluid loss which as we all know, you can put on again over night. Thankfully, this week I only put on 2lbs of it and with the help of Slim Fast, I have lost 1lb of the 2 I put on.

Weight - 162 lbs

Not bad all things considered.

Hoping to loose slightly more next week. My birthday is coming up and I want to feel good in a slinky dress :)

DAY 7
Breakfast - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Chocolate shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Dinner - Pizza Express Pollo Pesto Pizza (570cals)

This is probably the best dieting day I've had so far purely because I know exactly how many calories I've consumed. However, I have felt quite rough today, throat and head are sore. Hope I feel better tomorrow.

Day 6

I feel like I have a cold coming. Slightly sore throat and fuzzy head. This is not good.

It won't be easy (or probably sensible) to continue the Slim Fast diet if it does developed into a cold.

We went out for a family walk for an hour or so which was chilly but nice and obviously good exercise :)

DAY 6
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast BBQ flavour tortilla chips (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)
Dinner -  Home made Macaroni Cheese (??)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar (95cals)

Drinking lots of fresh OJ in the hopes of fending off those nasties! More calories though. (100cals?)

Off to bed early tonight - feeling blergh!

Day 5

I'm finding it difficult to work out how many calories are in my homemade dinners.

Gone are the days I used to eat microwave meal after getting home from work at gone 7pm, meaning no time to cook. It was easy to work out my total calories everyday.

DAY 5
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Shake (230cals)
Snack - Nutty Chocolate Bar - (95cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (95cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Heavenly Chocolate Delight (95cals)
Dinner - Macaroni Cheese (no idea!)
Snack - Slim Fast Sour Cream & Chive pretzels (95cals)
Mini Macaroons x3 - (150 cals)

I'm struggling to stay awake right now, so I'm signing off!

Day 4

Oh dear, oh dear.

I was doing so well today until dinner.

Today was a lovely day out with my friend Claire and her little girl. Spent the morning round her place having a good old natter, then we went shopping in the afternoon, followed by dropping round to see another friend before coming home just in time for my little lady's dinner, bath and bed! Phew!

I even forgot to have an afternoon snack!

But then dinner happened... PASTA! Lots of it followed by half a Frijj milkshake. Oopsie.

DAY 4
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Shake (230cals)
Snack - Chocolate caramel bar (98cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (230cals)
Dinner - Spinach & Ricotta tortellini (630cals)
Snack -  ½ Fudge brownie Frijj milkshake (222cals)

That was pretty dismal, even though the total calories comes in under 1500.

As most people say, it's the evening that are most difficult not to over indulge.

There is nothing else tempting left in the house now so fingers crossed for a non-oops day tomorrow!

Day 3

I've always been rather partial to soya milk due to its thick creamy texture and taste. So rather than using skimmed milked, i decided to use Sainsburys basic unsweetened soya milk for mixing the shake.

I can confirm that it does indeed taste fabulous! And I believe soya milk is actually less calorific than skimmed milk - bonus!

Yesterday I tried mixing the shake with skimmed milk and ice. I then spent the rest of the afternoon under a blanket. It's far too cold for ice in this weather!

DAY 3
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate shake (230 cals)
Snack - Chocolate caramel bar (98cals)
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha shake (230cals)
Snack - Chocolate caramel bar (95cals)
Dinner - Innocent Daal Curry (315cals)
Pudding - Chocolate caramel bar (95cals)
Snacks - Caramel nibbles (210cals)

My freebies from Slim Fast UK arrived today. Very quick delivery and very yummy :-)

Day 2

Generally I would say that when I am consciously dieting, I have pretty good will power. Which is why I am surprised at myself for slipping so quickly.

Hubby mentioned fish & chips yesterday and since then I have been unable to get the idea out of my head, so this evening that is what we had. I was quite good and cut the portion in half - that's something, right??

Then I had a handful of Cadbury's Dairy Milk Caramel Nibbles and rounded up the calories.

Back on it tomorrow

DAY 2
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Shake (230 cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel Bar (98cal)
Lunch - Slim Fast Chocolate Shake (230 cals)
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Nutty Bar (100 cals)
Dinner - Fish & Chips (small portion) (570 cals approx)
Snack - Handful of Caramel Nibbles (200cals)

All in all, the above lot came in at under 1500 calories so it's not so bad.

UPDATE
I forgot to mention that I won a Slim Fast competition on Twitter today. I will shortly receive 7 bottles of the new Mocha shakes. They are sooo tasty :)

Day 1

As of yesterday, I decided to start the Slim Fast diet to get myself back into shape - or at the very least, to shed about 2 stone (28 lbs).

My little girl is now 10 months old and it's time I think about getting back to the old me.

The old me, is a vintage girl, lover of all things 40's and 50's including fashion, hair and attitude. However, these days I'm more of a mumsy, leggings wearing, hair scraping shadow of myself, which is sooo not me!

Last week, myself, my husband and my daughter came down with Gastroenteritis, which saw me loose 10lbs in a rather unpleasant way, but I though to myself - Hey, might as will continue to work on it now that my appetite is back and slightly smaller.

As a bit of background, I used Slim Fast around 7 years ago to shift a few pounds and I found it pretty easy to follow, particularly in summer when I made the shakes with crushed iced, making them thicker and more luxurious. Mmmmmm yum.

And so, today is my first full day of using Slim Fast and thought it might be a nice idea to post how I'm feeling and what I'm eating.

DAY 1
Breakfast - Slim Fast Chocolate Shake (bottle) 230cals
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar 95cals
Lunch - Slim Fast Mocha Shake (bottle) 230cals
Dinner - Home made lasagne. I have no clue of the calories so I'm keeping snacking to a minimum
Snack - Slim Fast Chocolate Caramel bar 95cals

I imagine, I'll probably stick to the same things to eat so it might get boring to read. I'll try and keep it interesting