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The best thing you can do in a slow cooker is a "roast" chicken. Keeps everything juicy and leaves the house smelling amazing. Also love doing a chilli or curry in there too.

Hello everyone, I'm BACK! So glad to see minis back on the interwebs. Hope you're all having a good Christmas and I'll catch up with you all in the new year.

Hi Kay, hope you've had a good christmas and look forward to catching up with you in the new year!

Changed dinner to a butternut squash and sweet potato risotto with peas and spinach (all things OH won't eat!) and it was lovely. Now I'm stuffed!

Eekk hope you have fun. I'm going to see them in June, can't wait.

Hope you enjoy your day with your Aunt tomorrow, is she doing better now? And way to go for sticking to your guns and making your own SW friendly food. Hopefully your Aunt will find it just as delicious as you do.

Thanks Kay! Things are going well, managed to do my workout this afternoon and so far today I've resisted the cookies and muffins that are sitting in my kitchen left over from the weekend. OH has just returned from the pub and said he's not hungry so dinner plans might change.

Well we have chicken and potatoes to use up so I thought I'd improvise! Yeah I don't really want a fuss and I don't have that many female friends so a trip away somewhere would be pointless, plus I'm so close to London so it just makes sense. It's navy, one shoulder with a bit of a capped...

Hi Kay! Glad to see you back on SW, we've missed you! Those flowers look lovely, really wish we had a garden as you're right, bright blooms can put a smile on your face. Hope you're finding the plan ok.

Afternoon everyone. Work is starting to get busier and busier and I don't know if I'm coming or going but I know it will all get done eventually! Had a really lovely weekend when my MoH / one and only bridesmaid came down to stay. We finally ordered her dress for the wedding and she looked...

Changing the ever popular nacho style feast to a chicken fajita style feast.

SW Fry Up: Bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, 2 eggs and beans.

Hi everyone, been popping in and out for a while but back on plan completely. Have lost 1.5lbs this week so inching ever closer to target. Wishing everyone the best for this week!

Oat biscuits (HEB & 2 syns) with fat free greek yogurt, banana and raspberries.

I think you need to wear what makes you feel good about yourself and sod what anyone else thinks. Just had a sneaky peek and I love the new dress, and can't wait to see pictures of you in it.

Happy new car day! I'm trying to give up dairy (don't have milk in my tea any more) and switch it up between oat/almond/coconut milk. I don't think I can give up proper cheese though!

Well done on the fitbit stats, I keep thinking I should get one but there's just too much choice. You're food always makes me so hungry!

I think it was supposed to be gherkins but my phone auto-corrected it to that for some reason! We were tasting some possible options, but can have pretty much anything we want. Really liked one of the deserts (caramelised pear tarte tatin) and liked a starter and main but not sure if the...

Woohoo, lost another 2lbs this week taking me to 10st 13lbs! Feeling really good about it and am determined to get even lower next week. Although we do have our menu tasting for the wedding tomorrow night so will definitely be over my syns then! Today has been pretty busy at work but I'm...

Weekend hasn't been too bad. Went out on Friday night for OH's birthday and had Lobster and a few cocktails, then went out last night for my Dad's birthday and had a smoked salmon platter thing. Been to the toby carvery today with the MiL and behaved myself so hopefully it won't look too bad...

Evening everyone, just got in from work and had another tough day. Managed to stick to pan though, as the thought of dinner has got me through! Breakfast - Bran Flakes (HEB) with skimmed milk (2 syns), banana Lunch - Chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, carrots, aldi fat free yogurt (0.5 syns)...

Glad you aren't getting stressed! Apparently it's supposed to take 8 months, which means it should be here end of June / start of July. Quite excited to actually try it on again!

Thanks, feeling a lot better now. Exercise wise I'm doing a bit of everything and I have noticed some overall toning but I guess I just need to be patient. Sounds like you're very prepared, I just hope I'm as calm when it gets that close to ours. It is a lot of money (and is getting more...

I love pepper but that might be a bit too much, even for me!

Hello! You're making me hungry with your Cote lunch!

Been quite tired today and had a massive headache all afternoon. Have kept the fluids up and will be taking a night off from working out. Food wise, today looks like this: Breakfast - Bran flakes (HEB), Skimmed milk (2 syns), 2 kiwis Lunch - Sushi (6.5 syns), pineapple fingers Dinner -...

Thank you ladies, since this is the final stretch I am on it like a car bonnet as they say! I've been working out about 3 times a week but will hit it a bit harder starting next week because I need to tone up drastically. Can't believe you've only got 5 weeks Rosie! That's gone so quickly...

Just popping in to say hello :wavey:!

Just popping in to say hello :wavey:!

2lbs off or me this week!

Hi everyone, I'm sneaking back in here because I need to start posting again. I've been struggling a bit recently and I think it's because I'm not holding myself accountable to anyone. So here I am. Although having said that, I've lost 2lbs this week but I'm still in the 11's and at the exact...

Oh Sally! I come back and you're out of action! Hope you're healed soon.

Thanks Rosie! I'm so shocked, I would have thought I'd put on lots more considering all the rubbish I've been eating. So far so good with day 2. Have started a new workout program with fitnessblender (4 weeks for busy people) so each routine is 30 minutes or less a day. Tonight was arms...

*slinks back in* Hello everyone! Time seems to be going so quickly at the moment, I didn't realise it had been so long since I last posted. I've been off the wagon in a big way but today is the start of the final push to get to target. I've only put 3lbs back on since starting the new job...

Hey everyone! Sorry for going MIA, work has been really busy and draining and I've just been crashing as soon as I get in. The job appears to be going well, even if I haven't managed to spend an entire day in the office yet (guess that's the joys of working in the community) but I do feel like...

Hi everyone! Have been so busy with life in general and starting the new job that I haven't had time for mins! Had a very off plan weekend and ended up with a 2 lb gain on Monday, which I wasn't too upset about, especially since I'm wearing size 12 clothes most of the time. My eating has been...

I've used Jack Monroe's cauliflower mac and cheese recipe also and that made a lovely set mac and cheese. I prefer a saucy one though (hence watering dow the low low).

The best SW friendly cheese sauce I've found so far is taking half a tub of low low spread (HEA), melting in a saucepan and "watering" down with some skimmed milk for a syn or 2. It doesn't take a lot of milk to make it into a lovely sauce. If you're having a green day then you can use your...

Morning everyone, feeling really blah this morning due to eating rubbish last night. Was baking cakes for work so ended up eating some brownies and half the batter then OH ordered a chinese and even though I wasn't hungry I still kept forcing chips covered in curry sauce down my throat...

I have major food (and drink) envy now. Sounds like you had a brilliant time. I'll just go back to my apple now :boohoo:

Leftover stir fry.

Fish, sw chips and mushy peas.

Morning everyone! 3 days to go and I'm on track for spending Friday doing not very much! Still not sleeping very well and it didn't help that we kept having power cuts last night but eventually I learnt after the third one that I really should be unplugging the radio in the kitchen. Going to...

Thanks and the same to you!

Thank you all! Hopefully I can stay here now! Have a couple of events over the next couple of weeks (leaving do Friday, friend's birthday Saturday, wedding on the 15th) but I'm not going to be drinking at them as I appear to have gone off alcohol in a big way. Food wise should be relatively...

Lentil and spinach soup, cherry tomatoes and cucumber.

Porridge with apple and blueberries and lots of cinnamon.

My dad's company had their Christmas meal at PSS last year and since then I've wanted to go! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Stir Fry with wholewheat noodles.

Hi everyone, I'm also here to join; now weigh 10st 13.5lbs so only just in the 10's, but determined to stay down here and keep going down!

Hi everyone, weighed in yesterday and I was 10st 13.5lbs! Almost fell over from the shock! Never thought I'd see a 10 on the scales! So I guess this is goodbye guys until we meet soon in the 10st bracket!

Wow, congratulations on getting to target! Well the first target, but still it's amazing! Hope training tonight goes well.

Well done on all the amazing losses this week! I'm down 0.5lbs which takes me into the 10's finally!

Morning everyone. 0.5lb off this morning so I am now in the 10's!!!! Would have been a bit more if I hadn't overdone the carbs yesterday. We had a Superbowl party and I made pulled pork rolls with onion rings, KFC style chicken and twice baked potatoes. Syn wise, I was very good and stayed...

That stir fry looks rather delicious. I know what you mean about the pain after exercise, I find that the trick is try and not stop moving for too long!

IT'S FRIDAY! And I couldn't be happier. One more week to go and it can't come quickly enough. Seriously, I had 3 hours yesterday of an administrator questioning every. single. thing. I was handing over to him. Usually I'm fine with people asking questions, but when he spent 45 minutes...

I know, it's kind of freaking me out! The only 'big' things left are ordering the suits (got an appointment on the 7th to do that), sort out the cake (got someone to do it, just need to sit down and tell her what we want), buy a bridesmaid dress (know what one I want, just need to her to tell...

Morning everyone! 9 months today I shall be stressing out at my mum probably because it will be my wedding day! Seems like time is going so quickly at the moment, it's so scary. Filled with even more determination to get to target as quickly as possible so that it's one less thing to worry...

Emerald green t-shirt, white cardigan with large black bows printed all over, black skirt, thick black tights and my black chelsea boots. If it was snowing down here then I would be wearing my DM's as well, but alas they'll have to wait till another day.

Left over quorn chilli with rice and salad.

Macaroni cheese with some salad on the side.

I wouldn't have minded if it was exercise related but this was just a random niggle that got worse and then travelled up to my knee! We always joke that OH needs to be taken back to the shop because of his epilepsy but I think I'm more broken than he is at the moment.

Porridge with a banana.

Quorn chilli with rice, salad and grated cheese.

Yay for getting into the exercise again. I know what you mean though, I'm fine once I'm in the swing but it's just getting into the routine that's difficult.

Hmmm I might have to try out that tex mex casserole as a way of getting the OH to eat more vegetables. He's doing a lot better than when I first met him but I still don't think he eats enough. Hope your shortlisting is going better than mine!

Happy 'Hump' day everybody! I really am falling apart; ankle started hurting on the walk home from the station last night so no exercise for me this week. Well apart from bowling on Friday with the new work colleagues. It's still a bit painful this morning and I've taken the opportunity to...

Tuna salad with coleslaw (2 syns)

I know, it's a pain but it could be worse. Ended up having the goats cheese salad and the piece of goats cheese was just about enough for 1 HEA. Roasted beetroot with it was quite nice though. Not too sure what to have for dinner tonight now; either jacket potato or some pasta with garlic...

Popping over here to subscribe! Wishing you the best on your new journey. You've got lots of supporters around and we're here to try and help you on your way.

Food looks gorgeous as always. If you do have a STS at least it's not a gain, and it's not like you're out painting the town red every week (or are you? ;)) It's good to enjoy yourself once in a while, says the person with zero social life whatsoever.

Morning everyone, had a very productive day yesterday and now have just 1.5 guides to write. Then there's the joy of actually taking people through everything. Going out for lunch today with my outcomes group (kind of a delayed Christmas meal / early leaving do) to a local tapas restaurant...

Ditto what Lil said ^ and it's good that your doctor is supportive of the changes that you're making.

Porridge with mixed berries and some honey.

Full fat coke is the only thing that could get me through a hangover. Thankfully I've cut out the drinking and so will not have to resort to such things anymore. Hope the photo isn't too cringey. I don't know many people that would actually look at nightclub photos though so I'm sure you'll...

I love how crispy they get so you can fool yourself into thinking you're having an extremely thin crust pizza. The legs and arms are definitely smaller, and my shoulders are becoming a bit more prominent. Just need to tone the booty and the tummy and I'll be happy. It's the whole explaining...

I would love to start winding down (2 weeks to go!) but yes, they have other ideas. Plus I have to handover to 4 different people, all of whom have differing levels of ability when it comes to IT so writing all the handover documents is taking a lot of my time too. I just want to try and...

Porridge with a banana.

Aww that's so sweet of them for helping you stick to plan. Have fun at bootcamp tonight!

Morning everyone, weighed in this morning and I've STS. Not too bad since I gorged myself on pizza and sides during the week. Best of luck to everyone weighing in this morning.

Quorn meatballs with mash and mixed veg.

Leftover roast chicken with mixed salad leaves and coleslaw.

Morning everyone, it's been a busy few days: Friday was a nightmare at work and looks to continue this week, Saturday I got my hair cut for the first time in 11 months and then had some friend's over for an evening of watching films and catching up and Sunday OH wasn't feeling too good so we...

Fish, SW chips and mushy peas.

I think you're both right, this whole leaving thing is stressing me out more than I realised. Going to try and escape at lunch time for a walk in the park. In the meantime I'm plugged into the radio and taking 5 meditative breaths every 20 minutes or so. Seems to be working so far.

Finished The Bone Clocks last night and I loved it. Full of whimsy mixed with reality and a quite scary look at what the not too distant future could look like. I'd definitely recommend it. Now reading The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. He's one of my favorite authors...

Right I think you've convinced me to go Paleo at some point in the near future, it all sounds so good and I've seen some amazing recipes around. Love the idea of the photoshoot, makes me wish I'd taken more 'before' pictures. And definitely treat yourself to some new kit for it.

Mmm brioche. Used to love making bread and butter pudding with the chocolate chip aldi ones. I don't get the SP plan either, adding more refined carbs doesn't make any sense to me.

Thanks for the concern everyone. Feeling a bit better today, but still a slight flutter there in the chest. Not sure if the feeling better is due to the early night (but still full of interrupted sleep) or the big fat pizza that OH ordered last night. He'd had the day off to prepare for a big...

You're probably right, the lack of sleep is really starting to get to me at the moment. And I've really cut out caffeine over the last few months; coffee very very rarely (maybe once a month) and green or herbal teas and no fizzy drinks, just water. Boss has just gone into yet another meeting...

What on earth is a 'posh' roll? And that stew looks even better every time you post it!

Same as always - porridge with mixed berries

Jacket potato with beans, cheese and salad

I'm having 2 a week and usually that would be enough. Going to take a break for the rest of the week and then ease myself back in next week.

Morning. Not feeling great this morning. Had a really bad sleep again last night, and have been having weird heart flutters on and off since I woke up. Pulse feels slightly elevated and I'm a little light headed now I think about it. It feels like the start of an anxiety attack but I have...

I don't know what I'd do without my soup maker now. I also struggled with exercise last night, couldn't catch my breath and just felt really drained after such a short space of time so had to bail out after about 20 minutes. No snow here today :(

Hope you managed to get to work ok. We had a power surge at the station so they couldn't run trains on one of the lines so had to take a 45 minute detour round the backwaters!

Veg and bean soup with carrot and cucumber sticks.

Morning everyone! It's so cold here, we had snow again this morning when I left for work. It's not cold enough to settle which is a shame because I'd love a snow day! Another long day at work ahead of me but back on the exercise tonight, think it may be HIIT with some pilates style stretching...

Mushroom and butternut squash risotto.

Porridge with berries again for me.

Well done for actually going through with bootcamp, no wonder you felt a bit off because it was so cold last night! I'm sure you'll feel better on your run tonight. I've been looking at some paleo recipes and found some lovely baking recipes that I really want to try this weekend. In fact...

Thanks Jess, I've actually lowered the target as well by half a stone which seemed impossible a few months ago but now I think I can definitely get there (and maybe slightly lower as well).

Eeek just had three people at work telling me I look like I've lost weight! Have just found a lovely vegan recipe for making cinnamon rolls so may have to crack out the christmas present at the weekend and get mixing some dough together.

My OH had KFC yesterday while I was sitting there with my garlic mushroom pasta. A popcorn chicken or 2 may have passed my lips...

I hope so, 1lb off isn't anything to be unhappy about!

Well done everyone on the losses this week so far, a loss is a loss no matter how big or small. We're all one step closer to our goals.

Thanks! I definitely feel like I am at the moment. Just need to keep focused on the long term goals and hopefully I'll be ok.

Morning everyone! Happy Monday to all! It may be * week at the moment but I've lost a whole pound this week and I'm now dead on 11st. New lowest weight ever. I actually feel that I look skinnier and I think it's all down to the exercise. So 3 weeks in and I've lost 5lbs, which is the most...

You're welcome, and it's fine, Ruby is kind of a nickname from way back and no one ever calls me by my actual name anyway, not even at work.

Well done on the loss! Sweet potato skins sound very tempting, may have to make some of those this week.

Morning everyone. Weighed in this morning and I'm now dead on 11st! The scale did keep flickering down to 10st 13.5 but I'm happy with 11st. It's * week at the moment so I probably could have been in the 10's if it wasn't for that. Hoping I can definitely be down there next week!

Porridge with mixed berries.

Well I hit 11st exactly today! So my next goal is 10st 12. Going to take this last stone a bit at a time and see how it goes.

Home made veggie and bean soup.

Sausage casserole (3 syns) with mash and mixed veg.

Kebabs look really good. Need to try and find my skewers again as I think OH would love those.

Congrats on the loss appyachel! Weighed in this morning and I'm 1lb down. Now I'm dead on 11 stone and about 7 weeks ahead of my very loose schedule! The scale did keep flickering down to 10st 13.5 but then just kept settling on 11. Oh well I'll get there next week!

Well done on sticking to plan over the weekend, especially at the party! I read an article yesterday that said eating more non-traditional breakfasts is actually better for you than the standard cereal / fruit / eggs combo so you're on to a winner there. Best of luck with bootcamp tonight.

Afternoon everyone. Had a rubbish start to the day: 2.5 hour commute this morning due to lots of signal problems and then had a wasted 3 hour round trip to another site to visit payroll who told me that I would have to wait 3 weeks for them to sign and stamp a form for my new job! Not a happy...

Quorn steak strips in an enchilada style sauce with peppers sweet potato wedges.

2 weetabix and a banana.

Leftover risotto (mushrooms, peppers, courgette, spinach) with mixed leaves.

Well done on the loss! I haven't had a toastie for ages so may treat myself to one tomorrow.

I want a bath! I'm so fed up of just having a shower. My only requirements for when we move next year is that it's a house with stairs, room for a washing machine and a bath! Glad you seem to have got over the insomnia.

I'm so glad it's almost the weekend, tomorrow afternoon can't come quickly enough! How was the Chia pudding? I'm realy intrigued by Chia seeds every time I'm in H&B.

Think I've got a craving for parsnips now. Will have to add some to the shopping list for next week!

Oven baked risotto with mushrooms, peppers, spinach and some low low cheese spread stirred through. It's probably my fave comfort food.

Leftover Chicken stew (that's more like a soup at the moment) - chicken thigh meat, carrots, onion and butternut squash with various herbs.

I'm about 150 pages in and it's already very good - there are 2 seemingly independant characters mentionned but a little bit of a crossover is appearing plus something that appears to defy the laws of physics. I'll let you know more when I've finished it next week.

Porridge (HEB), banana and a couple of syns worth of honey.

Morning everyone. Super tired today after a bad and stressful nights sleep. Ended up having a weird dream about OH messing around in an airport and making us miss a flight and for someone who hates being late for things as much as me I woke up in an absolute panic! Didn't manage to exercise...

I could never get on board with Insanity but did try P90X a few times but that got annoying rather quickly. Papa Johns pizzas are amazing but now there isn't one in Guildford, the temptation has been removed! I'll try Kay, although my slimming vibes are just hanging there by a thread at the...

I hate exercising in front of him too as he usually starts asking me important questions when I'm doing flutter kicks or something! I sometimes take my tablet and go in the bedroom when it's just weights or something as I don't need much space for that. It's a pain when we just have a tiny 1...

Finished Freedom last night, and I would highly recommend it. Now reading The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. I love the weird and wonderfulness that his books are so should be a good read, even if it's like 600 pages!

Leftover quorn bolognase with quinoa.

Thank you ladies! Feeling very good at the moment about a lot of things and hoping this will carry me forward. My stomach is definitely smaller and my face is thinner after only 2 weeks of giving it my all. I know it's a marathon and not a sprint but I like that the changes are visible now...

Everyone's digestive system is different so you may start feeling the effects today. Lunch sounds lovely!

Sounds like you killed it at the gym last night! I'm still on 2kg weights until my physio gives me the ok for my shoulder. It's good that you're not getting any cravings, I think I'd want some pasta before long! KFC style turkey sounds great.

Chicken casserole with mash and mixed veg.

Congratulations on such a great loss! Best of luck! I'm also doing it from home and this forum is the best resource out there to help you on your journey!

Best of luck with the fast day today! Can't remember the last time I had a 2 week holiday, but yours sounds lovely. Can't wait till I have 3 weeks off work at the end of the year!

Just back from my physio appointment where I had a lovely massage even if it was painful at times. Really don't want to do more work as I'm so blissed out by it!

There are about 35 people in our building, most of them female, and 3 toilets. As I'm in the basement, I've discovered that most people appear to come down here if they want more than a wee, and therefore our toilet is disgusting to say the least. Enough of the toilet talk, hope you're having...

Sounds delightful! Hopefully you don't have a unisex toliet like us otherwise that could be interesting today.

I think it's partly to do with the weather (the neighbours back gate doesn't latch properly so it's just left banging around in the wind) and partly to do with my shoulder issues which just so happen to be on the side I sleep on. Fingers crossed tonight is better.

Morning everyone. Had yet another rubbish nights sleep so decided to take the slow train to work this morning and have an extra 30 minutes sleep on it! Came in to loads of emails but again, have no motivation to do any of it but really need to crack on. Only 25 days till I'm gone from here...

Thank god it's only enough for today and then I can make some split pea soup if needed!

Bolognase stuffed butternut squash.

Just FYI, the "soup" taste is still in my mouth 2 hours after I've eaten it. Might have to make some quinoa salad to go along with tomorrow's batch.

Thank you ladies! I think it's just the exercise effect catching up with me from last week. It does mean that I am now 6 weeks ahead of schedule with my losses so hopefully if I do have a slip up then I'll still get to target on time.

Morning everyone! So I weighed in this morning and I've lost 3.5lbs! That's the entire Christmas gain gone now and I'm back to my lowest weight which is excellent. Weekend was ok; meal out ended up being in a different pub (it's a very long story) and I was strong and didn't have a starter...

Well done on such a great loss! Are you going to be doing anything different this week as you're exercising again? I'm even more aware of the fact that I need to eat more protein but it's trying to find a way to get it in when I already feel pretty full most of the day anyway.

Kale and leek soup, although I put too much stock in and now it just looks like green water. Oh well, I've got carrot sticks to fill me up as well.

Stir Fry veg with wholewheat noodles and various herbs and spices.

That steak looks amazing! Best of luck with the Bootea, I'd heard similar stories about the number of trips to the bathroom!

I read that last year for book club and really enjoyed it even if I did find her a little annoying at times. We're reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen at the moment which I'm really liking also.

Porridge with mixed berries as always!

Why do men never get the hint. I had an ex like that who still randomly tries sending me friend requests on facebook despite the fact that his current girlfriend is pregnant with his child and I'm getting married! Hope your weekend of chilling has helped you relax. I'm not a big fan of...

Morning everyone. I've been yo-yoing around the 11's for what feels like ages now and finally I'm back down to 11st 1lb. Hopefully I can shift that and a little more this week and get into the 10's!

Well done for getting back on track. Now that you have something to aim for, I know that will help keep you focused.

Morning everyone. After putting 4lbs on over Christmas and losing 0.5lbs last week, I'm down 3.5lbs this week! Back to my lowest weight and ready to carry on going down for the rest of the year!

I usually make my own and was going to do the exact same thing with some quark anyway so thought why not pick this up. Plus it was cheaper too! Have just received an email inviting me to 'corporate bowling' in a couple of weeks with my new employer, plus 'cocktails' after. I guess there are...

Well done on the loss! I'm not sleeping well at the moment too. Hope you have a better nights sleep tonight though.

I guess I'm just weird in that I can eat smoked salmon at any time of day...

Morning everyone! I can report that the garlic and herb quark cooking sauce was delicious. I did end up adding the entire tub to mine as I didn't think half was saucy enough but then it ended up being a little too much by the end. Will definitely buy it again and now I want to try the tomato...

I know that Holland & Barret do a slimmatea that has senna in it (natural laxative) so that could be an alternative also?

Hi Charley, just popping in to say I hope you had a great Christmas and enjoyed your cruise!

Just popping in to subscribe. Re: Bootea - apparently it's just like peppermint tea so I would just try that and see if it helps.

Oh I hadn't thought about that. Will have a look around to see if anyone local can do it the week before maybe. I haven't tried them either but it was on offer and I was going to have a garlic and herb sauce anyway so thought I'd go with the quark one rather than waste a healthy extra on...

Thanks for the link to the pasta bake recipe, OH is keen for me to make it as it combines two of his fave types of food (anything mexican and pasta). I was driving on NYE (as I was for much of the festive period) so didn't drink either. Hope you enjoy your meal out tonight and get home at a...

All this exercise is making me feel more positive and energetic (even if I'm not sleeping well recently). Makes me wonder why I stopped and let myself get so unfit in the first place. Tonight is more HIIT cardio I think. If I don't post tomorrow then you know why!

Mushroom and Leek pasta with some of the quark garlic and herb sauce and added cheese on top. I've had enough of gammon after Christmas.

Agree, food sounds great today and I love a good fajita without a wrap but I usually have some rice and kidney beans on the side which is a big no no for you at the moment. OH wants enchiladas on Friday so I'll make some for him but then just have the filling with some sweet potato wedges I think.

Morning everyone. Yesterday was not quite as manic as I thought it would be but some of the people in the building really do try my patience when I need to concentrate on work. Came home to find a parcel containing a dress I'd ordered off ebay for a friend's wedding in February. Props to...

I know what you mean, I sometimes throw on some jeans and only when I'm halfway out the door do I realise that they're about 2 sizes too big!

It's taking a lot of effort to actually motivate myself to do the workouts but I have a picture from a friend's wedding in July, where I thought I looked good and I look enormous, sitting on the side in the living room. That way every time I'm following a work out I can see what I don't want to...

That pasta bake looks lovely, you're making me hungry now! Will just have to munch on some cucumber till I can realistically have lunch.

We're all here to support you as well, best of luck and hope the bloat goes soon.

I can't stand burpees either but I can see that I'm getting stronger as I can do more this week than I could last week. Last night was a pyramid HIIT workout that was 15 seconds > 30 seconds > 45 seconds > 30 seconds > 15 seconds of activity with 15 seconds break between each bit and it wasn't...

With the mountain climbers its a stamina thing, I just can't get on with them, and Monday involved jumping to alternate sides inbetween rounds of MC's and my legs just gave up on me after about 45 seconds! Colcannon is basically mashed potato with cabbage and rumbledethumps is similar with...

SOA is next on the list of things we want to watch. At the moment we're working our way through Lilyhammer on Netflix. The second series isn't as interesting to my but OH is still loving it.

Quorn swedish meatballs, mash potato and mixed veg.

Morning everyone. Another day, another dollar as the saying goes. Lots of meetings ahead of me today so will be a bit light on the work front again. Workout last night went well, although I had to miss out one of the moves as I just couldn't do it (something involving mountain climbers)...

Congrats on getting through the first day. Food looks delicious and I hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks Jess, I'm determined to be on plan as much as possible this year and get to target asap.

My legs were killing me all weekend but seem to be ok this morning. I've heard kettleballs are great for toning the arms, and the program I'm doing contains a lot of arm focused strength training with weights and bodyweight. Lots to be getting on with at work but no motivation to do it!

Welcome back to mins and confronting your gain and getting right back on it.

Hope your day at work isn't too intense. Sorry to hear about the man situation, hopefully he can start to move on soon and leave you in peace. But yay for being back in a routine and back on plan.

Porridge, blueberries and strawberries.

Veg and bean soup (and will be having the same all week)

Chciken, bacon, cabbage and butter bean stew.

Hi everyone, still hanging around in the 11's after Christmas. Have 5lbs till I get into the 10's and I'm hoping to get there as soon as possible.

Best of luck with Whole30, your food for today sounds delicious!

Morning everyone! Back at work today (booooooooo) and everything appears to be working so I need to crack on with everything that's been piling up over the past couple of weeks. Weighed in this morning and I've lost half a lb which is a great start to the year as that's what I need to average...

Wishing you the best of luck with Whole 30! Oh and Happy new year too!

Morning everyone. Workout for the day done and that's the last one of the week. Hoping it's going to have made some difference to my weight on Monday! Nothing much planned for the weekend, just chilling out at home before going back to work next week. 2nd January - Extra Easy Breakfast -...

Happy New Year everyone! We had a quiet one at a friend's house watching Guardians of the Galaxy and then the fireworks. I was driving so no alcohol for me. I'm actually trying to not drink this year as I want to eat and drink as cleanly as possible. Went through a massive sugar detox...

Sent home from work again and now I'm not back in time the 5th! Have just finished my 30 minute workout for today which proved how unfit I am! Determined to stick at it this time.

Glad to see you back! We're all here to support you on your journey, because that's what it is, a journey with ups and downs and twists and turns along the way. New Year, New Start.

Another casual day at work; blue skinny jeans that are a bit tight after Christmas binging, orange top with grey birds on it, grey cardigan and my black biker boots again.

Morning everyone! Yesterday failed spectacularly; got sent home early because the network wasn't working and then ended up stuffing my face with half a box of ferrero rocher. Determined to be back on plan today. 30th December - Green Breakfast - Porridge (HEB), banana, gingerbread green tea...

Thanks! They do a real mixture - yoga, HIIT, strength, cardio, barre and loads more. There are hundreds of videos on their channel and new ones are going up all the time. The plus I find is that there's no annoying music, they don't shout encouragements at you and they are just a really nice...

I'm right with you on the not feeling great due to bad eating. All last week I had to keep taking naps because my blood sugar was rising and falling at an alarming rate due to all the mince pies / chocolate / christmas pudding I was stuffing in my face. Plus my skin now looks the worst it has...

Thanks, she's doing a bit better today apparently so here's hoping the chest infection goes soon. I was quite shocked that he'd managed to get tickets, although it turns out he might not be able to come with me as it's his sister's wedding the next day and he needs to help set up the hall with...

To get this 4lb gain off and get to 11 stone.

Morning everyone! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Christmas Day was really nice with the parents and even OH's family were on good form in the evening for once! OH bought me tickets to see the Foo Fighters in June which I'm rather excited about. Boxing Day wasn't very good as my nan...

Hope you had a good Christmas and can't wait to see you back with your lovely food inspiration in the new year.

Sorry to hear about your Aunt but glad to hear she's making some improvement. New years are all about new starts so I'm sure you'll succeed in whatever plan you decide to follow.

It sucks doesn't it! Might have some cheeky garlic bread with dinner tonight as well if I can be bothered to search for it in the depths of our tiny freezer. I just can't be around mince pies, it's like a really bad addiction. I'm a lot better than last year though; I was buying packs of 8...

As I shouldn't really be in the office today but somehow find that I am then it's casual all the way for me: purple jumper, black skinny jeans and black biker boots that have seen better days!

Pasta bake.

Morning everyone. I'm not in the best of moods today as I was originally having the whole of this week off work but then I have a physio appointment this afternoon that I couldn't re-arrange. Plus OH kept me up half the night because he couldn't sleep so I'm just a bit cranky. Did lose half a...

Luckily it came on Saturday afternoon so I just had time to wrap and practically run through town to the post office. Town was a nightmare though and I'm really glad I don't have to go back there any time soon!

Porridge, banana and honey.

Black skater dress with a blue band round the hem, matching blue cardigan, black tights and black chelsea boots.

Fakeaway KFC.

IT'S FRIDAY! This week has dragged so much and I just want to sleep and not have to get up at 5:30 for once. * week arrived yesterday so I'm not feeling great today but I am determined to stick to plan. Plus I have 2 wisdom teeth trying to make a break for freedom once again. Need to stop...

Ended up ordering my friend's present online, just hope it arrives in time for me to post it on Saturday! I never seem to be able to get a present to her before Christmas! We put our tree up on the 1st December. Don't ask me why, it was OH's idea. It's not very spectacular, in fact it is the...

Well done you on jumping the tyre! Just goes to show that hard work does pay off! Christmas appears to have not arrived in our office. No one has mentionned a meal or drinks or secret santa and there are no decorations. Also no one has given any cards out so I'm a bit reluctant to write...

Hope you have fun on your meal out. This is my first (and last) Christmas in this job and no one has mentionned anything about Christmas meals / drinks, which I thought was a bit strange. Even in my last job the 4 of us went out for a nice lunch every year. Lucky you having 16 days off too!

I have a friend who started eating Paleo a few months ago and it's really agreeing with her. The only thing I might struggle with is the legumes as I use them usually to pad out dishes but hey, I can always eat more meat!

Morning everyone! After a rather busy day yesterday, I'm hoping that the rest of the week is ok. Is it just me though or is this week dragging? Big meeting this morning and then hoping for a quiet afternoon. Major NSV yesterday; was so tired and grumpy when I got in from work that I was all...

I think I turned into my mum a long time ago! Patience has never been a strong point for me. I've had lots of meetings this week to discuss new reporting requirements and it's so hard to not blurt out that I'm leaving and therefore they won't be getting them in the new year. The one thing I'm...

Once I've mashed the potatoes, I just add a bit of mustard powder and keep tasting to make sure it's not too much! Usually I would mix the mustard powder with some honey and coat the steaks in that before grilling but we didn't have any in the cupboard.

Pork Steak with mustard mash and mixed veg.

Argh! Can't take the pressure! Ok, I will tentatively agree to it, need to re-read all the info again.

Morning everyone! Busy day at work today and already I just want to give up because I'm leaving soon! Food today is: 17th December - Extra Easy Breakfast - Weetabix oaty bar (HEB), banana Lunch - Egg muffins and beans Dinner - Pork steak with mustard mash and mixed veg Snacks -...

I think thats the sensible choice, no one wants to be actively dieting at this time of year. New job is still within data analysis but the next pay grade up and working exclusively with NHS community services whereas at the moment I'm in a mental health trust. I'll also be back to working in a...

Every January I'm really tempted to try the whole 30 thing but I always chicken out. Might join you this year though!

He was a little delicate the next day I must admit which wasn't helped by the cold. Guess that's what happens when you down 3 really strong Long Island Iced Tea's in an hour. We worked out that they had at least 4 shots each in them so no wonder he was ill! I'm sure your WI won't be too bad...

White dress with blue, yellow, red and grey splodges on it, grey cardigan, black tights, black chelsea boots.

Morning everyone! It's rather cold in the basement this morning so I've gone round closing all the doors to stop the drafts blowing through (I sound like my nan!). Really enjoyed my food yesterday even though I'm not particulary keen on set eggs. Just wolfed down the egg muffin quiche things...

Thanks! Absolutely no idea. They wanted to take references last week but I put them off because I wanted to tell my main manager first rather than her getting this random email asking for a reference! If they get them all back by the end of the week then it could be mid January but I'm more...

Sorry to hear you've not been well but glad to hear you're on the mend now. Sometimes you just need comfort food when your poorly (like medicinal fried chicken). Is the clean 30 the same as the paleo whole 30 thing? Or maybe I'm getting my plans mixed up.

Navy and white dot print dress from Mango, navy cardigan, black tights and black flat t-bar shoes.

Well done on another great loss Bev! Was in Prague at the beginning of last week and it made me so jealous of you getting married there. Hope the plans are coming along well.

Kay, just wanted to say thank you for the Christmas Bunny. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas and an even better new year!

Still hanging around here although the scales did briefly flicker down to 10 st 13 this morning. Really hoping to be there next week!

Cottage pie and mixed vegetables.

I've completely lost track of the weeks here but I know i've STS (11 stone 1.5 lbs) for the past few weeks. Determined to get to under 11 stone by the end of the year!

3 mini quiche muffin things with beans and added cherry tomatoes.

Oh and Kay, thanks so much for the bunny, it really cheered me up when I was on the train at 6 this morning!

Morning everyone! Back from a lovely break in Prague (even if OH did get reallllllly drunk one night and throw up all over our lovely bathroom). Ate a lot of yummy food, drank lots of yummy drinks and did A LOT of walking. Weighed in this morning and I'm 0.01 of a lb lighter, so I'm basically...

Just taking a quick break. Went to Physio this morning about my wrist and he's sayng it's something in my upper back / shulder / neck area that's causing the inital 'loading' on my wrist. Has given me one exercise to do and I have to take a break every 30 minutes and get up and walk around...

Morning everyone, IT'S FRIDAY! And my last day before a lovely week off. Goign to be quite busy today sorting everything out but once it's done I can go. Met up with my for a drink last night (diet coke for me) and then went a perused a few stores on Oxford Street. Had a voucher for 20% off...

Black skirt, black vest top, black tights, black chelsea boots and a mustard yellow cardigan.

Sounds really nice Stevie, and I love the necklace even though I can never seem to get necklaces like that to look right on me. Have just realised I'm wearing the exact same as I was last Thursday except I have a beige cardigan rather than a blue one on.

Morning eveyone. Urgh I feel so rubbish this morning but it's my own fault; leaving drinks for a colleague consisted of a few glasses of bubbles and a couple of whiskeys on a practically empty stomach, followed by cheesy chips at midnight. I'm more tired than hungover but my head is definitely...

Hope you're feeling better soon!