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Hi. Monday is my weigh in and I've just been. Lost 4.5lbs which I know is good but I'm so disappointed. My home scales were saying 6.

Hello. I just wanted to introduce myself as I'm planning on being on minimins a lot in the future so thought it was only polite! I originally joined SW in 2011 and lost 9st 3lbs to get to target in 2013. I kept it off for a year but then stopped going to group, started a new job which I hated...

Nutella spread on brioche. Or just straight out of the jar. Delicious.

Wow! You have done amazingly well! Did you lose it all in a year?

I wouldn't have thought so, sorry. It is only salt water you're washing off which isn't synned.

You say that you feel like you've lost weight - surely that's more important the the number on the scales? If you're feeling healthier and eating better, having enough energy to do that much exercise then something is going right! You might find that you lose inches before you lose pounds. Don't...

Mine is to it in my size 14 clothes again. When I got to target 2 years ago I bought loads of new clothes that are currently in a vacuum bag under my bed. I want to be able to wear skirts without needing chub-rub shorts underneath! I don't want to be the fat mum in the playground when my...

Welcome back! Wow, you've done so well already you must surely be an Expert on the sw plan! Good luck x

I must admit, like sewing bee, this made me very uncomfortable. No-one should be spoken to like that, least of all from the person who loves you. Perhaps through the internet, any tone is removed and he was being more jokey than mean, but if it was said in seriousness then I hope you are able to...

It's so reassuring to know that I am not the only one too ashamed to go back to my old group! I know it's daft, and I am sure that it would have been fine, but I was just too embarassed that I had slipped so badly into my old ways. This weekend had been my most testing since rejoining - my son...

brilliant! What a fabulous feeling!

I am glad group was better for you this time- i have always found that group can make such a difference to my motivation and focus. I have never been able to lose weight when i try on my own. I even got to target once and maintained for a year still going to group and then when i stopped...

Hi! Well done for coming back- it seems like there are a few of us in the same boat who have rejoined recently. Being back on minimins is definitely a big help to me- even just reading other people's posts and seeing their successes are a real inspiration and help me stay motivated. How...

Thanks everyone. Emsie, I remember you too - I am not sure how many other names I'll recognise though, it's been so long! Today has been a good day so far, I am trying to keep my syns low to counteract the chocolate I fell headfirst into last night. One day at a time...

Hi! Like you i am someone who has lost weight and regained it so is jumping back into sw. Our stats are fairly similar, Meercat_nat, so hopefully we can jelp each other on the way! Salmon and egg muffins sound really tasty- food like this really makes sw the best diet there is!

I used to be a member of sw and minimins a few years ago, when I lost over 9 stone to get to my target weight in the spring of 2013. I maintained this weight, or thereabouts, for a year then stopped going to group. Over the last year I have regained over 5 stone and have gone from a size 14 to...

Amazing! Well done!

wow! you look fabulous!

Thank you everyone. I had a bit of a gain over the summer holidays but i was pleased to have just got back into target range at weigh in this morning. I always find this forum really useful, especially when i need to refocus and keep myself on track.

Wow- you're looking really good. And am i reading your stats correctly- did you lose over a stone in your first week? Wow.

Thank you. Here is a better "target" pic.

Went to order a new wedding ring today as mine is too big and they can't re-size it easily, and it would mean losing the engraving on the inside. I have gone from a size S to an M, so 5 sizes smaller! I will now wear my original wedding and engagement rings on the middle finger of my right...

I agree with gazter- it could be done. I lost 9st 3lbs in 18months. I know that losing weight that quickly isn't the norm but it is possible! Well done on your first week- keep the momentum going and you'll be amazed at the difference sw will make. Good luck!

Firstly, step off the scales. If they are all over the place then they will not be accurate, plus your weight can fluctuate wildly from day to day and hour to hour. Weighing once a week, at the same time is the only way you'll see a realistic and accurate weight change. As for your dad, ignore...

Brilliant. Thank you, I shall order some today!

Where do you get that from? I tend to end up in spanx to stop the chub rub and really wish I didn't have to. I would be interested in finding an alternative.

I wore a dress today without feeling the need to wear chub-rub shorts underneath. I think when it gets really hot and sunny I will still want them to stop too much chaffing, but it was a revelation to be properly bare-legged!

I see! Thank you both. I think I might have notifications switched off, but found where the comments were.

I see that my stats say 17 rep power, but if I had had comments where would I see them? I have been on minimins for over 18months and still get confused!

What are reputation comments?

Wow! Amazing news, congratulations!

Thank you! I'm not quite sure about the keeping it off yet, Pinknails, I only reached target 9weeks ago so it is still a bit of a learning curve.

After a week totally off plan and a rather large gain i have been totally on plan for the last 3 days. I already feel loads better for it, less bloated and much healthier. I am shocked at how bad i felt when off plan- to think that is how i felt every day before joining sw!

I started at 21st 2 and got to target of 11.13 in 18months so it certainly can be done! Trust in the plan, follow it and be honest with yourself about what syns you're having, keep a food diary and you'll soon get the hang of it. I know i lost my weight quickly and this isn't the case...

Hi Rich! I don't know how I managed to miss these when they were first posted, but goodness me you look so different! Well done! How have you got on since these were taken?

Fabulous! Well done!

The whole mashed fruit is syns things relly bugs me, but the rules are that if you mush it up it is syns. So, slicing your banana onto your toast is fine. Mashing it down with your fork is not. Ridiculous, but there you go!

That is amazing. I wish I had your will power. I have hoovered up every food in sight today to stave off the hangover!

That is a massive difference! You must be feeling amazing.

It's not the best picture, but this is what I wore last night.

I don't always believe I actually fit in them myself! My goal was a size 16 and I still have to pinch myself when I fit into 14s. It's amazing.

I went out on the town last night in my size 14 dress and every time i caught my reflection i thought i looked good. Every time. I don't remember a time when that has ever happened before.

You'll have to update your signature now! Well done!

I would go to the other group. Having a consultant you believe in makes a massive difference. I go to a group that is not my nearest one because I had been to a group with that consultant before and did not like her at all. I think you need someone that will inspire you.

0.5lbs off, so still in target. :-)

Fantastic! Well done ColJack!

I am 5'9 and struggling a bit with this too. I think that having been massively overweight makes it more difficult to assess what a target should be because it is so far removed from where you started it all seems a bit unreal. Whe I started I wanted to be under 12 stone (so bmi under 25) and a...

wow! there is nothing left of you! Well done.

Super free isn't just salad or fruit though. When i have beans on toast i have half the amount of beans i used to have and mix in chopped onions peppers and mushrooms. That way i am not just cramming extra veg on the plate but using it to cut down the amount of more calorie dense food. I know i...

I am finding it difficult too. As of last Thursday i am a pound below target range so need to have a gain this week or start paying. My problem is that my target is top of my healthy bmi so i could drop it a bit. When i set target i just wanted to be below 12stone though it was a pretty...

Oh, gosh, I don't know, really, it was sheer bloody mindedness on my part I think. I got quite addicted to seeing the numbers go down on the scales and hated seeing a gain added to my weight record at the back of the book. Plus, as awful as it sounds, my sister had lost weight and I was jealous...

No fair! This hasn't happened to me and I wish it would. I am a size 8 or 9, though more like a 9. And they are wide too. Not as wide as they used to be, but I still find buying shoes a complete nightmare so was hoping to shrink to a normal size 8. No such luck.

I am still trying to get used to being at target and seem to be going up and down like a yo yo.i put on 2.5lbs last week and lost 4 this week, dropping out of target range. That said, I did get a 9.5stone award, so cannot complain!

The same foods are free on ee and success express, just swap the proportions around- 1/3 free and 2/3 superfree on success express. If your snacks are not super free then work out the highest syn value.

me too!

So it turns out my quandary was unnecessary, my son is threw up last night and again this lunchtime, so i am staying in tonight and hubby is going on his own. My son is tucked up in bed now and hasn't been sick since 1pm but i didn't think it was fair to leave him. I am gutted though- i was...

Thank you for the replies. I do think I am leaning towards the dress as going out is such a rarity for me, I should probably make the most of it. Plus, I spent £30 on that dress, I might as well get some wear out of it! I popped into Asda today and bought some new shoes that don't have such a...

Thank you! If I can do it, anyone can!

2.5lb gain for me. I am relieved - my scales said it was a 6lb gain two days ago!

Thank you! I joined in sept 2011 and reached target in March 2013, so 18months. I lost 7 stones in the first year, the last 2 and bit were a lot slower coming off, though I will admit to not being quite as regimented as I was when I started. SW is definitely a life changer. :D

wow - that's quite a difference. There is hope for me yet! ;-)

thank you for your replies. I was good - chicken and veg fajitas (without the wraps) and BNS chips for tea, so only a couple of syns for the fajita mix! I safely swerved the kebab craving.

btw - whereabouts in the country are you? You might find someone on here goes to the same group and can look out for you in the morning?

What a horrible horrible bedside manner your GP has! Vile. I would definitely complain. You have done absolutely the right thing to decide to join SW - I think it is the right thing to do. A colleague of mine lost 10stone with a gastric band then he put it all back on again because he hadn't...

I am going out in London on Friday night for OH's friend's birthday. We are going to a cocktail bar in central london and apart from us, everyone is going straight from work. I have no idea what to wear! Not only have I not really been out much since having kids, I have no idea what to wear now...

that off the back of your greatest loser application or did you apply for the magazine separately? I quite fancy sending them my pictures too, I'd love to be in there, but as I sent photos in on my greatest loser application I wasn't sure if it is worth it?

I have been a naughty girl and did a sneaky mid week weigh at home today and according to my scales have pout on 6lbs! Admittedly, I haven't been properly on plan as I was almost out the bottom of target range last week so have not counted syns, thinking I wanted to have a 1 or 2 lb gain, but I...

You look tiny! :D

You look so different! Well done!

Fantastic achievement! Well done Missy!

The thing is, I do still feel like the 'fat girl' I have always been. I think because I have lost weight relatively quickly my mind is not in step with my body - I am sure it'll catch up one day, until then I am happy being surprised every time a size 14 fits me!

thank you. x

I've done it! I got to target, (11st 13lbs, having lost 9stone 3lbs) and won our group's greatest loser this year. It's not the best photo of me and I really should get a cardi that fits instead of still wearing my size 20, but it's the most recent picture I have. I have put on another 'before'...

I doubt it would be considered a cheat, you're not changing the purpose of the food which is generally when tweaks arise. If you're still losing at a decent rate then i wouldn't worry about it. If your losses stall a bit though i would probably cut back to just one mugshot and really bulk out...

Aww, thank you! Now I have hit target, I should really take a photo and update my thread. I'l have to wear something nice this weekend for a new picture!

I am always amazed by your pictures, you look like a completely different woman, and decades younger too! Fantastic. Well done and good luck for the final push. X

1.5 off for me so am nearly out the bottom of target range. i foresee a week of good eating ahead! :D

Plum coloured skinny jeans, white t shirt and grey cropped cardi. I was having a what to wear crisis earlier as i feel really bloated today and the laundry pile is overflowing. My husband said i am looking slinky so am pleased!

0.5lbs on today which is a bit of a miracle given the mountain of chocolate I have eaten!

I've gone a bit mad over Easter, far too much chocolate. However, this evening I was part way through an egg and stopped because I was feeling sickly. There wasn't much left if I am honest, but usually I would think sod it and finish it off any way! I know this isn't much of a NSV compared to...

I wouldn't limit syns. I always did better when having the full 15 a day. I really struggled with the last 5lbs too, but keep plugging away and you'll get there. Do you eat many speed or superspeed foods? Maybe that would help?

They do a mugshot thing called cupshotz. The chicken noodle one is free, and so is the sweet and sour one. The tomato one is 1 syn. I tend to do my basic shop at Aldi, fruit and veg are soooo much cheaper there, though you need to look a bit carefully at the packs before you put them in your...

Thursday. I'll let you know how I get on. When is yours?

Mine mirrors you, I got to target almost 2 weeks ago but couldn't go to WI last week because my son has chicken pox. I had been a bit naughty food wise, but weighed at home on my usual weigh in day (my scales are roughly the same as the ones at group) and I had apparently lost 2 lbs. Since then...

i have just realised that I have quoted a post from Feb. oops.

16 syns isn't really that many though, considering that a mars bar is 14! It just goes to show that SW does change your way of thinking. Would you ever have considered a mars bar as a binge before? You have counted them and stopped and that is what is important.

A bloke at work that i don't often see as we're in different department walked past me yesterday and said that he barely recognised me. :-)

Me too. You look so much younger!

Look, so this is a scale victory, but I'm excited, so let me off..... I reached target today!!!!!!

They take about 30mins to bake as chips or wedges.

I lost 1lb today which meant I reached target! Hooray!

If you don't know who is the relief consultant, you could always go and weigh in, then leave if it is the person you don't like. You would have to pay back fees if you missed a week anyway, so you might as well get your weigh in, I think.

I do eat the skins, they are a different texture to other potato skins but I like them. I think it is down to personal taste, like the skin on butternut squash- some people like it, others don't, so might be worth giving it a try.

No need to par boil, they would fall apart if you did as they are a lot softer than regular potatoes. Ooh- i wish i had some in the house now. I could just go for some sweet potato chips.

Yep, that one is syn free.

No way would you need to syn a banana in a sandwich if it is just sliced. Maybe if it was mashed, but even then, I wouldn't bother, personally, as it is just one bananaso you're hardly over eating.

Is the 275g the made up weight or the dry sachet? Not all flavours of mugshot are syn free, which one have you got?

You'd be surprised, actually- my morning group is quite often quiet in the school holidays because people don't want to take their kids, knowing they are likely to be bored and get on other people's nerves! I have been going to the same group for 18months and have only had about 3 weeks when it...

I defrosted some Christmas turkey and had it with stirfried vegetables and a blob of cranberry sauce.

I've been put forward for the next stage too, Gazter. Have you looked at the online form yet? It is huge. I was filling it in while my son napped earlier - 1 hour 45mins and I still haven't completed it!

yep, thar's what we were told too. it looks like you've been jipped, Bilsat!

I won Greatest Loser today, 9st 2.5lbs off, only 0.5lbs to target. My consultant asked me to take in a 'before' photo so she can put me forward for something (not sure if it is regional or national). She did say that I am unlikely to win anything as most people who win things have lost over...

Beans on toast mixed with peppers, leeks and mushrooms, sprinkled with cheese. I think I'll be having berries and a yogurt for desert.

1.5lbs off for me. I was hoping for 2 to get to target, but hopefully next week! And I got our group's Greatest Loser award. :D

Yep, I was born in 1980 so have now reached the grand old age of 33. I have no idea how I got so old because in my head I am still 19! There is no need to be disappointed with a 0.5lb loss - it is all going in the right direction. I would find that I tended to have a couple of really big losses...

Thank you. I am hoping to reach target this week as i was 2lbs away last weigh in and am being super focussed and on plan. Fingers crossed!

Our consultant hasn't mentioned that at all. Does every group do it?

recommended, yes, but not compulsory. My consultant always suggests to members who don't like vegetables that they follow the red and green plans because there is less need for the superfree for it to work well.

Could you follow the green plan seeing as you like the starchy vegetables? The 1/3 is not really necessary on that. Lots of people in my group have fab losses on green.

It was an all day meeting at work today with a giant buffet table filled with crisps, cake, chocolate, sausage rolls etc. I ate carrot sticks and had one single small square of caramel shortbread, as well as the fruit salad and syn free lunch I took in with me. I am feeling very proud of myself...

Sts for me, which is better than a gain. I am going to make a real effort this week to try to get to target. I have been mucking about with the plan for too long now and just want that shiney sticker! 2lbs to go, fingers, toes and everything crossed!

I popped into New Look this afternoon and came out with a pair of skinny jeans and a top in size 14. I know I have posted this before, but still cannot believe I am fitting into them. I always take a size 16 into the fitting room too because I am convinced that the 14s are far too small! I never...

i think you are right. I haven't been on plan properly since Christmas, the only week that I was, I lost 4lbs so it goes to show what a difference it makes when you actually make the effort. I am expecting another gain this week and really need to sort myself out and just go for it. I could do...

My losses have been slower on ee compared to when i did sw in the past. Red days definitely make of lose the quickest but they also feel more like a "diet"as i find it restrictive. Plus of course there is the expense that puts me of- green is so much cheaper. I have been struggling recently...

I have no idea - there are never any left when I make them as I end up scoffing the lot!

Thanks everyone. I am so close to target now, i cannot wait to get there! I am thrilled to be fitting into size 14s when I started as a size 26. When I started SW I never really honestly believed I could do it; I loved looking at other people's transformations and whilst I knew losing weight...

I joined September 2011 and have lost 9st 1lb. Only 2lbs to target but i am finding it really hard to get to and have been up and down like a yoyo with these last few lbs.

And to you too. Onwards and downwards!

1.5lbs on today. I am gutted.

I know what you mean- I have started being a bit more adventurous in trying stuff on, and with a good pair of suck-it-all-in pants, fitted stuff is starting to filter into my wardrobe, but I still look for wrap over dresses, v necks, sleeved clothes, anything with an empire line that might be...

i was giving my son a bit of a kit kat today and I didn't have any. Not even a nibble!

I haven't been slim since hitting my teens, and by the age of 19 I was a size 24. I lost a few stone and gained a few more a couple of times over the years, getting down to a size 20, then getting bigger. When I rejoined SW this time, I was over 21stone and a size 26. Now I have lost weight, and...

Baked bean lasagne with roasted BNS, roasted pepper and green beans. Delicious.

Hello! Reading and posting on minimins definitely helps keep me on track- everyone here is so helpful and knowledgeable, so i think you've done the right thing in registering. In terms of food, planning is really important. Do you do meal plans? I find having an idea of what i am going to...

thank you!

I have put a couple on a thread on the photo forum but to save you the bother of looking I'll see if I can attach them here.. (I'm a bit rubbish with technology!) There is one from a wedding I went to in summer 2011, Christmas day just gone (guess which one that is!) and a face shot from a...

Thank you!

I weigh in the morning so tend to treat it as a normal day. Last night we had Chinese take away though and i practically inhaled the prawn crackers. I reckon i had about 30 syns. But i counted it and will be trying to make up for it in the week. I am only 0.5lbs away from target so really hope i...

3lbs off today. I am thrilled!

Oh my goodness. You're a different person! You look absolutely amazing. Well done indeed!

fantastic! Well done.

I keep an honest food diary so i don't end up sneaking an extra hex or nibbling on things i then "forget" to count.

Your syns are there to be used so have them! A couple of things did come to mind as i read your post. Are you doing extra easy? If so you didn't have any super free with your dinner- sweetcorn is a green free food so you would need to have super free as well, maybe carrots or broccoli t make...

I have lost 9 stone in 16 months, though the first 5 stone did come off in about 6 months and it has slowed down a lot since then. This is partly because I am nearing target but mostly because I have been mucking about with the plan for ages so have been losing 2lbs, then gaining one, then...

0.5lbs on, which was a lot less than I was expecting. Back on plan today, so hopefully I'll do better this week.

Absolutely! :D

i bought a dress today for a girlie night out this weekend, from Dorothy perkins. I took the 16 into the changing room but it was a little bit big so thought I'd try the 14, even though it looked tiny. It fitted! I even asked the girl in the changing room if they have sneaky...

grilled minted lamb chops with half a portion of chippy shop chips. Decidedly NOT on plan tonight. oops.

You've been given lots and lots of good advice here so I won't repeat it. What i will say is that I started at a similar weight to you, also a good couple of stone heavier than the previous time I was a sw member and it is depressing. Any goal or target weight seems so far away that it might as...

But surely scan bran is not meant to be soaked and turned into cake, yet sw actively promote this. It all seems a bit confusing to me. The way i treat it is to consider it free until it affects my losses and then start counting the syns.

The reason it works is the super free. There is a great post about it here The benefits of superfree foods | Slimming Eats - Slimming World Recipes. I think the lady who writes this blog posts on here. Her recipes are fabulous and just go to show that you don't have to eat nothing but lettuce...

Wowzas! You look utterly amazing, like a different woman. Congratulations and I hope you feel more cheerful seeing these; they would certainly motivate me!

Loads of fab losses. Well done everyone!

I joined in September 2011 so i think that makes about 16months.

I lost 2.5lbs and got my 9stone award!

You look amazing! Well done!

Pudding rice is definitely free. As for the other things, they are a bit of a can of worms so i am staying out of the discussion! That said, look on the faq section and the useful features of lifeline online and you'll fine the official sw response.

I have just got back from shopping with my mum, who wanted to buy me some new clothes for my birthday. I took size 16s into the changing room and they were all too big and everything I got was size 14! A new dress for work, a lacy top, a pair of plum coloured skinny jeans (me- the former fat...

THat is so mean. You have nothing to feel guilty for. SW works BECAUSE you can build treats into your diet and so you don't feel like you're depriving yourself. I have lost over 8.5stone without denying myself chocolate, crisps, cake, or anything, I just know to have a small amount and count it...

I think the rules are that you have to want to lose 7lbs or more and that your target weight must not be one that puts you in the underweight bmi. According to the SW booklet, the lowest acceptable weight for someone at 5foot1 is 7st 8lbs, so you'll be absolutely welcome! I know I wish I had...

Steak, roasted butternut squash, and garlicky courgette and mushrooms. Delish. Though I was naughty and didn't remove the fat from the steak. And it was gooooood.

Thank you all. Only 5.5lbs until target now, hopefully I'll get there soon!

2.5lbs off today so i lost last weeks gain and am back to my lowest ever. Only 5.5lbs to target now.

This is exactly what I did too. When I started at 21st 2lbs I had no idea what I wanted to lose or even how successful I would be, having done SW several times previously and never sticking at it. I absolutely took it a bit at a time, never looking past the next award or dropping into the next...

Bodies are awkward things that don't always do what we want. Hormones, stress, loads of things could affect your expected weight loss. I know that is no comfort now, but you know the plan works. Stick with it and you should see your hard work rewarded next week. Do you measure yourself? Maybe...

I honestly cannot see where another 33lbs would come from, you look fantastic. Good luck though, I am sure that given how fantastic you've done so far, you'll definitely get there!

thank you. I am finding it hard to motive myself at the moment, what with christmas I have been up and down and on and off plan like a yoyo. I really do want to get to target soon, even if just to save paying the weekly fees at group! I seem to have my mojo back since last wi, so hopefully I can...

I have never worried about portion sizes and have lost over 8.5stone. I like to eat a lot for my meals as it then stops me wanting to pick at naughty stuff so much. I often find that i lose better when i eat more. Trust in the plan and eat as much as you need to feel satisfied and the scales...

You're certainly not the only one. I got to 6.5lbs away from target before Christmas then put on 5.5lbs then lost 6 then put on 2.5 last week so i am now 8lbs away. I totally lost my focus. I kept thinking that 5lbs won't make any difference to how i look so what is the point in trying! Also...

i have a 20month old and apart from running round after him, i do no exercise. i hate it and would rather stick pins in my eyes than go to a gym. i have lost over 8.5stone doing EE with no exercise. it works!

2.5lbs on for me. i lost the plot completely and deserved it. i am still cross with myself though.

9/10 for me. I totally lost the plot last night and dived head first into a box of chocolates. I think i had about 70 syns yesterday. Down to the bare minimum for the rest of the week now. I am gutted with myself.

Batchelors savoury rice is syn free as are some of the batchelors pasta n sauce flavours if you make them with water. I have the chicken and mushroom one that is definitely free but am not sure about other flavours. To get my superfree I chuck a load of frozen veg in halfway through cooking. Do...

Not as far as I know. Have you thought about batch cooking and freezing in portions so that you have your own syn free dinners? It is bit more effort, but definitely a useful thing to do. Or, alternatively, rather than batch cooking, any time you make something make enough for an extra portion...

Amazing achievement! And happy birthday!

I agree so much! After falling off the wagon over Christmas and new year i had a 100% week last week and used 101 syns over the week so that is almost the full 15 every day and i lost 6lbs. I find my losses are low on weeks i reduce my syns.

I just ran up the stairs. Without even thnking about it. I remember when I used to haul myself up with a truck load of effort.

12 syns today, so after yesterday's 18.5, I am just about even! I think that makes 9/9

I went up to 18.5syns today, so I suppose that makes it not a 100%day. I do keep a weekly log of syns and know I will not exceed 105, because I will cut back another day, though I am sure that is not in the spirit of this thread as I am tweaking the plan to suit me rather than following it properly.

amazing losses this week- everyone must be really motivated to lose the Christmas weight! lol.

After 7/7 days on plan I lost 6lbs today!

6lbs off! I am amazed. It just goes to show what following the plan properly can do!

Make sure you have some frozen veg in the freezer- it is a really easy and quick way to add superfree to pretty much any dinner. Eggs are amazing and so versatile, I really panic if I run out! If you're doing EE, then put the superfree on the plate first, before you add the free foods. That...

I eneded up saying 'sod it' and eating loads the day before WI. I did gain, though seeing that number on scales goup again was thoroughly depressing and I have been on plan since then. WI in is in the morning and I am feeling very hopeful for a good loss. I certainly don't feel bloated and yukky...

i find that sucralose based sweeteners have a nicer taste than ones based on aspartame. maybe you could try a few brands until you find one you like.

i weigh at 9.30am and eat and drink nothing until after I weigh. This is what I did on my very first day and I have carried it on. I eat totally normally the day before and always make sure I have a big drink before going to bed so I don't dehydrate. For me it is a habit now and I wouldn't...

6/6 days in a row now. I am strangely looking forward to wi on thursday this week!

you look so different- well done! are you feeling motivated?

I didnt gain too much when I was pregnant as I was already 19stone, though in the 4 months after he was born I put on over 2 stone taking me to my starting weight at sw of 21stone 2lbs. I joined a group when my baby was 5 months old and it was the best thing i could ever have done. In the first...

Another day completed! Yay!

is your bread wholmeal? If so, I would weigh the two slices and see how much more than 60g it is. A HExB is worth approx 6syns, so I would work out 10g of wholemeal as 1 syn and just syn the extra. Some loaves can be quite stingy on the width of their slices so you might be surprised at how...

Another successful day for me. :D

I am the same, this time round at least. I just decided I had had enough of gaining more and more weight so off I toddled one morning to my local group and now 16months later I am roughly 8.5stone lighter. I have actually been a member of SW a few times before, either to keep a friend company or...

Day 3 on plan. I haven't done this many in a row since November!

everyone has given good advice here but it is worth considering whether you were squeezing into whatever size you were to start with? i know i was telling myself i was a size 24 when started but not all my 24s were comfortable and i was wearing some size 26s too. it took me 3 stone to drop into...

I resisted a second glass of wine and the tin of chocolate biscuits at my sister's house tonight, instead I had a tangerine. *polishes halo*

I have gone up to 20.5 syns today- Chinese and a glass of wine at my sister's new house which doesn't have a working kitchen yet. But I only had 8 yesterday so it averages out. I was very good indeed and completely resisted the tin of open chocolate biscuits in favour of a tangerine.

I'll jump on this bandwagon too! yesterday was my first 100% day and so far I have been too. I had originally wanted to hit target by the end of Jan, but think it is unlikely though I am keen to give it a good go! I have put all of the left over chocolate coins in the freezer to keep them out of...

Thank you. I now have to shift my christmas/new year gain and I'll hopefully be steaming towards my target. That's the plan, anyway!

you look amazing! How much further do you want to go?

Hello again! I hope you have a better run of it this time. Good luck!

2lbs on for me today which puts my totally Xmas/new year gain at 5.5lbs. I am back in the game with a vengeance now, I want to hit target soon!

I have well and truly lost the plot this Christmas and new year. According to my scales i have put on another 2lbs this week after my 3.5 gain last week. Every day i tell myself that i am back on plan and then end up scoffing more Christmas leftovers. My wi day is tomorrow and i am fighting with...

Wow! A real transformation. Well done, you both look amazing!

you look amazing- and so happy too! well done!

Can you tell your consultant that you aren't exactly sure what you want your target to be and ensure that she hasn't recorded it on the palm pilot thingy? I think it is difficult to change when you reach it if it is set on the gadget.

I bought zumba for the wii over a year ago. I have never played it because the belt that you have to wear round your hips to hold the remote didn't get near touching. I dug it out again just now and it properly fits, with about 8inches of overlap. Now, I shouldn't be that surprised- I know I...

My WI gave me an official gain of 3.5lbs, so 0.5less than my home scales said. I'm happy with that.

I have wi in 2 hours. A sneaky weigh on my bathroom scales says 4lbs but i am hoping to lose some of that after a trip to the toilet! (tmi!) I'll post my official gain later today.

You look fantastic! Well done!

Thank you all, you've said some lovely things. I do have an updated photo; this was taken yesterday at 8 stone 11lbs lost. (though given what I ate during the day, i'm expecting a gain at wi tomorrow!) I was stunned when I saw it as this certainly isn't how I think I look in my head. Almost at...

Wowzas lady! You're looking fantastic, I wouldn't believe that you would have 2stone more to lose. Well done!

I fitted in a primark size 14 dress today. It was a bit tight over my chest and squashed my boobs a bit but it did up. The best thing was it wasn't a stretchy material.

2lbs off for me today.

2lbs off today!

Some makes are even higher in syns- i had some that were 13!

As a teenager I was just under 11stone and a size 14 but after having 2 babies I know that my stomach will never go back to that! I had originally set my target at 12stone as it sounded like a nice number and was just inside the healthy bmi range, but have changed it to 11.13 which would put me...

I tend to lose slightly more quickly on red weeks but feel like i am more on a diet as it is more restrictive. Ee works brilliantly so i stick to that most of the time only really having red days if i feel i need a boost.

i eat tons of the stuff - probably about 8-10 pieces a day. I know that some people suggest it can hamper weight loss as it is full of sugar but I haven't found that to be the case. It can get expensive but I only normally buy fruit and veg from Aldi - it is so much cheaper than from regular...

Thank you!

i am up too, 1.5lbs on. :cry: I did lose 4.5lbs last week and think that was missed on the update. Could you check for me Rosielea?

i gained 1.5lbs. gutted.

You don't have to glue super free as snacks though these should be your first choice between meals. I have mugshots or little sushi boxes as snacks and i think that tin deli noodles are similar things. Just make sure that you are having some super free snacks during the day- don't just rely on...

this! I am nearly at target, am a comfortable 16, verging on a 14 in some places, but have no desire to be a size 12 or 10. I do intend on sending in my story and pics to the magazine when I reach target and would love to be in the mag. I think it is important that SW show target members...

I totally understand, who would have thought losing weight would be so expensive! Have you thought about selling your big clothes on ebay? I have made over £120 in the last month. I have found that there is a lot of demand for larger sizes. In terms of buying new stuff, charity shops are good...

Congratulations! I had a smear test 3 days before finding out I was pregnant with my daughter and she is a healthy (and infuriating!) 5 year old now. I hope all goes well at your scan.

I tried in some party dresses in Dorothy Perkins today, both size 14. They both fit! Yay! I started SW fourteen months ago as a size 26.

Amazingly I lost 4.5lbs this week, so after my gain last week I have lost 4lbs since the start of the challenge- 3to go!

4.5lbs off for me!

After a little gain last week i have been super focused and even did a food diary every day! It obviously paid off as I lost 4.5lbs this week! :D

I think this only works if you are using the minimins app on your iPad, not if you are using the desktop site. If I want to upload pictures I either have to log into the app or use my pc. I much prefer the desktop site on my iPad, but it does have its limitations!

Well done, that's amazing! I have had 4days totally on plan, having a food diary clearly helps me. I just hope it shows on the scales on Thursday.

I am pretty sure bovril isn't veggie. Vegemite would work, I should think, though I haven't ever tried it myself.

I should think so. When I make them they do tend to come out with quite a strong marmite flavour, so I think that a cheese and bovril combo would work too. If you are not a fan of marmite, then I would steer clear- they are not subtle with flavour!

Ooh, babytreetrunk, your post has reminded me of the cheese and marmite scan bran muffins. They are delicious. It is a bit late now, but I think I'll make some when I get in from work tomorrow to take in my packed lunches. Toristo, if you like the sound of these The recipe can be found here...

Cold frittata? Make a big one and then chop into chunks and keep in an airtight box in the fridge.

Thanks for your replies. I washed her hair this morning, to wash out the lotion and did tea tree conditioner and another comb through. I only found a few this morning, so hope I got most of them! I will speak to the GP about getting another batch of lotion to do another lot next week. At £11 a...

This afternoon I found the little beasts in my 5year old's hair. And then in mine too! Yuk yuk yuk. I popped to the chemist for some lotion and am now sat hear dripping with oily greasy hair, hoping that I have drowned them. My dd hasn't had them before so dealing with them is new to me. Do I...

Who knows! I said to myself a little whole ago that I wanted to be under 12 and a half stone at Christmas, so I would need 4lbs for that. That might be more realistic. I am just annoyed with myself for letting it slip when I am so close to my next award. I have decided to do a food diary this...

i passed my xmas target last week but put on 0.5lbs today. I will keep updating as I would like to see how much i can do in the next few weeks.

Well I have buggered it up! 0.5lbs on at WI today. I think 7.5lbs in 3 weeks (especially the 3 weeks in December!) is a bit of a stretch. :-(

1/2lb on today. :-(

I have lost 8stone 6.5lbs so far(though expecting a gain tommorw at WI :cry: ) and am now only 10.5lbs form target. I am ping to do that by the end of January 2013.

Thank you! I do think I am being a bit adventurous to attempt the 9stone award, but I suppose it helps to have a goal in mind.

I'm jumping in too! I am only 10.5lbs off my target and and happy to get there by the end of January, but desperately want to climb out of the 'I've been a bit naughty so I might as well have those crisps' cycle I've been in the last few days. WI is on Thursday for me, who knows what will happen...

Today is my brothers 30th birthday so i have been off plan again. I have just got back from a meal and cake. I really must get back on plan immediately and not use is as an excuse for am evening of munching. I wish i had more will power this weekend!

Despite being stuffed from a syn free dinner (because I had overdosed on Oreo cookies this afternoon) I have just defrosed a lump of chocolate butter cream from the freezer and eaten the lot. I now feel sick. And cross with myself. Why has my will power deserted me today?

My consultant gives out metal badges at target as well as a sticker! I cannot wait for mine, hopefully sometime in January I'll be getting it!

That thing is just stupid. I put in my current details and it told me to lose 2 stone and 2lbs. I then input my target weight and it said I should lose 3stone from there. It makes no sense.

Well done! You are right to stay to image therapy even if you don't feel like it- those times are probably when you need it more to inspire you for the next week. I have been on the plan for 14months and as you can see by my stats have lost almost 8.5stone. It really is amazing that it seems the...

Well done! Enjoy it!

definitely next week - I'm only half a pound away from my 8.5stone award and AM going to get it next week!

That is really pretty. Where is it from?

2.5lbs off today, so I think I've exceeded my target! I'd still like another 3lbs befoe Xmas as that would get me below 12.5stone.

I lost 2.5 lbs today! Very chuffed indeed.

I wish! Since having kids my social life has gone down the toilet. And the kind of things I do go out for wouldn't generally involve such a flash (and short) dress!

That is a brilliant achievement, Skonions, well done! And just think how much good you are doing your bubba by eating so healthily. How is everyone feeling about tomorrow? I've had a pretty good week, though haven't been particularly good at counting my syns. I think I am roughly in the right...

I do this too and whilst it does feel 'naughty', the HEx's are built into the plan for a reason. On days like these I tend to have an extra hifi bar in the evening, not because I'm hungry but because I want something sweet. I don't rally consider eating an extra hifi as greediness, it isn't the...

I was nominated but didn't win, the lady who did has lost nearly 4stone since about march and is doing amazingly well. I do have to admit to being a little disappointed not to have won, but think the woman who did has had an amazing transformation in her personality and confidence, not just in...

You do look amazing! Well done!