It’s so great to see the weight losses each week in class. Congratulations, you are doing so well.

The last year hasn’t been an easy one though and I know that for some of you it is still a struggle to get back into the swing of things. This week I’m going to remind you of some of the basics and help get you motivated to see those extra pounds slip away.

You know, the way you look at things counts for an awful lot. If you’ve got more than a stone to lose, you may be feeling overwhelmed. But just think of it in small stages – if you lose just one pound every week, you’ll have lost a massive 2 stone by the end of the year. Wouldn’t that be amazing – and all by losing just one pound a week!

Need a kick start?  Follow the low G.I. plan. It has been designed to provide you with a sensible, nutritious diet that has been tailored for all the family. Also, the low G.I. options will provide slow release energy and satisfy your hunger for a longer period of time – especially if you’ve got into the habit of nibbling. Get back to basics and measure out your portions. I know from years of experience that, together with the water, this has been the key to success for so many members.   

ALWAYS have breakfast.  All the suggestions on your Plan are easy to prepare and will keep you satisfied without the extra calories. It has been proven that eating a healthy, balanced breakfast can help with concentration and mood swings and will avoid those “sugar dips” and the inevitable mid-morning “picking”.

ALWAYS have your ‘5-a-day’.  Take advantage of the ideas for ‘free’ vegetables as listed in your Lifestyle Plan. Take time to make the soups which you will find great as a starter to a meal or as a snack when you feel like nibbling. It has been proven that a bowl of soup before your meal speeds up your weight loss. If you are working, a great investment is a soup flask which a lot of our members highly recommend. Serving a side salad with a toastie at lunch or with your evening meal is also a good way of having your ‘5-a-day’.    

Take more exercise.  Find an exercise you enjoy. Walking, Zumba, or dancing are all excellent – find something that suits you – local classes are re-opening all the time or try one of the many online classes that are available. Regular exercise not only burns off the calories, it tones the muscles and you’ll soon see those inches melt away.      

Get into the habit of drinking the water. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day has so many benefits. So often we reach for the biscuit tin thinking we are hungry when it is our bodies crying out for water. You’ll soon feel far more alert and your whole body will function better when hydrated. Even young children when in school have “brain breaks” when they’re encouraged to drink water – so let’s follow their example. Add sliced lemon, lime, orange, sprigs of mint or grated ginger for added flavour. Using sugar free squash just to colour the water is better than not having this essential part of our plan.

Finally, make time to use your food diary AND REMEMBER – IF YOU BITE IT, WRITE IT!

So come on, start your healthy eating plan today. Keep positive and if you start to wonder “is it worth it?”, take a look at our Slimtone success stories – they are certain to inspire you.

Keep smiling,
Marie x

P.S. Our Sainsbury classes have moved! These classes are now held at The Caeffatri on Coity Road on a Tuesday evening at 5.00 – 6.30pm and on Friday morning at 10.00 – 11.30am. You are welcome to come along. Click here, for details of all our classes.