I have been following Slimming Worlds extra easy weight loss plan.  The basis of the plan is food optimization.

Our generous eating plan makes slimming easier than you ever thought possible! Instead of telling you what you can and can’t eat, Food Optimising puts you in control. You don’t even need to worry about weighing all your food, counting points or monitoring every mouthful – it’s so liberating! – See more at: http://www.slimmingworld.com

I started this blog 7 weeks into my diet, with a total weight loss so far of almost 2 stones.  I think I have tried every diet and plan going, but finally I have found one that still lets me eat lovely food and best of all lose weight and feel fantastic.

My first week loss was 9lbs – something that I would never have expected.  Needless to say this has made me determined to stick to the plan and continue my goal of losing weight.   I should mention that the first week on a healthy diet usually results in a high weight drop, but thank fully I have managed to maintain a steady loss.

My Typical Daily food intake:

• Breakfast – bowl loaded with fruit and fat free yoghurt.
• Lunch – brown ham salad sandwich (no butter)
• Dinner – grilled chicken, baked potato with lots of vegetables.
• Snacks – Throughout the day I snack on fruit, keep my fluids up by drinking water and my new love Green Tea.  After my cycle at night I usually treat myself to a low calorie bar such as Alpen or Slimming World’s own Hi-Fi bars.

The diet itself allows you to eat lots of “free” foods, including pasta (dried), lean cuts of meat, and all fruit and veg.  The books and website provide lots of tasty recipes and helpful articles to keep you on track.

I think my major change in diet is coffee.  I was a total addict, but with both milk and two sugars I was choosing the unhealthy option.  Tea and coffee is still allowed on diet, with a certain amount of milk but I have chosen to cut this out completely changing to water, green tea, or diet juice.

Another big change for me is exercise.  I never had any weight issues until I was in my early 20’s (I blame the hubby haha).  Since getting my new bike cycling has totally taken over my evenings, I like nothing better than getting out pedalling.  This has helped increase my weekly weight loss and general well being.  My mood has dramatically changed, I feel fantastic so far with losing 2 stones.

My achievements are mounting up – I have been slimmer of the week twice, slimmer of the month and last week achieved my club 10 (loosing 10% of starting weight).

Overall, going into my 8th week of my diet I am still very determined, positive and seeing big changes in the mirror.