Slimming World Secrets

Chipping away at those final few pounds – and a supermarket sweep

Another week and another half-pound loss. I’m beginning to feel like a sculptor working on a masterpiece: I’ve chiselled my block of marble or wood into shape, and now I’m just shaving off the final few imperfections. With this in mind, it’s time for a meticulously planned trip to the supermarket to stock up on some low-Syn goodies.

• Average Syns per day: 11.9
• Average Speed foods per day: 10.7
• SP days: 0
• Body Magic days: 5
• Result: -½lb
• Total loss: -4st 6lbs

As the sculpting involves more precision, it gets harder. And if that’s not a metaphor for my life in general, I don’t know what is! I think we’re all born as lumps of coal – and spend our lifetimes smashing bits off until we reveal the diamonds within. I’m more determined than ever that mine is going to sparkle and shine like never before.

Cheers to my first drink in three months

It’s been a rather different kind of week as I finally ended my three-month binge of not drinking (92 days in total) and so I’ve had to be extra careful watching my Syns. Cooking the occasional treat with butter and cream to use some of my Syns allowance has had to stop.

Instead, I said hello to my old friend Mr Shiraz on Saturday night as I met the girls for the first time in months, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and spent several hours next to a fire pit in one of their gardens. The warm hug from the wine kept me almost as toasty as the fire.

I had a plan in place, too. I ate before I went out, I took along a HEB bread roll filled with mackerel pâté and salad (half a Syn the lot) and I prepared a low-Syn pasta dish for when I returned home late at night with the munchies.

So, despite going way over my daily Syns with wine and a wee tot of mead, I was fine in terms of the week as a whole, averaging 11.9 per day. Flexible Syns for the win!

Cheese, crisps and crackers

That’s still higher than I’d like (I prefer to stay under ten) but well below the 15 I’m allowed. Considering I had a giggly night fuelled by vino tinto, I think I did pretty well, especially as everyone else there was filling their faces with crisps, crackers and gooey cheese.

No SP days for me this past week, which is highly unusual. Not sure why – I’ve just found myself really craving carbs, and I think it’s important to give my body what it wants, especially as they’re Syn-free. It still amazes me that I can eat unlimited amounts of potatoes, pasta and rice – and lose weight.

In terms of Body Magic, I managed well over my 2.5 hours over five days, but this was mainly made up of decorating, housework and smashing up old furniture, so I really want to get back into walking and step aerobics this week.

Layered learning 3: The Supermarket

Group tonight involved our third week of layered learning, all about what to do (and what not to do) when out shopping in the supermarket as a Slimming World member.

To be honest, I didn’t find it THAT useful as I’ve been doing Slimming World for almost seven years, so I know most of the tricks off by heart and usually follow them religiously as I’m negotiating the aisles of my local Aldi, Morrisons or Co-op.

But, if you’re a relatively new member, or just in need of a refresher, some of the information we were given could be crucial to help you stay on track.

Supermarkets can be Syn City

Much of the Zoom presentation involved the various areas of your typical supermarket, and tips on what to buy (and not buy) when Food Optimising. Here are a few examples:

• Fruit and veg: Full of speed foods, but beware high-Syn nuts, avocado pears and vegetables in packs smothered with butter
• Meat and deli: Lean meats are your friends, but steer clear of sausage rolls, pizzas and coleslaw. All of these can be homemade for no, or few, Syns
• Fish: As with meat, most fish is Free (and Protein). Be aware of Syns in smoked mackerel – and choose tinned tuna in brine or spring water – not oil
• Dairy: Full of Free foods such as quark and fat-free yoghurts, and Healthy Extra A cheeses, such as Cheddar, Danish Blue and Halloumi. Other cheeses, such as Stilton, Brie and Camembert, must be Synned, as must flavoured yoghurts. Yes, even Müller Lights
• Bakery: Wholemeal is your friend for a Healthy Extra B, but some white breads (usually gluten-free) and seeded versions qualify, too. Just check which ones
• Breakfast cereals: Quite a few cereals – for example, certain Cheerios give you a big bowlful as a HEA. Others (I’m talking to you, Muesli) will give you about a spoonful for about the same weight
• Frozen: Definite danger zone – avoid the pizzas, ice cream and chips. But there are some SW-friendly gems, such as prawns, summer berries and – a favourite of mine – Linda McCartney Rosemary and Red Onion Sausages

Devilish deals and the Syns of dragons

Then there were some more general supermarket tips, such as:

• Never go food shopping when hungry – you’re far more likely to buy high-Syn foods. By the same token, you’re far more likely to shop well if you’ve already eaten
• Beware the “buy-one-get-one-free” deals on the supermarket aisle ends – most of these apply to high-Syn foods
• STAY AWAY FROM THE CRISP AND CHOCOLATE AISLES – here be dragons! You are not going that way
• Don’t buy high-Syn foods in the first place. You can’t snack on rubbish at home if you’ve not bought it at the supermarket in the first place, can you? Trickier for members with families, though
• Make a shopping list – fill it with Slimming World-friendly foods and buy only what’s on the list. I add bits to my list with Alexa, which then beams it to my smartphone. I then check that as I walk round the store
• Use the app! The Slimming World app is brilliant these days. Most supermarket foods are on there, and you can even use a barcode scanner. The app tells you Syn values, plus which foods are Healthy Extras and Speed, and those rich in Protein, Calcium and Fibre

When you first start Slimming World, it can be quite overwhelming to work out which foods are essentials and which should be avoided (or Synned). But, after your first week or two, it really does become second nature.

And, if you are still unsure, you can check on the app, website or Love Food Optimising book, ask your consultant, or quiz members of your group on social media – our group members are really active on Facebook. A quick “Syns in X” Google search works wonders, too.

Slimming World Secrets goes global

That’s about all for now. I hope you’re enjoying the blog. I’m getting a fair few visitors and page views, most of them from the UK and Ireland, which makes sense as that’s where the groups are based, but I’ve had others from as far afield as Cyprus, China and the United States.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments box below – or privately here – especially if there’s anything you’d like to see on the website. I shall be adding some feature posts about Slimming World awards and Syn-Free feasts in the next few days, so keep your eyes peeled. Have a good week!