Slimming World Secrets

Cut me in half, you get Slimming World

Great group this week. They’re all fab – because I love Slimming World, and we have such a wonderful band of people in our group. But tonight was extra special because I was singled out for a little praise by our consultant.

My week

• Average Syns per day: 14.9
• Average Speed foods per day: 8.1
• SP days: 3
• Body Magic days: 5
• Result: maintain
• Total loss: -4st 8½lbs

First, today’s result. OK, so it was a maintain., the first of 2021. I’m OK with that as I had a belting result last week – and I followed it up with a very boozy weekend spent with my bessie Di – who won Slimmer of the Week this week, by the way.

So, although I’d have loved a cheeky loss, like Di, I probably didn’t really deserve one! A maintain is a good result – and it still equals my PB of 10st 5½lbs. I’m the still the slimmest version of me for YEARS!

Anyway, just a short post this week as it’s been a busy week, but I wanted to mention something our super-consultant Jackie said during group tonight.

First, she said I will get to Target. And I believe her! I spent six years not really believing in myself because I saw Target as something that other people did – people who were more committed than me, people who stuck rigidly to the plan when I was only tinkering with it.

But here I am, 5½lbs away from Target, and I honestly believe that, this time, I’m going to do it. I am going to reach that promised land. Staying there may be another matter, but I’m in the groove and I WILL succeed.

Rock on! I love Slimming World

Anyway, Jackie said something that really hit home. As well as having belief in me, she praised my “enthusiasm and passion”. She said that if, you cut me “in half, it would say Slimming World all the way through, like a stick of rock”.

And she’s right. I love Slimming World – it is my religion. I don’t exactly pray at the altar of St Margaret every day, but group is my church, my consultant is my local vicar – loving you in that dog collar, Jackie – and my pals are my fellow worshippers.

Saturday night will mark seven years since I first stepped through the doors of my local village hall, and it’s been one hell of a ride since. I’ve been equal parts angelic and demonic – my weight loss chart looks like the Alps.

But I’m on the downward slope, nearly there and nothing – nothing – is going to stand in my way. Target, you’re in my sights. I’m coming for ya!

What’s your ‘why’?

Tonight’s group was also special for another reason – we went a little off-piste, ditching the usual Image Therapy session for something else. Part of that was Jackie asking me and the other members: what’s your why?

In other words, why are you a Slimming World member – and why do you want to lose weight so much? The Slimming World Podcast covered this topic in an early episode here.

For me, I gave my usual answer – but it’s not the same answer I used to give when I started in 2014 – the one about not being able to do up my shoelaces without a mammoth effort.

Though that was true, it was never really my ‘why’. My ‘why’ is that I’m a trans woman, and losing the weight has given me some body confidence. Having the pot belly I inherited from my Dad was a VERY bad look for me. I’m glad to say it’s all but gone now, replaced by far nicer curves!

When I joined Slimming World (in bloke mode), I never dreamed I’d be brave enough to transition – and that I’d always be stuck in the closet.

With confidence came courage

But, at some point, that body confidence that Slimming World gave me also gave me the courage to do what I’d previously believed to be impossible. Again, transition was one of those things that happens to other people.

Now I’m happier than ever and I’ve gone from reluctantly winning Man of the Year and Mr Sleek awards to picking up Woman of the Year and Miss Slinky titles. The validity alone that those two A4 certificates give me is just one reason why, if you cut me in half, it would indeed say “SLIMMING WORLD”, like a stick of Blackpool rock.

It’s just a shame that it’s so high in Syns!