Slimming World Secrets

I’ve just hit my new Slimming World Target!

If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing twice, according to the author Margaret Mahy. And I think she’d be proud – I’ve just hit my new Slimming World Target less than three months after bagging my original one.

Suffice to say that, after the past few weeks of tiny losses, tiny gains and maintains – Slimming World Plateau territory – I am delighted to not just hit my new Target but smash it out of the ballpark with a stonking 3½lbs loss.

My week

• Average Syns per day: 9.9
• Average Speed foods per day: 9.3
• SP days: 5
• Body Magic days: 6
• Result: -3½lbs
• Total loss: -5st 10lbs

My week has been angelic once more. I mean, what else, right?! But, even for me, I really pulled out all the stops this week.

I pulled in six Body Magic days, including five step aerobics workouts (with weights) plus a good hour or so dancing at a gig up in Sheffield.

I did FIVE SP Days back to back, and I kept my Syns below an average of ten per day. My Speed food tally was high, too.

I weighed at home every morning and was getting PB results from Monday to Friday, so I’d have been really upset had I not hit my new Slimming World Target this morning.

Finally, the scales are kind to me

And so I entered group feeling pretty confident. I’d been at or below Target on my home scales all week, and they usually weigh me a little heavier than those in group.

Once I’d paid my weekly fee (hopefully for the last time – I’ve more than paid my dues over these seven-and-a-half years as a member) I headed to the scales and our lovely weigh ladies Michelle and Jane.

I took a deep breath, as usual, and raised my right foot, as usual, placing it on that little black square below me. Then, slowly, I raised the left and placed it next to its footsie pal.

The LCD readout began to spin. Then slow down. And then it stopped. I grinned, paused until the weight had registered – and then punched the air. I’d done it!

This week, unlike the past three, where I’d come so close, I’d done it. 5st 10lbs – 3lbs BELOW my new Slimming World Target – gone. I grinned at Tracy, our consultant, and made a big T-shape with arms.

After a quick photo of the computer readout for prosperity I went and sat down, to the cheers and best wishes of my fellow group members.

If you remember, the day I hit my first Target, I was the only member (stand-in consultant and weigh ladies aside) there. So this time was that bit more special.

This time, my actual consultant was there to witness it, too. She’d been off poorly with Covid-19 the first time.

Two special certificates: 5½st award and Target

Tracy began Image Therapy, as ever, with the awards. I’d completely forgotten that getting me to Target would bag me my 5½st award, so she gave me that one first of all.

Then she headed back to her table and returned with the black and gold Target certificate and shiny – badge to follow next week.

I was in a bit of a whirl, so I can’t really remember everything she said, but it was all so encouraging, and she was full of pride. Bless her – what a wonderful consultant.

Group continued with the theme about making healthy choices when eating takeaways. To be honest, I switched off a little as I don’t really buy takeaways anymore.

I used to eat takeaway pizza with garlic bread and cheese – or a massive curry with naan bread, samosas and puri – every weekend. I don’t do that now.

I’d much rather do my own “fakeaway” than order some of the healthier takeaway choices. Don’t wanna brag, but it would taste far better and be Syn-free or low-Syn.

I don’t want to blow ten to 20 Syns on one meal that doesn’t quite hit the spot for me.

Slimmer of the Week for my hattrick

We got to the end of the group and, although I didn’t win the raffle, I did win Slimmer of the Week, which just made the morning all the more special. Target, 5½st award and SotW – that’s not a bad hattrick. I even got a fridge magnet!

As she announced the SotW winner, Tracy said: “Yes, folks, today is The Andie Show!”

Then I headed home to write this, update my social media channels with the good news and make a monster Slimming World breakfast of bacon, eggs and all the trimmings.

The morning after Bonfire Night, and this was the Slimming World equivalent of that minute or two you get at the end of an organised fireworks display – eye-opening wonder and much “ooooooh-ing” and “aaaaaah-ing”.

This time, I’m happy with my new Target range

And so here I am again, in the same position I was in 13 weeks ago when I hit my original Target. Back then, I still felt like I could still lose a few more pounds. That’s why I lowered my Target.

So now I’ve done that, succeeded and got right in the middle of the healthy BMI range. Much to the chagrin of some people who think I’ve lost too much weight, I’m now right where I want to be.

Sorry, not sorry.

That said, if I lost any more weight to get my 6st award and a third Target, I think that would be a little too much for my body and I’d start to get a bit bony.

As it is, my body’s probably in the best shape it’s ever been in. Sure, I’d like a bit more “curve”, but estrogen can only do so much for a trans woman who started HRT in her mid-40s.

Bring on the carbohydrates!

I only needed to lose ½lb this morning to hit Target – and I actually lost 3½lbs, so that puts me right at the bottom end of my Target range.

So I now find myself in the very unfamiliar position of needed to gain a few pounds to get back to my Target proper – ie having a 5st 7lbs loss.

The Slim for Life book I got 13 weeks ago still remains steadfastly unopened, but I shall make an effort to give it a read over the next few days.

But I can’t wait to enjoy those extra Savvy Syns and Healthy Extras – and I can even cut out the SP days. I used to try to do three or four a week, which really boosted my weight loss.

Don’t need to do that now. Pasta, potatoes, rice, noodles, I am coming for you! Bring on those carbs!