Slimming World Secrets

Buy a Countdown – it makes you come!

I’ve heard some double entendres in Slimming World groups over the years, but this is the best yet: “Buy a Countdown – it makes you come!”

Talk about an offer you can’t refuse! This week’s group was a little weird, for all sorts of reasons, but I’ll remember it most for this classic Countdown line from our fabulous consultant, Tracy.

It even got a mention in despatches on the Two Chubby Cubs Facebook group.

My week

• Average Syns per day: 7.5
• Average Speed foods per day: 7
• SP days: 3
• Body Magic days: 5
• Result: -1lb
• Total loss: -5st 5lbs

First, my week. Bit of an odd one really as I was using up a few bits and bobs that I bought at the start of Lockdown 1.0. So that meant less Speed than usual, though I still did OK.

We’re talking hot dog sausages from the Great Toilet Roll Shortage of the spring of 2020 here. Have to say, though, they go so well on HEB toasted wholemeal with HEA cheese and jalapenos. They were LUSH!

1lb off – hooray! Misgendered three times – boo!

Delighted with the 1lb loss – another new PB, which puts me just 2lbs away from my new Target.

But I felt a little deflated coming away from group – which hardly ever happens – after being misgendered three times, by two people.

Even if it’s not done on purpose, it still feels like being punched in the stomach when it happens. I mean, I’m sat there in black tights and a skirt, FFS. Do better!

One of the culprits was a chap who’s just joined from another group – someone I know from going to football a couple of years ago. The fact that he did it twice during Image Therapy, for all to hear, was pretty mortifying.

“Oh, sorry, It’s because I’ve not seen you for ages,” he said when I corrected him. Hope this isn’t going to become a regular thing.

What made it worse was that there were loads of new faces there – most of the usual gang were missing – probably queuing up to buy petrol somewhere.

Sending my story to head office

Anyway, I shall try not to let the misgendering get me down because there’s better news in terms of my transgender Slimming World “superstar status”!

First, I have written a 1,500-piece to give to Tracy about my journey – all about being trans and how Slimming World gave me the courage to begin my transition and come out to the world.

This has now been sent to head office, aka the Sparkly Castle, along with some before-and-after photographs, so we’ll see what, if anything, happens now.

If anyone desperately wants a read about my story, let me know and I might post it on the blog. You can read about my Woman of the Year win here.

A call from the Sparkly Castle

And, speaking of the Sparkly Castle, I had a call from a lovely lady there yesterday – someone called Gayle (or Gail).

I initially thought her call was to do with the story I’d sent Tracy, but it turned out not to be. I didn’t realise, but members who get to Target, as well as getting shiny certificates, badges and shinies, also get a phone call from the Sparkly Castle team.

As I always see Slimming World’s head office as a Derbyshire version of the Emerald City, this was like being called by one of the Wizard of Oz’s guards!

Anyway, she just wanted to give me her massive congratulations and check that I would still be going to group and inspiring other members (of course I will).

Asked to be a Slimming World consultant

She also asked me if I’d be interested in becoming a consultant. I’ve been asked before – but it’s never something that’s really interested me.

For one thing, I don’t really have the time – I work full-time. For another, I’m still a little nervous about addressing large groups of people, especially since transition. I want to blend in, not be on display.

That’s not to say I wouldn’t love to be involved more in some other capacity. I have actually been to the Sparkly Castle twice and instantly fell in love with the place and the staff. Who knows what the future holds?

But nah, there are other people better qualified than me to be consultants, such as Tracy, and Jackie, my consultant with my previous group the Night Owls. Those two are THE BEST.

Graze chocs get the thumbs up

A quick shout out to the folks at Graze, who very kindly got in touch with me on Instagram and asked me if I’d like a load of free chocolate to hand out at group.

Turns out they think I’m something of an influencer over on my account over there. At the time of writing in September 2021, I only had about 400 followers (540 now) but, hey, I wasn’t going to turn down free chocs!

I thought they’d send over maybe a dozen bars or so. But no, the postman delivered a huge box which contained somewhere in the region of 120 Chocolate and Hazelnut Wow Bakes. Thank you very much, Graze!

While these don’t qualify as a Healthy Extra B on Slimming World (unlike, for example, two Hi-Fi bars), they’re still good for chocoholic members as they’re only 4.5 Syns.

Members’ verdict on the Graze chocs

So, after checking with Tracy, I handed them round group a couple of weeks ago. There was much ooooohing and aaaaaahing. FREE CHOCOLATE!!!

I’ve not actually tried any myself. My sweet tooth is almost non-existent. If I was going to spend 4.5 Syns on something, it would be on half a pint of real ale, not chocolate or cake (these appear to be a mix of the two).

That said, I have kept a couple back in my glovebox, just in case there’s an emergency. Maybe I’ll need sustenance if I decide to join the miles-long queues for petrol this weekend.

Anyway, here’s what members of my group had to say:

Lovely, delicious and chocolatel. What’s not to like? If any other firms want to donate Slimming World-friendly goodies for review, please get in touch!

You can buy the Graze Chocolate and Hazelnut Wow Bakes here.

Slimming World Countdowns – they make you come!

I shall leave this blog where I started, when Tracy was addressing group during the start of Image Therapy and speaking to one lady who’d bought a six-week Countdown.

I know what Tracy was trying to say – by buying a Countdown, you’ve invested in six weeks’ worth of groups, so you’re far more likely to stay on plan and then turn up every Saturday morning to get weighed.

It just didn’t turn out like that. We got: “Buy a Countdown – it makes you come!”

The raised eyebrows, smirks and “Did she really just say that?!” faces around the room were an absolute picture!

Anyway, onwards and downwards. I’m 2lbs away from my new Target – and I have no plans on buying a Countdown – whether it makes me come or not – because I want to be at my new Target ASAP. Could it be next week? Let’s wait and see.