My class was absolutely mobbed on Thursday night!  It was queued out the door when I arrived sharply at 7pm for my weigh-in.  I asked a few of my fellow dieters in the queue, whether this was especially busy or not.  It was certainly the busiest I’ve seen it out of my three visits.  Everyone agreed that it was an exceptionally busy night. 

The fact that it is now less than 100 days to Christmas is no coincidence.  This is the time of year when many women start making preparations for Christmas, and part of those preparations include planning what to wear at the round of Christmas parties and celebrations.  Many women, myself included, would love to fit into an outfit in a smaller dress size for the party season.  Some women might simply want to ensure that they fit comfortably into their favourite LBD. If you start your diet and exercise regime just now, there should be plenty of time to achieve that.

One of my goals, when joining my slimming class, was to lose a stone (14lbs) by the Christmas party season.  Just two weeks into the diet and I’m half way there already!  I’m now confident that I’ll surpass my original goal, and I am thrilled at the prospect.

I attend my local Slimming World class, and I’m following their new Extra Easy diet.  To find out more visit the Slimming World website here.

I gingerly mounted the scales last night and held my breath…

“You’ve lost four and a half pounds.  Well done!”

I’m so pleased.  It’s a good start on my diet and I am still full of enthusiasm for the weeks and months ahead.

“I will reach my target weight!”

One real advantage of attending a slimming class, rather than just doing a diet on your own, is that you really do feel part of a team.  All the other slimmers in the class are going through similar ups and downs in their quest to lose weight.  Their stories and achievements are awe-inspiring.  It really gave me a boost to hear how much weight some of the ladies had already lost (some in a short space of time!).

When I told Hubby I was joining a slimming club, his response was:
“You just need to cut down a bit and exercise more!”

Easier said than done. In truth, I need to attend a slimming class, not only to advise me on what to eat (and what not to eat!), but also as an incentive to actually just carry on with the diet.  If I were simply “cutting down”, I would be more easily swayed by tasty treats, than I am following a particular diet, paying my class fees, and then being weighed every week.

The diet has been pretty easy to follow.  However, I was alarmed to see some foods that I had been eating previously, and considered to be healthy, had quite a high syn value (i.e. should not be eaten liberally!)

• Wholemeal pitta bread – 7.5 syns
• Tortilla wraps – 7 syns
• Malt loaf – 3 syns
• Fruit & Fibre cereal – 5 syns
• Porridge Oats – 5 syns
• Grape juice – 3.5 syns

The diet advises one to eat betwee five and 15 syns per day.  I can now see why I’ve been piling on the pounds, even when I thought I had an “okay”diet!

I think, at first,  Hubby was worried that my diet would affect him negatively, and that he would be served up salads and bland food every night.  I think he thought it would put an end to us eating out or enjoying a takeaway meal.

Well, his fears have been unfounded, as we still ate out with our daughters at the weekend.  I had a delicious grilled salmon and pine nut salad (just 8.5 syns, due to the dressing and the nuts).  I also shared a delicious Lamb Rogan Josh takeaway with Hubby (just 7.5 syns!).   He had a Garlic Nan with his meal, while I had boiled rice and salad.

Therefore, as you can see, I’ve not been depriving myself too much at all!  I’ve actually been eating quite substantially.

So it will be with great trepidation that I return to the slimming class tonight for the Moment of Truth - my weigh-in.  I do feel like I’ve lost a little weight, so I hope the scales reflect that! *fingers crossed*  *biscuit tin locked*

Thanks for stopping by to check on my diet progress.

Yesterday was the last day of my 28-day detox diet, and today I moved onto the maintenance diet.  I can now eat lean meat, poultry, white & oily fish, wholemeal bread and low-fat dairy.

I’m happy to report that I have lost 8.5lbs on the detox diet.  I would, perhaps, have liked to have lost more.  However, I’m confident that I will continue losing weight, as I follow the maintenance diet.

Today, I had a slice of toasted wholemeal bread with peanut butter and a cup of Redbush tea for breakfast.  For lunch, I had two slices of toasted wholemeal bread with a tin of sardines in tomato sauce, followed by a juicy pear.  I must say, even the smell of the toast was a treat! 

For dinner, I had stirfried chicken and vegetables in with garlic and ginger, with brown rice and a glass of my favourite Welch’s Purple Grape Juice.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for stopping by on Day 26 of my 28-day detox diet.  I’m almost at the end of the ‘detox proper’.  Come Thursday, I will be going onto the Maintenance Diet.

I’ll be following the Maintenance Diet right up until Christmas, with a break at the end of November, when I go to Dublin for a Hen Weekend.  (There’s no way I’d be able to stick to a detox diet that weekend!  LOL)

I’m looking forward to re-introducing the following foods back into my diet:

• Low fat yoghurt & fromage frais
• Semi-skimmed milk (I can’t abide skimmed – too watery!)
• Low fat cheeses  – I’ve really missed cheese!
• Wholemeal bread  – I can have sandwiches again! (and toast – woo hoo!)
• Wholegrain breakfast cereals
• Chicken, turkey and lean meat
• White fish & oily fish – (Mmmm sardines on toast, tuna sandwiches, mackerel fillets, yum!!)

I’ll still be avoiding the following foods:

• Coffee, tea & other caffeine drinks (including decaffeinated drinks)
• Sugar
• Cakes, buscuits, confectionery
• Eggs
• White bread & rice
• Ready meals
• Salt
• Alcohol
• Artificial food additives
• Fried foods
• Artificial sweeteners
• Hydrogenated fats
• Fizzy drinks
• Squashes & cordials

I’ve had several people asking me what book I’m following for this diet.  I’ve got Carol Vorderman's Detox Recipes, which includes instructions on how to follow the Strict Diet and the Maintenance Diet, as well as lots of mouth-watering recipes.

Carol has written other detox books, which you may like to try:

• Detox For Life

• 14-day Detox

• 30-Day Cellulite Plan


She also has a DVD available – Kick Start Detox and Exercise Plan DVD
.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for stopping by on Day 23 of my 28-day detox diet.

Last night I went out for dinner with my best friend, Audrey.  We are both busy ladies and don’t get to see each other as much as we’d like to, so I didn’t want to postpone our get-together just because I’m on this detox diet.

We dined at the wonderful Riverhouse Restaurant on Stirling’s Waterfront.  It’s a favourite restaurant for us.  The food is delicious, and the service is great.  The location is ideal for us too, as it is quite central for us, with us both living at opposite ends of Stirlingshire, and with being close to the motorway.

I had already selected my menu choices before we met up, as I had checked out their current Early Evening Menu on their website.  I had chilli, coriander and chickpea hummus with warmed pitta bread and a side salad, followed by pumpkin-stuffed cannellini with a tomato and cumin coulis, topped with mozzarella cheese.  For a drink, I simply had sparkling spring water.

Now for all you lot that are paying close attention to my diet, you might have noticed a couple of ingredients in my meal that don’t quite fit in with the detox rules (pitta bread and mozzarella cheese).  For the record, I only had a couple of bites of my pitta bread.  There was so much tasty hummus and salad that I really didn’t need to eat the bread.  As for the cheese, I had envisaged that the cheese would just be sprinkled on top of the pasta.  However, in the end the pasta was actually baked in cheese.  Therefore, I confess that I did, in fact, digress from the diet with that dish!  However, I must say that it was really tasty!! 

You’ll also be happy to know that I resisted the temptation of having a latte at the end of my meal.  (Audrey and I usually enjoy a sweet and a coffee at the end of our meal.)

Today, I stuck faithfully to the diet.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for stopping by to check my progress on Day 19 of my 28-day detox diet.

It was a wet miserable day here in Stirlingshire today, so the girls and I had a lazy day at home, drawing lots of pictures, playing games and watching TV.

I watched the Madrid Masters this afternoon and was delighted to see Andy Murray win the title.  (Well done, Andy!)

I had my favourite honey and raisin porridge and a cup of Redbush tea for breakfast, and oatcakes with humous for lunch.  Mid afternoon I had a lovely juicy pear, while watching the tennis.

For dinner, I had quorn mince with red onion, courgette, yellow pepper and mushrooms with a jacket potato, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.  I washed it all down with a large (wine) glass of my favourite Welch’s Purple Grape Juice.

If you are thinking of joining me on this detox diet, here’s a list of the top 12 detox foods:

1. Apples – containing vitamin C, quercetin & pectin.  Apples can protect from cancer, help lower blood-cholesterol and maintain healthy intenstines & bowel.
2. Avocados – rich in powerful antioxidants, vitamin E & alphacarotene and also containing monounsaturated fat & omega-6 fats.  Avocados help prevent furring of the arteries, lower blood cholesterol and are good for your skin.
3. Beans & Lentils – containing sterols, soluble fibre, B-vitamins, magnesium, zinc, iron and a good balance of protein and complex carbohydrates.  These pulses provide sustained energy and help lower blood cholesterol.
4. Broccoli – containing phytonutrients called glucosinolates, which are powerful detoxifiers that can help fight cancer.  (Other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage & brussels sprouts also contain these detoxifiers.)
5. Carrots – containing antioxidants, alphacarotene & betacarotene.  Carrots can help protect against cancer, boost immunity, maintain good eyesight and promote healthy skin.
6. Fennel – containing potassium.  Fennel helps rebalance the body’s fluid levels and stimulates the body’s natural detoxifying organs.
7. Garlic – containing allicin.  Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial actions and aids excretion of toxins from the body.  It also protects the body from high blood pressure, high blood-cholesterol, heart disease and cancer.
8. Kiwi Fruit – containing vitamin C.  Kiwis boost the immune system, strengthen the blood vessels and help fight cancer and harmful free radicals.
9. Mango – containing betacarotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, fibre and potassium.  Mangoes can help to ward off colds and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
10. Pumpkin Seeds – containing omega-3 & omega-6 oils.  Eating pumpkin seeds can help protect against heart disease and strokes, reduce joint pain and stiffness, promote healthy skin and improve immune system.
11. Strawberries - containing vitamin C & ellagic acid.  Strawberries can boost your immune system, fight free radicals and help fight against cancer and heart disease.
12. Watercress – containing chlorophyll, vitamin C, iron and betacarotene.  Watercress can improve immunity and heart health, boost circulation and help to make healthy blood cells.

Thanks for visiting!

It’s Day 18 of my 28 day detox diet, so I’ve just ten more days to go!  Woo hoo!

I haven’t updated this blog for a few days, as it’s been a crazy week for me.  My husband had to go to London to testify as a witness in a high-profile trial this week.  It was a stressful time for the family.

I had thought that I could get on with a lot of writing while he was away.  However, once the girls were in bed, I found myself flopping in front of the TV and ended up dozing there three nights in a row!

However, I’m happy to report that the diet is going great!  I’ve stuck to it faithfully this week, ignoring the temptations of biscuits, cakes and sweets.

A colleague of mine remarked that he definitely had noticed that my face looked thinner.  I had noticed that myself.  I also feel that my clothes are a little looser and my skin and hair is in better condition.  This makes it all feel worthwhile.

Here are ten good reasons why you should eat the detox way:

1. You’ll lose excess weight – Carol advises you not to weigh yourself until the end of the diet, so I’ll find out in ten days time how much weight I’ve lost.  The last time I went on this diet I lost just under a stone (11lbs).
2. Cellulite will diminish – Cellulite is believed to be caused by toxin build up in fatty tissue.  By following a detox diet and dry body brushing before bathing, you should notice a reduction in cellulite.
3. You’ll feel more energetic – I must admit that I haven’t felt very energetic this week, but I don’t think that has anything to do with this diet.  Last weekend, I felt a lot more energetic than usual.
4. You’ll get fewer colds – All the extra vitimins consumed during this detox should help to ward off colds and flu.  My daughters both had really bad colds when I started this diet, and I didn’t catch it!  Coincidence?  Maybe. 
5. You’ll get rid of bloating – I think the noticable difference in my face and the looseness of my clothes has a lot to do with me being less bloated, rather than simply losing weight. 
6. Your skin will look smoother – I have noticed that my skin looks much better since starting this diet.
7. You’ll enjoy better health – This diet is very low in fat, very high in vitimins, nutrients and anti-oxidants.  How can you not be healthier on it?!
8. Your hair will shine – I have noticed that my hair looks far more healthy and shiny.
9. You’ll feel calmer – It has been a stressful week this week, but I suppose I may have felt the effects more on a poorer diet.  I’m happy to report that I did not turn to comfort foods, as I have done in the past.
10. You can lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol – The only fats you eat on this diet are healthy ones from nuts and seeds and olives.

So, why not give it a go?  Now is the perfect time to detox, in preparation of the forthcoming festive season.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for stopping by on Day 13 of my 28-day detox diet.  I’m almost at the halfway mark.

I had my usual honey and raisin porridge with Redbush tea for breakfast, two bowls of my yummy home-made lentil and vegetable soup and Purple Grape Juice for lunch, and a delicious juicy pear mid afternoon.

A colleague brought some biscuits into the office to share today – some scrummy yummy chocolate cookies.  James, Katy, Rosie and Liam all eagerly devoured the tasty treats.  They looked sooooo good – sooooo moreish!  However, I’m glad to report that I did not yield to temptation.

For my evening meal, I had another bowl of my home-made soup,followed by a jacket potato with roasted vegetables (red onion, yellow pepper, courgette and tomatoes) with a glass of Welch’s Purple Grape Juice.

So that’s me, almost at the halfway mark and feeling fine.

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for visiting to check on the progress of my 28-day detox diet.  I’m sorry for not getting round to posting on Saturday and Sunday.

I had a pretty quiet uneventful weekend as it happens – just chilled out with my hubby and the girls!  It was nice and relaxing.

After my  slight deviation from the diet on Friday, I’m happy to report that I stuck to it rigidly over the weekend, without any problems.

Saturday, I had my honey and raisin porridge, vegetable soup with ricecakes and a veggie/bean burger/patty with roast parsnips and salad.  Sunday, I had my honey and raisin porridge, oatcakes with humous and tomato, a banana and two bowls of home-made lentil and vegetable soup.  I had my usual servings of Redbush tea, Welch’s Purple Grape Juice and water throughout the weekend.

The hardest thing about the weekend was the whole family being at home and me having to conjur up different meals for my husband and my daughters.  Hot buttered toast, in particular, is very enticing!  I did manage to abstain though!  To be honest, if I was not tempted by the yummy desserts in the restaurant on Friday, then I doubt whether anything can tempt me now!

I’m starting to notice a difference now.  My clothes are a bit looser on me, my stomach feels flatter, my face looks considerably thinner and my skin looks better.  This is what happened during my last detox diet, and is why I’m determined to stick with it. 

You are advised not to weigh yourself throughout the diet, so I will have to wait until the end to see how much I’ve lost.  However, to me, the most important thing is how I feel and how tight (or not) my clothes feel.

Thanks for visiting!

Annette