Wednesday 15 July 2015

A Month Today

This time next month I will be lying by the pool on my summer holidays (eeeeeeeeekkkk!). In all honesty while I can't wait to get on that plane I am far more excited to see how I have progressed with CWP by this time next month. A picture of myself and my family taken in the same hotel two years ago is what made me want to start my weight loss journey at Slimming World. However two years later and I still haven't reached my goal weight! Although I know I won't have reached my goal weight in 4 weeks, I will deffo be slimmer than I was going on holiday this time round than I was two years ago. I was comfortable and happiest at my lowest weight of 10st 9lb, so I would really like to be at least back at that weight by the time I arrive at the airport at 6:30am in a months time *groan*. Having a goal to meet is one more thing that has helped to keep me motivated, following on from yesterday's blog post. I thought I would list some of the goals I want to accomplish in relation to the diet in the next few months below. Why not list your goals in the comments section below, I would love to give them a read!

GOALS
  • Reach my goal weight of 9st by the end of September.
  • Feel confident enough to start going to the gym.
  • Be a dress size UK 8-10.
  • To have lost 1 stone (total 1st 6lb since starting CWP) by this time next month.
  • Eat more healthily than I was prior to going on the diet once I move up to Step 3.
Below I have left info on my meals (and my mum's) for today. Day 9..bring it on!

Moi
Breakfast - Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245 Chicken Breast & 80g Mushrooms
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)

Mum
Breakfast - Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245 Chicken Breast & 80g Mushrooms
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Banana Flavour)

Tuesday 14 July 2015

A Family

One thing that surprised me when I decided to look into the CWP was the vast amount of support available. At Slimming World it seemed as though I had all the support I could ever want - a group leader, my mum and 30+ men and women in my weekly meeting all striving towards the same goal as myself. However after a while I felt my motivation dwindling. It is very easy to hide behind the other members in a bigger slimming group, my particular consultant had over 600 members on her books so it was a miracle if she remembered your name let alone managed to keep track of how you were getting on with the plan. However since starting CWP I have discovered a new-found confidence which I feel stems from the fact that I now have people relying on me to stick religiously to the CWP. My consultant and my mum are constantly there to support me and are both willing me to succeed. Even though I believe you should only ever put yourself through something challenging for your own personal gain and no one else's *sassily snaps fingers*, you can't help but try harder when you feel you have to prove something to others or you want to make someone else proud! So...what's your motivation?

Underneath I have listed a few blogs and CWP own forum which are great places to find support and motivation to help with your CWP journey!

Below I have left info on my meals (and my mum's) for yesterday and today as well as some pictures of some of my meals! Day 8...bring it on!

Moi

13/7/15 - Monday
Breakfast - Shake (Chocolate Mint Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Turkey Steak & 80g Broccoli
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Key Lime Pie Flavour) mixed with Mix-A-Mousse Powder

14/7/15 - Tuesday
Breakfast - Porridge (Apple and Cinnamon Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Chicken Breast and 80g Broccoli
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Banana Flavour) made with hot water

Comments: I had two new additions to my CWP shopping basket this week. My consultant kindly gave mum and I a sample of the Mix-A-Mousse powder which we used with the Key Lime Pie flavoured shake. I really enjoyed this as it felt like a bit of a naughty treat even though it was still total CWP approved! If I was to make it again I think I would use some more water as it was very stiff when made up to the instructions (less like mousse and more like a hard jelly!) I also chose a banana shake this week which my consultant told me to try as a hot drink. Again this was lovely and reminded me of an options hot chocolate which I regularly had when I was on Slimming World.






































Mum

13/7/15 - Monday
Breakfast - Shake (Chocolate Mint Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Turkey Steak & 80g Broccoli
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Key Lime Pie Flavour) mixed with Mix-A-Mousse Powder

14/7/15 - Tuesday
Breakfast - Porridge (Apple and Cinnamon Flavour)
Lunch - Shake (Vanilla Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Chicken Breast and 80g Broccoli
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)

Comment
The Apple and Cinnamon Porridge was new for me this week and has become a firm favourite in the porridge stakes! The Mix-A-Mousse, when made up to my preference rather than the instructions, will make a nice treat for the evenings as a pud.

Monday 13 July 2015

Week 1 (Weekly Weigh in)

POOF... and in the blink of an eye my first week on the CWP has gone, and so has some weight!!! This week has been...well...normal! It has been like any other week for me as far as I am concerned. It hasn't been any harder or any easier, CWP has adapted its way into my life and until I reach my goal weight it is here to stay. I met my lovely consultant with my mum today for our weekly weigh in. For some this process may be daunting and even though I have been weighed every week at Slimming World for nearly two years, I was still nervous to get on the scales. After putting on weight at Slimming World for the last 5 weeks running I was concerned that despite my best attempts I still would be faced with a weight gain. For me CWP really feels like my final chance.

After reading success story upon success story about CWP, particularly focusing on those which discussed the notorious first week in which some people have lost up to a 1 stone, I was hopeful but not certain I would have lost weight too. But it is safe to say CWP did not fail to disappoint.

I have placed a list of the 21 products each mum and I chose for our second week. Now we know what we like (porridge, spaghetti bolognese and shakes) and what we don't like (risotto, soups and rice pudding) our choices were made a lot quicker, but we are still trying some new products this week which I will write about as I hopefully enjoy them during this week.


Moi:
x7 Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour) - yes...I am having spaghetti bolognese every day for lunch (#noshame)
x1 Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)
x2 Shake (Cappuccino Flavour)
x2 Shake (Banana Flavour)
x1 Shake (Butterscotch Flavour)
x1 Shake (Strawberry Flavour)
x3 Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
x4 Porridge (Apple and Cinnamon Flavour)

Mother
x4 Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
x3 Shake (Vanilla Flavour)
x3 Shake (Banana Flavour)
x3 Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)
x1 Shake (Chocolate Flavour)
x4 Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
x3 Porridge (Apple and Cinnamon Flavour)

And now onto what you've all been waiting for...how much did I lose?????!!!!
I have included the stats from our weigh in below. I know I said I would get all of mine and mum's measurements from last week's weigh in (which are taken by our consultant every month) and write them on this week's weigh in post but I think it would be more appropriate to write them in another 3 weeks time when we have our measurements taken again so you can see a comparison. So, here it goes...

Moi
Age: 18
BMI: 25.5
Height: 5ft 6in
Weight (current weight): 11st 9lbs
Weight Loss this week: 6lb


Mother
Age: 52
BMI: 27
Height: 5ft 3in
Weight (current weight): 10st 12.5lbs
Weight Loss this week: 2.5 lbs

I will continue to document our food choices and weight loss weekly (in terms of lbs lost) and our measurements monthly (in terms of inches lost).  I will record our meals from today with our meals tomorrow in that blog post. Cheers *water in hand not alcohol* to another successful week!

Saturday 11 July 2015

The Weekend

Typically a Saturday night for the last few weeks would have featured an Indian takeaway with all the works, that's right... I'm talking a naan and poppadums. Or at the very least a Co-op pizza, chips, coleslaw and a Magnum. However this Saturday was a completely different story, one that I will be retelling again and again until I reach my goal weight.

It's funny how things become a habit. They say it take 28 days of repeating a task before it fits in to your daily routine and becomes habitual, I feel like some aspects of the CWP have already become second nature to me...even after just 5 days on the plan. Drinking water like a fish has definitely become a new habit to me, as has blogging about my day in order to stay motivated! I hope that by making these small changes in my life now by the time maintenance (step 5) comes around I will have added a long list of new habits into my daily routine which will all help to constitute a healthy new lifestyle for me. The little habits I find myself developing (like not snacking between meals, controlling my portion size and not acting on my hunger with the nearest fast food item) will completely change me as a person by the end and help me to keep the weight off forever. The CWP has become more than just a diet for me, its like learning about eating and food all over again! Training your brain to pick up these new habits can be tough, especially with old habits like a Saturday night takeaway dying hard, but I know 28 days later I will not only be much closer to my end goal but closer to finally leaving old habits in the past and allowing new habits to become my happy and healthier future!


Below I have left info on my meals (and my mum's) for the day as well as some pictures of my evening meal! Day 6...bring it on!

Moi
Breakfast - Porridge (Apple and Cinnamon Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 130g Tinned Tuna, 125g Plain Cottage Cheese (less than 5% fat), 80g Spinach & Asparagus
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)
Drinks - Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Summer Berry), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cup of tea with sweetener.

Comments: Dinner made a nice change today. Tinned Tuna is definitely a game changer. You are allowed the equivalent of 2 tins for your protein rich food item as part of your meal on Step 2. Instead I decided to have just the one and half of the cottage cheese allowance (TOP TIP - go with the less than 2% fat cottage cheese if you can get hold of it as you can get more than what I was allowed!), Not too much to report food wise as I didn't really have any new CWP products today!



Mum
Breakfast - Porridge (Original Flavour)
Lunch - Shake (Vanilla Flavour)
Dinner - 130g Tinned Tuna, 125g Plain Cottage Cheese (less than 5% fat), 80g Spinach & Asparagus
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) -  Vanilla Flavour Rice Pudding
Drinks - Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Summer Berry), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 2 cups of tea.

Comments: Dinner was really lovely today, the rice pudding was not. I hoped it would taste like a mixture of the vanilla shake and a CWP porridge but nope...it was awful!

Friday 10 July 2015

Whoa, we're half way there...

Sorry for the one day absence! I wish I had a better excuse than simply "I forgot to blog today!" but you know...baby steps, lets  just work on losing the weight first ;) I can't believe I am on day 4 and over half way into my first week on CWP, doesn't time fly! A few weeks ago I would have bet £50 that I would have caved in by now...but nope! 4 days stone cold sober (whoo hoo). I don't think I have ever been more excited to get on a set of weighing scales into my entire life, but I am really looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labour on Monday at 2pm.

The last few days have taught me so much (one thing being that I really don't like any of the CWP soups, they taste like dirty dishwater!). However, the main thing I have learnt is that I can actually stick to a diet and I am able lose weight. For so long I felt as though I was stuck at the bottom of a big black hole...actually here's a better metaphor, I felt like I was trapped in the bottom of a flipping Pringles Can! The wall were high, narrow and slippery which made it hard for me to get out. Trying to escape the Pringles Can and make it out on the other side was tricky and often the fight got too much so I would just sit at the bottom of the Pringles Can in the darkness and eat the broken crisp that lay at the bottom feeling sorry for myself. But, I think I have come the realisation that with a little bit of determination and will-power I can scale the walls of that Pringles Can. No one forces food into my mouth or hands the money to the cashier in the supermarket/corner-shop to buy the bar of chocolate, I got my way into this mess and I will be the one to get myself out.

Below I have left info on my meals (and my mum's) for the last 2 days. Day 5...bring it on!

Moi

Day 3
Breakfast - Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Chicken Breast & 80g Mushrooms
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Chicken and Mushroom Flavoured Soup
Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Summer Berry), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cup of tea with sweetener.

Day 4
Breakfast - Shake (Vanilla Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g of Turkey Breast, 40g Mushrooms & 40g Broccoli
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Cappuccino Flavour)
Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Sunshine Orange), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cup of tea with sweetener.

Comments: You may notice that some of the products either mum or I have this week aren't on our original CWP products choice list for the week (see here)  ----> http://achievingmyaimswithcambs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/the-day-before-rest-of-my-life-weekly.html - this is because mum and I have been swapping products between us (which takes me back to my primary school lunch box swap days!) and we have popped back to see our consultant a couple of times who kindly lets us exchange any products we don't like! Speaking of which... I really can't stomach any more of the CWP soups so the remaining are going to be swapped come Monday, like the Mushroom Risotto was! My meals this week have remained fairly boring! I am planning on trying more shake flavours next week as I really enjoy those (especially in the evenings). Since I am just getting into the swing of things my evening  meals have been simple but filling. My highlights of the last 2 days have been the Maple and Pecan Porridge, Cappuccino Shake and Summer Berry CWP Water Flavouring (I definitely prefer the Summer Berry to the Sunshine Orange, mum does too!)

Mother

Day 3
Breakfast - Porridge (Original)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Chicken Breast & 80g Mushrooms
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Banana Flavour)
Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Summer Berry), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cup of tea with sweetener.

Day 4
Breakfast - Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
Lunch - Shake (Vanilla Flavour)
Dinner - 245g of Turkey Breast, 40g Mushrooms & 40g Broccoli
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Chocolate Flavour)
Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Sunshine Orange), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cup of tea with sweetener.
 
Comments: I found Day 4 to be my hardest day yet. With it being 26 degrees outside and having to be constantly on my feet and on the move at work all day, surviving on just a shake at lunch time was a struggle. However I chose to focus on the positive and keep my mind on my final goal of losing weight and looking good...so even though I struggled, I did it! I definitely prefer the flavoured porridges to the Original, so I don't think I will be picking any Originals again next week. Loving the shakes so far, the banana one was particularly lush! So far...so good :)

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Wednesday 8 July 2015

Into the Swing

Another day, but the same diet! Day 2 on CWP has been as easy as the first. I had a bit of a lie in this morning so by the time I was ready for my breakfast it was more like early lunch time. This meant I was able to stretch out having my lunch time product until 2:30 which meant I didn't sit down for dinner until 7pm, still knowing I had one more product to spare as a evening treat. I had no idea I would be able to take to this diet like a duck to water. I think it definitely does help to stretch out meals until your really really hungry instead of ripping off the top of a packet as soon as you start to feel a little bit empty inside. I have found drinking water or having a nice cuppa really help to keep hunger pains at bay. If you decide to take this advice...yes you will pee for England but it is important to drink 2.25 litres/4 pints of fluids over the course of the day. The diet states you can include tea and coffee, herbal teas, fruit teas, Cambridge Weight Plan Water flavourings and occasional low-calorie/diet drinks, flavoured waters or squashes). My consultant however wants mum and I to drink 3L per day, with 2L being plain water and 1L being water flavoured with either sugar free squash or Cambridge Weight Plan Water flavourings. Also we are to eliminate carbonated drinks of all kinds. I know a lot of people on CWP use soft drinks like Diet Coke to help sustain them but such drinks do not have the same properties as water for your body. Personally I am not a big fan of water but I have pushed myself to drink at least the 2.25L CWP recommends, but with the weather getting warmer here in the UK I am sure some days I will be downing water like shots! Below I have I included a snippet from the CWP about the importance of water, any other queries you may have regarding the diet can typically be found on the FAQ page which I will link here ----> http://www.cambridgeweightplan.com/faqs/general


"There are several reasons. A good rule of thumb for good health is to drink 2-3 litres of fluid a day whether trying to lose weight or not. If the Cambridge Weight Plan is used as the sole source of nutrition, this is the minimum for good health. The reasons for this include:
A Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) like Cambridge produces a natural water loss and this must be replaced.
Food is largely composed of water, just like our bodies. On the Sole Source Step, it is necessary to compensate for the fluid that would otherwise have been taken in through food. It is important to keep the body’s fluid levels topped up to prevent the unpleasant symptoms of dehydration – headache, dizziness, fatigue, irritability and constipation.
Cambridge Weight Plan offers balanced nutrition but in a very concentrated form, therefore if you are using Cambridge ready -made shakes or bars, we recommend that you drink 250ml of water with each product.
Extra fluid enables the body to get rid of the waste products associated with the breakdown of fats resulting from weight loss."


Below I have left info on my meals (and my mum's) for the day as well as picture of one of my products! Day 3...bring it on!


Moi
Breakfast -  Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)
Lunch - Risotto (Mushroom Flavour)
Dinner - 2 Large Eggs & 80g Mushrooms (made into an omelette)
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Oriental Chilli Flavoured Soup
Drinks - 1.5 litres water, 500ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Summer Berry), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cup of tea with sweetener.

Comments: I think the highlight of my day was my 'Toffee and Walnut' shake for breakfast, I will definitely pick up more of that flavour next week. I wasn't a big fan of the risotto! It was too rich and powdery for me so I plan to swap my remaining 2 packets for Spaghetti Bolognese tomorrow. The water flavouring was a new addition to my diet today and I really liked the Summer Berry flavour, it was very refreshing and a little of this powdered flavouring goes a very long way (1tsp per litre of water). My dinner was tasty but I think I will chose meat as my 'protein rich food' in the future as I didn't find the eggs to be as filling, I polished my omelette off in under 5 minutes! The Oriental Chilli soup was nice, but I think I would rather have a shake in the evenings.
















Mother
Breakfast - Porridge (Maple and Pecan Flavour)
Lunch - Risotto (Mushroom Flavour)
Dinner - 2 Large Eggs & 80g Mushrooms (made into an omelette)
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Toffee and Walnut Flavour)
Drinks - 1 litre water, 250ml sugar-free squash, 1L CWP Water Flavouring (Sunshine Orange), 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 1 cups of tea

Comments: I enjoyed my porridge, I had to add more water than recommended because it was a little too thick but it kept me full till lunch. I really didn't like the risotto...it was awful so the remaining packets will be swapped tomorrow! After my lunch I was really looking forward to my omelette.. and it didn't disappoint! The water flavouring was lovely also. The shake in the evening was lovely, it didn't taste like a weight loss product at all! Definitely my favourite shake so far!

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Mantras and Mind Over Matter

My first day on CWP has definitely been an education. It has unveiled a side of me I never knew I had... a side with actual will-power! Funnily enough I have always been a very determined person and given everything I do 110%. I am fiercely competitive at everything - sports, school, games (yes, I have been known to flip a monopoly board when someone else purchases Mayfair...but we'll let that one slide!). The only thing I give up instantly is a diet...it makes no sense??

But today I have succeeded and have stuck to plan. It may only be one day but it's a step in the right direction! I have wobbled at points I will admit (like when having to walk past the 'cakes and bread' aisle in Sainsbury's for the green tea section in the aisle next-door) but on a whole my first day on CWP Step 2 has been eye-opening and not as bad as I anticipated! If everyday could be like this then I am sure I will be 3 stone down in no time!

Below I have left info on my meals (and my mum's) for the day as well as picture of one of my products. Day 2...bring it on!

Moi
Breakfast - Porridge (Apple and Cinnamon Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Turkey Breast & 80g Mushrooms
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Chocolate Mint Flavour)
Drinks - 1.75 litres water, 750ml sugar-free squash, 2 cups of coffee with sweetener, 1 cup of tea with sweetener and one cup of Tetley Super Green Tea Boost Berry Burst.

Comments: I really liked all the products I ate today! The porridge was fairly nice and had a consistency similar to 'Ready Brek' rather than traditional porridge oats, it was a little too thick and sticky when it came out the microwave so I added a little extra water and then it was fine. The spaghetti bolognese was lovely, I am sure it will be a firm favourite of mine from now on. My dinner was obviously a much smaller portion than what I am used to but it was enough to fill me up! The portion of turkey was surprisingly large. The chocolate mint shake was nice, it felt like a treat!























Mother
Breakfast - Shake (Cappuccino Flavour)
Lunch - Pasta (Spaghetti Bolognese Flavour)
Dinner - 245g Turkey Breast & 80g Mushrooms
Evening Snack (drank at 9pm) - Shake (Chocolate Mint Flavour)
Drinks - 1.25 litres water, 750ml sugar-free squash, 3 cups of coffee with sweetener and 3 cups of tea

Comments: I enjoyed all the products I had today, they were all really tasty and I have been happy with them. Any hunger pains I had today were solved with a cup of tea or coffee (with a couple of sweeteners). The cappuccino shake was bit sweet but that could be due to the fact I had a senior moment and made it up with milk instead of water..whoops! The spaghetti bolognese was tasty and quick to prepare in my lunch break. The dinner was great, I enjoyed having something 'proper' to eat. Even though it wasn't a lot I found it very satisfying! The chocolate mint shake was lovely, very delicious!



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