S&D Weightwatchers?

I'm definately up for this, i'd rather it was on here tho and not facebook
xx

I could do with shifting a few stones! Lyn xx

It's the new Moon on the 22nd - shall we take that as a starting point?  And try to eat more healthily and do a little bit of exercise every day (even a walk to the end of your street or up the stairs at work will do!) - what do you think?   I don't think we should aim to give anything up until the waning Moon next month, rather focus on positive and healthy choices for now.

Also do people want to do weigh ins on here?  We could always keep a note ourselves, even if we don't write it on here, and then weigh ourselves every Monday morning just to see how things are going?  I know weight isn't the only way to measure your progress, but it would give us an idea.

Love Kirsty xx

me too, i lost some weight b4 s&d meet up as i was keeping a food diary which really helped, literally everything i ate and drank, it really worked been a bit slack since bloody chocolate biscuits. i'll post some affirmations about weight later when the kids are in bed and i'm sat down with some cake lol only kidding xxxxxx

... in my mind all you ladies are lovely and slim!  Perhaps we should do lots of visualisation when we do the affirmations?  If we can save the bees and the planet, surely we can do some sort of psychic liposuction??

Love Kirsty xx

can definately do with losing a few pounds and i dont mean the coins in my purse. We could post our weights (if we're brave enough) and/or any weight loss and also recipes and tips. am going for some chocolate in a mo.

miss melanie

There is a thin woman inside each of us just waiting to burst out!! Support would be great! Lyn xx

think theres about 3 inside me LOL :(

Three short ones mind - I'm only 5'2"!!  I must sort this out or I'll be as broad as I'm long lol!!

Love Kirsty xx

I've always 'seen' in my mind's eye that all of you have are either "Marylin Monroe-esque" or "Audrey Hepburn-ish"... I don't know that the inbetween of those would be: 'Rita Hayworth-like'?!?! lol

Well, there's def a curvy Marylin inside me, so I just wanna chip (excuse the pun) away at the outside to get the curves into proper focus - and in all the right places!! hee hee...

So, yep - Monday 22 June: BRING IT ON!!!

WE CAN AND WILL SUCCEED - and I'm glad I've got good friends to help me on my personal journey...

I think the 'psychic liposuction'/meditation/visualisation is a safe and great way to stay focused on achieving our various targets...

So - what's the plan for Monday 22nd??? Are we going to say what we weigh now etc on that date? I don't own scales by the way - so I'm hoping my loss will show through clothes getting looser... Hmmm... might need to invest in scales (when I get some £££ sorted)!

Like Mary mentioned, I'll try and get some positive weight/image affirmations together too....

Eeek, how exciting!!!!

Love Row xxx

Forgot to say: Thanks Kirsty, for starting this, GREAT IDEA!!! Love ya Rxxx

Have six rather huge stones to loose so any support is good in my book, esp as just about to have chinese for dinner lol !!   My Grandpa always used to joke when I was little that I was so thin, if I turned sideways you couldnt see me. Now if I turn sideways you cant see a bloody thing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I so relate to the height thing as only 5'2" as well !!

Love Star x x x

LOL i'm only 5ft 2 as well, a bit more like Dawn French than Marilyn i reckon!!!!

LOL I'm only 5ft tall so I look up to ALL OF YOU ladies!!!!!!

I'm 5 ft 6 inches and carrying about 4 stone extra. What is the plan for 22nd? I am happy to post my weight and any loss. Shall we have a roll call every Monday evening with how much we have lost (not adding 'or gained' as being positive!) and then support each other during the week with positive affirmations etc? Lyn xx

Kirsty this is a fab idea for us to support each other so please count me in.

I have around 5 st  to lose, although I maintain Im not over weight, i'm just not tall enough..

At my weight I should be around 7ft tall..heehee!!

Just a idea but how about we pair up for the actual weight swap, rather than expose it on here..If we have a weight loss buddy who we can be honest with, and then we all support each other on the thread..

Viv xxx

Kirsty

this is a great idea. Count me in

Em X

...being only 5ft tall and over 12st (at the moment), my GP told me I should be 7 STONES for my height/age (I'm 35)... I told C this and he said I'd look UNHEALTHY if I went down to that (not that I will, but I'm just saying........) *uncertain expression* What's a good target to start losing: 1lb a week to begin with?? Love to all, Row xx

I need to lose about 2 and a half stone - I'm 5ft 4 ins and currently weigh 12st 2lbs.

It's such a great idea to support each other! Well done Kirsty.

I might have to join you all a bit later though, I'm off to Glastonbury on Wednesday and it's not really the place to think about diets!! As soon as I get back I'll be with you and hopefully will have avoided eating too many doughnuts at the festival!

Jan xx

I'm 5ft 5ins and would love to lose around 2 stone. Have yo-yo dieted in the past and not stuck with it coz have had no buddies to support me so this is a fab idea.
Row, I think a 1-2lb loss a week is a healthy aim and have to agree that 7 stone would be far too low.
Can we post tips and cheap but healthy meal ideas too? I always get stuck for ideas and salad everyday is tooooooo boring for me.
Elaine xx

I am aiming for 1 to 2 lbs a week too. I'm going for baby steps though. Cutting out the biscuits etc is a good start for me. Already started that and feel alot healthier, rather than lethargic like I do a lot of the time. And walked to collect the kids from school today. And making sure I drink lots of water and eat some fruit every day. Once this has become the norm, then I will change something else. Changing too much in one go doesn't work for me. I have to make changes without really realising it !! Lyn xx

ok, for those affs

 ''my appetite is becoming smaller and smaller''

''i am satisfied with less and less food''

it also helps if we take our time eating and ''chew'' every mouthful 15 times apparently. and buy a smaller plate. drinks lots of water , i think visualisation is great idea, if you have a lidl near you, there are selling 6 bottles of water for 99p, went in for a look to day, very confusing shop,

how are you Jan, haven't chatted to you in ages gorgeous

i want to get down to 10st 7, so need to lose a stone or so , depending on what time of day i weigh myself

monday 22th then

love to you all ladies xxxx

...eventually is to be back to the 8 stone 7 I once was many many moons ago, but at 14 stone 12 approx, that seems a long way off. Would like to aim for 2 Ibs a week if not 3 to really feel I am achieving anything, but for those with less to loose 1Ib sounds good.
Raw food is supposed to fill you up as well as being fantastic as full of enzymes. Anyone tried it and agrees its good for snacking on and works ??

Love Star x x x

This is a great idea Kirsty,

I am built for comfort not speed these's days...but would love to lose 3 stone, bp up a little so could do with shedding some cuddle skin.

But need encouragment, whats the plan on the 22nd?

love and light dreamer xx

I daren't weigh myself!

Reckon I need to lose 6 stones at least!

Better count me in then . . .

I daren't weigh myself!

Reckon I need to lose 6 stones at least!

Better count me in then . . .

So pleased everyone is up for this!  I think every Monday if people feel brave enough we could report our weight and progress - those who don't can buddy up with someone to do it more privately if you prefer as Viv suggested (I think!). 

NB - if any of you have any concerns or health problems, it may be best to speak to your GP before starting on any kind of diet or exercise programme.  The weight suggested for you Row sounds like the lowest you'd ever possibly want to be!  There's a "normal" range for most people that covers a stone or more, so for your height you'd probably (ideally!) want to be somewhere between 7 and 9 stone, depending on your build etc.  But to be honest for most of us, losing a few pounds would be great and if we manage any more than that it's a bonus!  Losing around 1-3lbs per week would be a nice steady rate if we can manage it.

The 22nd is a good time to start something new as it is a new Moon (and a Monday) - but the Moon is then waxing so don't expect to give lots of things up or lose loads of weight straightaway because of this.  I therefore think it might be better to start off with postitive actions and additions to our lifestyles!  Things I'd suggest are:

• Drink more water (fill up and empty bottle with tap water if you like).
• Try to do a little exercise every day - even if it's just walking up the stairs.
• Try to eat your 5 portions of fruit and veg each day (NB this can't all be fruit juice - or wine or chips!!  I know how you're thinking lol!!!!)  Try to vary this as much as you can - the more colours you can eat, the wider variety of nutrients you're getting!  Raw is best, as cooking can start to deminish the nutrients - steaming is next best, or retain the cooking liquid - so keep the water your veg was boiled in to make soup, or cook all in one pot eg soup, casserole, stew as this keeps some of your lost nutrients in the sauce!
• Eat a healthy filling breakfast, as this will help set you up for the day - eg meusli and fruit, poached eggs or sardines on brown toast - I love hummus, basil leaves and tomatoes on brown bread with a bit of black pepper!  (When I'm not having left over takeaway lol!!)
• Plan for lunch if you can - eg if you make a big pan of soup, take some in a thermos; make up some sandwiches or a tub of salad; if you have a microwave at work take eg a jacket potato and some tuna; I used to take a tub of hummus to work and some veg and a knife - then I'd cut up the veg for dips at lunchtime so it was nice a fresh, and I didn't have to get up early to make stuff before setting off to work.
• Prepare for snack attack!!  Take some nuts, fruit, olives, hummus and dips, dates etc with you - you may still end up with a Mars Bar, but at least you tried!! 
• See if you can find something that feels like a (healthy!) treat - I love peas in their pods, sharon fruit, cherries - I can eat them like sweets!
• Try not to eat your last meal too late at night - you can always have a drink and a banana or something last thing if you're still hungry later.
• Don't give up if you lapse - it's ok to have some treats, and tomorrow is another day etc etc.
• If you go out for a meal or have a takeaway, give a little thought to what to choose to minimise the calories - avoid the creamy or cheesy sauces, for example.

See - I know the theory lol!!  Now we just need to put it into practice!  Good luck everyone!

Love Kirsty xx

You can count me in on this as i have at least four if not more stone to loose. I always say i'm built for comfort not for speed but the truth is, comfortable is the last thing i'm feeling. I have never felt more uncomfortable in my life. having said that I'm glad it's starting from the 22nd June as it's my birthday tomorrow and there will be cake - no getting away from that fact. I'll be 50 in a few years and I just can't bare the thought of getting to that landmark age as a fattie big bum. seriously, I don't want to loose this weight for my health or any noble reason like that, I want to loose it so i can look good, feel sexy and because when my knickers are drying on the line, they block out the sunlight in my neigbours garden. .:-)

 Big bad balla XXX

Welcome aboard!  You're sounding a bit brighter - hope you're feeling more postive?  Know what you mean about the big knix :0( The acreage of fabric in mine has increased dramatically in recent years lol!!  BUT hopefully we'll both be squeezing back into sexier numbers soon!! 

Love Kirsty xx

Hello lovely people!!

Here, as promised, are a selection of positive affirmations (courtesy of Louise L Hay) - select one, a few, all or any combo to repeat as often as possible and bump up your good vibrations (she's typed them in capitals, so I'll do the same - just so you know I'm not *shouting* at you!!)...

Love Row xxx

I LOVE WHAT I SEE IN ME

I AM IN CHARGE OF MY LIFE

THE LOVE IN MY LIFE BEGINS WITH ME

I AM WILLING TO LEARN NEW WAYS OF LIVING

I AM WISE AND BEAUTIFUL

I LOVE AND APPRECIATE MYSELF

I LOVE, SUPPORT AND ENJOY THE WOMEN IN MY LIFE

I LOVE BEING HEALTHY AND ENERGETIC

I ENJOY SIMPLE, NATURAL FOODS

I LOVE MY BODY

MY BODY LOVES TO BE HEALTHY

EVERY CELL IN MY BODY IS LOVED

I MOVE EASILY AND COMFORTABLY

I BLESS MY FOOD WITH LOVE

WATER IS MY FAVOURITE BEVERAGE

I AM HEALTHIER THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN

I AM SAFE AND ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD

Quick question: are we 'meeting' on here at a specific time on 22nd June or just 'checking in' when we can?! And are we following every Monday after that...? Love Row xxx

Thanks for all the affirmations, think i might struggle with 'water is my favourite beverage' tho LOL

xx

... I think just come on whenever you can ladies!

Love Kirsty xx

When I last dieted, I found it worked better for me if I allowed myself a treat each day (something like a small choccie bar, or small glass of wine, something along those lines). Or I would save up my treats for the weekend.

Hi Guys,

Oh yes i am so up for this! My partner is very supportive but it will be great to do this along with you guys! I've got a wedding to go to in August so this will be great motivation.

Kathy

I actually managed to lose 2 st a couple of years ago but then Christmas came along and..well you've probably all been there! Old habits return and the weight piles back on, plus a bit extra 

I eat when I'm unhappy, stressed, lonely, bored, I can usually find a reason!! The book that really made a difference for me when I lost the 2 stone was Authentic Woman by Leslie & Susannah Kenton.   Leslie Kenton has written loads of books on dieting, but like most of us, I know what I should be doing in theory, it's putting it into practice that's the hard bit!

This book isn't really a diet book and yet it helped me more than any other book I'd read. It encourages self knowledge and how to live the life you're comfortable with; it's very empowering and although described as a beauty, body & bliss book, it's far more than that.   There's a great 5 day healthy radiance eating plan which gives amazing results. The whole book is about you feeling good about yourself, and this is what helped me with my eating issues. If you feel that your eating issues are connected with problems or imbalances in your life then this book is for you.

(Just had a look and there's one copy on ebay at present.)

Love Jan xxxxxxxxx

Another good read is "Susie Orbach on Eating" (Paperback; 128pgs; £4.49 from Amazon.co.uk) - again, not a diet book per se, but def' puts you on the right track to have a better realtionship with food... check out the reviews on Amazon for a fuller synopsis if you're interested! I read the book years ago and haven't had any *ahem* binges since - I'm much happier in myself (which helps, I guess) my thing is lack of exercise and motivation to do it :) mind you, recovering from operations etc hasn't helped... anyway, it's 'new leaf turning time' for me and no looking back!!!! Love Row xxxxx

What about Paul McKenna?

Saw his programme on TV and the idea seemed good - eating only when you're hungry and stopping when you're full.

Also, to imagine that things you normally like are horrible. I've never been able to look at Bounty bars ever since someone once told me years ago to imagine they were filled with pure lard . . . ugh!!

I saw him on tv ages ago now, telling a girl to imagine a slice of chocolate cake covered in spiders and worms Yuk! Yuk! Yuk!

I'm sure you will all do well with you all supporting each other.

Can I just say to Row, having met you I didn't think you were overweight! Short yes! (Says me a giant at 5ft 2"!)

Linda x

HI, just seen the post but would also like to join the group,I too have been thinking about losing some weight, need to lose a stone or so!!! I reas my cards recently and the diet card came out, so I'm definitely been told something... lol
L & L Claire x

I'm not looking to lose weight, but wishing you all the best of luck with your endeavours! Mise xx

Mary mentioned a food diary earlier - I think this can be a really useful thing to do, and something to think about over the next 2 weeks of positive action.  I think that food (particularly for women!) can be about much more than food, if you know what I mean.  Many of us may eat cos we're bored/sad/feel unattractive/don't want to let people get close to us (that extra weight can be used as a barrier or protection) etc etc.  It might help to understand a little more what we eat and why, and even seek some help or advice to overcome some of the negative feelings associated with it if appropriate. 

Try keeping your diary for a week and write down EVERYTHING you eat and drink each day - down to a piece of chewing gum or whatever, not just meals - what time you ate it, why (eg hungry, bored, someone else was having one) and how it made you feel.  What you find could be enlightening and/or surprising!  You might identify triggers that make you reach for the chocolate, or times of day when you really need a boost - so you could plan and prepare for that.  You could also realise you eat a lot more that you thought - how many mums have 2 teas - one with the kids and one with hubby??  Some foods, although they might give an initial boost, may have consequences - like much as I love my chocolate, I know it gives me headaches!

Another thing to think about over the next 2 weeks is portion size.  I don't want anyone to feel deprived, but if like me you always give yourself the same huge portions as your hubby, maybe you could try downsizing just a little?

Meal ideas

Over the next 2 weeks we want to try to eat more healthily, so I would try to include plenty of fruit, veg and pulses.  Go for brown bread, rice or pasta if you can.  If you want meat too I'd suggest fish, chicken or turkey - or try veggie alternatives such as Quorn chunks instead of chicken or Veggiemince.  I think Elaine said how boring endless salads can be, so here are some thoughts for your menu - everyone jump in with your own ideas too!  And many of us aren't just cooking for ourselves, so we need to keep the rest of the family happy too!

Soup - I am a great fan of the hearty soup (just don't add cream and I think it's a really healthy option!)  I love mixed vegetable, lentil, carrot and corriander and leek and potato.  Plus you can make a big pan of it and freeze some, use for lunches etc.  If you have with brown bread, just try to keep the butter to a minimum!!

Spag bol - I use veggie mince for this, and add a bit of celery and peppers as well as the tomatoes and mushrooms, so you can have quite a bit of veg in here.  Serve with brown pasta and go easy on the parmesan!  Chilli's good too with brown rice.

Curry - there are LOADS of veg curries you can make - just use Olive oil rather than ghee, and don't go for creamy kormas!  I like lentil dhals, cauliflower or okra and potatoes, prawn and spinach, Quorn or chicken in a spicy sauce, spicy green beans, carrot and cabbage etc etc.  Serve with brown rice or chapattis - I like a yoghurt riata too, with lots of fresh mint, coriander and cucumber.

Roast veg and hummus - I love roast root veg (potatoes, parsips, carrots, sweet potatoes, beetroot) - just coat in olive oil and add a bit of salt and pepper (or only pepper on the sweet veg) and then dunk in hummus - yum!!

Fish - eg salmon fillet, smoked mackeral - grill your fish and serve with new potatoes or sweet potato mash (just go easy on the butter if you can!) for veg you could have peas, carrots, brocolli, green beans, salad, ratttouille etc etc.

Salad - try and make this as interesting as you can or it will feel like a diet chore!  Maybe have leaves, tomatoes, red onion, olives, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar one time.  Then another inlcude avocado, white grapes, corinader leaves and lime juice.  Try not to use mayo and keep dressings simple - lemon or lime juice, balsamic vinegar or a bit of olive oil.

Stir fries - again add a bit of interest - I like adding shitake mushrooms and cashew nuts.  You can get lots of variety of veg into these dishes - all your colours!  I like using brocolli, baby sweetcorn, peppers, bean sprouts, baby carrots, mange tout etc.  Serve with brown rice.

Fruit Salad or soothies - if you can't be bothered to eat fruit,them make up a fruit salad or smoothie to get that fruity goodness down you!  If your family and/or you expect pudding then try to go for lots of fruity varieties.  A bowl of strawberries or cherries, baked bananas, fruit salad, even a fruit crumble or tart.

Good luck everyone!

Love Kirsty xx

Thats brill Kirsty. Just need to put it all into practice. I have got so bored with having to think what to eat all the time and despise food with a passion(hence all the takeaways) so having some new ideas will give me and all of us some inspiration and encouragement to do this . Just as a thought as we are starting out, maybe we could all make sure we have got a 'before' photo (which we can keep hidden for the mo !) so that when we achieve our goals - which we will (positive thoughts girls) - we can then post them on here with the new and improved 'after' photo of ourselves. What do you think ?

Love Star x x x

P.S Keep smiling

Hi all, I am new to this site, but have been buying S&D for years. I too am a failed yoyo dieter, nothing seems to work, and now find myself back at yet another slimming club - I would be rich if I'd banked the money I've spent on these over the past 20 years! Please count me in, I have 4 stone to lose, which sounds a lot until you consider I am only 4ft 10ins tall! I want to do it for health reasons mainly, but I'd love to be able to go and buy clothes that fit nicely instead of stretching over my big belly!
I will check in as often as I can as I think it will give me a huge boost.
Can anyone recommend a good meditation to help us along when things get tough? I should mention too that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which really slows down my weight loss. It's incredibly frustrating! Does anyone else have this?
Best of luck everyone, love Ann x

And don't forget the good old baked spud - as long as you don't lather it in butter!

I usually scoop out the baked flesh, mix with a bit of milk and add chopped mushrooms, onion softened in the microwave and small snippets of crispy bacon. Mix it all up, season, put mixture back in skins and add a little bit of cheese on top, then bake in oven.

Delish and dead filling!

The more the merrier - and I think a few of us may take time to shed the pounds, for a variety of reasons, so we'll be in similar boats if not the same one!

Perhaps we can try setting a time for a weekly WW meditiation, where we picture ourselves eating healthily, going for walks (PAST the sweetie shop and not INTO it!!), saying no to second helpings or naughty snacks, finding our clothes feel loose, feeling healthier and slimmer?  Maybe Monday nights at 9.00pm?  Some people might like to add cosmic ordering to this too?

Carole baked potatoes are definitely good (careful about the butter though!) for a quick meal just add baked beans!  Your recipe sounds much nicer though!

Love Kirsty xx

This is such a fantastic idea.

Water water and more water, it is said that most of us dont drink enough water, one of the problems with this is that the message the body sends to the brain when it is thirsty can be mis-understood for a feeling of hunger. So when you feel hungry try having a drink of water instead,!!!?.

I have a dream board with images of healthy foods, a person made out of water, a short summary of benefits of water, urm, will see if I can take photo of it and post it on here or the FB page. It is always a good idea to make dream boards on whatever subject you are focusing on as every time you look at your dream board,  it keeps you on track.

The Monday meditation / visualisation group, all imagining great health & fitness for ourselves and our friends on here will be such a fantastic healing group, wow this Forum just gets better and better

Thankyou you all for being you!!!

Love & Healthy Hugs

Em xxxx

PS who was it that said about her pants on the washing line blocking out the sun!?  talk about laugh out loud : )

I've really taken to Doreen Virtue's Book Eating in the Light its about Vegetarianism and your Spiritual Path. Even if you're not a Veggie or thinking of going that way there was still a lot of interesting bits in it.I've seen it advertised at anything below £4.99 so its not exspensive. I've been on my diet properly for two weeks now and my first way in is Monday. I've 4 and half stone to loose to get back to my 'Marathon Running' Days many many moons ago!

Good Luck everyone

Kathy

This is quite good timing as my cupboards and freezer are quite bare so I am going to do a big shop tomorrow. I will stock up on some of the things you mentioned Kirsty and I might have a look for a juicer too.
I have just got so used to cooking the same old meals, I have promised to myself to have fun when shopping instead of trawling round the aisles picking up the usual. That's the idea anyway, will let you all know how I get on!!! (Must remember to eat properly before going)
Could do with a kick up the backside excercise wise too.
Love Elaine

Oooh almost forgot... an affirmation I like is "I am reclaiming my beauty" can't remember which book I got it from though