Disqus for Where Are My Knees

Sunday Summary 54

Monday 23 April 2012

Another week's gone! How's yours been?

Sarah V - I am a bit amazed at how much I've enjoyed my first week on Slimming World. Thanks to Amy and her amazing collection of recipes, it's got me excited about cooking again and I've eaten so well! And it's obviously working, because in my first week, I lost 6lbs. I expected a reasonable loss from going from eating terribly to really well, but definitely not THAT much. I doubt I'll do the same in this week's weigh in, but as long as it keeps going  down, I'm happy. :)

Gemma - I stayed the same this week but that is actually a loss because I put more than a few lbs on over Easter but couldn't attend class last week. I've had a great week, didn't over indulge on the weekend even though I had a birthday to attend and a night out. After my little break over Easter I have my determination back, I can't wait to get on the scales this week and start working towards my new goal. I'm currrently just getting in to a size 16 but I want to be in size 14 denim shorts in time for Reading festival.

Weight Watchers Dinner Party

Saturday 21 April 2012

I wanted to share with you the exciting news that Weight Watchers has collaborated with Lisa Faulkner to create ten recipes that aren’t just tasty, they are low in ProPoints values too.  The recipes are inspired by the top ten favourite dinner party dishes identified in a new survey from Weight Watchers.

Lisa has filmed some great how to videos for the Lasagne, Lamb Rogan Josh and Thai Green Curry too. These easy to follow cooking videos make it simple for  anyone to prepare these meals at home and show how anyone can make meals that are perfect for serving up at dinner parties, without having to sacrifice their weight loss plans. You can check out the videos here:




Lamb Rogan Josh: http://youtu.be/uqGNyy5sDiI

Spaghetti Bolognese: http://youtu.be/9fLWjb6CgJE


The Weight Watchers dinner party survey also revealed that over 80% of people on a weight loss plan worry about attending dinner parties, as opposed to looking forward to them. This is largely due to guests feeling concerned about the amount of high calorie food served up, or as a host, worrying whether or not your guests will enjoy the food that you spent the best part of a day slaving over.

Weight Watchers believe that dinner parties should be something to be excited about, not something you want to avoid, so they have launched a new ‘Supper Club’ Facebook app to encourage people to have more fun with their food. Filled with lots of healthy, tasty recipes to inspire home cooking, the Supper Club app is available now via the Weight Watchers’ Facebook page www.facebook.com/weightwatchersuk (http://apps.facebook.com/wwsupperclub).

We have posted lots of great recipes on Where Are My Knees which you can find here and are perfect for impressing guests.

Do you worry about entertaining and staying on plan? Who would be your ideal dinner party guest?

Sunday Summary #53

Sunday 15 April 2012

Gemma- The past few weeks have been a total disaster. I stayed the same before Easter and could not attend class the Tuesday after the bank holiday weekend. I knew that I had over indulged over Easter so I have been extra good all week and even started doing the 30 day shred again. Then I went to a party last night... drank loads of punch, ate some homemade rocky road and nibbles and went off the rails. I blame the punch entirely, not my fault at all ;) To try and reverse all this bad behaviour I have bought a book from Paperchase that has separate sections for a food diary, exercise diary, goals, recipes and inspiration. I'm hoping that a combination of photos of Marina Diamondis and clearly set out goals will help me to stay on track. Size 12/14 by summer!

Sarah V - I started Slimming World this week, and I'm really excited about it. I think it may be just what my diet needs - not just in terms of weight loss (although obviously that's my main motivator) but in getting back into good habits. I've got into really bad habits lately  - I NEVER cook any more and tend to go for ready meals or oven pizzas almost every night. Slimming World is very focused on preparing food from scratch so you know what's in it, and I think that's quite a good message. I also think that, after 5 years or so of doing Rosemary Conley, on and off, it's time I tried something new - I find myself breaking the Rosemary Conley rules more often than not, these days so abandoning all those (mostly broken) rules and learning a new diet technique could be just what I need. Fingers crossed! My motivation is back and I'm not making excuses any more. :)

Guest Post - My weight loss journey by Grace

Saturday 7 April 2012

I have been on a weight loss journey for what seems like forever! I remember being bullied at school for being “fat” but actually, when I look back at photos I wasn’t! I have always been bigger, but mainly for the reason I am tall, I have broad shoulders and wide hips which now is the desired body shape with “curvy” being in!

Well I have recently hit a weight loss of 5.5 stone and although I have tried pretty much every diet there is to try I have finally found the one that works for me! I have joined and rejoined Weight Watchers several times in the past but last September I joined for what I was determined would be the final time! I had what I call the clicking moment, where for what ever reason it all fell in to place and I have stuck too the plan! For the first time ever I actually enjoy being on a diet! The best thing about weight watchers pro points plan is that you can enjoy your favourite things and still lose weight! The nice thing for me is it seems to have reprogrammed my way of thinking when it comes to food choices, no matter how much you might fancy eating that extra piece of cake something kicks in and you think about whether it’s worth it?!

I have lost my weight over the past two years, I definitely feel that slow and steady is the best way as it will stay off that way! I still have around two stone to go but that seems like a tiny goal now in comparison to what I started with!

The hardest thing for me will probably sound a bit strange to others but its remembering that I am no longer the size I was! I still buy the same kinds of clothes as I did at my heaviest, black and something that covers everything up! But I am slowly bringing the colours back into my wardrobe and now cant wait to enjoy being slimmer this summer! Knowing you can go in to a “normal” shop and buy clothes is an amazing feeling!

It was my 30th Birthday at the beginning of March and I wanted to wear a dress that made me feel special, I found a very simple black dress which was the first outfit that made me realise just how far I had come, It was the best feeling ever and the amount of compliments I got was amazing. When I compare a picture of me before the weight loss and one from that night I feel really proud of myself!

 

I do a Weight Loss Wednesday post on my blog and a few people have told me I have inspired them to lose weight which is so lovely. Loosing weight is hard work but it is so worth it for so many reasons! My advice to anyone that’s about to start their journey or are part way through it is be realistic and keep going, Setting yourself small goals to work towards makes it less daunting! Most importantly do it for you!

Stay Gorgeous

Grace xoxo

Sunday Summary - Week 52

Sunday 1 April 2012

One whole year of Sunday Summaries complete!  This week we thought we would do something slightly different and update you on our ups and downs of the year and of course our progress.

Sarah - This year has seen me start with making healthy choices and realise that it is harder than it seems and that a structured weight loss plan is much easier to stick to. I joined Slimming World, left Slimming World for Weight Watchers and finally trialed Jenny Craig before returning to Weight Watchers.  My total weight lost stands at 27lbs and a whopping 22.5" - 6.5" of which has come off my hips alone!  The before picture is from my first post where I am wearing a size 14 dress and the after picture was taken today wearing a size 10 dress and bags of confidence!


It has been anything but easy, I am roughly back where I was at the end of October but I guess getting married, going on honeymoon followed by Christmas & New Year is enough to throw anyone off track.  I have learnt that any plan will work as long as you stick to it - it is honestly just about choosing a plan that you can stick to.  When I could no longer find the motivation to stick to Slimming World I switched and haven't looked back.  I was criticised by my old leader for my decision but this is my weight loss journey and I need to do what is best for me. Weight Watchers has made me enjoy food again and taught me the benefits of portion control which will help so much when I reach my goal.  I have begun an exercise regime I intend to stick to, it is hard fitting it around everything else in my life but it is worth it. After only two weeks I can already feel my body getting stronger which is a great feeling.

My goal for this year is to get to my first target weight (13lbs to go!) and then to set my final target.  I will not give up on the exercise, I will get the body and fitness I want this year and then I will work hard to maintain it, I can do this!


Gemma - This year has completely changed my life. I've lost 5 stone 3.5lbs, dropped from a size 22 to a 14/16 and gained so much confidence. I had already lost about half a stone through Weight Watchers before we started Where Are My Knees but I have lost 1.2lbs a week on average for over a year. The first photo is the one I used in my first post on here and the second is a photo I took last week.


Before I started my weight loss programme I was a bit of a recluse, I would make excuses not to go out and I always felt like the odd one out. I now really enjoy going out socially and get excited about what to wear on the weekend. In 2012 I've noticed a big change in my size and inches have been dropping off quickly. I can now buy clothes that I really like from any shop rather than buying the only thing that fits.

The Weight Watchers plan has really worked for me, I get a daily allowance and a weekly allowance (which I usually blow on the weekends) no food is off limits as long as I count it and I find it really easy to follow.
Keeping a food diary and weighing all my food may seem excessive but this amount of control has really helped me to change my eating habits. I get a lot of support from my leader Pat and all the lovely members at my class. It sounds a bit silly but the highlight for me has been buying a size 14 dress in Primark last week, not been able to do that since I was 15.

I don't really have a goal weight but I think I would like to lose about 7 stone in total and be 12/14. I know Weight Watchers will always have to be a part of my life and when I reach a weight I am happy with I will still go to class as a Gold member to maintain my weight.

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me on here and on twitter, couldn't have done it without you!



Sarah V - I'm actually weighing in at about 5lbs more than when I started Where Are My Knees. But despite that, I've learnt a lot in the last year. The biggest thing for me that I've noticed is that I make SO many excuses! It's really made me address my eating habits and exercise habits (or lack thereof). I'm planning to give my routine a shake-up this year. I've been doing the same diet plan on and off for too long and I find that I bend (and break) the rules far too often, so I'm going to try something new. And I have really noticed a difference since getting closer to 30 - it's getting so much harder to lose weight. I'm going to re-focus on exercise and really try and get back into all those good habits that I've lost.

I've realised that when I'm dieting I get obsessive about being good, but when I'm not dieting I turn into something of a competitive eater. I really need to learn to find a balance between the two, because this way isn't really healthy. My goal for this year is the same as last - to lose 2 stone - but mostly it is to get back into good habits and conquer my issues with food.



Charlene - Writing this has made me realise that I haven't done amazingly with my weight loss. I've had ups and downs, and as it stands I've lost 8lbs from my starting weight. 8lbs over a year is nothing when you compare it to what the other girls have done, but if I'm honest I've gained a lot more body confidence lately which I am more than pleased with. I don't have a lot of weight to lose anyway (my goal has always been to tone up and have a flatter tummy rather than lose a lot of weight) but I've been working on how I feel about my body and I've accepted I'm always going to have curves and a wobbly bum and you know what? I'm happy with that. Moving on into 2012 I'd still like to lose a few lbs, get fit, tone up and eat a healthier diet but most importantly I want to feel good about myself.


Lucy - Will be updated soon!


So this sums up our journey over the last year, if you would like to be included in our pledgers round up post this week please tweet us your summary for inclusion.