Battle with the weight

Every now and then I keep looking at myself in the mirror I like what I see- a nice looking woman with a bit of a flabby tummy nicely covered under jeans and a jumper. This slim mirror makes me look thinner than I actually am and only when I have noticed horrible, red stretchmarks on my tummy and couldn't zip up my favourite every day coat, I have realised that all these months

I've I was fooling myself. I'm not pretty, I'm fat, embarrassed and upset that I have managed to become so awfully fat. I don't want my friends to see me like that, my husband will never admire my body, I will never feel confident in a fat shell.
I have tried different dieting brands who kept me motivated for a short while, but once I was back to my normal life healthy eating didn't last long. Not because I didn't want it, just because I'm bad at cooking, bad at improvising and inventing new meals and bored of having the same food over and over again.

This week I have seen lots of very inspiring photos of ladies who have managed to lose weight in 3-4 months. I thought if they can do it, I can do it too! Commencing this week I have started running on a treadmill, for my bright, happy, thinner and confident future!


If you feel the same please join me, let's chat, let's motivate each other, let's transform ourselves!

SlimFast 7 day starter kit challenge results

A week or so ago I started my new weight loss challenge thanks to SlimFast. I have received a 7 day starter kit, which included everything I need to keep me going for the next 7 days:

-  6 milkshakes: summer strawberry, chunky chocolate, cafe latte
- 7 snack bags: cheddar bites, sour cream and chive pretzels
- 7 snack bars: chocolate caramel, heavenly chocolate
- 8 meal replacement bars: chocolate crunch, summer berry
- meal plan ideas booklet

SlimFast starter pack is a meal replacement diet plan which is very easy to follow. It is recommended that you choose 3 SlimFast snacks or fruits/vegetables, choose 2 SlimFast meal replacement bars, shakes and eat a healthy 600 cal meal (women)/800cal for men in the evening, overall of 1200cal (women) or 1400cal (men) a day. 

I have followed the example meal plan from the booklet included as I prefer to have a strict plan of what I need to eat otherwise I can pick up something I'm not allowed to eat.

For the first 2 days it was a bit of a struggle, I'm used to snacking during the day but it seemed that milkshake or replacement bar was not enough for me. I used my treadmill every evening for 20-25 minutes as a part of the diet plan recommendations and tried to drink 2 liters of water, but felt tired, hungry and every single day was looking forward my evening meal. I forgot how easy it is to put weight on and how hard it is to lose it!

I did notice the change in my weight though, I had -2kg. As I have enjoyed eating/drinking SlimFast products eventually I got used having sweet "snacks" during the day and tried to control my portions in the evening, until day 6. On day 6 it was our 3rd wedding anniversary and I decided to carry on dieting the next day, which I shouldn't have done as I felt even more hungrier than ever.

Overall, it's a great experience which made me think about methods of improving my daily food intake. I enjoyed different flavours and textures. Milkshakes were tasty, not too sweet/bland or thick; mini cheddars seemed a bit too salty but I don't normally put salt in my food so that could be the reason why they seems salty to me; pretzels tasted just about right shame packs were small; meal replacement bars seemed to be a little bit too sweet and required a drink with them, but I didn't mind them at all, in fact I really liked chocolate crunch; snack bars were the best part of the SlimFast starter kit- delicious!

As you can see I didn't manage to lose much weight, but I'm sure if I had Slimfast to last me longer I would have better results.
SlimFast starter kit could suit those who are always on the go and just like me need that kick to start healthy eating and exercising.


Disclaimer: I have received SlimFast starter kit to test and share my progress on my blog.

On the way to my goal with SlimFast

For the past few months  I have tried different fasting products which unfortunately didn't work for me.  I was struggling to feel motivated and to feel full with 500 calories a day. My constant hunger didn't help either and instead of following my goal to keep fit for 30th birthday I kept eating more and more.

Couple of weeks ago 3 of us went for a little stroll to a local football ground where my husband wanted to take some pictures. When we looked through the pictures I saw myself from behind which shocked me, I had laughter and tears at the same time, it was awful to realise that I look even fatter than I was!

And even that didn't stop me from eating more! I have moved my goal to the summer 2016 as it seems to be more realistic, I cleared the treadmill from toys and clothes but something was stopping me. I felt comfortable with myself, but I knew that the moment I see my friends or go out I will hate myself for looking so big. 

 you look

My husband says it is vein to look good for others, but I think it's the only way for me to stay motivated.

This week I pulled myself together and started walking and running on a treadmill for 20-25 minutes and just in time I have received SlimFast products to try!

I have received 7 day starter kit which includes milkshakes, bars, protein meal bars, snacks to last 7 days as well as the weekly plan.

To keep track of my journey here is my weight: 95.7 kg (awful I know). 

What I like the most is that I can have 1200-1400 calories a day, which is great as it allows me to have my favourite meals for dinner. SlimFast recommends that you have up to three snacks a day to help keep you feeling satisfied between meals. SlimFast method seems more realistic to me and I really hope that it can give me that kick I needed!

Disclaimer: I have received SlimFast starter kit to test and share my progress on my blog.

Fast Diet Kitchen Summer Campaign

I have battled with my weight since I was 14-16 years old. During the winter months I was enjoying my food and didn't care much about extra weight as it was nicely hidden behind the layers of clothes. But come spring and I hate myself and my body and regret about all those deserts, sandwiches and snacks I have eaten.

During my pregnancy I decided that I need to keep fit for myself and my baby. I was walking on a treadmill every day, swimming once a week and every weekend went for a long walk in the park. 
After I gave birth (nearly a year ago) I had the flattest belly I have had in ages!! 

I liked to look at myself in the mirror, to hear compliments how great I look. It didn't last long, lack of spare time, constant hunger as I'm breastfeeding, and weekly Domino's meant that I have put on extra weight. 

I don't like the way I look now, I hate clothes shopping as I don't like what I see in the mirror or can't find an item of clothing that will hide lumps and bumps or even look good on me!
But as summer is upon us and my 30th birthday is in 8 months, I am determined to lose weight, to keep fit, to feel myself again! 

With a little help from Fast Diet Kitchen I am starting a 6 week 5:2 Diet plan: 

On 31 may Fast Diet Kitchen is launching a 6 week on-line specialist Summer Ready campaign.
I will post weekly weight loss updates to keep track of my new journey as a way of supporting those who take part in the challenge. I hope the diet plan will work for me, fingers crossed!

Sign up to a free 6-week on-line specialist program here, alternatively follow Fast Diet Kitchen via Facebook and Twitter.

Disclaimer: I was provided with 3 weeks worth of fasting meals for the purpose of my weekly updates. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Exante diet meal replacement packs

Few weeks back when I have received Exante Diet packs I was enjoying a little bit of "freedom" whilst L was napping and was ready to try something new and different which can help me lose few pounds.

I started using treadmill for the first time in 9 months and I felt extremely good and motivated, but I needed that boost which I assumed Exante Diet packs can give.

Whether you have 2 pounds or 10 stone to lose, Exante Diet has a range of flexible, easy-to-follow, weight-management and weight-loss plans to suit you.

I have received:

breakfast eggs

sweet & sour noodless

blueberry & raspberry flavour pancakes

maple syrup flavour pancakes

pasta, ham & mushroom soup

gooey chocolate pudding

hazelnut flavour milkshake

strawberry flavour milkshake

chocolate flavour milkshake

velvety chocolate shake &go

All packs have: how to use instructions, ingredients, allergies and nutritional information, . 

Prior to consuming Exante Diet products I was advised that the amount of packs I have received would ideally suit 5:2 diet plan, which meant that I can "eat" the packs in a random order and would need to use 3 or 4 of the packs for "fasting" days. 

I'm not a big fan of fasting days as from my previous dieting experience I can fast one day and then the next day for 2. This time round I didn't chose fasting because I'm still breastfeeding. Therefore I have decided to combine the packs with the "normal" food I eat every day. 

I have to say straight away that I didn't manage to lose any weight in fact I am so used big portions or being served on a big plate that every time I cooked Exante Diet pack I had to have even more food after.

Please not I'm not a cook and sometimes I can ruin a ready made meal, therefore the pictures don't really reflect how it should look and for that I apologise in advance. 

On the first day of testing Exante Diet packs I have started with breakfast eggs. 

Very easy to cook- empty the pack into the bowl, add water, stir well and add the mixture to the pan. I have opted not to add any seasoning and it was the right decision as the omelette I made was a little bit too salty for my liking, but overall it tasted really nice.

Sweet & sour noodles- if you are a big fan of Chinese cuisine this pack is up your street. 

Unfortunately for me it most the least favourite, it tasted of beef and noodles in a sweet and sour sauce. Once again very easy to cook- empty the pack into the bowl, add water, cook in a microwave.

Blueberry & raspberry flavour pancakes and maple syrup flavour pancakes-  cooking method is very similar to "normal" pancakes. 

Out of 1 pack I could make 2 or 3 large pancakes or 5 small ones. I am a big fan of maple syrup therefore I really enjoyed eating them. Having said that both flavours were too strong for my liking.

Pasta, ham & mushroom soup- this is my favourite pack.

Absolutely delicious and reminds me of a quality Italian pasta.

Gooey chocolate pudding- a rich chocolate flavour desert.

I have slightly overcooked it in the microwave, but nonetheless tasted nice.

Hazelnut flavour milkshake/ Strawberry flavour milkshake/ Chocolate flavour milkshake- easy preparation which required just to add water and stir well.

I liked them but as a drink not a food replacement as after having one I was still hungry.

Velvety chocolate shake & go- that was a very interesting vegetable milkshake. 

It didn't taste too bad, just a little bit weird. I liked that it comes in a bottle as it makes it easier to mix with water and easy to use on the go.

Overall, it was an interesting experience, would be great to taste some main meals as only after tasting the variety of packs starting from breakfast to desert I can decide if I can stick with dieting.

If you fancy trying Exante Diet, visit their offers page to get the best dial.

Disclaimer: I was sent the above items for the purpose of this review. All thought and opinions are my own.