2 Week SlimFast Challenge – The Results

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Fiona Martin

As you may have seen here a couple of weeks ago, I started out on the SlimFast 321 plan for 2 weeks. It’s a really easy to follow plan which comprises of 3 snacks a day, 2 meal replacement and 1 600 calorie evening meal.

So was it easy to stick to?

Yes! I was surprised by how well I stuck to this diet which I believe to be a combination of a large healthy dinner along with lots of snacks throughout the day. I loved keeping one of my 3 snacks for late in the evening when I started feeling peckish especially if I had an early dinner with the children. Also I think that the snacks are appealing and being similar to crisps and chocolate is always a bonus!

Did I enjoy the taste of the SlimFast snacks and shakes?

I have to say I’m very happy with all of the SlimFast based food that I ate, obviously there are some flavours I prefer over others but for me the chocolate shake is heavenly although I also enjoy vanilla and caramel temptation. The snacks are all very tasty particularly the Cheddar flavour bites and the Heavenly Chocolate Delight snack bar. The meal replacement bars were all good.

Did I feel hungry at all?

No! Quite simply I think due to the amount of daily snacks, I didn’t have to go more than a few hours between eating something. I know on other diets where you only get one snack a day it can leave you longing for food between meals. I found the evening meal of 600 calories generous and would often have a meal of 300-400 calories then also add in a yoghurt and fruit for dessert.

The all important bit – did I lose weight?

Yes!! A grand total of 8lbs!!!!

I’m so happy with this and it’s really given me a boost to losing more still. I feel so much better, my eating is much more regulated and my clothes are a little looser. I feel really inspired to carry on with SlimFast, although have just taken a few days off, enjoying a drop of wine and a pizza! I’ve already bought some powder shakes for breakfast and just need to get some other bits and I’m ready to go again in a bid to lose some more weight in time for the summer. Ideally I’d like to drop a couple of dress sizes but I’d rather take it slowly in order to be able to maintain the weight loss after.

SlimFast has definitely been a success for me and is a diet that suits me, my lifestyle and eating habits. It also helps that I enjoy the products and having to only prepare one meal a day means it’s easy to stick to and breakfast, lunch and snacks are easy to grab and go – perfect for my busy, hectic lifestyle of work and looking after two young children.

I’d recommend SlimFast and will be using it again now to continue my weight loss and again in the future whenever I want to drop a few lbs!

Why not give it a try and you too can loose some weight before the summer weather finally appears!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and the products were sent to me in order to write the review.

Yoga for Weightloss with Roxy Shahidi DVD – Review

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Fiona Martin

Yoga for Weightloss with Roxy Shahidi DVD is perfect for working out to at home. With not much spare time and little time to get away from the children to reach a gym, this dvd is something I can do in my own time, as and when I get an opportunity.

The DVD is broken down into sections and consists of a warm up along with three different programmes and some winding down stretches at the end.

WARM UP: (10 mins) This fluid warm up is designed to gently wake up the body and get your energy system flowing so you may start your practice feeling invigorated and awake.

SEQUENCE 1: Cardio & Standing Series (20 mins) This flowing sequence consists of the classical sun salutations all constructed to raise your heart beat and build strength. As we build heat in the body we begin to detoxify and purify ourselves allowing us to work off that extra weight and tone up our muscles.

SEQUENCE 2: Core strengthening (20 mins) This core sequence focuses on the mid-section of the body with focus on your abs and lower back. We all tend to store most of our extra weight in this area so this firming sequence is targeted to build up your muscles to provide you with a solid core. The lower back movements help improve your posture to prevent slumping, as good posture promotes correct organ function and aids in elimination of excess calories.

SEQUENCE 3: Seated Flow (20 mins) This gentle flow is designed to help you unwind and relax. Stress is one of the main causes for over-eating or over-indulging but there are better ways to calm you and release tension. Stretching the body will help you let go of any mental, physical and emotional blockages that are keeping you from being the best you can be.

BREATH: (10 mins) The breath is the quickest way to invigorate and open the body. This breathing practice can be done anywhere and has been formulated to energise you to start your day or re-charge yourself periodically when you need a lift.

SAVASANA: (5 mins) The savasana is a full relaxation practice to help you let go and completely unwind and put you in a meditative state. We all need to rest and this time allows all the work you have done in the previous flows to integrate into your system allowing change to take place. Roxy uses these practices to keep her in shape and looking and feeling her best! So come join Roxy in this yoga practice to rev up your metabolism and firm your core so you can look and feel great!

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I found Roxy Shahidi very easy to watch and follow. The DVD was very clear and she guides you with ease through the workout. Yoga is normally thought of to be relaxing, rather than for weightloss, but this DVD really does get you moving, in particular I loved the stretching and how flexible it’s making me feel. Although I know I should be exercising more than I do, I would rather do something like this than a fast paced cardio workout that I wouldn’t stick to and keep doing. Knowing this yoga routine is gentle yet effective, I try to fit it in a couple of times a week and I’m certainly feeling better for it.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the dvd in order to write the review.

Porridge on Tuesday – A new online Diet & Healthy Eating Plan

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Fiona Martin

For me, food is always something that I struggle to balance, although it was when I was pregnant for the second time that I really started to overeat. I am now living with the consequences, finding it harder to stick to a diet, with two children to look after and with the husband working shifts, our mealtimes are never routine so I often find myself snacking to keep to going.

So as you can imagine I was delighted to be chosen as one of the Ambassadors for a new online meal planning site Porridge on Tuesday which gives you a full meal plan and exercise videos for the week ahead based on calories relative to your weight/height and how much you want to lose. Or if you are not particularly overweight and just want help to maintain healthy eating with lots of recipe ideas then that is an option too.

Being vegetarian I am always sceptical of meal plans and whether the meals will be easy to cook but I have to say I’m really pleased with the Porridge on Tuesday meal plans so far as there are some really tasty dishes that are easy to cook. Some of my favourites so far are Mexican rice and beans with avocado salsa, Refried bean quesadilla and a very simple Spaghetti and courgettes. I have made some simple changes to basic foods such as switching pasta and rice to wholemeal varieties and having cooked breakfasts – something that was very rare beforehand! I can only manage this on days I’m at home although scrabbled eggs on toast has become a firm favourite.

What I love about the meal plan is that you can change, swap or delete a meal if you don’t like it, want something different or just don’t fancy it on the day. You can then choose an alternative lunch/meal/snack to put in it’s place. For me this has been a very useful tool and something that encourages me to keep checking my plan and customising it to suit me.

Being two weeks into the plan I have already lost 5lb – yay!! Although I’ve still got a way to go to shift the couple of extra stone I need to. I’m hoping that by writing about my weight loss and following a structured meal plan I will stay motivated enough to get back to my pre pregnancy size or perhaps a bit lower!

I’ll keep you posted about both how well I am doing and what I think about the Porridge on Tuesday website – so far all is good!!