How was your weight affecting your life?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI was the person who cancelled on friends at the last minute or said I was suddenly unwell, especially if I knew there might be photos. Once, I was caught off guard when a friend whipped a camera out at a birthday dinner, so I quickly moved everyone around so I could get to the back of the shot. I just wanted to hide as much of myself as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d spent years studying to become a psychologist, but after university I didn\u2019t feel able to go for my dream career. I had this mean voice inside my head telling me there was so much competition in my field, why would I be the one to succeed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What made you decide to join Slimming World?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn 2019, my little niece, Lily, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and children. We\u2019d always been close and I was so worried about her that I turned to food for comfort. I\u2019d opt creamy pasta dishes topped with Parmesan and served with garlic bread, often followed by a tub of ice cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, after her treatment, she went into remission, and to celebrate my family did a 5K charity run to raise money for research. I tried as hard as I could to keep up with the others, but I barely made it to the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I picked up my too-small finisher\u2019s T-shirt afterwards, still out of breath, something inside me clicked: I didn\u2019t want to spend the next year feeling like this. On Boxing Day 2019, I searched online for my nearest Slimming World group<\/a> and joined in the New Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Sophie](\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sophie3-InternationalWomensDays-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow did Food Optimising fit into your lifestyle?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nReally easily! I was surprised to discover I didn\u2019t have to cut out the meals I loved \u2013 I could just adapt anything I fancied. So instead of buying ready-made quarter-pounders and brioche buns, I made my own burgers<\/a> from scratch using lean beef mince, and served them with a large salad and a Healthy Extra wholemeal roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI also stopped adding oil and butter to meals, weighed out my cheese and swapped cream for fat-free fromage frais. I can\u2019t live without dessert, so I found loads of slimming-friendly ways to satisfy my sweet tooth. Trifles, brownies, cheesecakes\u2026 you name it, I\u2019ve probably got a Slimming World recipe for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MORE ON THE BLOG: Discover which puddings are on the menu when you\u2019re Food Optimising<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIs your Slimming World group important to you?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDefinitely. I love being around such a genuinely lovely bunch of people. Everyone there understands the ups and downs of making such a big life change, and I\u2019ve learnt so much by listening to the other members\u2019 stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their support helped me to tackle my emotional eating, too. My Consultant, Lynsey, showed me how to recognise the moments that used to send me off track, like feeling stressed or tired, and together we put a plan in place so that I could make healthier choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, I always plan a dessert into my day, so that I can enjoy a treat within my daily Syns allowance, and the other members in group gave me some great ideas for Free Food alternatives to my favourite comfort foods, like Slimming World chips and tasty fakeaways. Because my menu is still full of the foods I love, I never feel like I\u2019m missing out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sophie](\"https:\/\/slimmingworld.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Sophie2-InternationalWomensDays-SlimmingWorldBlog.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHave you noticed a change in your confidence, too?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOh yes! With each weight loss milestone, I started to believe in myself a little bit more. Even when I had a setback, I never felt discouraged. I\u2019d just think back to before I joined and remind myself that, back then, I\u2019d have been delighted to be where I was now. It was incredible to hear the negative voice in my head becoming so positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the number on the scales went down, my self-belief just grew and grew. Then, I spotted a vacancy for an amazing job! At the interview, I talked about the vital connection between mental wellbeing and good nutrition. I was quite overwhelmed when I found out I\u2019d got it, knowing a new chapter of my life was now well and truly underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2019, my little niece, Lily, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and children. We\u2019d always been close and I was so worried about her that I turned to food for comfort. I\u2019d opt creamy pasta dishes topped with Parmesan and served with garlic bread, often followed by a tub of ice cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, after her treatment, she went into remission, and to celebrate my family did a 5K charity run to raise money for research. I tried as hard as I could to keep up with the others, but I barely made it to the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I picked up my too-small finisher\u2019s T-shirt afterwards, still out of breath, something inside me clicked: I didn\u2019t want to spend the next year feeling like this. On Boxing Day 2019, I searched online for my nearest Slimming World group<\/a> and joined in the New Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Really easily! I was surprised to discover I didn\u2019t have to cut out the meals I loved \u2013 I could just adapt anything I fancied. So instead of buying ready-made quarter-pounders and brioche buns, I made my own burgers<\/a> from scratch using lean beef mince, and served them with a large salad and a Healthy Extra wholemeal roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also stopped adding oil and butter to meals, weighed out my cheese and swapped cream for fat-free fromage frais. I can\u2019t live without dessert, so I found loads of slimming-friendly ways to satisfy my sweet tooth. Trifles, brownies, cheesecakes\u2026 you name it, I\u2019ve probably got a Slimming World recipe for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n MORE ON THE BLOG: Discover which puddings are on the menu when you\u2019re Food Optimising<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Definitely. I love being around such a genuinely lovely bunch of people. Everyone there understands the ups and downs of making such a big life change, and I\u2019ve learnt so much by listening to the other members\u2019 stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their support helped me to tackle my emotional eating, too. My Consultant, Lynsey, showed me how to recognise the moments that used to send me off track, like feeling stressed or tired, and together we put a plan in place so that I could make healthier choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, I always plan a dessert into my day, so that I can enjoy a treat within my daily Syns allowance, and the other members in group gave me some great ideas for Free Food alternatives to my favourite comfort foods, like Slimming World chips and tasty fakeaways. Because my menu is still full of the foods I love, I never feel like I\u2019m missing out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh yes! With each weight loss milestone, I started to believe in myself a little bit more. Even when I had a setback, I never felt discouraged. I\u2019d just think back to before I joined and remind myself that, back then, I\u2019d have been delighted to be where I was now. It was incredible to hear the negative voice in my head becoming so positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the number on the scales went down, my self-belief just grew and grew. Then, I spotted a vacancy for an amazing job! At the interview, I talked about the vital connection between mental wellbeing and good nutrition. I was quite overwhelmed when I found out I\u2019d got it, knowing a new chapter of my life was now well and truly underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow did Food Optimising fit into your lifestyle?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is your Slimming World group important to you?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHave you noticed a change in your confidence, too?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n