Booked to join SW - er, what do you actually DO at meetings?

[CatKisser]

I've got to accept that I cannot lose weight without a supportive pal or jutg my own self motivation. Fairly rubbish I know, but there we go. So, I've booked into a Slimming World meeting at 9am this Saturday. please God let this be early enough for none of my pupils' parents to be there
The woman's asked me to arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the class - why is this? Also, what do you actually DO at meetings?? I'm hoping it'll work for me having the motivation of a weekly weigh in.

[Nouseforausername]

when you get there she'll take you through the plan and then others will arrive and weigh. then everyone sits and you go round the group and others share how their week has been and talk about tips. any awards are then given and slimmer of the week. Everyone in my group is lovely, wide range of ages too

[CatKisser]

That sounds ok, thanks Nouse! I seem to remember when I was about 20 being dragged to one by my mum but I was so livid about being forced to go I sat there, head down like a petulant child, breathing through my nose.
Quite looking forward to it, actually.

[CatKisser]

Me again, sorry - another question. Just been looking up some SW recipes and was wondering if your shopping bills have gone up since you started? Also, if I do this but live alone, will I find I'm chucking a lot of food out?

[Nouseforausername]

i shop at aldi and spend 40-60 a week between me, dp and ds(1.5) i think my bill has gone down cause theres so much less junk. I also tend to batch cook and portion it to either do another evening meal or lunch the day after.

[CatKisser]

Oh that's really good! Yes, you're right about the junk. Pizzas etc are such a pointless waste of £3 or so. I have some APPALLING eating habits (mostly involving cheese) and I really want to break them.
I'm quite good at batch cooking and freezing but do get a bit sick if I have to eat the same thing on consecutive nights too often.

[CatKisser]

Well, I had my first meeting this morning and really enjoyed it. The people were really welcoming and great. There was one woman there who started out at 19 stone and is down to 12! Just amazing. Have to admit, a couple of times I found myself welling up as people spoke about how their confidence was much higher and they felt the could hold their heads high...

So, I came home, planned a week's worth of meals and went to buy all the stuff. I have a load of meat in, luckily, so all in all, it came to £27 - for a week's worth of food!

I am horrifically heavy but for the first time I feel I don't have to be any more.

[BearPear]

Good luck - I'm the same as you, I can't do it by myself. I'm at target but I do go back when I feel I'm sliding off the wagon - just the ritual of going & weighing in keeps me on track. I know it is a psychological thing, but it works for me.

It took me a little while to get to grips with Extra Easy (I was a disillusioned WW person), but once I understood I have found it super easy to follow.

[CatKisser]

Thanks BearPear. It DOES seem easy, doesn't it? I've eaten stuff today that I normally would but just made crucial changes like cutting off the fat, using fry-lite instead of oil, using extra light spread as opposed to a great chunk of butter.
Back to work tomorrow so must make an effort to ensure I take filling healthy lunches this week.

[OkyDoke]

How are you getting on now CatKisser?

[lizandlulu]

Good luck catkisser! I hope you've found it ok over the last few days?

Our group is good, I look forward to it, just to go out without the kids fora couple of hours, it's lovely.

We get tips and new recipies, I find it really helps to hear what other people have been eating. I gtpet stuck in a rut sometimes too.

I've been going for to and a half years, simply because I can't do it on my own. I have to go and weigh in, I have to go and face what I've done. A few times I have joined, lost, then thought 'oh I'm alright now I don't need to go' only to put all the weight back on over time and end up back where I started.
So I've resigned myself to the fact that I am in this for the long term. Is not a quick fix.

Sw makes you think about what your eating. Like you say, little changes can make all the difference. I will never buy a spag Bol sauce ever again!

[CatKisser]

Hello again, thanks for asking/replying.
Well I had my third weigh-in yesterday and another 2.5lb down, making it 8lb in total over three weeks. I'm REALLY pleased, even though it's such a small drop in the ocean and there's a long way to go. I've had delicious, home-cooked food every day with loads of meat and veg - and even a one of those mini bottles of wine most nights!
I know if I knocked them on the head I'd probably lose more weight and as I'm extremely skint this week I will do that.
lizandlulu you're right about it being on for the long haul. Suits me though! I've spent my entire adult life making bad choices with food and this is a small investment which will set me right. They're a nice group too and the FB page is very active and supportive. WhatI'd love though is someone to go walking and stuff with. It's absolutely beautiful here today and I live right by the moors...

[lizandlulu]

Wait a couple of weeks and. See who you get chatting to, they might be looking for a buddy too. Is there no one around who would be bale to go with you? School mums?

[lizandlulu]

And well done on the loss!! It's all in the right direction