Complete beginner and need help/advice/tips/a kick up the bum.

[YourHandInMyHand]

I went to my first SW meeting last night and came away with my books thinking I would start it this morning, until to realise my kitchen was completely full of junky crap.

So I went to the supermarket this afternoon and aimlessly wandered the aisles confused about what meals I wanted to eat, and what I should stock up on. I came away with lots of fruit and veg, plus chicken, rice, white fish, etc.

Can anyone give me some basic meal ideas?

Can anyone recommend some low syn treats? (sweet or savoury)

Can anyone give me tips on what to buy at the supermarket.

I have been rather shocked at how unhealthy my shopping and eating habits have become, way too many fattening foods, convenience stuff, takeaways, etc. I've definitely lost my way and it showed on the scales last night!

[MamaChubbyLegs]

Hi, I'm a complete beginner too, so can't offer too much advice, but a few meals that I've had that were really yummy:

Chicken biryani/sea food paella (just cook the rice in a broth of all the ingredients and it all ends well!)
Mushroom stirfry is good, and all the ingredients are superfree. I made syn free egg fried rice for DP by frying it with fry light
Baked chicken breast with steamed veg and salad

This week we filled our fridge with fruit and veg and lean meat and it wasnt any more expensive than when we fill it with processed crap!

Come have a look at the slimming world thread and see what everyone else is eating.

Other than food, make sure you have flavouring things, such as garlic, chilli, curry powder, soy sauce, stock etc. Then you can make anything.

Good luck! I had a shock on the scales too, but I lost a lot on my first week, so it works, and you wont see that number again!

[higgle]

Lots of ideas and information here I find it more useful than the official slimming world site.
The fist couple of weeks are a bit confusing but if you always ensure 1/3 plate is superfree you will be off to a good start. I tend to use my syns in cooking but 175ml of wine or a curly wurly seem to be popular choices at my group.

[YourHandInMyHand]

Thanks mama and higgle.

I've been okay today I think. I have only ever done WW in the past, but couldn't face the idea of counting every single thing. I must admit I've been on the SW website and found it a bit blah, that forum looks much more helpful!

Will pop onto the chat thread too.

[kateconlan13]

Hi Guys,
My hubby and me have just come back from holiday and we,ve both put on half a stone with still more than that to lose, i used to go to a slimming world class years ago but now i dont have time because of the shifts my hubby and i work. I,ve bought the books and magazines and we,re trying to do it on our own. I cant believe we can eat all this food and still lose weight, the scales will tell on Saturday, we,ve made this our weigh in day. Can someone tell me if i,m allowed 5 to 15 syns the same as hubby or do i need to have less because i,m 5ft 2 ins and 10 stone 7 lbs. Cant wait to hear from you.

[BikeRunSki]

You can have 5-15 syns Kate, but obviously if you have 15 every day you will lose weight more slowly than if you have 5.

[iklboo]

Our counsellor has told us eating fewer syns won't make much difference and I've found that to be true. On weeks I've eaten nearer 15 syns a day I've usually ended up losing more. Limiting yourself to just 5 can be tricky as you may feel that you haven't had any treats & be tempted to cheat.

[iklboo]

Sorry - pressed send too soon - that's just our experience. It may be best to vary it out or start at the lower end until you get into the swing of it.

[BikeRunSki]

Top tip that really helped me. On Green days, a jacket spud with baked beans, salad and cottage cheese is all " free" or " superfree" and you can get it pretty much anywhere when you are out and about. It may be all free on Red too, not sure, I only did Green ( veggie).

I also used to syn count milk in my tea (0.5 syn.per normal cup) rather than use a Healthy Extra. And have a Muller Light yoghurt instead of milk with my cereal.

[BikeRunSki]

....with a banana on. It's still my normal breakfast, although an omelette ( no milk, fry in fry light) with banana, berries and " sugar" sweetnet sprinkled on is good too ( and free foods). I still so sometimes have baked beans, fry lite fried eggs and a Quorn sausage (1 syn each), maybe also mushrooms and toms.

[kateconlan13]

Thanks guys, appreciate your reply, i had 15 syns yesterday but i,ve only had 7 today. I prefer to do the red and green days, cant get my head round extra easy although i think you give up an A and a B healthy extra. My favourite is the green days, like you BikeRunSki i love baked potatoes and baked beans and if i havent used my A healthy extras i like some grated low fat cheese melted on top, i too also love a banana sliced and some strawberries with yoghurt ( usually Muller Light ) on top for pudding, i feel stuffed after all that. I know it has worked for me years ago but now i feel that surely eating so much wont help you lose weight but however as i said before i,ll let you all know on Saturday. It,s great to have others to chat to and have a bit support.

[iklboo]

I've just got my 3 stone award (started 14 January). You can do it!!

[kateconlan13]

Hi, That,s a brilliant weight loss, well done you, hope hubby and me can be as successful. Hopefully we,re doing ok the last few days.