Jumping on the Slim and Save Band Wagon!

Hi everyone,

I'm new to Minimins, but have been lurking reading all the great tips

So I am expecting my S&S trial hamper today! I looked at a number of VLCD and S&S appealed to me because there seemed to be 1) a good support network 2)
Value for money compared to the others 3) There is 4 packs a day and there seems a more leeway and 4) I loved the success that many has had on it, and want a piece of the action!

I got the trial in oppose to going gung-ho on a month as I wanted to check out the packs before splurging. Really looking forward to seeing what I get!

A bit about me:

I have been on my own idea of a Ketogenic diet for the past 3 months. I am 5"4 and I started at 13 stone 3lbs but as of today I am 11 stone 9lbs. I know I have done well on it, and as much as I love the results, I am getting a bit fed up of all the meat, fat and eggs etc and wanted to give it a rest.

2 years ago I weighed 10st, was a size 10 and looked great. I got pregnant to my gorgeous son, however during pregnancy I was still the poster child of healthy eating - I did not put on extra weight and luckily enough I did not suffer from high calorie cravings! After I gave Birth I was still slim.

So what happened? I found it easy to eat takeaways in oppose to cooking. I also developed a sweet tooth and ate mountains of Bourbon biscuits - my midwife said it was because I was breastfeeding and it was my body's way of making the milk sweet for baby! My mother also passed away during the final months of my pregnancy. At the time I found it hard to grieve as I focused on little one in my womb (we had several complications during pregnancy - I went into early labour at 26 weeks. Thankfully he stayed put until I had an emergency C-Section at 34 weeks!).

The grief came out 10 fold after and I ate and ate.

Forward to over a year later and I still did not think I had a problem until I was at a festival 4 months ago and a guy asked if I needed help carrying supplies back to our tent cos he thought I was pregnant!!! Bizarrely I wasn't mortified but it got me thinking. I had a problem and need to address it. I think I needed a stranger to make me realise it. My OH, bless him said he didn't notice the difference and anyway I just had a baby. I'm like that was over a year ago! He has also packed on the pounds and said he was going to do something about it too.

So he we are today! I have managed to get out of the obese range of my BMI due to being in Ketosis. My OH has been following a low cal diet as he could not get his head around Keto.

I am hoping because I am still in ketosis that I will find the transition on to S&S easier.

Wish me luck and good luck to all who is on this journey x

Dear Diary,

I was really excited when my box arrived yesterday – And was really impressed with the delivery. Ordered on Monday, got a yesterday morning to expect delivery between 10:19-11:19am (talk about precise lol!) and sure enough at EXACTLY 10:19am I get a knock on the door! Yay!

Being the kind of excitable (and, I guess, anal retentive person that I am!) I went through the packs to see what I got and divide them into 4’s and put them into individual little freezer bags. Did I mention I was anal? There is a reason to my madness – I hate anything Banana flavoured, so ensured I had the dreaded Banana shake (or anything else that did not take my fancy like the orange and mango shake) with at least 2 other things that I thought I would like with it. I then put each pack of 4 in order for the week. Would I do this again when I get my monthly pack? Probably not as I will try to only order stuff I liked from the taster pack J

I am lucky as I work from home. However due to time difference (I work for a company based in Australia, and I’m in Kent!), I am generally up anytime between 4:30am-5am. What worries me is how I am going to space out these packs so not to feel hungry as some nights I am up till around 10pm/11pm. Hopefully the fact that I am still in ketosis from eating very low carb prior to starting S&S will help!

So onto Day 1:
Start Weight: 11 9 1/2lbs - Somehow gained a 1/2lb over night!
Wake up: 2x Filter Fairtrade coffee, 2 Canderel tablets, 50mls skimmed milk from my allowance
Breakfast: Scrambled Egg/Omelette pack: Ended up waiting until 9am to have this. Was surprised at the size as I was expecting a miniscule amount, but it was exactly the amount of scrambled egg I would usually make for myself. Easy to prepare, and tasted ok, not quite like eggs, but not too weird tasting either iykwim. However my Partner said they smelt funny! Would get again.
Lunch: Chicken Curry Noodle Soup Pack –Really liked this! Nice and spicy, will be getting again
Dinner: Pasta Carbonara & 175g of cooked broccoli – Again nice and filling would be getting again
Snack/Dessert: Chocolate Mint Shake – was planning on having this during the bake off lol
Water intake for the day: 3490mls

I imputed my day onto Myfitnesspal.com which I have been using for my weight loss journey – And was quite alarmed by my macros! I guess it is because I am so used to being on a high fat, low carb diet (My carbs are usually 5% for the day!) so freaked out at the 30%+ carbs for the day today! But I joined the closed group on Facebook, and they were quick to allay my fears! Great bunch on there, and am glad of all the support I can get!

I was really apprehensive, but so far so good and I’m looking forward to tomorrow! I get paid tomorrow so will be ordering the 28 day simplicity pack so that I can take advantage of the offers of free packs and so that I am not caught short when I run out of the taster pack

Day 2

Weight: 11st 8 ¼ - Lose of 1lb ¼ from yesterday!
Wake up: x2 Filter coffee, x2 Canderel Tablets, 50ml Skimmed milk
Breakfast: Orange & Mango shake at 9am – I was a bit apprehensive about this one as I have seen reviews that said this was revolting, but I was pleasantly surprised! Like a tropical smoothie
Lunch: Chilli Con Carne & cauliflower rice – Lovely and filling have ordered this again
Dinner: Cottage Pie – Ditto above
Snack: Honey & Nougat Bar

Unfortunately, I am a daily weigher! I have been using an app called Truweight (It helps show the downward weight loss and also how many cals I am burning on a day to day basis), but it means I have to input my weight in daily to show the trend.

2[SUP]nd[/SUP] day was alright. Ketostix showing ketosis, however in the evening I suddenly felt rough and dizzy. I don’t think it is the diet though, but I was bent over for a long time washing my hair and I think it was that.

Have taken the plunge and also ordered the 28 day pack, plus extras such a mix of 14 bars, fibre, orange water stuff and the mousse stuff. I am determined to do this!

Day 3

Weight: 11 6 1/2 (Wowzers!!!)
Breakfast: Cuppuccino Shake - nice
Lunch: Muesli Bar - loved this!
Dinner: Cheesy Pasta with 75g broccoli and 150g zero noodles - hmmm this was a bit hit and miss! I found it too watery but it could be because I didn't dry the noodles properly after rinsing.
Late snack: Mint choc shake turned into a mousse using S&S mouse mix

Felt ok today, until mid afternoon when I had the headache from hell! I'm still in ketosis, so have chalked it to the fact that I am on very low calories.

You are obviously very organised!!

Facebook query - the closed group - does that mean none of your friends can see what u put on there or that you are even a member? I would love to join but would hate to have it show up on my page for my friends to see as I don't really tell many people I am doing this (again!!)

Hi NotLong, the Facebook group is fabulous! I've been posting a lot on there as everyone is really supportive and have loads of tips.

It is a closed group, which is great as I haven't told anyone other than my sister and OH what I've been doing either. I guess I'm not ready to tell everyone yet in case I fail!

It helps me to be organised, as it keeps me busy and stops me thinking about "real food"! However so far I've loved the packs.

The weekend has gone well and I feel great, and haven't had a chance to post (bad me!).

Saturday-
Water: 3500mls
Breakfast - Filter coffee, Porridge: quite nice actually. Added cinnamon.
Lunch: Chicken soup: Again quite nice and was like a cuppa soup!
Dinner: Curry: I loved this - wish I ordered more of this! I turned it into a mushroom curry and had it with zero rice! Delish!
Snacks: sugar free jelly, Mint bar: so tried turning the mint bar into cookies in the microwave and it was awful! Luckily I had spares so ate it as is. I usually love mint chocs, but wasn't that keen on this, I found it too bitter!

Sunday follows below

Sunday-
Breakfast: Filter Coffee, and caramel shake that I made into a hot latte - this was lush!!!
Lunch: Vegetable Soup with Broccoli: again just like a cuppa soup but the broccoli helped fill me up
Dinner: Spaghetti Bolonaise, with added barenaked noodles: this was lovely and filling! Was going to add mushrooms to it but only remembered once I started cooking!
Water: 4 litres (!)

Snacks: sugarfree jelly, Chocolate Shake: Now you'd think I learnt after the cookie fiasco last night, however I decided to turn the choc shake into a muffin! This turned out absolutely revolting and rubbery! Posted on the Facebook group and it turns out I'm not the only one rubbish at this! Got another choccy shake and made into a mousse which was gorgeous. Will stick to that, and the shakes and bars as is for the time being!


Weighed in this morning and I'm 11 5 1/2! So down 4lbs so far! Well impressed!

Hello, just read through you're diary. You're doing well and I'm sure transitioning from ketosis diet helps. It probably means you continued to lose fat from day 1 whereas most people are still using there glycogen reserves for day 1-4. Anyways im sure you know all this!

I'm doing exante now, have done slim and save in the past... Very similar diet just slightly different products and only 3 a day.. I'm on day 7 and counting...

Keep up the good work x

Hi Lara,

Yep I definitely think if anyone is looking at starting something like this, then definitely try to eat low carb prior to starting. I've read so many posts on Facebook from people who have found the first few days hard (carb flu), or not feeling full. Think I managed to by pass the worst of it!

Keep going and good luck with Exante, it looks like a great plan too! How are you getting on? x

Louloubelle1978 said:

Hi Lara, Yep I definitely think if anyone is looking at starting something like this, then definitely try to eat low carb prior to starting. I've read so many posts on Facebook from people who have found the first few days hard (carb flu), or not feeling full. Think I managed to by pass the worst of it! Keep going and good luck with Exante, it looks like a great plan too! How are you getting on? x

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Yeah I'm doing ok... Hard to get into it but I'm so all or nothing so when I am into this plan I am always reading about it and focused!! I'm gonna back to work tomorrow after 2 months off with injury so am a little worried as I don't tell people I'm on a VLCD so will just be skipping lunch!

Hahaha Lara, me to - I'm reading EVERYTHING about VLCD! And just like you I'm pretty all or nothing too!

So on to Day 6:
Back to waking up at stupid'o'clock (4:30am!) for work. Grrr

Wake up: The usual - Filter Coffee x2, Canderel Tablets x2
8:30am: Lemon Yoghurt Shake - Another one I was apprehensive to try, but this is gorgeous. Wish I got more of this one dang it.
Lunch - Tomato Soup: Apparently they have stopped doing this, and is in the process of being phased out due to customer feedback. As a lover of tomato soup, I found this "ok". It's spicy, but like there was something missing? Have got more to try in the next coming weeks though.
Dinner: Mushroom Pasta, 100g mushrooms, 200g Zero Fettuccine - I get what some have said about this being "peppery", however I really liked it. Well full now!
Snacks: Orange Choc Truffa, Sugar Free jelly - Really enjoying having jelly! The Orange Choc Truffa was ok. I've heard rave reviews on it, but I didn't think it was all that to be fair. I think it's because I'm not a fan of dark chocolate.
Water: 3410mls EDIT: 3978mls :-D

I was super grumpy today and snapped at my OH for chucking my water away! Don't know if it's the diet, the fact I was tired (WIDE awake last night - insomnia apparently is known to occur when in ketosis), or because I am 4 days away from TOTM. My money's on the latter.

I'm really liking the zero noodles too. Yes they are an acquired taste, however being half Filipino, I grew up with rice noodles, and they remind me of them.

Hunger pangs have gone down today which is a bonus too!

Even though I've got a months worth (plus 4 days extra free!) I went ahead and ordered another two weeks to see me to the foreeable future (and also to get more extra packs free!) My OH's like "I hope you see this through!!!". I am determined to do so!

I also ordered loads more packs than I need right now, but maybe it's part of the whole all or nothing thing!! Ordering means you are determined to use them...

I'm also suffering with insomnia and am super moody!!! I blame ketosis ?

There's an October challenge on another thread I've posted on earlier if interested in joining!

Oooh will definitely join in on the challenge! Need all the help I can get! x

Day 7
Wake up: The usual caffeine fix x2
Breakfast: Scrambled/Omelette egg pack - How the hell do you make this into an omelette???!
Lunch: Thai Soup - Quite like spicy food, but for an innocent looking "Cuppa Soup", my good this was hot! Must remember this when I've got a cold or something.
Dinner: Spicy Spaghetti - This was "alright". Surprisingly found it bland! Must be still getting over the soup at lunch lol. Shame 'cos I loved the normal Spag bog.
Snack: Sugar Free Jelly, White Chocolate & Raspberry Shake - Made this as a mousse, taste lovely! Reminded me of a blitzed up trifle!
Water: 4053mls (yikes!)

Since starting I've stopped jogging. I actually managed to get up to an hour without falling over and dying. I have, however, ran about with my 16 month year old today who kept me busy as my OH was out helping his brother with some DIY stuff. Been meaning to do some toning exercises to help speed me to a leaner me. Will try to make a start on that tomorrow!

I am absolutely starving tonight. Was fine previous days but I could eat a freaking cow right now. It doesn't help that my OH (who has stopped and started his "low cal diet" more times than the number of boyfriends Taylor Swift has had in the 3 months since I started my weight loss journey) has ordered an Indian takeaway as he "couldn't be bothered tonight". Cheers.

It is also my first "official" weigh in tomorrow since starting. I didn't weigh today as felt bloated (TOTM is due in a few days!), so I'm not expecting a spectacular loss tomorrow. But I would be happy for a few pounds as I've been so good. Please, please, PLEASE!!!!

Well done on sticking to plan. Once the days get to double digits the time just seems to go quicker. Tough when people around us remain to be unhealthy and tempt us with their bad choices but don't feel deprived, try and feel empowered by your determination and choice to say no to curry and yes to ketosis and weight loss xx

Hi Lara, I am proud of myself from walking away from the curry! My OH was like "An onion Bhaji won't kill you!". Talk about sabotage! He was moaning today as he put on 8, yes EIGHT pounds on! Said he's back on it tomorrow. I hope he learnt his lesson!

Hope you had a good day with it! x

Day 8
Wake up: The usual caffeine fix x2
Breakfast: Vanilla Shake with coffee
Lunch: Pasta Carbonara, 100g mushrooms, 100g zero noodles
Dinner: Mushroom soup
Snack: jelly, Dark Chocolate Truffa - Really liked the bar this evening! Weirdly didn't find it too bitter. Was lovely with the cuppa I had whilst watching The Bake Off!
Water: 3958mls

So weighed first weigh in today - 11st 5 1/4! A loss of 4 1/4 lbs. Happy with that considering TOTM is round the corner - I'm a bloated whale because of that, and also because I was dieting previously and in ketosis already so the loss should be predominantly fat!

Hunger pangs is slowly going down - my stomach must be shrinking lol!

Awesome fat loss!!!!

And the lesson is one onion bah-jee will kill you (ok well kill the diet!)

Excited for you to keep seeing results

Awww thanks Lara! Yep really happy! My OH is still complaining as he still has those extra lbs from the take out. I said it may take several days to undo the damage. Will go have a nose at your diary now lol x

Great diary and fantastic weight lose. Ok if I follow your diary, as I am just starting out too?

Awww thanks Lady! Of course it's ok for you to follow my diary - I'm glad you like it (I think I do ramble on too much sometimes, but can't help it!)

It's really helping me do this diet by writing about it. My OH thinks I'm nuts, and the only other person I told was my sister but she lives miles away!