CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS
This week has been one of those moments on my Slimming World journey where the hard work, consistency, and small daily choices all came together in a beautiful way. I stepped on the scales to see a 3½lb loss, which was a celebration in itself but that wasn’t all. For the second week in a row, I was awarded Slimmer of the Week, and on top of that, I was awarded Slimmer of the Month for September. Two shiny certificates, two sparkly stickers for the back of my book, and a basket brimming with lovely food gifted by my group (though I couldn’t resist sharing out the Ice Gems I’d donated myself, it just felt right to give them back). Alongside the Slimmer of the Month award came a small fridge magnet with a simple but powerful reminder: “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” It feels like the perfect mantra for this season of my life.
What made the evening even more special was my consultant noticing that I’ve begun my Body Magic journey. I’ve been adding a daily hour-long walk into my routine, and as recognition, she presented me with a Magic Mover sticker for my book. It might be a small thing, but it represents something much bigger — the start of a new habit that’s reshaping not just my body, but my mindset too.
A SWEET TREAT
To celebrate reaching my half-stone award last week, I treated myself in a way that felt deeply personal. I follow a Scottish artist, Anna Howard, whose small business Earth and Sand by Anna creates handmade ceramic treasures inspired by nature, from fruit-shaped trinket dishes to tiny sculpted pieces, each one painted with care and full of character.
I chose a lime-shaped dish to mark my first milestone. When it arrived, I was delighted: the skin was perfectly pitted like a real lime, just the right size to hold my stitch markers. Anna even included a handwritten note tucked into an intricately folded origami envelope, which made the whole experience even more special. As it turns out, she too is on her own Slimming World journey, and she loved the idea of me collecting her pieces as markers of my progress. It feels like a lovely way to honour each step of the path ahead.
HEALTH, HEALING & HOPE
One of the most remarkable changes I’ve noticed since returning to Slimming World is in my health, both physically and emotionally. I’m sleeping better than I have in months, and something I never expected has happened: my acid reflux has disappeared. For so long I thought those restless nights and that constant discomfort were just part of life, but in just a few weeks of Food Optimising and being mindful about what I eat, my body has responded with gratitude. It’s a small victory that feels anything but small.
In group this week we reflected on Kenny’s story, Slimming World’s Greatest Loser, featured in the October magazine and the subject of the latest podcast. His journey is breathtaking in its scale, but what resonated with me most was his honesty about starting again, facing health crises, and finding strength in the support of others. Listening to Kenny reminded me of my own health scare earlier this year. When I was diagnosed with hypertension and high cholesterol, it terrified me. I started following the DASH diet, determined to take control, and managed to lose a stone on my own. But I missed the encouragement, accountability, and warmth of a group. Slimming World has always given me that sense of community, and I knew I needed it back.
Not long after rejoining, life threw another curveball. My beautiful springer spaniel, Poppy, passed away after nearly sixteen joyful and heartfelt years of love and companionship. The grief hit me harder than I expected; and still pains me today. As a result I stopped going to group for three weeks. When I finally returned, I’d gained 7lbs through comfort eating. That could have been the moment I gave up entirely, but instead I made the choice to reset. I decided to draw a line under what had happened and begin again from the higher weight. That decision to, restart instead of retreat, has been the turning point. From that day, I have been focused, driven, and determined to stay on plan.
Today I had a telephone appointment with my GP, and he asked about my diet and lifestyle. For the first time in a long while, I was able to answer with pride. I told him about Slimming World, about the changes I’ve made, and about how much better I feel. I’ll be going back soon for blood work and blood pressure monitoring, and while I don’t know what the results will show yet, I do know this: I’m already healthier, stronger, and more in control than I was just a few months ago.
This isn’t just about numbers on the scales, it’s about reclaiming my health and my life. And that, more than any sticker or certificate, is the real reward.
LOOKING AHEAD – WEEK FOUR
As I move into the new week, I’m excited to keep building on the momentum.
🍳 Adventures in Cooking – I’ve gathered the ingredients to try two new recipes: the McDonald’s Philly Cheese Stack fakeaway, and the Chicken Dhansak I’d been eyeing last week. Both feel like a chance to bring flavour and creativity into my plan while proving that healthy eating never has to be boring. I also need to get back into the habit of cooking from scratch.
💪 The Body Magic Diaries – I’m stepping confidently into Week Two of my Bronze Award streak. Every walk takes me further, not just in steps, but in confidence, energy, and consistency. Here’s to another 10,000 steps plus again this week.
🥗 The Food Diaries – Daily logging continues to be my anchor, helping me stay accountable, honest, and reflective. Writing each entry is more than tracking food, it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come, and how important these small, steady habits are for lasting change.
The week ahead feels full of promise: new recipes to try, walks to enjoy, and another opportunity to grow healthier and stronger. If I can lose another 3½lb this week, I’ll reach a full stone off in just four weeks and claim my next award. That thought is spurring me on, not in a way that pressures me, but in a way that reminds me how consistent choices really do add up. Each step walked, each meal planned, each Syn tracked, they’re all small building blocks that are creating something much bigger. Whatever the scales say next Thursday, I know I’m heading in the right direction, but oh, what a celebration it will be to see that stone award shining in my book.
FINAL THOUGHT
This week has reminded me that health isn’t just measured by numbers on a scale, but by the way I feel in myself, sleeping better, no longer battling acid reflux, and feeling more in control than I have in a long time. The recognition in group, the encouragement of Body Magic, and even the little lime dish on my desk all point to one truth: small steps, taken with consistency and faith, bring about big change.
If next week brings me that first stone award, it will be a wonderful milestone to celebrate. But even if it doesn’t, I already know I am stronger, healthier, and moving forward. This is a journey not just of weight loss, but of hope, resilience, and transformation, body, mind, and spirit.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10)
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