Slimming World

SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE REAL LIFE: “I lost 14½st to be an active dad – and make my kids proud” REAL LIFE • REAL FOOD • REAL SUCCESS! NOV/DEC 2022 TE magazine PAVLOVA WREATH ‘Losing weight M DAY helped me find O N my smile again’ 7 DAY Sarah, 30, is 3st 8lbs lighter Get ready to rock that Oops! I did party frock! it again… 30 Stop slimming self-sabotage celebrate and slim strategies inside Season’sEGRANA How being eatings!RECIPES & FOOD IDEASMULLEDWINE&POM a healthy weight helps ● Smokin’ bonfire jackets ● Christmas turkey protect your brain 141 ● Slow-cooked beef lasagne ● Mulled wine pavlova £3.45 ISSUE 169 NOV/DEC 2022 slimmingworld.co.uk

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in this For years, issue Kelayne hid behind baggy Get ready for a season of clothes. Now success with our expert advice, she loves tried-and-trusted recipes and wearing slinky inspiring weight loss stories dresses that show off ● on the cover her figure UP FRONT 12 11 Franken-kiwis Dive into Halloween with these spook-tacularly fruity little monsters! 12 ‘We’re feeling slim, stylish & party ready!’ Richard, Jazz and Kelayne have lost over 18½st between them – now they’re all dressed up with everywhere to go BE INSPIRED 28 The 12 yays of Christmas Start your countdown to the celebrations with our festive weight loss wins 32 ‘The recipes that keep my memories of Nan alive’ Dee Wright has made her beloved grandmother’s wartime recipes as slimming as they are thrifty 36 ● Sarah’s found her sparkle Cover star Sarah Cullimore just can’t stop smiling after losing 3st 8lbs 43 ‘I lost weight to save a life’ Jayne Barber had one very important reason to lose 2st 11½lbs…

nov/dec 2022 50 114 Find 90 the Syn values of all advertised products on page 78 EAT, LOVE & LOSE 111 Ready to glow 19 50 ● Christmas at ours Our party-perfect beauty buys could be all yours! From a portable party dish to a vegan showstopper, 112 ● 7 ways to help your brain health and family fakeaway to special night in for two, we’ve got a meal for every festive occasion Simple switch-ups to future-proof your mind 62 ● Fill up, slim down EVEN MORE INSPO Thai curry, Quorn chilli, creamy chicken pasta... 44 Love your leftovers welcome to a week of comfort food that slims From the cheeseboard to sweet treats – 69 Kitchen secrets how to waste less, and weigh less! Tips and tricks to boost your cooking confidence 114 From the heart 70 ● Take a batch of tomato sauce Margaret Miles-Bramwell, Slimming World’s founder and chair, on why the togetherness ...and keep it on standby, for an easy homemade you find at group is the greatest gift of all shortcut to three delicious dishes 116 ● ‘I’m an active dad after losing 111 75 Food news over 14½st’ Our pick of the best Food Optimising buys Slimming World’s Man of the Year, Dave Winchester, on making his children proud 79 Get the party started… and living life to the fullest Raise a glass to our Free nibbles for drinks 122 The things I know now… 83 Grab a spoon Arlene Clough shares the secrets behind maintaining her 5st 5lb weight loss in her 60s Enjoy three bowls full of flavour from the new Slimming World’s Souper Heroes cookbook EVERYTHING ELSE 87 ‘What can I make that’s simple 6 Recipe index and special?’ 9 Editor’s letter Our baked risotto recipe comes to the rescue 96 Subscribe & save 90 ● Desserts with dash! 119 Terms & conditions Mulled wine? Irish cream? Whatever your tipple, we’ve got the perfect pud for you 120 Shop the issue MIND, BODY & SOUL COVER AND CONTENTS CREDITS Song title – Oops!...I Did It Again/Britney Spears, Max Martin and Rami Yacoub. Cover and left – 102 ● Spot and stop self-sabotage photographs: Paul Buller. Cover – styling: Rachel Fanconi. Hair & make-up: Sarah Bullett. Sarah wears: Dress, John Zack. Earrings Our guide to keeping your subconscious on side and ring, both Olivia & Pearl London. Left – styling: Sharna when you’re your own worst weight loss enemy Valentine. Hair & make-up: Alice Theobald. Kelayne wears: Dress, Karen Millen. Shoes, Dune London. Earrings and bracelet, both 107 5-minute fact file Accessorize London. Rings, New Look. See p120 for stockists The fitness benefits of counting your steps 108 ‘Christmas is coming and I want to keep off the weight I’ve lost’ Expert advice to help you stay on track and still have plenty of festive fun SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 5

93 72 All of our recipes have 87 been tried and tested to make 60 sure they’re bursting with flavour, easy to follow and will keep your weight loss deliciously on track! Recipe index Look out for these symbols on our recipes: Your at-a-glance guide to all the delicious dishes in this issue and Syns per serving 0 Free when Food Optimising MEAT & POULTRY VEGETARIAN & VEGAN s Extra Easy SP recipes packed with Speed 66 All-day sausage & bacon frittata 0 75 Butternut squash curry 0 e Free Food and P Food; 87 Baked pea & ham risotto 0 84 Miso soup with smoked tofu 0 s e perfect when you want 72 Chicken & bacon traybake 0 s 66 Quorn chilli bowls 0 s V to lose a little more 85 Christmas soup, 1 Syn s 79 Roast beetroot dip with a veg platter 0 V in a little less time 67 Creamy chicken pasta, 2 Syns 60 Roasted butternut, mushroom & pearl V Suitable for vegetarians 84 Hamburger soup, 3 Syns s e Suitable for vegans 57 Hoisin pulled pork with stir-fried noodles barley strudel, 2½ Syns e f Suitable for freezing 73 Smokin’ bonfire jackets, 6 Syns* V for up to 1 month and crispy ‘seaweed’, 1 Syn 70 Spicy tomato sauce 0 s e 60 Pork fillet with caper & lemon 65 Sweet potato & corn chowder, 7 Syns** V *Deduct 6 Syns if using the Red Leicester/The dressing 0 SWEET THINGS Laughing Cow Light Cheese 34 Potato & bacon bake, 6 Syns* Triangles and the Parmesan 67 Roast lamb with golden root veg, 1 Syn 95 Cherry Bakewell cheesecake, 3½ Syns together/reduced-fat 56 Rolled stuffed turkey crown, 1 Syn 11 Franken-kiwis, ½ Syn V Cheddar as a Healthy Extra 56 Ruby jewelled coronation chicken 0 93 Giant vanilla panna cotta with **Deduct 7 Syns if using 34 Sausage quiche, 2 Syns the wholemeal pitta bread 34 Savoury mince 0 sloe gin jelly, 2½ Syns as a Healthy Extra 57 Slow-cooked beef lasagne, 6 Syns* 92 Irish cream chocolate mousses, 5 Syns V 64 Thai beef curry, 1 Syn 90 Mulled wine & pomegranate pavlova Food Optimising, Free, 79 Thai-style turkey meatballs 0 Speed Free Food, Healthy 82 Turkey & mushroom pie, 3½ Syns wreath, 4½ Syns V Extra, Extra Easy SP, 94 Rum punch trifles, 4½ Syns V s, Syn and Syns are FISH & SEAFOOD registered trademarks of Miles-Bramwell Executive 71 Classic spaghetti puttanesca, 2 Syns Services Ltd trading as 65 Lemon & chive smoked haddock with Slimming World. jackets 0 ● See page 78 for a full 79 Tuna crunch chicory boats 0 list of Syn values of advertised products. SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 6





EDITOR’S LETTER IN EVERY ISSUE From making pumpkin lanterns with the little ones to Bonfire EXPERT ADVICE Night funfairs and the aroma of Our features will help mulled wine, this season is full of reasons to be cheerful – as well you to understand as a host of hurdles for our weight yourself as a slimmer, loss. In fact, with everything going on over the winter, it’s tempting to with fascinating give slimming a back seat, only psychological insights to start January back at square one. We know how frustrating that can that work in the be… And we also know you don’t real world! have to choose between enjoying the season and seeing success TESTED RECIPES on the scales. It’s all about All of our recipes identifying your personal blockers, are Slimming World then finding ways of leaping over approved, Syn counted them. Learn lots more in our Mind, Body & Soul section, starting on page 101. and road tested to And you don’t have to miss out on all that lovely winter food. This issue we have some frightfully cute low Syn Halloween makes (see page 11), gorgeous roast turkey help you slim (see page 56) and desserts with a cheeky splash of booze (see page 90). REAL JOURNEYS It was fantastic to meet our cover star, Sarah Cullimore, at our sparkling, party- themed photoshoot, and on page 36 she shares how losing weight helped her get back Our first-person her own sparkle. Whatever you’d love to shine in this party season, we’ll help you make stories show true your wish come true, too. Here’s to you…and a cracking Christmas weight loss. transformations and share the genuine SARA WARD, EDITOR emotions of weight loss WELCOME TO OUR THREE EXCITING NEW-LOOK SECTIONS GET IN TOUCH! We’d love to hear Be INSPIREDPHOTOGRAPH: PAUL BULLER. STYLING: RACHEL FANCONI. HAIR & MAKE-UP: EAT,love&lose MIND,body&soul what you think SARAH BULLETT. SARA WEARS: JACKET, TOP AND NECKLACE, ALL SARA’S OWN about the magazine. UPLIFTING REAL LIFE STORIES AND ADVICE TO GET YOUR MOTIVATION FIRING DISCOVER A WORLD OF FRESH, FILLING FOOD THAT’S DELICIOUSLY SLIMMING CREATE A STRONGER, HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT Write to us at Slimming PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES World Magazine, Clover SHINE BRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH: KATE WHITAKER. RECIPE & FOOD STYLING:141Look out for these Nook Road, Alfreton, LIZZIE KAMENETZKY. PROP STYLING: MORAG FARQUHARsymbols on our recipes: Derbyshire DE55 4SW, Are you looking forward PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGESbrilliant recipes, call 01773 546 071, or to catching up with ideas & tips in 0 Free when Food email us at editorial@ loved ones, and creating this issue Optimising slimmingworld.co.uk treasured memories this season? Over the next s Extra Easy SP recipe As members of the few pages you’ll find plenty Independent Press Standards of tips and advice on how to V Suitable for vegetarians celebrate and slim, as well as Organisation, we are heartwarming success stories e Suitable for vegans committed to the highest of from slimmers who’ve been editorial standards and abide in your shoes, sharing what f Suitable for freezing they’ve learnt on their journeys. for up to 1 month by the Editors’ Code of So, sit back and take a moment Practice. We take concerns and to create your own firework COOK’S NOTES complaints very seriously and moments, so you can make this ● When cooking with shop- your time to dazzle. bought spice mixes or blends, welcome feedback via the choose brands without channels listed above Synned ingredients such as sugar, flour and oil. Otherwise, count ½ Syn per level tsp or 1½ Syns per level tbsp ● When using low-calorie cooking spray in our recipes, choose brands with one calorie or less per spray as they’re Syn free. See page 6 for a complete list of recipes and Syn values. For an introduction to Food Optimising, turn to page 64 WHAT’S COOKING? Share your photos of this issue’s recipes on social media: #SWMagazineMakes Rum punch trifles, WINTER CHEER recipe p94 As the year draws to an end, SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 49 many of us can find ourselves tempted to put our weight EAT, LOVE & LOSE loss plans on ice. This issue, Discover delicious ways to we’ll help you dig deeper to overcome slim with recipes, food tips and any festive setbacks and create your our seven-day eating plan own dazzling season of success. SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE BE INSPIRED MIND, BODY & SOUL Boost your weight loss Delve into the psychology of motivation with real-life slimming, plus feelgood buys, reads and uplifting ideas simple strategies and health SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 9

SKIMMED MILK TASTES *Comparative test results with 208 consumers of semi-skimmed milk. LiKE SEMi

dive in! Franken-kiwis Get the season off to a frightfully good start by making these fruity Halloween treats with your little monsters A LITTLE EFFORT 1 Slice the bases off the kiwis so they 3 On each kiwi, use the knife to cut sit upright. With a small, sharp knife, away slices of the skin to make hair. MAKES 6 lightly score a line around each kiwi Squeeze 2 small dots of writing icing SYNS PER KIWI ½ about two-thirds of the way up onto each kiwi for the eyes, then stick (if your children are small, you can on the eyes. Leave to set for 2 minutes. V handle the knife for them). Use a veg peeler to peel the skin away from 4 Once set, squeeze short lines of READY IN 45 MINUTES the lower two-thirds, then pat the writing icing above the eyes for the flesh dry with kitchen paper. eyebrows. Squeeze on shorter lines for 6 kiwis the mouths, then dip a cocktail stick in 6 pretzel sticks 2 Cut the ends off the pretzel sticks, the writing icing to apply the stitches Chocolate writing icing so you have 12 end pieces (with on the cheeks. Sit upright and serve. (using around 1 tsp in total) rounded ends) each about 1.5cm long. 12 edible eyes Push 2 pieces into the sides of each kiwi, so the rounded ends are poking out, to make the bolts. PHOTOGRAPH: ALEX LUCK. RECIPE: LIZZIE KAMENETZKY tSapcouolakr- ! FOOD STYLING: EMILY JONZEN. PROP STYLING: MAX ROBINSON SHARE YOUR CREATIONS #SWMagazineMakes SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 11

‘We’re feeling slim, stylish & party ready!’ Gone are the days when these three slimmers wanted to blend into the background. After losing 18st 12lbs between them, Richard, Jazz and Kelayne have the confidence to wear the clothes they love and they’re rocking their new looks Jazz Kaur, 41, We’ve lost 3st 2½lbs lost over 18½st Richard Mullett, 54, Kelayne Fannan, 51, lost 4st 7lbs lost 11st 2½lbs 12 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

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‘Now I love getting dressed up’ Instead of shying away from bold outfits, Jazz Kaur is all about the colourful dresses now. Here’s how losing over 3st helped her become a healthy, energetic mum, and feel better than she has in decades! AAs I lifted my son up onto my hip, I couldn’t stop and, although I managed to drop a dress size for the smiling. It was Arnaav’s first birthday and we were ceremony, the weight loss didn’t last. celebrating with a blessing at the Sikh temple in Wolverhampton, in front of 250 family members After the wedding we were keen to start a family and friends. I’d spent my teens begging my mum and when I didn’t fall pregnant after a couple of not to make me wear tightly tailored traditional years, I was referred for tests with a fertility specialist. outfits in unforgiving satin. Now, here I was, ‘To be considered for treatment, you’ll need to reduce your body mass index,’ he said, before explaining that standing confidently in front of a camera wearing at 33 my BMI was currently in the obese range. At the time, I refused to admit that my weight might be an embellished, fitted pastel-green dress. affecting my chances of having a baby.   But the best bit about my slimming journey By the time I turned 38, though, I was terrified that time was ticking on. I confided in a friend at work, was right there in my arms. For years, I’d really who told me how she had lost weight at a Slimming World group. That night, I went onto Slimming World’s thought I would never become a mum, not realising social media feeds, reading all the success stories and being amazed at all the delicious-looking food. my weight might have been holding me back from I searched online for my nearest group and found one just a few minutes away. When a couple of nights achieving my dearest dream… later I plucked up the courage to walk into the hall, I was welcomed by a sea of friendly, smiling faces. It was when I started college As I listened to my Consultant, Tina, explain how Food Optimising worked, I thought it sounded like that I began to feel different to something I’d enjoy.  my friends. They spent their Finding my way Saturday afternoons shopping and I went home armed with my new-member pack and loads of ideas from group. I started cooking from choosing skimpy outfits for nights scratch for the first time – kicking off with a spaghetti bolognese made with lean mince – and I swapped out, while I’d stay home in my the white bread I’d been using for sandwiches and toasties for seeded Warburtons Thins as a Healthy elasticated jogging bottoms. Extra. So I was shocked when I weighed in the following week to find I’d actually put on half a pound. Instead of having a chapati with There was no judgment from Tina, though. Instead, we chatted through what I’d eaten and I explained my curry like my parents did, how I was having golden syrup on my porridge every morning and a packet of crisps with my lunchtime I’d eat mine with a pile of white sandwich. As I was saying this out loud, I realised > buttered bread. Each year I got heavier, and by the time I met my husband, Sunny, I was a size 18. He told me he didn’t care what I weighed, but I’d still avoid letting him touch my BEFORE arms and tummy. In As my weight the weeks went up, I running up to our wedding, started to feel I began cutting self-conscious out meals. I was about my arms and tummy always hungry 14 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

let’s celebrate Meet Jazz Jazz Kaur, 41, is a recruitment officer. She lives in Wednesfield, West Midlands, with her husband, Sunny, and their son, Arnaav, one Height: 5ft 6ins Starting weight: 14st 7lbs Weight now: 11st 4½lbs WEIGHT LOST: 3st 2½lbs Jazz is a target member of Dawn Rayson’s Slimming World group in Wolverhampton, West Midlands

let’s celebrate BEFORE I didn’t feel good in tightly tailored traditional Indian outfits “I love the way I look and feel, and I’ve never had this much confidence in my life!” JAZZ WEARS that I hadn’t been counting them as Syns. The next stunned. ‘I did two, just to be sure,’ I said. Then we week, I made sure I kept count and I lost 5½lbs!  both laughed, as we hugged and hugged. p13: Dress, River Island. Shoes, Dune From that moment on, I didn’t look back. When Then, when I was five months pregnant, my I’d lost 1st 7lbs, I told the other members that my world was turned upside down. My mum had been London. Bracelet, reason for losing weight was to become a mum. admitted to hospital with chronic obstructive Lovisa. Ring, I was immediately engulfed in hugs and words of pulmonary disease, which had affected her breathing encouragement. A couple of months later, with my for years. It was a huge shock when she didn’t improve Accessorize London BMI down to 27, I was able to move ahead with fertility and passed away after just three days. In my grief, tests, but they couldn’t give an answer as to why food became my solace. p14 and above: I wasn’t conceiving. In the meantime, I kept on Dress, Karen Food Optimising and I was finally given a date for Then, in time, a different kind of solace came an appointment to discuss IVF in November 2020. when baby Arnaav arrived. I only wished I felt as good Millen. Shoes, Sole In the September, Sunny and I booked a weekend about myself as I did about being a mum. I was up to Bliss. Earrings, in Manchester for our sixth wedding anniversary. 13st 6lbs again, and I couldn’t help thinking back to By then, I was 11st 4lbs, and for the first time I walked how well I’d done before I’d drifted away from group. Jonrichard.com. straight into a high-street store and picked up a Ring, ASOS. figure-hugging black and gold dress. So when Arnaav was seven months old, I went Bag, Lotus to a new Slimming World group run by a Consultant The best surprise called Dawn, and straight away I remembered why I loved Food Optimising. The pounds soon started A month later, I was checking my calendar when to come off again, and in June this year I was slipping I came to a sudden realisation – my period was into that gorgeous size-12 traditional Indian dress to late. Not daring to hope, I went to the chemist’s to celebrate Arnaav’s first birthday. get a test. When Sunny got in from work, I presented him with a box. Inside were some Indian sweets, I’ve never had this much confidence in my life! which are supposedly good for fertility, a baby grow… For the first time in decades, I love the way I look and and a positive pregnancy test. He looked up at me, feel. Most of all, though, I love being a healthy and energetic mum to Arnaav. He really is our blessing, and I want to enjoy every precious moment with him. > 16 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

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let’s celebrate BEFORE With clothes, my main focus was just finding something that fit me ‘I feel great in fitted suits’ As Richard Mullett’s weight YYou don’t get to meet a celebrity every day, so when dropped, his energy and architect and TV presenter George Clarke visited my workplace in February 2021, I was chuffed to have my self-esteem started to soar. picture taken with him. It was a proud moment when Now he’s 4½st slimmer, we stood either side of the staircase I’d designed for a client who was appearing on one of his programmes. camera confident and has I wasn’t so happy when I saw the photographs later, swapped his extra-large shirts though. When on earth had I got so big…? I hadn’t always struggled with my weight. When for a sharp, new look I was younger, I was fit and active and didn’t really have to think about what I ate. Then, as I got older > SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 19

RICHARD WEARS p13: Suit, Ventura at Slater Menswear. Shirt, Burton London. Shoes, Dune London. Bow tie, Marks & Spencer p19 and left: Waistcoat and trousers, both Next. Shirt, Ted Baker London. Shoes, Charles Southwell at Slater Menswear. Tie, John Lewis & Partners Meet Richard Richard Mullett, 54, is a draftsman. He lives with his wife, Amanda, in Stourbridge, West Midlands, and he has a grown-up daughter, Hollie Height: 5ft 10ins Starting weight: 18st 2lbs Weight now: 13st 9lbs WEIGHT LOST: 4st 7lbs Richard is a member of Joanne Wassell’s Slimming World group in Brierley Hill, West Midlands 20 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

let’s celebrate “Instead of feeling sluggish, I feel energised, and now when I look at my photograph, I genuinely like what I see” and my job became more sedentary, the numbers other members talking about their personal trigger BEFORE on the scales started going up. My love of baking foods helped me work out that bread was one of probably didn’t help. I’d grown up helping my mum mine. One slice would lead to another, and another, I’d tried make beautiful cakes, and when my daughter, Hollie, until half the loaf was gone. So, although I knew to lose was born, it was natural to celebrate her birthdays I could still have bread as a Healthy Extra if I wanted, weight, but and other special occasions in the same way. after discussing how I felt out of control around I couldn’t it with our Consultant, Joanne, I decided to avoid it keep up my One thing I do have my cake-making hobby and use my Healthy Extra ‘b’ for cereal instead. motivation to thank for is my wife, Amanda. When we were introduced by a mutual friend, I was 17st and wearing Stepping it up extra-large shirts and 44in-waist trousers. We bonded over our love of baking and were too happy to worry As time went on, I realised just how much our new about the impact on our waistlines. We married within healthy way of eating was fuelling me up. Instead of two years, and while I was just focused on finding a suit midafternoon slumps and feelings of sluggishness, that fitted, Amanda had decided to lose a bit of weight. I felt energised. I used my lunch break to work towards She looked gorgeous as we cut into our two wedding my Body Magic goals, starting with a 1km walk and cakes: a fruit one that was a gift from Amanda to me, gradually increasing it to 3km. I started cycling, too, and a chocolate and red velvet cake from me to her. and soon I’d earnt my Bronze and Silver awards. We settled into married life, sitting down to As the weight dropped, my confidence went in home-cooked dinners of pie with buttery mash, the opposite direction. I’d volunteered at the Royal followed by steamed jam pudding or lemon meringue Air Force Museum in the Midlands for years, but pie. Occasionally, we’d talk about trying to cut down a now I was finding it so much easier to talk to the bit, but never with much conviction, until that picture visitors and make friends with colleagues. On top with George Clarke gave me pause for thought. Not of that, I was fit enough to walk 18,000 steps a day long afterwards, Amanda took another photo of me with ease. When Hollie asked to go to the Wales Comic kneeling down doing some DIY in the garden, and Con event, a comic and film convention, instead of I was taken aback by how worn out I looked. making my excuses I immediately booked us tickets. We had our photographs taken with characters from A different approach some of our favourite shows, and when I looked at them afterwards, I was genuinely happy ‘I think it’s time to make some changes,’ I said that with what I saw. evening. Amanda agreed – she’d regained the weight she’d lost before our wedding – and a few days later At group, where initially I’d just sat in June 2021 we walked into our local Slimming World and listened, I began sharing recipes. group. We’d been in the past, but had just weighed And on the weeks when I had a gain, my in then headed straight home, and hadn’t managed new Slimming World family reminded to keep up our motivation. This time, when the scales me of the bigger picture, reassuring me revealed I was 18st 2lbs, I knew once and for all that one week was only a small part of the I needed to fully commit. journey. I’ve only half a stone to go to my target of 13st 2lbs now and I know Amanda and I went shopping straight away, filling that, with their support, I’ll get there. our trolley with lean meat for me and Free Food veggie Amanda and I will probably celebrate alternatives for her, as well as vibrant veg and fruit – with a weekend away sightseeing, but something I’d never touched in the past. It was great I’m planning to mark the achievement to know we could enjoy everyday staples like pasta in another way, too. Recently, I was and potatoes freely, and we used the Slimming World going through my wardrobe and found app to check anything we weren’t sure of. I realised a pair of Levi’s 501 jeans I’d bought that by making a few easy swaps we could enjoy low 30 years ago when I visited my brother Syn versions of our favourite meals, including veggie in America. I’d never been able to cottage pie for Amanda, and one for me using lean get into them since and although steak, which I minced myself, to make it extra tasty. I know they’ll fit me perfectly right now, I’m saving them for the day In the first week I lost 3½lbs eating big portions of I reach my target weight! > real food, and that encouraged me to make even more changes. Taking part in IMAGE Therapy and hearing SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 21

‘I’ve got a whole new passion for fashion!’ Kelayne Fannan had always loved clothes, but never had the confidence to wear her favourite styles. After losing half her body weight, she’s truly living again and wearing the dresses of her dreams! AAs I stepped into the dress and pulled it up, I braced body, and I had to spend several days in hospital. It myself for the disappointing moment when it stuck took months for me to recover, and what was already on my hips. But, to my surprise, not only did it glide a tough time for me got worse when my marriage then over, the zip also slid up my back easily. I did a little fell apart. Daily life started to feel difficult, and I just twirl in front of the mirror, barely able to believe that didn’t have the motivation to look after myself. I’d the woman staring back, with the shapely hourglass got into a rut of buying a meal deal for lunch every figure, was really me! day, consisting of a cheese sandwich with a packet of crisps and a chocolate bar, and a fast-food burger I had always dreamt of owning a 1950s vintage with fries or an Indian takeaway for dinner. pencil dress, but assumed I’d never have the confidence I didn’t need to get on the scales to know my weight was going up – the fact I had to keep buying to pull one off. For years I’d been unhappy with my bigger clothes, now in a size 24/26, was enough of a giveaway. I longed to have the confidence to wear weight – especially after I had my three children in my dresses, but baggy black jogging bottoms with a floaty top had now become my staple outfit – anything that 20s – and although I did make the occasional effort to covered me up and stopped me from standing out. My knees and back ached constantly, and sometimes slim, it always came to nothing. I’d cut back on sweets I’d wake up in the night struggling for breath. I went to see my GP and was sent away with a breathing monitor, and crisps and lose a couple of stones, before losing which I had to wear for 24 hours. The results showed I had sleep apnoea, and from then on I had to use a motivation and ending up back where I started. CPAP machine at night to help me breathe. Even when, in 2016, tests revealed I had prediabetes, I couldn’t When I got married in 2012, find the motivation to make changes. I spent weeks working out in My wake-up call the gym so I could squeeze A year later, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and needed to start taking medication. That was into a size-12 wedding dress. upsetting enough, but the real bombshell came when the doctor told me: ‘If you don’t change your lifestyle, Then, a few months later, my you will die young.’ The words floored me. I’d never once considered I was actually taking years off my life, life changed again, although and the thought of leaving my children without a mum a moment sooner than I had to was terrifying. this time in an unexpected I was nervous walking into group, convinced and traumatic way. I was out I’d be judged, but it turned out I had nothing to worry about. Even when I weighed in at 21st 4lbs, on my motorbike one day my Consultant assured me this was a whole new > when a car suddenly pulled out in front of me without warning, catapulting me over the top of it and into a lamppost. Incredibly, nothing was BEFORE broken, but I was still left Wearing with serious a breathing injuries, monitor for including torn ligaments 24 hours down the left showed I had sleep apnoea side of my 22 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

let’s celebrate Meet Kelayne Kelayne Fannan, 51, runs a natural health company. She has three children and lives with her youngest daughter and her son in Hayling Island, Hampshire Height: 5ft 7ins Starting weight: 21st 4lbs Weight now: 10st 1½lbs WEIGHT LOST: 11st 2½lbs Kelayne is a member of Bev Dodgson’s Slimming World group in Hayling Island

let’s celebrate BEFORE I chose dark clothes that would cover me up and help me blend in “Now I’m happy to stand out, and my dark outfits have been replaced with bright dresses” KELAYNE WEARS beginning. From then on, I had mixed berries and five! My knees and back no longer hurt, and instead THE HEALTH INFORMATION IN KELAYNE’S STORY IS BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO fat-free natural Greek yogurt with a Healthy Extra of gasping for breath, I was whirling around the floor REPLACE THE ADVICE GIVEN BY YOUR HEALTHCARE TEAM. INTERVIEWS: MICHELLE RAWLINS. PHOTOGRAPHS: PAUL BULLER p13: Dress, portion of seeds or nuts for breakfast, chicken salad for an hour at a time without even thinking about it. STYLING: SHARNA VALENTINE. HAIR & MAKE-UP: ALICE THEOBALD. LOCATION: DIRTY MARTINI. SEE P120 FOR STOCKISTS Bombshell London. with hard-boiled eggs and fat-free natural cottage cheese for lunch, and I experimented with new I slowly started to replace my dark cover-ups with Shoes, Ravel. recipes like teriyaki salmon or Quorn pieces bright dresses, and my wardrobe had never looked Necklace, marinated in a Slimming World sauce from Iceland so colourful. The other members at group knew how with veg and rice for dinner. Within three weeks much I loved going to dances and getting glammed Jonrichard.com. I’d lost half a stone and it was just the motivation up, so when I finally bought that size-10 dream 1950s Ring on left hand, I needed to carry on. I started walking my dogs every dress, I couldn’t wait to tell them. I explained how the morning, gradually increasing from 10 minutes a day narrow hemline made you walk with a ‘wiggle’, and ASOS. Rings on to nearly an hour. After a year, I’d lost over 5st, and six they thought that was great! Now, I was happy to stand right hand, both months later I moved house and to a new Slimming out, and I’d come to realise that feeling good wasn’t World group who took me under their wing.  just about the clothes I wore – it was about letting my Kelayne’s own new inner confidence shine through. Getting my life back p22 and above: In October 2021, I reached my target weight, and Dress, Goddiva It wasn’t just their support in IMAGE Therapy when my Consultant, Bev, and the rest of the group clapped London. Shoes, they spurred me on if I’d maintained or put on the odd and cheered, understanding how much it meant to me. Boden. Earrings, pound, they also became firm friends. We’d go out for Losing half my body weight has transformed my life. New Look. Ring on meals together and all encourage one another to make I no longer have sleep apnoea or type 2 diabetes – in left hand, Lovisa. healthy choices, and it was such a joy to be socialising. fact, the diabetes specialist said I was a ‘star patient’ – Rings on right hand, and my passion for glamorous clothes is reborn. For as before. Bag, Lotus Those initial little outings were the first steps to years I’d hidden behind closed doors in baggy outfits, me learning to live again, and when I saw a local jive feeling miserable, but now I love nothing more than dance class advertised, I felt confident enough to go treating myself to a new dress to go out in with my along. I absolutely loved it and was soon clocking up Slimming World friends, knowing I have years of life – Body Magic awards as I went from one class a week to and dressing up! – ahead of me to enjoy. 24 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE





PHOTOGRAPH: GETTY IMAGES Be INSPIRED UPLIFTING REAL-LIFE STORIES AND ADVICE TO GET YOUR MOTIVATION FIRING SHINE BRIGHT Are you looking forward to catching up with loved ones, and creating treasured memories this season? Over the next few pages you’ll find plenty of tips and advice on how to celebrate and slim, as well as heartwarming success stories from slimmers who’ve been in your shoes, sharing what they’ve learnt on their journeys. So, sit back and take a moment to create your own firework moments, so you can make this your time to dazzle. SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 27

THE 12 OF CHRISTMAS There are lots of reasons to be of good cheer this festive season – and with our winter weight loss wins you’ll have even more to celebrate before the year is out! YAY #1 IT’S YOUR CHRISTMAS, TOO! It’s wonderful when your whole family is supporting your weight loss goals. Sometimes, though, the ones you love can sabotage your slimming plans, with the best of intentions – because they just want to see you enjoying yourself! Let them know you’ll have an even better time if they understand what your weight loss means to you – and that a Food Optimising Christmas absolutely involves throwing yourself into the celebrations. ‘Then they’ll be able to support any changes you want to make,’ says Slimming World nutritionist Laura Nolan. ‘Some changes might be so small they’ll barely notice! If they fancy buttered veg and you don’t, for example, put out some butter for people to add their own.’ Little compromises like this won’t take the shine off anyone else’s Christmas – and they’re a gift your family can give you that won’t cost a penny!

instant inspiration YAY #2 YAY #3 EVERYTHING’S CHRISTMAS DINNER = A FREE FOOD FEAST! ON THE TABLE! ‘The traditional Christmas ‘We all have our non-negotiables at this time dinner can be a healthy, of year,’ says Laura Nolan. ‘One member told balanced and slimming- me hers was goose fat for her roasties – she friendly meal,’ says Laura happily kept the rest of her Christmas dinner Nolan. Here are all the Free Free so she could use her Syns for that Foods you’ll find on your traditional touch.’ The joy of Syns is they’re festive plate, plus the Syns there for you, whatever your must-have for more of your favourites might be. Food, alcohol, sweets – nobody chooses how to use them but you! ‘So FILL UP ON FREE FOODS what’s the thing that makes Christmas for you?’ says Laura. ‘It could be honey-roast Turkey, cooked without oil or fat, carrots or Christmas pud. The Syns are skin and visible fat removed there so you can plan them in and savour Slimming World Pork Sausages them without setting back your weight loss.’ (from Iceland) Potatoes, roasted in low-calorie YAY #4 LET’S PLAY CHARADES! cooking spray, or boiled or mashed (without butter or milk) ‘Games that get you up and out Parsnips, roasted in low-calorie of your chair to perform for cooking spray Carrots, boiled or steamed your team are great for breaking Peas, boiled or steamed up sedentary time (the amount Sprouts, boiled, steamed, or stir-fried of time we spend seated),’ says with lean bacon (visible fat removed) Laura. ‘In fact, sitting still less in low-calorie cooking spray is one of Slimming World’s five Red cabbage, braised in stock and spices active habits, so whether or ADD A LITTLE… not your team triumphs, it’s definitely a win for your health!’ Ready-made chilled gravy, 2½ Syns per 100ml, or Slimming World Roasted YAY #5 TAKE YOUR PICK! Onion Gravy (from Iceland) is Free These traditional treats are 3 Syns or under! The choice is yours… Bread sauce, made with skimmed milk, 4 Syns per 100ml After Eight/ Candy Cane Small Terry’s Toblerone Pork chipolatas, 2½ Syns each chocolate (around 12g) Lebkuchen Chocolate Tinys Mini frozen/chilled Yorkshire mint thin 2½ Syns each puddings, 2½ Syns each 2 Syns each biscuit Orange 2 Syns each Cranberry sauce, 1½ Syns per level tbsp (around 12g) Segsations Butter, 2 Syns per level tsp 2½ Syns each (all varieties) 2 Syns each YAY #6 WINTER ACTIVITIES DON’T FEEL LIKE EXERCISE! If you live in a city or large town, it’s likely there are all sorts of activities you can enjoy in the festive season that could help you towards your Body Magic goals. Outdoor skating rinks are often great fun for all the family, and if you’re no speed skater, simply trying to keep your balance is good a start! ‘Balance and flexibility is another of Slimming World’s five active habits (see #4) – each of which brings big benefits,’ says Laura. If you’re near a Christmas market, you could pick up some last-minute gifts while taking in the atmosphere and supporting small businesses. You might be surprised how many extra steps you get in as you’re working your way around the stalls. SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 29

instant inspiration YAY #7 MMM…COSY UP WITH MULLED WINE! YAY #11 YOU’RE It’s warming, it tastes of Christmas, and while the NOT ALONE! shop-bought version can set you back 9½ Syns for a medium 175ml glass, our sparkly pink twist is just Slimming World group and 3½ Syns! To make eight generous glasses, pour a online members can bank on 750ml bottle of rosé Prosecco into a large saucepan year-round support, and that and add 300ml water, one level tbsp includes always having help on hand sweetener, one cinnamon stick, for navigating potential weight loss three cloves and 10 cardamom pitfalls. Groups don’t close over Christmas pods lightly bashed with the flat (your Consultant will let you know of of a knife. Heat very gently over changes to opening times, if any apply) a low heat for five to 10 minutes and online support, including the online to infuse the spices, then serve in members’ community, is there for you glasses with slices of clementine. 24/7. So whatever hurdles you might be facing, or ideas you’re looking for, you’ll YAY #8 FIND FREE FOOD IN YOUR STOCKING! be surrounded by advice for strategies that work in the real world. Wondering The traditional toe-of-the-stocking treat, the humble satsuma, is a Speed Free Food, how to politely turn down another meaning it’s super low in calories per gram. And there’s another, more spectacular way sausage roll, or looking for a low Syn to get more fruit into your festivities – the fruity Christmas tree! First slice the bottom take on mince pies? Just ask! off an apple so it sits flat, for the base of your tree. For the tree trunk, attach a raw carrot, pointy end up, to the base with cocktail sticks. Using a mini star-shaped cutter, YAY #12 IT’S JUST ONE DAY! punch stars from slices of firm melon and fix to the carrot using cocktail sticks to create So what happens if your best- a Christmas tree shape. Add in more cocktail sticks studded with strawberries, red and laid plans start to go awry white seedless grapes, and sliced kiwi. Don’t forget the (melon) star on the top! the moment someone cracks open the Buck’s Fizz? This is YAY #10 SOCIALISING IS the time to be kind to yourself, as one day’s not going to stop GOOD FOR YOU! you achieving your dreams. ‘Try not to worry, enjoy your One of the joys of Christmas is catching time with friends and family, then get back on track the up with our nearest and dearest. And next morning,’ says Laura Nolan. The danger isn’t one making a date in your festive calendar day of indulgence – it’s if you start feeling like you’ve gone to go to your Slimming World group off the rails, and then give up on your weight loss goals could bring benefits galore, because as for the entire festive season. Instead, draw a line under it. well as celebrating the season with your The next thing you know, slimming buddies, you’ll be boosting you’ll be ringing in 2023 *SLIMMING WORLD SURVEY OF A RANDOM SAMPLE OF 1,113 SLIMMING WORLD MEMBERS motivated and proud POLLED VIA SLIMMING WORLD’S MEMBER WEBSITE BETWEEN 25 AND 28 JULY 2022 your weight loss during the festivities. of yourself, and your ILLUSTRATIONS: GETTY IMAGES weight loss will give Research has found going to your you one more reason to celebrate New YAY #9 WINTER WALKS Slimming World group is good for you Year’s Day with a YAY! ARE TRADITION! and your weight loss…whatever the Whether it’s after Christmas dinner or on Boxing Day – or time of year! In a recent survey*, both! – a wintry family walk can be a real highlight of the 93 per cent of people who joined season. Brisk walking is good for you wherever you go: head a Slimming World group felt to the local park if you live in a town or city, or walk around committed to their your neighbourhood wishing passers-by a Merry Christmas. weight loss, while 74 per cent said they were more confident and self-assured, 73 per cent had Group! made new friends, and 68 per cent felt more connected. 30 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

ZERO FAT MAXIMUM YUM 840g (6 X 140g ) Per pot 70 calories per pot... Energy delicious! 300kJ/ 70kcal *Contains 30% less calories than standard full fat flavoured yogurts Typical values per 100g: Energy 214kJ/50kcal

From the top: Sausage quiche, Potato & bacon bake and Savoury mince, all recipes on p34

made with love ‘The recipes that keep my memories of Nan alive’ As a child, Dee Wright took comfort in her grandmother’s cooking. She shares how she’s lightened up her wartime recipes, so she can still enjoy them while losing weight FOOD PHOTOGRAPHS: SEAN CALITZ Dee Wright, 49, is a Slimming World butterfly cakes, then curl up together in and see that lovely gooey orangeness, Consultant with three groups in Southport, front of the television, eating jelly and I always think of her. Merseyside. She lives in Southport with ice cream and watching Cilla Black’s her daughter, Autumn, 10 Blind Date and Ted Rogers on 3-2-1. Nan’s house was my ‘sanctuary’, especially in my teenage years, when I first Bursting through the back door I loved hearing Nan’s family stories, started to gain weight and was bullied at (we never used the front one!) especially how she came by her unusual school. I’d take refuge there and comfort into my nan’s tiny kitchen, the name, Dylys. Her dad had had a few too myself with her home-cooked food. first thing that hit me was the many celebratory drinks when he went delicious smell of our tea in to register her birth and spelt Dilys It’s a great sadness to me that Nan the oven. She knew what I liked to eat, wrong! It means a lot to me that it’s my never got to meet my daughter, Autumn, and I could tell the moment I walked in middle name, too. Nan also talked a lot or to see my slimming success. I was that it was my favourite: sausage quiche! about her life as a newlywed just after working abroad for a holiday company Nan was gorgeous – a really special the Second World War. She’d show me when she was diagnosed with cancer in person and an important part of my life the ration books and explain how she 2005, and I immediately came home so growing up, especially after Grandad died and Grandad had to be frugal, especially I could help Mum with her care. When when I was eight. Every Saturday evening, after my mum, Shelagh, and her brother, she died, just three months later, grief Mum would walk me across the road Ian, were born. Her thing was topping sent my eating out of control, and at my to stay overnight at Nan’s – it was the everything with sliced potatoes, and she heaviest I was 17st. I tried to slim down highlight of my week. We’d bake fairy and adored cheese, particularly Red Leicester. and would lose a stone or two before Now, when I use it as my Healthy Extra putting it back on. Shortly after I had Autumn, I split from her dad, and after > SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 33

made with love she was in bed, I’d spend evenings on the always leave her potatoes unpeeled so These pictures of Nan and Grandad sofa rewarding myself for getting through she didn’t lose a scrap of goodness. And on their wedding day (left), and me the day with family-size packs of crisps when rationing ended, she loved using with Nan (right) are so dear to me – and tubs of ice cream. My doctor became lots of butter! It’s been easy to adapt and Autumn loves hearing about concerned for my health and offered them to Food Optimising, though. I trim their family stories, just as I did me Slimming World on Referral*. I wasn’t all the fat off the bacon in her potato bake, ready then, but six months later I joined swap butter for low-calorie cooking spray natural cottage cheese in my crustless my local group. As well as new, healthier in the savoury mince and use fat-free version of her famous quiche. When I was ways to cook and eat, I learnt to untangle working overseas, Nan once sent me one my emotional eating habits. I realised of her quiches with my mum, who then eating was my way of taking myself back had to fly the baking dish home again! to happier times – eating jelly and ice That quiche dish is still one of my most cream with my nan – and that actually, treasured possessions, and never fails I didn’t need sweet treats to feel close to to remind me of my very special nan. her, not when I had her lovely recipes… I went on to lose 6st, and although I had a blip in lockdown, I plan to be back at target for my 50th. I know Nan would be proud of us – I always tell Autumn, ‘Your great-nan would have loved you so much’. Many times when we’ve been chatting as I’m cooking in the kitchen I’ll say, ‘Your great-nan taught me to make this!’ Nan’s original recipes are definitely of their time. Used to rationing, she’d Potato & bacon bake Sausage quiche Savoury mince *SLIMMING WORLD ON REFERRAL IS A PROGRAMME THAT LETS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OFFER THEIR PATIENTS 12 WEEKS’ FREE MEMBERSHIP AT THEIR LOCAL GROUP. IF YOU’D LIKE THE CHANCE TO LOSE WEIGHT WITH THE SUPPORT OF ONE OF OUR WARM EVERYDAY EASY EVERYDAY EASY EVERYDAY EASY AND FRIENDLY GROUPS, CONTACT YOUR GP PRACTICE TO SEE IF IT PARTICIPATES IN THE SCHEME. FOOD STYLING: LUCY O’REILLY PROP STYLING: JENNY IGGLEDEN. PHOTOGRAPH OF DEE AND AUTUMN: KEVIN AND CAROLE BROWN SERVES 4 SERVES 4 SERVES 4 SYNS PER SERVING 6 SYNS PER SERVING 2 Deduct 6 Syns if using the READY IN 50 minutes (mince mixture only) Red Leicester cheese as a Healthy Extra READY IN 1 hour 20 minutes READY IN 1 hour 45 minutes Low-calorie cooking spray 500g lean beef mince (5% fat or less) 1kg floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or King 1 large onion, finely sliced Low-calorie cooking spray Edward, unpeeled and thinly sliced (the thickest 1 large onion, finely chopped setting on a mandoline slicer is ideal for this) 2 peppers, any colour, deseeded and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 beef stock cubes 1 vegetable or chicken stock pot 6 frozen Slimming World Pork Sausages 800g potatoes, such as Maris Piper or (from Iceland), defrosted King Edward, peeled and left whole 2 large onions, thinly sliced 100g frozen peas 6 medium eggs 8 bacon medallions, visible fat removed, halved 1 Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ 150g fat-free natural cottage cheese gas 6 and boil a full kettle. Put a large, 120g Red Leicester cheese, finely grated lidded, non-stick saucepan over a high 2 tsp dried mixed herbs heat. When hot, dry-fry the mince until 1 Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ browned all over, then drain in a sieve. gas 6. Boil the potatoes for 2 minutes, then 50g reduced-fat mature Cheddar, grated drain and carefully tip out onto several 2 Wipe out the pan, then spray with cooking sheets of kitchen roll. Leave to steam-dry 1 Preheat your oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/ spray. Cook the onion and carrots over for 10 minutes. At the same time, dissolve gas 4. Spray a large, non-stick frying pan a medium heat for 7 minutes, or until soft, the stock pot in 200ml just-boiled water with cooking spray and put over a medium- stirring often. Add 1-2 tbsp water if they start to make a rich stock. Set aside. high heat. Add the onion and peppers, to dry out. Add the mince, stock cubes and season and fry for 8-10 minutes until soft 450ml water. Cover, bring to a simmer and 2 Arrange the potatoes in upright rows in and starting to colour. Add 1-2 tbsp water cook for 15 minutes until rich and thickened. a 20 x 30 x 5cm baking dish, packing the if they start to dry out. Remove from the onions and bacon in between. Pour over the pan and set aside. 3 Meanwhile, pour the pre-boiled water stock and season with freshly ground black into a large saucepan and put over a high pepper. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. 2 Wipe out the pan, then cook the sausages heat. Add the potatoes, bring to the boil and over a medium-high heat for 10 minutes, simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and run under 3 Remove the foil and evenly scatter browning all over. At the same time, mix cold water. Slice into 1cm-thick rounds. over the cheese. Return to the oven for together the eggs, cottage cheese, herbs, half the cheese and a twist of black pepper. 4 Mix the peas into the mince mixture, 15 minutes until golden. Divide then spoon into a large baking dish. Arrange between 4 plates and serve 3 Put the onion, peppers and sausages the potatoes over the top, overlapping a with a large salad or lots into a 23cm, round, ovenproof dish. (If little. Spray with cooking spray and bake of green veg. using a loose-bottom baking dish, line for 40 minutes until the potatoes are it with foil and spray with cooking spray.) golden. Serve with lots of green veg. Tip in the egg mixture. Evenly scatter over the remaining cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until just set. Divide between 4 plates and serve with a large salad. This dish can also be enjoyed cold, if you like. 34 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

Goodbye Sugar, Hello Splenda®!



real-life cover star Sarah’s sfpouandrhkerle As her weight went up, Sarah Cullimore felt her inner light growing dim. Now, after finding a community of like-minded people and a way to truly enjoy her food, she’s 3st 8lbs lighter and shining brighter than ever! Meet Sarah Sarah Cullimore, 30, is a customer experience leader at a fast-food restaurant and a Slimming World Consultant. She lives in Carlow, County Carlow Height: 5ft 3ins Starting weight: 12st 12½lbs Weight now: 9st 4½lbs WEIGHT LOST: 3st 8lbs Sarah lost weight at a Slimming World group in Carlow, which she now runs SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 37

Among all the negative thoughts was a little voice telling me I knew a way I could change my life for the better... Hiking across the beautiful habit of snacking on chocolate and crisps Wicklow Mountains, I suddenly throughout the day, having a takeaway for stopped in my tracks. I’d realised dinner and pretending to be happy. Looking something incredible: I was in back, I wasn’t really ready for change. front! Moments later, my partner, Sebastian, caught up with me. ‘Are you OK?’ It was when I saw a photo of myself as he asked. I nodded, a bit tearfully, as it a bridesmaid a year later that my mindset dawned on me how far I’d come in more ways shifted. My sister Leanne’s wedding in than one. I was thinking back to the last time Lanzarote had been the most wonderful day, I’d hiked along this very spot. I’d been with and seeing her say her vows in the sunshine a whole group of people, who all seemed to was so special. Later, though, when I saw a be striding along with ease, and I’d barely photo of me in my dress holding a bouquet, been able to take more than a few steps it was as if clouds had suddenly gathered. without getting breathless. In fact, I’d been Yes, I was smiling, but I kept staring at the quite pleased when I found myself trailing at expression on my face and thinking that the back, because it meant no one could hear it looked like a mask. I could see through me puffing and struggling. Now, five years to the unhappy person underneath and later, I’d walked the 10km trail without a I remembered how that feeling had been second thought – and I’d loved every step. with me throughout the day. My mood got lower and lower, and I started wondering I used to crave instant weight loss results and BEFORE what my purpose in life was. What was I give up when I didn’t get them. When I began working towards? I felt so low that some days wanting to lose weight in my early 20s, I thought I thought going I found it hard even to get out of bed. Then, one restricting what I ate was the only answer. When diet on restrictive Wednesday morning in January 2020, among after diet inevitably failed, I’d blame myself for having diets was the all the negative thoughts swirling around in my only way to no willpower. My reaction to feeling so bad was to eat lose weight head was one little voice telling me I already knew more, and I’d easily get through a family-size bag of a way I could change my life for the better...by crisps and bars of chocolate while watching movies in joining Slimming World. It was as if the penny had bed. I smoked a lot, too – anything that numbed the pain of dropped – this time, I was doing it for me, and I was going to how useless I felt. From the outside, though, no one would have stick with it. That gave me enough hope to get up and search known what I was going through. I loved my job as a customer online for my nearest group, which was happening that evening. experience leader at a fast-food restaurant and was always cheerful around my team. Funnily enough, it was a colleague My first day at my new group made me realise I wasn’t alone – who first persuaded me to go along with her to a Slimming other people felt just like I did, and together we could change World group. I went for a few weeks and lost a stone, but my that. From the moment I was greeted by my Consultant, Jennifer, heart wasn’t in it and I stopped going. I knew it worked, but at I could tell she’d been in my shoes and that she genuinely cared. that point it somehow seemed easier to fall back into my old Hearing other members speak made me feel even more like > 38 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

real-life cover star SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 39

I was in the right place. They shared stories about overcoming difficult relationships with food, issues that had crushed their self-esteem, and fears that there would never be any escape. It was a weight off my shoulders to know I wasn’t the only one going through these things. I’d thought I was crazy for not being able to control my eating, but here I was, surrounded by people who were finding a way out of the place I was currently in. And this time, I was doing it for myself. I took my new-member pack home and went through the Food Optimising book with a highlighter, picking out all the Free Foods I wanted to stock up on, such as fresh fruit, pasta, eggs, beans, seafood sticks, ready-to-eat packs of sliced chicken breast and fat-free natural yogurt. Part of me still thought I’d never stick to it, but one thing was for sure – I was going to try. And once I’d planned my meals and got a kitchen full of food that would help me lose weight, it already felt much easier than before. I feel like there’s nothing I can’t achieve if I go about it with the right mindset One by one I built up healthy new habits, and steadily my weight began to fall. As well as losing a pound or two every week, I was also becoming more and more confident at putting together a Food Optimising day. I’d ditched the mentality about my transformation happening overnight and embraced the small changes I was noticing, reminding myself that each one was a step closer to where I wanted to be. Instead of skipping breakfast, I’d started having eggs, which filled me up so I was less hungry when I got to work. It also meant I still had my Healthy Extra ‘b’ for later on in the day, which I’d use for overnight oats topped with lots of frozen berries. As long as I had a stash of Free Food snacks like beetroot, pickled onions and fresh fruit on standby, I found I didn’t have the urge to eat crisps and chocolate in the day. Dinner would be something like tuna pasta bake using one of my Healthy Extra choices for cheese, or a chilli con carne with lots of Speed Free Food mushrooms added in. Looking back, I can’t pinpoint the first time I went to bed to watch a film and didn’t take anything to eat, but it soon became the norm. Now, I was eating meals that satisfied my appetite, and if I fancied a sweet treat for dessert, I’d choose 40 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

real-life cover star INTERVIEW: ADAM CARPENTER. PHOTOGRAPHS: PAUL BULLER. STYLING: RACHEL FANCONI. HAIR & MAKE-UP: BEFORE something that fitted into my daily Syns, like lower-calorie ice SARAH BULLETT. BALLOON: WITH THANKS TO BUBBLEGUMBALLOONS.COM. SEQUIN WALL: WITH THANKS TO Behind the cream or the Hi-fi bars that I got from group. I realised that in ITSUNIQUEEVENTS.COM. SEE P120 FOR STOCKISTS smile was the past I’d overeaten because I believed if I had one ‘bad’ thing an unhappy the damage had been done and I may as well have more. Now, that guilt around eating the ‘wrong’ thing was gone and I knew person that if I went over my Syns one day, I could just get back on it the next without feeling the need to beat myself up. I trusted the SARAH WEARS plan and, for the first time in years, I was actually enjoying my p9 and 36: Top and food. When lockdown hit, I carried on going to group virtually, skirt, both ASOS. and when I returned to work in summer 2020 after being Shoes, New Look. furloughed, I needed a uniform in a smaller size. Earrings, Butler & Wilson. Ring, Increasing my activity levels was a case of taking small steps, Sif Jakobs Jewellery as I’d never been into playing sport and I hated the idea of p39: Dress, Little going to the gym. As with food, I’d always thought it was a case Mistress. Shoes, of all or nothing. ‘All’ meant going to the gym five days a week Aldo. Earrings or training for a marathon – so naturally, I’d gone with ‘nothing’. and ring, both Sif Then, after hearing about Body Magic activity videos being Jakobs Jewellery added to the Slimming World app, I decided to take a look. p40: Jumpsuit, Some were only five minutes – ‘I could do that…’ I thought, John Zack. Shoes, surprised at myself. So every morning before work, I started Aldo. Earrings doing just five minutes in my pyjamas. That small habit boosted and necklace, my confidence and made me realise I could become active. both Sif Jakobs Soon, I was following 15-minute videos, and as my fitness Jewellery. Rings, improved, I upped it to 30. And there was an unexpected both stylist’s own added bonus: exercising put me in a more positive state of mind and made me even more motivated to stick to plan. Within 10 months I’d lost 3st and I decided to drop my target to 9st 4lbs. By now I felt there was nothing I couldn’t achieve if I went about it with the right mindset, and I turned my thoughts to something I’d secretly wanted to do for years. I’d been smoking around 20 cigarettes a day since I was 18 and I thought I would never, ever be able to give it up. Now, with my new-found self-belief, I decided to give it a go. So that same day I switched to vaping and resolved to stop buying cigarettes. It wasn’t plain sailing – there were times I would be out for the evening and still find myself with a cigarette in my hand. But changing my relationship with food had taught me that if I had a blip one day I could get straight back on it the next, and I knew I didn’t have to be perfect to make progress. The 20-a-day habit was a thing of the past. I’ve recently trained to be a Slimming World Consultant, and I’m so excited about helping others find their own happy weight. I started running the Wednesday group I’d been attending, which fitted around my day job, and now I’m the one welcoming people through the doors and greeting new members. Some of them are in a dark place, and having had my own struggles, I can reassure them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I never look back and think ‘I wish I hadn’t gone through that experience’, as it’s what’s made me the person I am today. Going through the tough times has given me the tools I need to help my members. That tiny voice in my head that day when I began my Slimming World journey is now a big voice reminding me that if I approach anything step by step, I can do it. And I’m looking forward to all the other things it’ll help me achieve. If you’re inspired by Sarah’s journey, are well on your way to your final target weight, and would like to know more about becoming a self- employed Slimming World Consultant, call 0344 892 0434 (01 656 9600 from Republic of Ireland) or email [email protected]. SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 41

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magic moments “I lost weight to save a life” When Jayne Barber learnt that her nephew needed a kidney transplant, she was desperate to do something. But to help him, she’d need to transform her own health first Jayne, 60, is retired and lives in Bourne, Donating Lincolnshire, with her husband, Mick. my kidney She’s 5ft 4ins tall and weighs 10st 13lbs, to Tom having lost 2st 11½lbs at Lesley Thornalley- turned Grey’s Slimming World group in Bourne both our lives ‘Oh my goodness!’ There was a gasp, around! and everyone gathered around to hug THE HEALTH INFORMATION IN THIS STORY IS BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE me. The talk during IMAGE Therapy in my hospital. ‘Tom has Covid,’ the doctor at then wasn’t to talk to me, but instead watch AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REPLACE THE ADVICE GIVEN BY YOUR HEALTHCARE Slimming World group that Wednesday The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh told me. the football with the guys in the ward! TEAM. PICTURE FRAME: GETTY IMAGES morning had turned to ‘What’s your why?’, ‘His health has taken a real dip. Would you and I had just shared my very special reason be willing to travel up to Edinburgh to have When I went for my post-surgery for wanting to lose weight. ‘My nephew, the operation here, to ensure it goes as tests, the coordinator at Nottingham, who Tom, needs a transplant,’ I explained, ‘and smoothly as possible?’ hadn’t seen me in a while, almost fell over I’m top of the list of potential donors to in surprise. ‘You’re half the size!’ she said. give him a life-saving kidney.’ A few weeks later, my husband, Mick, and I packed up the car, with our dog, Wilf, I lost weight to help Tom, but I’ve Tom was 27 when he was diagnosed to relocate to Scotland for five weeks. The continued for me. I’m close to my target with Berger’s disease, which meant an surgery was a success, and once I was up now and doing things I’d never have antibody called Immunoglobulin A was and about I went to see Tom in his room dreamt of before – like swimming and building up in his kidneys, hampering down the corridor. We just stared at each wearing a bright red jumpsuit! Tom’s home, their job of filtering waste from the blood. other and couldn’t believe how well we and at 44 he’s got the energy he had in his For years, he’d been managing the disease both looked. The colour had already come 20s. He’s loving running round with the with medication, but now his condition back into his face. I knew he must be feeling kids, and Jenny, who’s only known him with was getting worse, and going to hospital better as what he really wanted to do right Berger’s, can’t believe the difference in him. three times a week for dialysis was taking a real toll on him, his wife, Jenny, and their It’s funny to think part of me is in three young children. Scotland, but as soon as it left me, it was no longer mine. I may have given Tom a kidney, I wanted to help and put myself but we gave each other a new lease of life. ● forward as a donor. But when I went in for tests, the doctor told me that I couldn’t Have you had a magic moment since joining Slimming World? We’d love donate to Tom unless I lowered my body to hear about it! Email us at [email protected]. mass index (BMI) to under 30. That meant getting down to 12st. I’d been a member of Slimming World years ago, so I knew it worked, and now I had the motivation to see it through. With the support of my Consultant, Lesley, and my group, I reached my BMI target easily. The original plan was that I’d donate in Nottingham, and the kidney would travel up to Scotland alone. But then, in April this year, I got a phone call from the SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 43

Love your leftovers Cutting down on food waste this festive season is great for the planet and your bank balance. And with our practical guide, you can make it work for your weight loss, too ILLUSTRATION: SARA ZANELLO WORDS: REBECCA WOOLLARD 44 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE

fresh ideas Here we go again! The party season is almost upon us Use up…the veg and if you’re hosting family or friends, after the last guest has gone you’ll probably find yourself with Nearly all fruit and vegetables are a fridge full of leftovers, wondering what on earth Free Foods, so you can start loading to do with them. It’s heartbreaking when we have to them into your meals straight throw food away, especially now all our budgets are so stretched, away before they spoil. Here are but we also don’t want it to get in the way of our weight loss before a few ideas to get you started the new year’s even started. And it doesn’t have to! With our slimming-friendly ideas, you can make the most of those festive ● Chop raw hardy veg, such as leftovers and feel confident that you’re staying beautifully on track. sprouts, cabbage and carrots, then And these use-it-up tips aren’t just for Christmas – they’ll work for toss them into a stir-fry. Or make your wallet and your waistline all year round! a coleslaw with thinly sliced raw sprouts or cabbage by tossing Get organised roast turkey, lamb or pork (skin and them with raw grated carrot, sliced red onion and apple cut into Start by going through your fridge visible fat removed), or do a basic matchsticks, then stirring through a little fat-free natural yogurt and and writing down exactly what you tomato sauce if you prefer – you’ll lemon juice to taste. have – and what’s likely to go off find all kinds of curry and tomato- ● Any veg that are looking a bit droopy can be simmered up into the quickest – so you can come up based sauce recipes on the Slimming soups – generally, veg that are similar colours work well together. with a plan. If you’ve got multiple World website and app. Defrost in ● Roast a big batch of raw root veg joints of meat to use up, strip it off the fridge, then bring to a simmer using low-calorie cooking spray, then portion up and freeze to use later the bones or carcass (discarding until piping hot and serve with in curries, soups, or as a side dish. any skin or visible fat now to save cooked plain dried rice, pasta or ● Bake raw potatoes (if they’re sprouting, cut the sprouts off, and time later) and transfer it to airtight mash. If you have leftover lean bin any green ones), then keep in the fridge for up to three days. Cut containers, using a different one for roast beef, eat it cold with Slimming into wedges, spray with low-calorie cooking spray and roast to make each meat. Wrap up World chips (see p66) fantastic crisp and fluffy chips. leftover cheeses Roast and coleslaw (see ● Leftover roast potatoes and individually in potatoes and above right). Or vegetables from Christmas lunch clingfilm or foil, then simply pile it into can be turned into a hash, or mashed with beaten egg and fried put them all in a box vegetables sandwiches – use a to make potato cakes – perfect together. Choose Healthy Extra portion topped with eggs fried in low- calorie cooking spray and slices a box that locks tight can be turned of wholemeal bread of ham with the fat removed. to help stop cheese spread with a little odours from seeping into a hash English mustard made ● Chop up fruit and set it into sugar-free jelly (1½ Syns per 11.5g into the fridge. Check or potato from mustard powder, sachet of sugar-free crystals) – the your veg and fruit, and add a handful of jelly will give it a few extra days of life and it makes a tasty dessert. too, making a note cakes – and rocket. Cooked beef Or top with fat-free natural Greek of what needs to be topped with can also be thinly yogurt and your favourite Healthy eaten or cooked first. sliced and added to Extra cereal for breakfast. Use up… a fried egg! a noodle soup made SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 45 the meat with a pouch of liquid chicken stock, sliced You can freeze cooked meat off mushrooms and spring onions, a the bone, but it’s prone to freezer dash of soy sauce and cooked dried burn (where the food dries out or noodles – add the beef towards the goes white), which can give it an end of cooking, so it doesn’t become unpleasant flavour and smell. If you tough. And you can use chunks of put it into a sauce first, the sauce cooked ham and turkey instead of will coat the meat, protecting it chicken in a filo-topped pie, or fry from freezer burn, and will cut out slices of ham in low-calorie cooking a recipe step when you come to spray until crisp on the edges and defrost it. Make the base of a Food serve with bubble and squeak or Optimising curry and add shredded boiled potatoes and greens. >

Portioning up the sweets and chocolates that fill the house at this time of year could help you stay within your daily Syns Deal with the sweet treats Selection boxes, tree decorations, after-dinner mints...you can enjoy them all when you’re Food Optimising. Look up the Syns for individual sweets or chocolates, then bag them up into portions that fit into your slimming day. Many members say they find it easier to stop when they’re eating things that are individually portioned, so this could help you stay within your daily Syns. Alternatively, consider giving them to friends, or a local charity or care home, especially if you know they’re a trigger food for you. If the rest of the family can’t bear to part with that last tin of chocs, try putting them somewhere you won’t see them every time you open a kitchen cupboard. Out of sight, out of mind! Use up…the into your meals using your Healthy you can also have nuts as a Healthy smoked salmon Extra ‘a’ allowances. Taking a little Extra ‘b’ choice if you’d rather not time to portion it into Healthy Extra count them as Syns? Count or You can freeze smoked salmon quantities and wrap individually is weigh out a Healthy Extra portion, wrapped in clingfilm, but it’s best super helpful if, like us, you find it or check the Syns, then roughly to cook with it once defrosted as it difficult to stop once you’ve started! chop and add to a bowl of yogurt will lose some of its texture. Have Cheese freezes really well, too. Keep and fruit for breakfast, or scatter it with scrambled eggs and wilted different types of cheeses separate over your meals. Hazelnuts are spinach for breakfast, or whizz with so you can Syn them more easily, delicious on top of white fish fillets extra-light soft cheese (1 Syn per then cut into small cubes. Weigh or prawns, walnuts work well with 25g), some lemon zest and fresh out the correct amount, then freeze shakshuka, peanuts or cashews chives or dill to make a pâté, and in bags or airtight containers. When in a stir-fry, and flaked or roughly serve with salad leaves and veg you need it, defrost or stir straight chopped almonds are great on a sticks, along with a Healthy Extra from frozen into veg soups before curry. Nuts taste even nicer roasted, portion of crispbreads, if you like. blitzing for an indulgent twist. too – spread on a baking tray and roast for around 8-10 minutes at Use up…the cheese Know your 180°C/fan 160°C/gas 4, then Healthy Extras when they’ve cooled down, store Who doesn’t love a Christmas in an airtight container, either cheeseboard? The downside, There’s more to Healthy Extras than somewhere cool or in the freezer. though, is leftovers with a short life. bread and cereal – did you know You can add all kinds of cheeses Safety tips ● LABEL AND ● COOK AND KEEP ● DEFROST SLOWLY, ● SQUEEZE OUT THE DATE IT – this is LONGER – cooked meat Steer clear of particularly useful if you’re generally keeps longer than REHEAT QUICKLY – the AIR – when packing food food poisoning freezing food, as it’s so raw. Once cooked, cool as safest place to defrost up for freezing, removing easy to forget what you quickly as possible. Halve food is in the fridge, and excess air helps avoid (or less than stored a few weeks ago, joints, so the meat cools remember that large items freezer burn. If you’re using lovely meals!) especially once it’s more quickly; cover hot may take up to 48 hours storage boxes, lay a sheet covered in a layer of frost. food and move to a colder to defrost completely. of clingfilm over the top of with a few Write on what the dish or area (even outside, off the Once defrosted, cook the food, so it’s touching basic health ingredient is and the date ground, if there’s nowhere as soon as possible and it, before putting the lid of freezing, then use cool enough in the house), avoid leaving it sitting on. If you’re freezing in and safety it within three months. then chill or freeze it. out on a surface. Bacteria bags, hang the bag over guidelines grows fastest between the edge of your worktop, 8 and 60°C, so you want with the opening on the For more information on chilling and freezing food, visit food.gov.uk/ to avoid food being at top, then move the bag up consumer-advice/food-safety-advice, and for an A-Z guide to storing this temperature longer and down against your just about anything, go to lovefoodhatewaste.com. than necessary. worktop to squeeze out the air before sealing it. 46 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE



Available in Slimming World groups, £1.95/€3 RRP for six bars. Also available to our online members – minimum order levels and postage charges apply. noouwrar npmagaeritnof Triple ChoC An indulgent cereal bar dipped in milk chocolate, drizzled with dark chocolate and topped with white chocolate curls

EAT,love&lose DISCOVER A WORLD OF FRESH, FILLING FOOD THAT’S DELICIOUSLY SLIMMING 141 Look out for these symbols on our recipes: brilliant recipes, ideas & tips in 0 Free when Food this issue Optimising s Extra Easy SP recipe V Suitable for vegetarians e Suitable for vegans f Suitable for freezing for up to 1 month COOK’S NOTES ● When cooking with shop- bought spice mixes or blends, choose brands without Synned ingredients such as sugar, flour and oil. Otherwise, count ½ Syn per level tsp or 1½ Syns per level tbsp ● When using low-calorie cooking spray in our recipes, choose brands with one calorie or less per spray as they’re Syn free. See page 6 for a complete list of recipes and Syn values. For an introduction to Food Optimising, turn to page 64 WHAT’S COOKING? Share your photos of this issue’s recipes on social media: #SWMagazineMakes PHOTOGRAPH: KATE WHITAKER. RECIPE & FOOD STYLING: Rum punch trifles, LIZZIE KAMENETZKY. PROP STYLING: MORAG FARQUHAR recipe p94 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE 49