A whole week into the Simply Fuller Longer challenge and I’m back bearing good news! I’ve managed to stick to eating SFL meals for both lunch and dinner for 7 days straight with really very few hitches and even fewer hunger pangs!

And the question on all your lips ‘has she lost any weight?’, well I’m pleased to answer that with a big fat YES! One week in and I can happily report back that I’ve lost 3lbs and my jeans are just that little bit looser around my shrinking waist. Thanks to my new SFL eating regime this has been the first week in a very long time where I haven’t stepped onto my scales in dreaded fear, this week my scales have actually been quite kind.

So yes, I’ve already lost some weight but what is it like to eat SFL meals so regularly? In all honesty the range is so large and varied that this week has been an exciting one for me, filled with delights from around the globe! My taste buds have been to Italy, India, Spain and Thailand in two days alone. I’ll happily tell you that I’m a big foodie and the thought of any other diet makes me want to run into the nearest cake shop for comfort. So I really am embracing this challenge. I’m eating very well and losing weight at the same time. Win, win!

Of course there have been some meals that I’ve liked more than others so I’ve started rating each new meal I try out of 10. My favourite meal so far has been the Chicken Tikka Masala which got tops marks;10 out of 10. Least favourite was the Creamy Chicken, Ham & Veg  Angel Hair Pastry Pie, which got 7 out of 10 –although these are personal tastes and you may completely disagree with me (do let me know)! Close second to the Chicken Tikka was the Cod Mornay, which scored 9 out of 10. It was delicious, filling and the best thing of all –it was laced in a cheesy sauce. Now if you’ve read my first blog post you will know just how much I really do love cheese. So I will definitely be filling my basket with these two high scoring meals again!

It’s worth mentioning that for the whole month of January Simply Fuller Longer meals are on offer – two meals for £6 – so if you haven’t tried these yet, now is a good time.

Perhaps I’m making it sound like it’s all been a little too peachy though, which is not strictly true. I’ll admit that I’ve never been a huge fan of ready-made meals as I love to cook from scratch. So mid week I couldn’t resist doing just a bit in the kitchen. I was sensible though and simply cooked myself some steamed green veggies to accompany a meal one evening and then baked cherry tomatoes to accompany another meal on another night.

I’ve also disliked eating out of a small round plastic container for each and every main meal – it has felt a little like travelling on a long haul flight, being dished out yet another piping hot meal from a grinning fight attendant. But of course the simple solution to this is just to plate up the meal on a nice piece of crockery once it comes out of the microwave/oven and away you go, tuck in!

Now onto the subject of snacking. I’ve realised this has been one of my biggest problems. I tend to snack when I’m bored and I also snack through association, as I associate certain things with food. For example whilst taking in my daily dose of trash TV, I tend to snack on something. As soon as the box is on, a little bell rings in my head and tells me it’s time to chew on something.  A biscuit with a cup of tea maybe…or more often than not a piece of cheese and glass of red wine. Which takes me onto my second downfall – drinking just a few glasses of wine too many midweek.

Of course there is nothing wrong with a snack here and there, nor is there anything wrong with a glass of wine now and then. But to truly benefit from this challenge I’ve decided to give up alcohol completely for the month and as an ongoing rule I’m going to try replacing naughty snacks like chunks of cheese, chocolate or cake with equally delicious snacks like fresh fruit, raw veg and cereal bars. I’ve stocked up on M&S ‘100 calories or less’ bars which I would recommend! Handy to slip into your handbag and oh-so-delicious.

And how have you been getting on with your January diets? Have you been tempted to try any SFL meals and which do you like best? I would love to hear from you so do let me know by leaving a comment.

Okay, signing off now, one week in, 3lbs lighter and happier in the knowledge that it’s not about depriving yourself of the food you like, but making sure your meals have the right balance of protein and carbs to keep you fuller for longer….