But I Smile Anyway…

Hey, Peeps, it’s me!

Not a blog tour, not a review, no birthdays or anniversaries to celebrate, just me here to have a catch up.

Some of you have been here since the beginning of my blogging journey, which started nearly ten years ago. And over that time, aside from me discussing topical issues, sharing family and cat stories, poetry and my writing journey, I have also documented when I have tried, and often succeeded, then failed, to start a weight loss journey.

I was so good with Slimming World, losing around 2 stone before I stilled and it all piled back on, then I also had a go at Noom, on two separate occasions, reading articles, logging food intake and weighing in every day… which again worked for a while before we moved house, and life went a bit topsy turvy…

I started to think this was it for me. I’d be that slightly podgy, bellied, double-chinned Ritu forever, and I had to accept it. After all, I also now have fibromyalgia to deal with – who I have also named Frank.

Fibro Frank is like that annoying houseguest who turns up unannounced, causing a flare up, and can sometimes overstay his welcome. While he is here, he exhausts me, and can play havoc with my joints. I just try and deal with him and his stay as each day comes.

Then a friend of mine recommended something she had started, Slimpod. It’s not a diet. It’s not about controlling your food intake, it’s about talking to your subconscience. She is much younger than me and has had trouble with her own joints and needed something to help, so she tried a 10-day free trial, and felt there was some change in her approach to food. She was going to sign up for the full programme and recommended it.

Again, no specific diet. No calorie counting. Just a way of retraining your mind and how it things about food and eating.

What is it, then?

Basically I listen to a pod (a short audio clip around 10 mins long) every day, before bed or sometimes more often, and our friend Trevor speaks to our subconscience. There are two to start with, but the Slimpod you should listen to daily. After 5 weeks there will be another pod released. And there are videos to watch, which are not long, and you can either watch them in one go once a week, or watch them over the week, before the new ones are released.

It’s all about Neuroscience, and unpacking possibly decades of emotional eating triggers. (Stress is one of mine.)

Plus you are encouraged to write down three wins a day. And to not weigh yourself.

I know. That’s a bit mad. A weight loss thing but you don’t weigh? Well, I guess the long and short of it is that we get so reliant on the numbers that show up, sometimes we forget to remember the other plusses that have occured

And I won’t go into it because, let’s face it, I’m not the expert, but after my first ten days, I wanted to share what I am feeling.

So, within a couple of days I did notice that, aside from a really stressful day where I ate three chocolate bars, I have stopped automatically reaching for snacks in between meals, and if I fancy something, I’m bypassing most naughty treats, and going for fruit. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t stopped eating all things that give me pleasure, it’s just I can finally eat and stop before I finish a whole pack of something.

I’m eating three good meals a day, drinking more water, and snacking less. I’ve refused the takeaway that Hubby Dearest wants to order on most occasions, trying to cook from scratch more.

We aren’t meant to weigh in, but I did this morning, and I have lost 4lb in the ten days!

I’m trying to hit my step goals most days.

And I am starting to sleep better.

I’ve invested in a Snoozeband so I can fall asleep wearing it while listening to the pods as it is flat on the ears and I am a side sleeper. I am wearing it right now, as I type while listening to a podcast. So comfortable!

And I have realised that I don’t have to wear tent-like tops. I have worn a couple of outfits that cinch in at the waist, and usually I am paranoid because I feel conscious of my tummy, however people have made a point of saying how lovely they look on me. The tent-tops of which I have many, are comfortable for work, but they do make me look bigger because they hang in a certain way…

So, tomorrow, my free trial ends, and I am 100% going to be continuing. There are 3 monthly payment of £39 then the pods and videos are mine to keep and continue to listen to.

This isn’t me being paid to advertise. This is a genuine recommendation, that so far I am loving this! You can click below if you want to read more… You get 10% off if you use it!

https://30116thinkingslimm.refr.cc/gold-referral/u/ritubhathal?s=rw&t=cp

And the Snoozebands are brilliant, too. Check them out, here!

https://www.snoozeband.co.uk/

Right, I will keep you updated on the progress!

In the meantime, have a great rest of your Sunday!