Sherri's blog: 'Week 2 out of 5 and I’m totally hooked!'

Sugar-Free Sherri blogs about a sweet-less start to her challenge, documenting how she can already feel the change after two weeks.

So week 2 out of 5 and I’m totally hooked! 

For quite a few reasons…

The first is because I’ve lost more weight – another pound and a half! That’s nearly half a stone in a fortnight just by cutting out the rubbish and eating regular, healthy meals which I’ve enjoyed preparing. My kitchen has never smelt so good!

The second is because I’m saving money. Yes, I’m buying a few ingredients I may not have had already, but I did my regular shop last week, prepared a list using the menu planner in the book and saved almost one third off my usual bill! OK, I admit, I used to buy a lot of junk, but even I didn’t think we used to spend that much, especially when most of the chocolate/snacks/biscuits/fizzy drinks we used to buy were nearly always on offer…

The third is because of the way I feel. I’m no longer squeezing into my clothes, I’ve no longer got a muffin top above my jeans and I’m using the stairs without feeling breathless. I’m waking up feeling so refreshed in the morning that my other half thinks someone else has moved in! (Oh, and Grahame has lost over half a stone and he’s not following the actual plan, but eating the same meals as me!) My skin is really improving and my hair feels softer and looks shiny.

The fourth (last one!) is because stuff tastes different! Blueberries are delicious, raspberries are almost too sweet, herbal teas are vibrant, good coffee is so tasty and vegetables seem to have taken on a different flavour altogether – I’m even appreciating water!

This week has been tough because I’ve thought about sugar a lot – as always at work (TMW has the best bakers), there have been birthday cakes and treats everywhere which I have to ignore. I decided to have another week of no sweet snacks at all – for me, I know I need to completely break the habit before I let myself indulge. I’m looking forward to making some treats from the book but I know when I do, I won’t be mindlessly picking at them. Also, I can’t exercise yet but hope to get the all clear on my back problem soon.

We’ve eaten some great meals this week, the roast tomato soup (p. 55) is very good indeed (it’s made the ‘regular’ list) and we also had the roast tomato pasta (p. 88) which was delicious. My new ‘favourite’ (joint top with the beef stir-fry!) is the pot-roast chicken (p. 155) – I’ll certainly be cooking it more often. It was so simple and went a long way, plus the problem of what to put in a delicious gravy is now completely solved! (I surpassed myself by making stock with the leftovers too).

The highlight of my week was meeting Davina at her book signing in Tesco at Lakeside. She looked amazing and we had a good catch up and a bit of a natter (she gives the best hugs!). It’s great to have her support and in my view the photo demonstrates how much better I’m feeling compared to before. I think my confidence is really starting to build and I’m actually beginning to believe in myself. 

Is this really me? Onwards…