Pork and new potato skewers with rosemary
The way you feel often drives the way you behave — so focusing on your motivation for losing weight can help you stick to your plan when faced with the temptations of a holiday buffet, or if the going gets tough.
For many slimmers, it’s seeing themselves in an unflattering photograph that finally makes them decide to lose weight, according to Slimming World.
The organisation, which has 900,000 members and is celebrating its 50th anniversary, found that looking good in photos was the top reason for wanting to shed extra pounds.
‘ We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by photographs and videos of ourselves — these highlight not only how we perceive ourselves, but how we think others see us,’ says Dr Linda Papadopoulos, Slimming World consultant psychologist.
HOPES AND BELIEFS
She says: ‘ We don’t want images we dislike defining us; they don’t reflect our hopes, beliefs and values, which is why so many people decide not to be held back by their weight. They want to enjoy having their photo taken, having images that reflect who they truly are.’
Another reason for weight loss cited by Slimming World members was a desire to improve their health.
‘ Being diagnosed with a health condition can come as a shock,’ says Dr Papadopoulos. ‘ This realisation prompts us to seek help to live a healthier life.’
Wanting to look good in fashionable clothes, to have more energy and make daily life easier were among other reasons for deciding to lose weight.
‘Although the commitment to losing weight can be daunting, these reasons can motivate us to commit to the programme,’ says Dr Papadopoulos.
And if you keep your motivation in your sights, you’ l l find it easier to keep going when you find yourself flagging.
To celebrate its Golden Jubilee, Slimming World has joined forces with the Daily Mail to bring you this exclusive summer weight-loss series, which began with healthy eating planners in Saturday’s Weekend magazine and the Mail on Sunday.
Today, we’re sharing delicious recipes for picnics and lunches on-the-go. These are a taster of what you could expect to enjoy on the Slimming World plan and should be included in a balanced plan.
Nothing is off-limits on the programme that’s had decades of success in helping slimmers shed unwanted pounds, while enjoying all their favourite foods.
SERVES 8 — ready in 35 minutes, plus cooling
16 baby new potatoes
750g lean pork fillet (also known as tenderloin), all visible fat removed, cut into 24 chunks
8 fresh rosemary sprigs, plus 1 tbsp very finely chopped fresh rosemary and extra sprigs to garnish
Zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon, plus wedges to serve
Low-calorie cooking spray
COOK the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 10-12 minutes or until tender. Drain well and leave until cool enough to handle. Thread the potatoes neatly on to skewers, along with the pork chunks and rosemary sprigs. Mix the chopped rosemary with the lemon zest and juice, season to taste and brush all over the pork and potatoes. Spray with low-calorie cooking spray and cook on a griddle pan over a medium-high heat. Put the skewers on a platter, garnish with rosemary sprigs and serve hot with lemon wedges. They can also be chilled and packed in a lunch box. Keep cooled until ready to eat.