9 feel-good FIXES
Power up your body and mind with these mood-boosting tips from Slimming World because when you feel good, you do good!
Prioritise you
While we can often feel under pressure to put everyone else first, they’ll only get the best of us if we show ourselves a bit of TLC, too. Doing something that makes you smile – booking a manicure or watching a favourite comedy show will give your spirits a lift. And when you feel good, not only do you have more energy to help others, but you’ll also feel more inclined to stick to your weight-loss goals too.
Celebrate the journey
If your slimming goal is still a way off, a physical reminder of how far you’ve come will fire you up in seconds. Try on a too-big pair of jeans, skirt or top and revel in your success. You’ve got this!
Quench your thirst
Staying hydrated is a top tip for feeling tip-top – even getting just a little dehydrated can leave us feeling lethargic and unfocused. All drinks count (except alcohol) and slimming-friendly options include sugar-free fizzy drinks and squash, and herbal tea. Six to eight glasses is a good amount to aim for each day for general wellbeing. If you fancy giving plain water a twist, try adding your favourite fresh fruit or mint leaves for flavour, and chill in the fridge overnight.
Take a moment
Pause for a minute to smell the spices in your Slimming World-friendly homemade curry (like the Indian-spiced fish curry on page
5). Or eat a ripe strawberry slowly, focusing on the sweetness and juicy texture… Paying close attention to your senses as you eat or drink – being fully present in that moment – is also known as mindful eating. Like all mindfulness practices, it’s calming and stress busting, and for slimmers it has further benefits, too. Slowing down at mealtimes can help you feel more in tune with your appetite signals, and by savouring each mouthful you’ll also really enjoy your food.
Play a game
Let your inner child go wild by rediscovering the joy of playtime. If you have children, they’re ideal to rope in for an assault course. If not, you could kick a ball around or go bowling with friends – or download an app that turns exercise into a game, such as Walkr (from the App Store and Google Play) where you use ‘walking energy’ to power a rocket to far-off planets. The great news is that all this play will also get you breathing a little faster and your blood pumping, which means it’ll bring many of the benefits of being acrive. Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity programme celebrates all forms of exercise and recognises that if you’re having fun, you’re more likely to do it again and again!
Feed your mood
What you eat across the day can really affect how you feel – we all know what it’s like to get hangry (angry because we’re hungry)!
Making the most of the Food Optimising plan by eating filling platefuls of tasty, nutritious food, reaching for fruit and veg if you’re hungry between meals, and enjoying a little of what you fancy with a snack or two isn’t just the ticket to successful weight loss – it’s a lifestyle change that can make all the difference to your overall wellbeing.
Get in the garden
Growing your own cut-and-come-again salads and herbs is
a wallet-friendly and fun way to add excitement to healthy meals – and if you don’t have a garden, a window box or tray will do the trick. Seeing the seeds you sow pushing up green shoots and unfurling, then snipping off a handful to rinse for dinner, or poking sprigs of home-grown rosemary into your Sunday roast, can be really rewarding. Plus, it’s a great learning experience for little ones. Visit rhs.org.uk/advice/ grow-your-own for advice on growing just about anything, just about anywhere.