My First Year At Slimming World

April 3rd 2014 

I went back to Slimming World on 3rd April with my lovely mum. It was not the first time I'd crossed the threshold of my local group, but this time I was serious. The last time I was here, it was November 2011 and I had my eight week old in tow. I definitely wasn't ready to begin  my slimming journey, and after a good start and the receipt of my half a stone award, I didn't go back to group.

The second time around, I had a lot more success. By week 2 I got my half a stone award, and had an eery sense of deja vu. I was determined this time to do well, and as I walked through the doors on week 3, I had beaten my previous record. in fact, I had a loss every week for the first ten weeks.

Of course, it wasn't all plain sailing. I had small losses that felt disappointing. I had big gains that were even more disappointing. Twice I maintained and I was about ready to jack the whole thing in. But I didn't, and my proudest achievement was getting Slimmer of the Week in October after a 5.5lb loss.

I'm currently 3.5lbs away from my 2 and a half stone award, having had a deserved 2.5lb gain last week. I reached Club 10 on 26th February 2015 which was another milestone that I had been millimeters from since early December. But I got there eventually, and I know that I'll soon get to my goal.

I want to lose 6 stone in total and I have lost 2 stone 3.5 pounds, so am almost a third of the way there. I know it's a while to go yet, but I'll get there and I'll be happier and healthier for it.

Beauty Picks!

Collection Pressed Powder – Translucent/Natural

This is one of those products that I go to because of the price. I’ve never felt compelled to try any more expensive powders. I have been using the Rimmel Lasting Perfection Powder Foundation with a damp Beauty Blender recently, and love the airbrushed, flawless affect that it temporarily gives. But time after time, I will come back to this powder as the price (£1.99) is amazing and it does exactly what I need it to. I’m not fussed on looking matte or anything like that because I don’t ever suffer with oily skin, it’s overly dry! But this powder always finds its way off the shelves of Boots and into my basket when I’m due for a new powder.

Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Normal/Dry skin – Ivory

I first got this foundation when I first started getting into YouTube video watching – naturally! I wanted to love it and I pushed past the initial shock of how thick it was. The smell was also a bit paint like for me. I know, I’m not selling this very well! But once I’d learned a bit more about how to properly apply it - and realised that less is more! - This became a steady staple in my foundation collection. Foundation is far and away my favourite makeup item to buy. I love trying new ones and cannot resist a drugstore launch! I have had about 5 or 6 bottles of this (equating to around 1 a year). I don’t use it every day as it is heavy coverage and my skin is dry and acne prone/riddled. I interchange it with lighter coverage foundations (Rimmel lasting Finish Nude I’m looking at you) during the week, and reserve this for big days at work or date nights - which are rare I might add! All in all, I would recommend everyone have a bottle of this stuff in their collection, and it comes in two different varieties with a huge shade range, so there should be something to suit everyone!

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer – Shades 1 and 2

Another “YouTube Made Me Buy It” feature here! I definitely brought this because everyone else did, but I have to say I truly am a big fan! it’s a good colour and works well with my pale skin and palest foundations. I like the coverage it gives and use it under my eyes and on acne and red marks. I never find any concealer covers my breakouts 100% so I won’t deduct points from this for that, but it is something to bear in mind. Overall though, I am happy with it and have re-purchased several times, so it must be doing something right! It’s a decent price as well and readily available!

MAC #217 Eye Brush

I have had this brush fora bout I've years and every time I've had to take a makeup bag away from home with me, I've brought along this brush. Of course, I use it to apply colour in the crease but I also like to use it to apply colour over the lid, or apply a wash of a pale base colour for blending out darker smokey eyes. it was expensive (I got mine online) but definitely worth it, and in terms of price per use, its more than paid for itself! A true must have!