How and Why The Food Record Diary Was Created

Hayley Maxwell-Keys created The Food Record Diary with SlimmersDiary because she began to struggle getting close to her target weight and wished she had kept a book as a record from the beginning of her journey (instead of hundreds of scrap pieces of paper) of all the things that she had done and learnt when she first started on her Slimming World journey.

She realised over time that she had allowed bad habits to start and creep back in. She was also being asked by several other people to share her successful weekly food plans and wanted to help others that were losing their momentum or who were just starting out on their journey, that were overwhelmed by all the information, or were unsure of where to start or how to plan and organise their new daily and weekly routines; She was very aware of how daunting it can all first appear.

She gathered all her notes and charts that she had set up for herself over the years and concentrated on where her biggest struggles had been and why, and then worked from there to create a very special Slimming Diary, that has now become The Food Record Diary!

Problems Encountered Before The Diary

  • Lack of organisation, planning, time control and lack of confidence of following the plan correctly.
  • She hadn`t been checking all the syn values because she couldn`t find them easily enough at short notice (ie. whilst in the supermarket).
  • She didn`t always have time to cook full meals (after work and picking up the 2 children)  She would then panic and eat the wrong things.
  • She didn`t always have the right foods available in her fridge or freezer.
  • She would go shopping and forget what she needed or the exact names of products she had researched in the food directory; She`d then end up guessing at syn values or buy the wrong things.
  • She would lose her food diary page (or her husband would think it was a scrap of paper and throw it away)?!
  • She would forget the new recipes and tips that she had picked up from group the week before.
  • She would buy a weeks worth of fresh fruit and vegetables – but because she hadn`t planned her meals properly,  the food would perish and get thrown away – wasting her even more time and money!She desperately wanted to follow the plan, but found that due to problems like the above she was often being led completely down the wrong track. She was determined that she could address these issues and make life a little easier for herself (and everyone else following the plan).

She began to speak to other members about the struggles and problem areas that she had uncovered and found that they were common issues (not just hers). She spent along time doing research and discussing her ideas with other members, it was important to her that the diary would be a useful tool to all members & slimmers that used it.

The very first edition of the food diary was made public in 2011 to a select few Slimming World members and consultants. Several Slimming World members (and Hayley) used and followed the diary for over 6 months, making notes on both the diaries success and their own personal progress. She listened to feedback carefully to ensure that the diary evolved and developed into a product that would assist, address and meet the needs of every different struggling Slimming World member.

The enthusiasm and feedback from Slimming World Group members and Slimming World Consultants has been phenomenal! Hayley has been completely overwhelmed by the groups excitement and commitment towards this very simple concept and helpful food diary, planner and organiser.

Slimming Members Feedback on The Food Record Diary:

  • They love the fact that the diary fits into their members pack and that it is completely different; It`s unique, fresh and new!
  • They like that they can plan, organise and refer back to it at anytime; especially when they are struggling, or getting close to target and need that extra boost of motivation.
  • They like that they can take ideas from the diary and share it with the rest of the group, or copy each others successful weekly food plans to use as a guide and for inspiration.
  • They love that they can easily monitor and log their daily syns, easily spot any irregularities or troublesome areas, i.e.not eating enough superfree foods.
  • They also love the fact that they can take it with them to the supermarket shopping and have their own individual shopping lists with syn values attached, making it so easy to use and follow.

The diary provides a lifelong log and reference for each individual that they can refer back to as often as they need to. They can look back over their successful weeks and feel proud of their journey and just how far they have come.

Most importantly, it helps to establish (or re-establish) good routines and form good habits, that fit into each individuals lifestyle and daily routine. It takes away unnecessary stress and pressures, and minimises time restraints – making planning and organising so much easier. It can be referred back to whenever someone is losing their momentum and is a lifelong log of their journey that they can treasure, cherish and be proud to keep hold of.

It is from all of these things put together, the research, the success, the feedback, and most importantly….YOU….The Slimming World Members desire for the diary, that you find it here today.

We wish every single Slimmer out there a very successful weight loss plan, and hope that you have many smiles and laughter along the way whilst using your Food Record Diary. Goodluck!

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