Slimfast 321 Plan review: What is it & preparing for the start!

My weight has been steadily creeping up since I left university, add a new sedentary desk job and the festive period into the mix, and it has practically snowballed. I worked really hard to get my weight down at the end of university and, although it is entirely my fault, I do feel cheated that it has crept up so quickly.Whilst overall I am not extremely unhappy with my body (there have been a few tears when clothes no longer fit) I know I felt happier and healthier when had lost some weight. 

Slimfast has been something that I have always seen, but never quite focused on, it instead hovered in my periphery vision as I browsed the make up aisles of Boots. However, when I received an email inviting me to take the 321 3 week challenge I felt like it was exactly what I needed, and I decided to use it as a way to kick my bad eating habits and start afresh!

So what is the Slimfast 321 plan? The plan consists of swapping to of your meals a day with a replacement shake or meal bar, these allow you to have all the nutrients you need whilst lowering your calories - the aim is to have a total calorific intake of 1,200-1,400 per day. To help fulfill this aim you can also have 3 snacks a day, and one calorie controlled meal - 600 for women, 800 for men (You can see all the products here). During this plan you must keep up your water intake and try and do some exercise, things we should be doing anyway! The plan is recommended for those who have  a BMI or 25 or above, which you can work out using a BMI Calculator. However, as Slimfast say on their website, your ideal weight is one where your 'physical and mental health is best promoted' and is not easily defined by a BMI number. So please don't let the little number rule your entire life, or get you too upset.

Lastly, how am I feeling about the imminent plan? Well, although I am pretty apprehensive about not  having 3 regular meals a day, I am  actually quite excited. I have tried WeightWatchers before and it was an utter failure, I am just far too lazy to weigh things out etc, so this plan seems perfect for me. Of course I am not looking forward to the feeling of hunger, but 3 snacks with what is essentially 3 meals sounds like it should be enough to stop the dreaded grumble, we shall see! In terms of preperation I have actually just not been denying myself anything, then if anyone gives me a look I simply retort with 'I am having milkshakes as my meals next week ok...milkshakes.'(Can you tell that I love my food!)

My plan is to do regular posts like these, maybe one a week showing what meals I have had, how I am finding the plan, if I stuck to it etc what do you think?