Calorie Deficit With Sammi

You’ve probably heard it everywhere—this idea that we all need to be hitting 10,000 steps a day to be “healthy” or to “lose weight.” And I get it. It’s easy to latch onto a number because it feels like a clear target. But let me tell you right now, as someone who’s been through the ups and downs of weight loss and has lost 11 stone… 10K steps a day is not the be-all and end-all.

Let’s be honest, that number? It’s just a guideline. A ballpark figure someone once made up that stuck. It’s not your number, and it doesn’t need to be.

For me, 20K steps a day is quite normal. But that’s my life. I’ve got three kids. I run a home. I juggle two jobs. One of those jobs keeps me on my feet all day. I’m go, go, go from 6 a.m. until the kids are in bed at night. I barely sit down. So yeah, 20K is my “normal”—and sometimes more if I add a gym session in.

But—and this is important—that doesn’t mean you should be doing the same. In fact, I’d actively tell you not to. If your current average is 2,00...

I’ve just come back from what I think is my third walk of the day—yes, really! It’s absolutely boiling outside today, around 27°C, and I just had to jump on and talk about something that keeps popping up in our community: water retention during hot weather.

When the heat hits, our bodies naturally retain more water. And I totally get it—you're doing all the right things: sticking to your calorie deficit, smashing your steps, being mindful of your nutrition. But then the scale suddenly jumps up, and you're left feeling bloated, heavy, and disheartened.

Let me say this loud and clear: you have not gained fat overnight. What you’re experiencing is water retention, not weight gain. It’s your body’s way of protecting itself from dehydration. So yes, you might feel sticky, swollen, or sluggish—but it’s temporary.

Today, for example, I’ve done over 20,000 steps. I’ve been to the gym, met a friend for a walk, and just got back from a sunny 3-mile stroll. And even though I’ve moved loads, I ...

I’m actually really excited for this one. If you're part of the group or follow my health and wellness page, you might have seen me mention my brand new Lose Weight in 8 blueprint. And honestly, this one feels special — because it’s exactly how I started my own journey.

Why "Lose Weight in 8"?

Think of it as your simple, no-fuss starting point for weight loss. No complicated plans, no shakes, no sins, no points — just real, basic steps that work. When I first started my journey, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. Every diet seemed to pull you in a different direction. But in the end, what worked for me was stripping everything back. Step-by-step. The basics. And that’s exactly what I want to give you.

This isn’t a huge challenge like some of the ones I’ve done in the past — this is short, sharp, and most importantly, digestible. You can read it, learn it, apply it, and get going straight away.

What You Can Expect

Without giving too much away (beca...

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time I properly sat down and filmed some content. But today felt like the right time to sit, reflect, and share where I’ve been, why I went a little quiet, and most importantly—where I’m heading.

For a while now, I’ve been a bit off the radar. I took a conscious step back from creating content, not because I don’t love it, but because I needed clarity. I needed to realign and really ask myself: Where am I going? What do I want this journey to look like?

Getting Caught in the Social Media Trap

Like many of you know, social media can be an incredible tool. It’s allowed me to build a platform from absolutely nothing to a thriving community that now reaches over a quarter of a million people. That still blows my mind. But with that growth comes pressure—and a lot of noise.

The world of content creation, especially in health and fitness, is packed with both inspiring creators and unfortunately, people who push produc...

I’m so excited to share something I get asked about all the time — my go-to snacks! These are the treats I reach for week in, week out. You’ll probably recognise some from the group, but there might be a few new gems too!

🔥 Current Obsession: Snack-a-Jacks

If you’re in the group, you already know I live for these. I recently discovered the BBQ flavour in Morrison’s — omg, SO good. I mostly shop at Aldi but if I’m in town or near another supermarket, I’ll pop in to grab bits like these. The sour cream flavour is a fave too. Only 37 calories each, and perfect for my evening snack plate!

🐻 Pom Bears

I’ve just finished my last pack of the cheese flavour, but honestly, any Pom Bears get a thumbs up from me. There are so many flavours now and they’re usually around 66 calories per bag. A regular in my snack cupboard!

🧀 Cheetos

The classic ones are fab, but I’ve also fallen in love with the sweet & spicy flavour (surprisingly, because I don’t usually love spicy things!). The kids are ho...

When it comes to evening meals—whether you call it tea, dinner, or supper—I always keep things simple, tasty, and within my calories. The best part? You don’t have to eat “diet” food to lose weight. You can eat what you love, just in a more controlled way.

So today, I’m sharing my go-to evening meals, some of my favourite low-calorie options, and how I bulk up my meals to feel full and satisfied.

1. Fish Steaks – Quick, Easy & Low-Calorie

I’m not a massive fish eater, but these fish steaks from Heron have won me over. At just 100 calories per portion, I usually have two and bulk them out with fresh veg—carrots, broccoli, and my favourite carrot chips in the air fryer.

✔ 100 calories per steak
✔ Great source of protein
✔ Pair with loads of veg for a filling meal

They come with a sauce, which helps since I don’t like fish that tastes overly “fishy.” A total win for me!

2. Aldi Pies – Yes, You Can Eat Pies & Lose Weight!

Pies are known for being high-calorie, but these Aldi pies ar...

Breakfast is my absolute favourite meal of the day—I wake up starving, so I need something filling, tasty, and within my calories. I also like variety because eating the same thing every day gets boring.

So, I did a big shop yesterday, and I thought it was the perfect time to share some of my go-to breakfast choices with you all!

1. Yogurt & Fruit Bowl – Light, Fresh & Delicious

One of my top breakfasts, especially now the weather is getting nicer, is a yogurt & fruit bowl.

✔ Aldi’s Coconut & Vanilla Yogurt – 65 calories per pot (and a decent size at 115g!)
✔ Fresh Fruit – I use strawberries, raspberries & blueberries
✔ Toppings – Biscoff spread, Aldi’s Nutokka, or even peanut butter (depends how I feel!)
✔ Crumpet Thins – Two of these on the side

Total Calories: Around 338 calories

This is a super fresh & filling breakfast—perfect when you want something light but still satisfying.

2. Pancakes – Quick & Easy!

I usually get Aldi’s pancakes, but these Home Bargains ones taste ex...

Starting a calorie deficit can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing hunger and cravings. If you're used to consuming a high number of calories, adjusting to a deficit might leave you feeling hungry at first. But hunger is normal, and learning how to work with it instead of fighting against it can make all the difference.

Understanding Hunger: It’s Normal!

One of the biggest hurdles people face when transitioning into a calorie deficit is recognizing what true hunger feels like. Many of us are used to eating at the first sign of hunger, even if we ate just a couple of hours ago. The key is to differentiate between actual hunger and habit-driven cravings.

Hunger isn’t an emergency—it’s just a signal from your body. Instead of immediately giving in, assess whether you truly need food or if a distraction (like a walk or a drink of water) might be enough to keep you satisfied until your next meal.

How I Structure My Meals to Avoid Overeating

I eat multiple times through...

We’ve all been there. You’re tracking your calories, sticking to your plan, doing everything “right” – yet the scales don’t move. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and sometimes, it makes you want to give up completely.

But here’s the truth: weight loss isn’t always linear. Your body isn’t a machine that will drop weight every single week just because you’re in a calorie deficit. There are a lot of factors that come into play. So today, we’re going to break it all down—what causes plateaus, what to check, and how to push through.

1. First, Check for Tracking Errors

Before you panic, triple-check your tracking.

✔ Are you weighing your food properly? Even small errors in portion sizes can add up.
✔ Are you logging every bite? Snacks, sauces, oils, and drinks all contain calories.
✔ Are you using accurate entries in tracking apps? Some database entries are incorrect—double-check labels.

Sometimes, the issue is as simple as underestimating your intake. If you’ve been consistent and the sc...

Good morning and happy Tuesday! Hope you're all doing great today. It feels like forever since I last sat down for a chat like this, even though I’ve been filming while out walking and doing different types of videos. But today, I wanted to sit down and really talk to you about a topic that so many of you voted for in the group poll—how to stay motivated.

Now, I just want to say, I’ll be covering all the topics from the poll because they are all equally important, but today, let’s dive deep into motivation.

Motivation vs. Consistency

Here’s the truth: motivation will come and go. I lose motivation daily. That’s why it’s not about staying motivated—it’s about staying consistent and being disciplined. When you rely on motivation alone, you’ll struggle, because no one wakes up every single day feeling like smashing their goals. But if you focus on staying consistent, even on the days you don’t feel like it, that’s when the magic happens.

So how do you keep going? Let’s break it down.