My Chocolate Addiction – Before and After

Well the time has come to give up my new Chocolate addiction the Chocolate MealReplacement Shake as I reach the end of my 8 week challenge. I have got so used to the shakes that I am dreading returning to finding my own lunches and returning to that late afternoon hunger crash which I have NOT been experiencing at all.

So the results? well you get to see for yourself as I had to take before and after shots and agree to post them to be part of the challenge.

You CAN see a difference in my two shots can’t you??

So I lost around 3.5 kgs but more important I lost around 1 1/2 inches almost everywhere, well where it counts I guess, waist, hips, bust etc.

Now comes the confession bit – I really could have exercised more. The last few weeks I tried to pick up my legs (pardon the pun) but I just found it hard to be motivated at a convenient time. When I did exercise it was only 1 or 2 times a week and was running up the steps at the park whilst my 3-year-old son sat and counted how long it took me each time. As a result he has learnt to count up to 40 un-aided. 🙂 I more than happy with the results especially since I know I didn’t go in as hard as I could have. I would recommend this product 100% especially if Hunger and over eating is your downfall.

Want to read up more about the whole thing? then follow my earlier posts.

Week 1 – Eat Chocolate and lose Weight – Yes I am serious

Week 4- Chocolate Diet Update 23 days in.

Week 6 – 6 Weeks of Chocolate

Want to win a weeks supply to try for yourself? Then visit this giveaway page.

I am a little bit in love with these kinds of stick and stitch embroidery designs, because they are exactly the sort of project that gets you started straight away instead of sitting in a pile while you overthink thread colours and transfers for three weeks. The Christmas Stick and Stitch Embroidery Pattern from HoopArtStitch is a water-soluble peel-and-stick hand embroidery transfer, not a machine embroidery file, and Etsy lists it under craft supplies with fabric stabilizer and ink as the materials.

What makes this set especially appealing is how approachable it looks. The listing images show a pack of 12 Christmas-themed designs including a tree, ornaments, mug, pudding, reindeer, presents, mittens, mistletoe, bells, a poinsettia, and a car with presents on top, with the motifs shown at around 1.5 to 3 inches. That size feels very manageable, which is often exactly what helps people stay motivated. You can actually finish one, feel clever, and then want to do another instead of burning out halfway through some giant “character building” hoop.

I also think these are a great option for beginners because the hard part of getting the design onto the fabric is already sorted. You just peel, stick, stitch, and wash it away when you are done. That simple setup is a big part of why stick-and-stitch packs are so satisfying. They remove a lot of the fuss, which means you get to the fun part faster, and that alone can make hand embroidery feel much less intimidating. This is an inference based on the product format shown in the listing.

The shop side looks reassuring too. HoopArtStitch is marked as a Star Seller, which Etsy says means the shop consistently earns 5-star reviews, dispatches on time, and replies quickly to messages. The item reviews shown on the page are also very encouraging, with buyers calling it “very easy to apply, good designs for a first timer,” “exactly what I needed and excellent quality,” and “I really love this product.”

Another nice little sign that people are genuinely drawn to it is that the listing was posted on 15 January 2026 and already has 1,585 favourites, which is a pretty good indication that this style of project is resonating with hand stitchers.

Overall, this feels like one of those easy Christmas embroidery projects for beginners that is genuinely motivating rather than aspirational in a stressful way. It is cute, practical, and has that instant-start appeal that makes you actually want to sit down and stitch. And honestly, I completely get why you are in love with them. Sometimes the best craft supplies are the ones that make it easier to begin.

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