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Just Average Jen

A watercolour illustration of a pink heart with the handwritten text "Learn how to be your own best friend" over it, set against a light pink background—a sweet reminder for a positive lifestyle.

A health and lifestyle blog to help you be happy with the person you are, instead of striving to be someone you are not.

Love yourself and treat yourself as you would a child or your best friend.

Latest Articles

smartphone for calorie counting with a meal

How much weight can a calorie deficit really help you lose?

Read More How much weight can a calorie deficit really help you lose?
Two lipsticks and a lip gloss tube labeled "Doll Smash" are elegantly displayed on a wooden surface, with white hydrangeas adding a touch of charm in the background—perfect for your Valentine's Day look.

Spending Money on Yourself Without Guilt: A Simple Guide

Read More Spending Money on Yourself Without Guilt: A Simple Guide
A green and blue speech bubble features bold black text reading "Jen’s Midweek Catch-Up." Below, smaller text displays "11th February 2026," highlighting the date for this Midweek Catch Up event.

Midweek Catch Up 11/02/26

Read More Midweek Catch Up 11/02/26
People walking and cycling on a gravel path in a park filled with green trees and bushes, enjoying the sunny day much like students who cycle at university to get around campus efficiently.

Walking for weight loss: How to calculate calories burned walking

Read More Walking for weight loss: How to calculate calories burned walking
A bowl of colourful, easy low-calorie rice with peas, sweetcorn, carrots, red peppers, mushrooms, and diced onions, garnished with chopped chives.

The best easy low calorie savoury rice recipe (better than shop-bought)

Read More The best easy low calorie savoury rice recipe (better than shop-bought)
A loaf of carrot cake with white icing and orange zest sits on a wooden board. One slice is cut, with a knife, halved orange, and curry loaf nearby on a light stone surface.

Have Your Cake and Eat It: Baking on Slimming World and Weight Watchers

Read More Have Your Cake and Eat It: Baking on Slimming World and Weight Watchers
A close-up of coarse salt crystals in a wooden bowl, with a wooden pestle resting on top—perfect for exploring different salts and their unique textures.

Too salty? How to fix over-salted food and save your dinner

Read More Too salty? How to fix over-salted food and save your dinner
couple exercising outdoors together

Why a Valentine’s Day walk together is the ultimate gift for you and your partner

Read More Why a Valentine’s Day walk together is the ultimate gift for you and your partner

Check out my Journal to help you lose weight or exercise more

Image of My 12 Weeks to a Better Me Journal

My 12 Weeks to a Better Me Journal

Buy Now →

Latest Slimming Recipes and Cooking Tips

My recipes and cooking tips for those trying to follow a healthier lifestyle. If you are looking for Slimming World recipes or other low-calorie or low-fat recipes, these are a great fit.

A bowl of colourful, easy low-calorie rice with peas, sweetcorn, carrots, red peppers, mushrooms, and diced onions, garnished with chopped chives.

The best easy low calorie savoury rice recipe (better than shop-bought)

Read More The best easy low calorie savoury rice recipe (better than shop-bought)
A close-up of coarse salt crystals in a wooden bowl, with a wooden pestle resting on top—perfect for exploring different salts and their unique textures.

Too salty? How to fix over-salted food and save your dinner

Read More Too salty? How to fix over-salted food and save your dinner
A close-up of a crispy chicken burger with lettuce, tomato slices, red onion rings, and creamy sauce in a sesame seed bun—perfect for a KFC Fakeaway night at home. Blurred chips in a metal basket are visible in the background.

Better Than a Bucket? How to Make KFC Fakeaway burgers at Home

Read More Better Than a Bucket? How to Make KFC Fakeaway burgers at Home
Six bowls filled with different types of lentils—black, green, red, yellow, orange, and brown—arranged in two rows on a dark surface, showcasing the variety and rich lentil nutrition available for those learning how to cook lentils.

Everything you need to know about Lentils (and how to cook them)

Read More Everything you need to know about Lentils (and how to cook them)
More recipes and cooking tips
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About Jen

Hi, I’m Jen Mellor; I live in Nottingham, UK. Using my knowledge and experience in weight loss and confidence, I can help you become your own cheerleader and best friend. Follow me for tips to help you live a happy, healthy life and be who you want to be!

More about me.

Latest in Time For Yourself

Spending time and energy on yourself is important. These are some of the most recent articles I have written to help you to do just that.

Two lipsticks and a lip gloss tube labeled "Doll Smash" are elegantly displayed on a wooden surface, with white hydrangeas adding a touch of charm in the background—perfect for your Valentine's Day look.

Spending Money on Yourself Without Guilt: A Simple Guide

Read More Spending Money on Yourself Without Guilt: A Simple Guide
A middle-aged woman with short blonde hair, wearing a blue sweater, holds a decorative hand fan and looks thoughtfully upward while sitting indoors, perhaps reflecting on perimenopause.

What No One Warns You About Middle Age and Menopause

Read More What No One Warns You About Middle Age and Menopause
Closeup of poppies with the words be happy, be healty, be average

Why Being “Just Average” Is Enough (And Why Perfection Is Overrated)

Read More Why Being “Just Average” Is Enough (And Why Perfection Is Overrated)
A hand with red-painted nails holds a white card that reads, in a full sentence, "learn to say NO!"—reminding you why it is OK to say no boldly when needed.

The Art of Saying No: Why You Don’t Need an Excuse

Read More The Art of Saying No: Why You Don’t Need an Excuse
More Time for Yourself Articles

Latest in Exercise

Exercise is good for your health as well as your well-being. Here are my latest exercise-related articles.

smartphone for calorie counting with a meal

How much weight can a calorie deficit really help you lose?

Read More How much weight can a calorie deficit really help you lose?
People walking and cycling on a gravel path in a park filled with green trees and bushes, enjoying the sunny day much like students who cycle at university to get around campus efficiently.

Walking for weight loss: How to calculate calories burned walking

Read More Walking for weight loss: How to calculate calories burned walking
couple exercising outdoors together

Why a Valentine’s Day walk together is the ultimate gift for you and your partner

Read More Why a Valentine’s Day walk together is the ultimate gift for you and your partner
couple exercising outdoors together

7 Fun Couple Exercises to Strengthen Your Body and Bond

Read More 7 Fun Couple Exercises to Strengthen Your Body and Bond
Exercise Articles

Latest in Weight Loss

If you are looking to lose weight and cook more from scratch then here are the latest articles I have for you including specific Slimming World tips and tips for other weight loss plans.

smartphone for calorie counting with a meal

How much weight can a calorie deficit really help you lose?

Read More How much weight can a calorie deficit really help you lose?
People walking and cycling on a gravel path in a park filled with green trees and bushes, enjoying the sunny day much like students who cycle at university to get around campus efficiently.

Walking for weight loss: How to calculate calories burned walking

Read More Walking for weight loss: How to calculate calories burned walking
Feet on a scale with "HELP!" displayed on a tablet like a syn calculator, surrounded by chocolates, candies, and pastries.

Calorie deficit but not losing weight? Here is exactly why

Read More Calorie deficit but not losing weight? Here is exactly why
A tablet displaying a daily calorie tracker for healthy weight loss sits on a white table surrounded by vegetables, a croissant, a glass of green juice, a fork, and a notepad with a pen.

Weight Watchers vs Calorie Counting: Which One Actually Works for You?

Read More Weight Watchers vs Calorie Counting: Which One Actually Works for You?
More Weight Loss Articles

Latest in Travel

If you love to travel then here are my latest travel-related articles.

Two women with rucksacks hike along a grassy trail overlooking rolling hills and distant mountains, enjoying the mind and body benefits of long-distance walking under a partly cloudy blue sky.

More Than a Walk: The Mind & Body Benefits of Long-Distance Hiking

Read More More Than a Walk: The Mind & Body Benefits of Long-Distance Hiking
cruise ship on the sea with blue sky and only a few clouds.

Why a Cruise Can Be a Surprisingly Simple First Holiday Abroad

Read More Why a Cruise Can Be a Surprisingly Simple First Holiday Abroad
A curved pedestrian bridge spans in front of a blue sea under a clear sky, with two palm trees in the foreground. Perfect for families exploring Barcelona in a day, one person crosses the bridge as another rides a scooter below.

10 Simple Things to Organise Before You Go on Holiday

Read More 10 Simple Things to Organise Before You Go on Holiday
dog in a forest.

How to Travel With Older Pets Safely and Comfortably

Read More How to Travel With Older Pets Safely and Comfortably
More Travel Articles

Latest Reviews and Giveaways

I love to review products, share gift guides and run giveaways.

Five wooden spoons with engraved animal designs are individually wrapped in clear plastic, tied with ribbons and tags, and displayed on a wooden surface—perfect for those who love to shop small and support small businesses.

Why I’m Choosing to Shop Small (And You Should Too) and a Giveaway!

Read More Why I’m Choosing to Shop Small (And You Should Too) and a Giveaway!
An open turquoise "Something Blue Ladies" box sits on a wooden surface. Inside, white tissue paper with blue and purple heart and butterfly cut-outs hints at how I asked my bridesmaids. The background features a light-coloured brick wall.

Why I Chose ‘Something Blue Ladies’ Over Bridesmaids (And How I Asked Them)

Read More Why I Chose ‘Something Blue Ladies’ Over Bridesmaids (And How I Asked Them)
A stack of cream envelopes, one sealed with a grey wax seal, sits next to elegant wedding invitations and several packets of grey wax seals on a table. The black invitation features stylish white text perfect for your save-the-date cards.

Everything You Need To Know About Save-The-Date Cards (Plus A Vistaprint Review)

Read More Everything You Need To Know About Save-The-Date Cards (Plus A Vistaprint Review)
A black HoMedics glo Body Analyser Scale with a wooden centre panel sits on a wooden floor. Four dark sensors accent the corners, and a white letter "H" appears near the bottom edge—definitely worth the hype, according to every review.

Honest Review of the HoMedics Glo Body Analyser Scale worth the hype?

Read More Honest Review of the HoMedics Glo Body Analyser Scale worth the hype?
More Reviews, Gift Ideas and Giveaways

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Just Average Jen works with products and brands on sponsored and affiliate content. Advertising is via Mediavine. To advertise on this site please visit the work with me page.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Just Average Jen is an independent healthy lifestyle blog and the Slimming Recipes shared are in no way connected with any weight loss plan and no contributors have been trained by them or worked for them. It is the reader's responsibility to check Slimming World syn or Swip values, WW points and any other allowances themselves as those given are approximate. All recipes are unofficial Slimming World recipes, suitable for Weight Watchers, Noom and other diets. SWIPS is a registered trademark of Slimming World. This site is not affiliated with Slimming World.

Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with their doctor or health professional prior to making any changes to their diet or lifestyle. The information provided on this site is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

© 2026 Just Average Jen - Be Your Authentic Self: UK Lifestyle Blog

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