Page 3 | How can I slim down and tone up in as short time as possible?? Please help

Needmakeover · 2023-04-06T00:43:03+00:00

I have a significant event coming up in 3 weeks, I am going to sleep with someone I've been dating for the first time (divorced following a really abusive marriage, this is the first person since exH). I really want to lose weight for it and tone up. What is the best way to go about doing this? I don't want to be healthy, 1lb a week, steady weight-loss. I just want to give myself a kick-start, if that makes sense, so I feel a bit more confident in front of the new bloke. We could wait longer but honestly I don't want to. I am really lactose intolerant so avoid anything with dairy anyway. I think bread etc makes me bloated (to the extent I have been asked if I am preggo) so thinking could go GF as well...? Are there any exercises that would make a rapid impact in a short period of time? Please no "love your body" responses; I want to change it as am overweight and not at all toned. I am especially self-conscious about my belly, which is like an apron and my bum which is kind of flat but also covered in cellulite. I have asked my friends but they are all happily married which nice DHs so I don't think they get the significance of being naked in front of a new person in your early 40s. Thank you for reading 🙂

recklessgran · 06/04/2023 08:52

3 weeks of low carb high protein and only 800 calories plus drinking at least 2 litres of water a day should shift about 10lbs in that time but you will need to stay on the wagon the whole time. It's not really sustainable long term but will work in the short term. I wouldn't worry TOO much about lots of exercise as on such low calories you might feel a bit shaky if you really cane it. Good luck. I'm starting this on Monday as want to have lost 10lbs by the end of April too. Hope you have a great time!

Wereeaglesdare · 06/04/2023 08:54

Not going to give you the love yourself crap. But why don't you get a spray tan get your nails done and get some really flattering and sexy underwear that enhances areas you like and hides areas you don't want on show.
If you dead set on losing weight and can fast do one meal a day. If you can't try one meal a day every other day. But genuinely the difference u will make in that time is going to be quite minimal. So give yourself a break and go shopping for some sexy things. I met my partner when I was a whale and honestly I bought this gorgeous basque type set and felt like I had the confidence of a size 10.

MaggieThatchersFridge · 06/04/2023 08:58

I hear you OP. I had the same last year. And it was good. Very good 😉

800 calories a day, mostly protein and veg. As low sugar and low carb as you can make it.

Whatever exercise you can sustain on that- but prioritise the calories over the exercise for the next three weeks. Long term obviously that’s not the healthy approach but you want a quick fix and diet will make a bigger impact short term.

Start using a gradual fake tan now.
Lots of scented body oil slathered all over.

On the day- killer dress, new sexy underwear, do your hair and make up, have just enough booze to feel carefree and then go get yours 😁

Muddays · 06/04/2023 09:19

Get up as early as you can stand in the morning, with an energising tune (soundtracks to favourite movies/series work well). Whack a bowl of prepared porridge in the microwave and stare blankly at the comfortable walking clothes you've prepared the night before whilst eating. Do some gentle stretching exercises and make sure you have the right footwear. Aim for one to two mile walks in fresh, as in outdoor (not treadmill) air (avoid main roads as traffic pollution really undermines the health benefits) for the first few days and increase it to three when you feel comfortable. Always keep a water bottle handy. Braveheart body paint and random yelling is optional. A hot shower/bath is essential after any exercise if you're not used to it. And obviously drink still water little and often (not too much), def no fizzy drinks. Swimming in the evening will hopefully knacker you out and a light dinner with a banana pud should send you off into beauty sleep heaven. Don't starve yourself. My friend did and when she eventually met up with her potential lover she was so dizzy, gaunt and tired he thought she was on smack and ran for the hills.

kayakrent · 06/04/2023 09:22

Fast 800
2L water
Good sleep
Running

Switchwitch · 06/04/2023 09:23

Don't bother. Any extreme diet will no doubt give you diarrhea when you go to this event and have different food. Buy a nice outfit that fits well instead.

Athena51 · 06/04/2023 09:40

chocolatemonster · 06/04/2023 08:25

Drastic measures over 3 weeks is just going to leave you feeling awful. 800 calories is barely enough to sustain a toddler. The drastic ways will only leave you wanting to binge and putting the weight back on and more.

It's not worth it for one night - if he likes you - he will like you regardless of whether you lose a few pounds or not.

If you are serious about making long term changes then you could start building on that now and you will reap the rewards for life - it needs to be sustainable.

Calorie deficit - with good lean protein intake - chicken etc
Fruit and veg every day
Steps - at least 8k a day
Good sleep 7 to 9 hours
Stress management
Strength training a few times per week
Some cardio - doing lots of HIT workouts doesn't burn fat - CD is the only way. Cardio is good for overall health though
Water

You don't need to cut out any food groups - carbs are essential for fuel particularly if working out.

And the most important thing just aim for consistency not perfection.

And definitely agree with lots of pampering 😊😊

Good luck

Bloody hell, sensible diet and fitness advice on MN, it's a miracle!

Ansjovis · 06/04/2023 09:42

I would strongly suggest that if you follow some of the recommendations here (800 calories a day?!) that by the time you come to meet with this guy you are probably not going to be feeling great. You may lose a few pounds but if you're feeling awful and have no energy it's likely not going to be a good outcome. I would suggest making some general positive changes (increase water intake, more walking) and then spending the rest of your energy on cosmetic changes that will help you feel more confident.

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/04/2023 09:43

Keto, walking, swimming.

Original poster

Needmakeover · 06/04/2023 09:53

Tomkirkman · 06/04/2023 07:03

How much do you weigh and how much do you want to lose?

You can’t tone up in 3 weeks. You need to build muscle to tone up. 3 weeks isn’t enough time to build significant muscle to make a visual difference. It would be especially hard to build it, if you also suddenly go very low calorie diet.

Unless you are slim and a few pounds will drop your body fat enough show off muscle you already have, 3 weeks isn’t long enough to make a big difference.

Also if you are slim, it will be harder to drop, for example, 10lbs. Harder than if you weigh 20 stone. 10lbs in 3 weeks would be possible. Not so much if you are 10 stone. It’s hard to say what’s possible if we don’t know how big a change you are hoping to make.

I think eating healthy, avoid foods that bloat you is good advice. And and concentrate on improving your skin. Drink loads of water, moisturise your body every time you bathe, exfoliate etc.

I'm not slim at all! I'm about 3 stones overweight, probably more :(

OP posts:

Original poster

Needmakeover · 06/04/2023 09:53

FairAcre · 06/04/2023 07:36

Dukan diet. It’s tough and probably not that healthy but I lost 6lb in a week. Some of that was obviously water but it gives you the incentive to carry on.

Thanks will check this out x

OP posts:

wineandsunshine · 06/04/2023 09:54

Could you download the C25K app?

I know you would only get to week 3 but it may give you a little boost alongside a healthy diet?

Paperbagsaremine · 06/04/2023 09:59

Just whatever you do, don't end up exhausted, starving and crabby on date night! That is (obviously) not what you want...

ilovemydogmore · 06/04/2023 10:00

no carb, no sugar, pilates

742EvergreenTerrace · 06/04/2023 10:01

I am doing my own version of the fast 800 called the fast 1000 😝literally just that, 1000 cals a day. Just have a holiday soon and I want to feel better about being in a bikini. I eat high protein, natural fats, low sugars and carbs. More veg than fruit and a multivitamin every other day. I also go the gym once a week. Lots of housework to keep me busy too. I eat one choccy biscuit a day, and a low cal hot choc for my daily treats. Breakfast can be eggs and trimmed bacon, or protein granola. I eat a tuna, trimmed bacon or chicken salad for lunch. And just a normal family dinner of which I have a smaller portion. I’ve lost 5 pounds in 10 days so far

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 06/04/2023 10:02

Loads of walking and loads of water. Avoid bread. I'm doing slimming world and have lost 1 stone in 9 weeks. Half a stone in my first 3

caringcarer · 06/04/2023 10:12

In 3 weeks cut out carbs and fat. Drink loads of water. Rowing machine good for core and tummy. Also do stretches and twisting for waist.

ChocChipHandbag · 06/04/2023 10:15

Don't starve yourself. My friend did and when she eventually met up with her potential lover she was so dizzy, gaunt and tired he thought she was on smack and ran for the hills.

Ha ha, I was just going to say that if you are going to see your boyfriend at all between now and the event, make sure that he doesn’t go off you due to weird eating requests.

Definitely do all the stuff recommended to lane you fell good about yourself- clothes, grooming, exercise for mood boosting, sleep well, cut out processed food etc. but don’t stress, and remember that when it comes to the moment you can dim the lights and he’ll probably have had a few beers. Enjoy!

YouWithoutEnd · 06/04/2023 10:16

Three weeks isn’t enough time for anything at all to make a proper difference. You could do a VLCD like Cambridge weight plan or lighter life, but they’re all awful methods of restriction and feed directly back into the binge:restrict cycle.

If you want to truly get fit, healthy and muscular for life and for yourself (which is the only good reason, and the only one that will sustain your goals), not just for a man in three weeks time, then get a personal trainer (who is knowledgeable about women lifting weights, and not just prancing around on an exercise bike and a treadmill) and start lifting heavy weights. Properly commit to it, eat the protein, look after your body properly and you will see results faster than any onerous regime of cardio. The more muscle mass you have, the higher your basal metabolic rate and the more calories you need to exist, you can eat more, but you’ll get leaner, your muscles will become more defined so you’ll look slimmer and you’ll be protecting your bones and health into perimenopause and beyond.

YouWithoutEnd · 06/04/2023 10:19

Some of the advice on here from adult women is frankly fucking horrifying.

chocolatemonster · 06/04/2023 10:24

Athena51 · 06/04/2023 09:40

Bloody hell, sensible diet and fitness advice on MN, it's a miracle!

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Ha ha!

@Athena51 I am losing the will to live though with some of the advice on here.

800 or 1000 calories even if for a short time is ridiculous. As are shakes or any other fad diet. What is 800 or 1000 based on? Your calorie intake should be worked out personally based on your current weight/height etc. And guaranteed when you can't sustain it anymore and start eating more you will not be in a calorie deficit and will gain weight. Any weight you do lose will not be fat loss and by the time your date comes you will have zero energy.

3 weeks though is a good time frame though to start making positive changes. Guaranteed if you follow the above, in 3 weeks you will be feeling more positive and energised and on the way to seeing some real changes.

You do need to work out your calories though based on your personal stats. Good luck!

JoeLovesGina · 06/04/2023 10:27

Buy a lovely basque, which will help to hold you in a bit as well as look good.

Changeau · 06/04/2023 10:28

YouWithoutEnd · 06/04/2023 10:16

Three weeks isn’t enough time for anything at all to make a proper difference. You could do a VLCD like Cambridge weight plan or lighter life, but they’re all awful methods of restriction and feed directly back into the binge:restrict cycle.

If you want to truly get fit, healthy and muscular for life and for yourself (which is the only good reason, and the only one that will sustain your goals), not just for a man in three weeks time, then get a personal trainer (who is knowledgeable about women lifting weights, and not just prancing around on an exercise bike and a treadmill) and start lifting heavy weights. Properly commit to it, eat the protein, look after your body properly and you will see results faster than any onerous regime of cardio. The more muscle mass you have, the higher your basal metabolic rate and the more calories you need to exist, you can eat more, but you’ll get leaner, your muscles will become more defined so you’ll look slimmer and you’ll be protecting your bones and health into perimenopause and beyond.

I hope this is true as I've just started a proper weightlifting class. Yesterday was arms day and I can barely drive this morning! I love it and if it helps me to lose weight that's a bonus!

YouWithoutEnd · 06/04/2023 10:33

Changeau · 06/04/2023 10:28

I hope this is true as I've just started a proper weightlifting class. Yesterday was arms day and I can barely drive this morning! I love it and if it helps me to lose weight that's a bonus!

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It’s 100% true! Lifting weights is life changing, it feels like some kind of “hack” in comparison to slogging away at the cardio for months on end and never seeing much difference.

The body composition monitor in my gym has my metabolic age at 27 based on my BMR compared to my age/height peers, and I’m about to turn 37. More muscle = faster metabolism. It was at Age 39 before I started lifting weights.

MultipleVeganPies · 06/04/2023 10:36

Don’t do this for 3 weeks, you’ll be miserable for 3 weeks for what…

instead maybe start making some healthy long term sustainable changes, such as walking more (up your daily steps), eat nice good food (no junk food, limit sugar and alcohol)

IMO, you don’t want to do a stupid crash diet (1400 cals, 1200 cals, 800 cals whatever unsustainable nonsense that is detrimental long term)

listen to Lizzo and other fun empowering music , dance along to boost mood and metabolism Then look up a few Rubén’s paintings to remember what lots of men through the history of time have found appealing 😁

Being sexy is an Attitude not a size. Have fun