To ask for tips to lose half a stone and tone my tummy up in 3 weeks??

[Aria20]

I'm going on holiday in 24 days. I'd like to lose half a stone and tone up my tummy before. I realise I've left it late but we moved house a couple of weeks ago and we've had a lot of takeaways while we were busy unpacking/decorating etc and I've eaten lots of ice creams with the hot weather!!

I'm trying to eat more healthily, an apple in the morning and then salad in a wrap at lunch. Dinner is unfortunately usually carb based as kids are all pasta lovers.... do I need to quit the carbs and eat a different meal in order to lose weight? I have a dog so I walk for minimum of an hour/hour n half each day but it doesn't seem to make a difference! I don't have much free time for extra exercise or money for a gym membership. I don't drink alcohol but I do eat sweets/choc usually as a treat once kids are in bed - I know it's a bad habit and I'm cutting down but as I say it's my one treat.

I'm 35 and 5 years ago I could eat anything and not gain weight... people used to say it would catch up with me one day and it has

@MumE78 I have thought about couch 2 5k but to be honest I'm a bit anxious about it as I HATED running at school as I hate getting red in the face or sweating in public. A light jog I could probably deal with but I'd have to try and train the dog to jog with me as I'd feel like I was taking the piss going on an hour dog walk then going for a run/jog on top whilst leaving DH with the kids - the youngest is very clingy and only wants me at bedtime as well!

@OneFrenchEgg do you think being peri is part of it? What other symptoms did you have? I get night sweats often but drs fob me off saying im too young....

Eat only things that grow. With chicken breast or tuna

@Ducksinthebath yes you are right - I suppose I only class the chocolate/ice cream as a treat as I view the carbs as just normal food not a treat and takeaway whilst obviously they aren't a healthy meal again I just view them as food in general not a treat like a bar of chocolate or an ice cream.... we've said no more takeaways before holiday anyway and we wouldn't normally have them so frequently it was literally the week we moved ended up having a few!

@Aria20 yes definitely I used to be slender and not uncomfortable and now I have increased flab at my ribs and stomach .
Other symptoms - hot flashes , thought I was getting ill until I realised they were meno symptoms and nothing developed - like inside really burning hot
Tetchy
Forgetful like brain fog

@TabithaTittlemouse good idea maybe we need a separate buddy thread. Maybe there is a current one going somewhere but there are so many sections specific to weight watchers or slim world etc that I didn't know where to start as I'm not on one of those plans!

@OneFrenchEgg did you have a blood test or something to confirm it? I get horrendous PMS symptoms but my cycle is regular so no changes there.

Fasting. Only thing that works for me.
eat one big meal a day and some snacks in the evening but give your body 16 hours without any food and you’ll soon slim down.

I'm rubbish at running, I do a 12-13minute mile which is really slow!

Just take it easy and give it a try

I tend to walk about 15/20 minute before I start and go off out the way and it's gets those steps in

Good luck

No I'm 48 so no need. I think they can do a check if you are younger. I'm on HRT and it's so much better. If you're in contraceptive pill I don't know if that would mask erratic periods?

@Aria20 no i still managed to get to sleep by midnight.
Your body will be used to your regular walks with the dog, so you need to do more.
I fully believe it was the cardio workouts that got the weight off me along with being strict with what i ate and sticking to mainly water.
The app i downloaded cost a few pounds a week much cheaper than a gym membership and a lot quicker.
The weight on me tends to go round my belly but it was a big incentive when i could feel my jeans getting looser.
If i can do it anyone can…DH never thought i would manage it.

You won't get a ripped stomach from walking unfortunately. The only thing that will create toned muscles is working the muscles, ie weight training. The good news is you don't have to do much to get an effect and you can do bodyweight training from home. Press ups, plank, squats (preferably holding something heavy) lunges etc. You can find some good videos on YouTube.

Starving yourself isn't the answer, but definitely try and cut out anything with sugar in it. Before my wedding I ate porridge with whole milk for breakfast and white fish or chicken breast with broccoli / other green vegetables for lunch and dinner (unlimited amount /until full) as well as 45 mins weight training 3 x a week. I kindof had to as I had DD 4 months before my wedding and had to get into my dress (got pregnant after buying it 🙃) it really worked and I was actually in much better shape even than before. I was shredded! Haha. The diet is really boring but doable.

Can you jog your dog walk? That would make a big difference

I was a big evening snacker, I spent a month moving from sweets and choc to carrots, apples and satsumas to get a similar effect with less sugar. I then stopped eating after dinner altogether.

@daisyblooms being ironic is nicer than being rude to the op

You're right. My apologies. I think the OP's 'haha' made me think she's just not serious about weight loss. My judgement isn't helpful, though.

Honestly I bet you look great as you are.

A lazy way to help tone your tummy:

Sitting, lying, walking, standing, whatever you are doing, every time you think of it pull in your tummy as hard as you can, aiming for to hit your back! Hold it, hold it, hold it. Eventually you will forget to hold it and let go, but next time it occurs to you pull it in again. Try to remember to do it - the more you do it, the more muscle will develop.

I’m up for it!

i think I’m going to go for @Wnikat suggestions to start.

If the family have two lots
Of carbs ie pasta and bread with
Dinner. You skip the bread. Have a smaller portion of pasta for you and a side of veg to fill you up. No need to cook two meals.

So much conflicting information everywhere online....
do sit ups/planks
Don't do sit ups/planks
Eat eggs or oats for breakfast to fill you up so you don't snack
Don't eat breakfast at all
Fast
Don't fast
No carbs
Some carbs are ok
Low fat v full fat
No sugar v natural sugar

So yesterday I drank only water all day and I needed a wee so much but will do same again. I had half a sweet potato jacket instead of normal potato and grilled turkey breast with salad and didn't eat anything after 7pm and didn't have chocolate. I haven't eaten this morning yet. Tummy looks less bloated this morning so perhaps part of the problem is bloat?!

The conflicting information is because there isn’t just one way to lose weight. Different things work for different people.

What did you eat in total yesterday? It’s good you’ve noticed a difference.

I've just been reading about walking for weight loss. Could you up the pace of your dog walk?

Fruit+ greek yoghurt for breakfast
Salad with protien for lunch
Small normal dinner

3X 1 min plank every morning before your shower
10,000 steps a day
I am a similar size and weight- that'll do it.

No processed food, no added sugar.