Help me formulate an action plan - want to wear a bikini in 5 months time

[naturelover]

... in a chic French resort!

Am mid-thirties, two young children, small budget and not much time.

My figure is ok, always room for improvement of course. Plan to do home exercise videos and walk more.

What's the best body exfoliator? Mitt or scrub? My feet and knees are horribly scaly.

Am planning more soups and smoothies, and might swap green tea for coffee - worth the sacrifice or not?

Any tips most welcome. Anyone else want to join me?

That was me, back in May last year! I was desperate not to be the "whale" by the pool on my summer holiday. I did two things:

Firstly, I started running twice or three times a week - being a total non-runner I did the Couch to 5k programme which in nine weeks will take you to being able to run for 30 minutes (or 5k). I got up 30 minutes earlier than usual and went out before dh left for work, so no childcare issues and it didn't eat into my day.

The second thing was I moved onto a low-carb diet, cutting out potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, cakes, sugar etc. It was dead easy.

Net result was a bikini body by August, then by November I had lost over a stone. Much better body tone too.

There are support threads for both of these on MN, in particular I couldn't have done the running without everyone's support. Give it a go.

Alas I get injured if I run - I've tried several times and it seems to be the wrong sport for me :( I took it very slowly but each time got injured. I love swimming but the logistics of childcare are tricky.

I will definitely try to cut down on bread, pasta etc though. Cakes and biscuits are my weakness.

Well done though Cointreau, that sounds really impressive. Did you stick with it over xmas?

Noooooo - I took a break over Christmas - I'm not turning down those lovely roasties and pudding!! I put a couple of pounds back on, but it's all gone now.

But the lo-carbing has been a revelation - I just felt a bit peckish a short while ago so had a big chunk of brie rather than a biscuit. My kind of diet!

Cointreau what did you eat instead of those carbs?

More protein, basically. It actually fills you up, even though instinctively you think you need carbs to do that. And eat more veg. There are a ton of different diets you can do (Atkins etc), but I didn't particularly follow them.

two words for you

Dukan

Shred

Listen to LTEC!

Plus, just before the holiday, a good fake tan and a universal contour wrap.

Also body brushing worth a try.

I've just googled universal contour wrap (how on earth had I never heard of it before?) and it sounds amazing! Turns out my closest salon offers it (for 70 quid but I think it'll be money well spent).

Anyone else done this UCW before?

Second Shred and body brushing (ouch)