6 weeks to svelte - please help devise a plan for me

[puglife15]

Hi I've got a big event in 6 weeks or so and I'd love to look and feel better by then.

I'm not overweight but have a flabby untoned body, lack energy and am v unfit. I eat a lot of sugary and carby foods on top of 3 healthy-ish meals.

I've love to lose the tum and feel a bit fitter and healthier, seeing a difference in just 6 weeks - I have a massive appetite so don't want to restrict calories too much. I also can't run as have bad knees.

Please hit me with your most effective diet and exercise tips!

Ive got the same. I'm going to try walking, arm weights and a packed lunch. And no biscuits/ cake / crap.

Sounds good Wips. I already walk about 1 hour a day 4/5 times a week but it's clearly not enough... What are you planning to take as your packed lunch?

30 Day Shred.

I installed an app 2 weeks ago called Pilates - Lumowell and can't recommend it enough. There is a 5 mins and 10 mins work out plus 5 mins yoga stretching. I do one of each every day so only 20 mins and I've already got abs showing which I've never had before. If someone had told me 20 mins a day could make this much difference I would have got it years ago!

10 mins HIIT or kettlebells a day (online videos) will make a big difference.

Try cutting out all processed sugar and white flour. It makes a massive difference to your cravings. They just disappear.

Drink loads of water.

Thanks

Is 30 Day shred ok for bad knees? High impact?

Any recs for HIIT vids please?

That Pilates app sounds great too.

Healthy snack ideas would also be be great. Preferably vegan.

I don't know what I'm going to do for packed lunch. I've enough time to get home which is good. Better than sandwich / crisps / biscuit from the shop!!

Yes if I can avoid the shop it helps as then not tempted to buy a flapjack or choc!

I think I'm going to do fish and salad or soup with rice cakes. And take a piece of fruit / few nuts to snack on. Usual breakfast and dinner, and cut out the evening snacking / seconds.

Slowly weaning yourself off the sugar and carbs will have a massive impact without leaving you hungry. Swap white refined carbs (bread/pasta/rice etc) for their brown equivalents, and have smaller portions but double up on the veg to make sure you're still full. Staying full here is the key- when we're left hungry is when we lose the motivation and eat things we shouldn't!

Are you into swimming? It's really good for burning calories and toning as it works every muscle in your body, without impacting your joints so maybe okay for your knees?

Another thing to add is start supplementing with a good multivitamin and probiotics. Probiotics increase the good bacteria in your stomach (which get killed from eating processed food) and after a week of those you will notice your energy soar and you won't feel as sluggish. Also, they help you to lose weight and also massively reduce bloating so will help you feel less flabby for your event.

Hope some of that has been helpful!

@puglife15
Do you like seaweed? Itsu do crispy seaweed packs - salty, sweet chilli and soy or wasabi. They're only 22 cals, vegan and I love them.
The lentil crisps that are only 88 cals a packet (Co-op sell them) are also really good. Popcorn is low fat and vegan, but not high protein.
People say nuts are good but I could eat my body weight in them and they are so high cal.
If you need an energy boost, nakd bars are good - cashew and date based raw energy bars at around 150 cals.

I've just discovered low carb high protein bread. It's fantastic. Two small slices of that in the morning stop you feeling hunger for about five hours. Tastes like real bread (seedy granary) but none of the carb craving triggers.

@Lifeaback - which probiotics do you recommend. I'd like to try those. Need an energy boost.

Today so far:
2 slices of protein bread with marmite
2 bowls homemade veg and lentil soup
For dinner: baked ham, roast sweet potato, fennel, shallots and red cabbage

@minapaws www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-mega-potency-acidophilus-capsules-60001540?skuid=001540 These are the ones I use x

@Lifeaback Thank you! I'll get some tomorrow.

Wow thanks for the above advice.

I love those itsu seaweed things, I can eat a pack of three in about 5 minutes . Need to get some more.

I try to eat some natural probiotics like sauerkraut but have been a bit inconsistent recently. Will get a probiotic supp.

Please can you link me to the high protein bread?

I'm hugely bloated ATM and wonder if it's down to some new hair supplements I'm taking which contains biotin?? Need to look into it.

Ugh I'm struggling a bit. Really busy week at work this week incl evenings and I'm tired and struggling to find the time to do enough exercise - so far this week have managed a few brisk 30 mins walks and 2 short YouTube vids. Plus it was someone's birthday yesterday and they brought in these incredible cakes... I had to try one!