3 months to lose a stone and trim & tone!

pixnmix_2

My daughter is getting married in 3 months time and while I need to lose a stone in weight and tone up the flabby muscles I don't want to spend a fortune on faddy diet plans and gym membership doing it. I've promised her i'll get myself sorted out and fit into my mother-of-the-bride get-up without the magic knicker/ spandex performance!


I'm 5ft 3, weigh 64kg and my diet isn't bad overall but I need to improve it and cut down on alcohol. I work too hard and it's a very stressful job so when I get home after work I just slob out in front of the TV..no good at all. It doesn't help that my house is up for sale and I live between 2 houses until it sells!


If anyone reads this and has motivating ideas or experiences to help please please scribble them down for me. I feel I'm setting myself up to fail big time. If not, i'll scribble my progress, or lack of it on here to try to sort my thoughts out

xbrenx

Well, the good news is, a stone is very do-able in 3 months. Assess your eating outside of meals.. do you nibble/drink alcohol while watching tv? Those are the calories that'll make a difference.

If you use semi skilled milk, try skimmed (honest it's not that bad, I now use skimmed all the time and semi is just too creamy ) Sweeteners instead of sugar, light mayonnaise. These are all small things that make a difference and you don't need to change once you've reached your weight. (I now use skimmed milk so I can have chocolate!)

As for exercises, you could do a few sit ups, lunges or whatever in the adverts? Or between programmes. My husband and son swear by doing *core* exercises here's why.

I would also like to say that 64kg is not excessively overweight and you shouldn't be letting this add to your already stressful life. (I weigh the same and am a size 12 for the first time in 20 years :T ) But I realise that's different for everyone.

Oh and one more thing... don't say, right I'll start on Tuesday/tomorrow/next month... DO IT TODAY!!

pixnmix_2

Thanks Xbrenx, some great advice

Yes, I am a class A procrastinator to be honest.. I said I would start on May 1st, it's now the 4th and no further forward. So that's the first thing to do.. start now.. not tomorrow!

I've tried skimmed mik, did that for a week and hated my tea/coffee/cereal with it but I use sweeteners instead of sugar so I guess that's my compromise. And that was a month long fight to change from sugar
I don't eat big portions but I want to eat more fish and veg/ salad so that's my focus. I just did an ASDA online shop this morning and ordered muesli (I don't eat breakfast but need to) but would rather choose the fish myself so I'll pop to the shops after work on Tuesday and get some.

As for alcohol..that is my downfall to be honest. A glass of gin & tonic or wine in front of the TV some evenings after work and at weekends is a habit I need to break. I'm not excessive but I don't need it, it serves no positive purpose and is expensive as well as calorific so it's gotta go..or at least restricted to a weekend glass or 2.

And now to the dreaded E work. I used to exercise..I walked, went (sporadically) to the gym, did gardening. Now I do nought/ nada/ ziltch! and I'm middle aged and spreading like butter on hot toast! I hate my changing flabbier shape so I need to do this..like NOW!
Day 1...64kg and losing.....

Rummer

Why not have less gin and more slimline tonic. Not ideal but trims off a few calories

pixnmix_2

Hi Rummer
That's the plan. I just have to stick to it :rotfl:

flissh

Hi pixnmix
Good advice already there, start today, now. What ever you have eaten already today does not matter.
Have you tried lowering your carbs? it is the only thing that works for me. Now I'm 'middle aged':(:D carbs make me pile on the weight. I do eat them at the moment, but am careful about the amounts and only really as fuel for exercise. Don't forget fruit and starchy veg are carbs.

I try to eat healthily, meat and veg, restrict puds to the odd treat, even then it's usually just fruit and plain yoghurt.

I have started to do lots more exercise. I changed the sort of work I do from shifts to more 9-5 and found I was coming home, sitting on the sofa, then not moving for the rest of the day!

I joined a gym and started heading there after work to try to break that habit. That worked.

I spend less time in the gym now the weather is better and still try to exercise in some way after work most days.

Alcohol is difficult for me love a glass or three of wine in the evenings, but try to have alcohol free days mon-fri mostly.

I know it all sounds dull, but honestly as the weight drops off and you get more toned it will start to feel worth it. and it's really good for you in the long run:T

pixnmix_2

Hiya Flissh
I had no idea that fruit counts as carbs And I'm with you on the 9-5 and vino trap.
I'm starting from today...new day, new positive Pix
Typical that Mr Pix has made a roast dinner for tonight with steamed syrup sponge for pudding...not the best choice..but i could have just a few teaspoonfuls, to be polite **small cough**
On an upbeat note, I did buy muesli for breakfast tomorrow..... AND we're going for a walk tomorrow so it's all good!

pixnmix_2

Well it's started properly this health kick..and so far the kick hasn't bruised!
Didn't touch any booze last night, and considering it was a bank holiday sunday that's good for me. Usually I have a couple of glasses of wine with my sunday dinner but no! This morning I had muesli for brekkie and we went for a walk after, round a couple of national Trust gaardens, which was lovely. I did lapse after the walk, cos we went into the cafe and had a cream tea..scone with jam & cream and a cuppa
BUT..dinner tonight was smoked mackerel and a mix of salad, nuts and 2 types of beans. (reduced to 69p in Mr T's)
Tomorrow it's back to work, and I hope I can resist the vending machine at lunchtime, and cook something "proper" for tea.
Focus Pix....

pirateyqueen

Something that might help a lot, is getting a calorie counter app like my fitness pal, and enter everything into that (and be realistic about portion size!) I was so surprised about how all the little things added up. It's a great way to see how much you are eating and how you can cut out calories.

Pootle_3

Be careful with portion sizes, especially with museli, which can be quite calorific with the nuts and dried fruit.
My cereal box gives calories per 30g portion. I was quite shocked when I weighed out 30g, it is way way way less than I would normally have.

Pootle_3

pirateyqueen wrote: »

Something that might help a lot, is getting a calorie counter app like my fitness pal, and enter everything into that (and be realistic about portion size!) I was so surprised about how all the little things added up. It's a great way to see how much you are eating and how you can cut out calories.

I second the use of myfitnesspal, it really helps you realise where you are over eating.