It's the time of year where every individual is prepared to get their body 'summer ready', and I am also one of those individuals, but with a plot twist. As I do seasonal work, most of my days are spent in the workplace, therefore I don't have chance to go abroad this summer. However, my work friends and I have decided to book a holiday for the end of the working season, so we have longer to get our bodies 'winter ready'. Lucky for us, that gives us a couple months longer than everyone going abroad during the summer!
I am clueless to fitness, and often give up easily. This time, however, is different. During my shift at work last night, I asked the Head Chef for guidance as he is more aware of fitness knowledge than I am. Together we decided the best ways for me to tone up, and agreed to begin our diet regimes on the same day in order to encourage one another to stay consistent.
Last night we started off with a mile and half run (well, a jog for me) and I felt great after it. I slept so well, and today I woke up at 8:15am rather than my usual of 11am. Now as I eat my porridge and sip on a mug of green tea, I am going to introduce you all to my diet plan, in which some of you may wish to begin yourselves.
Food and Drinks
- NO carbs. If you wish to consume carbs during cheat day, these must be brown (e.g. brown bread).
- No red meat.
- Quorn would be a better replacement for meat.
- Fruity drinks must be consumed in moderation (this includes the likes of orange juice and apple juice).
- Flavoured water is a better option than the one above.
- If you wish to eat chips, ensure that they are made with sweet potatoes.
- ALWAYS eat breakfast.
- Porridge is a great option for breakfast, although cereal can be consumed in moderation.
- A good lunch would be a bowl of soup with one slice of brown bread.
- One banana before or after a run will maintain your energy.
- Ensure to drink lots of water.
- If consuming alcohol, ensure that it is either vodka with diet lemonade, or with diet coke. However, you are allowed single shots, and either 1 lager or 1 cider.
- Green tea to replace coffee and tea. Decaff would also be a great option.
- If you wish to have a McDonald's, you may order a sweet chilli chicken wrap, without the sweet chilli.
- Try to keep your meal times consistent each day. (e.g. breakfast at 8am, lunch at 12:30pm, tea at 5pm).
Fitness
- Running every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Weights (2.5kg in order to simply tone) are to be done on Tuesday and Thursday's.
- When doing weights, make sure to also do leg exercises.
- Ensure to not just run, but walk often. Walk the dog, walk to the shop, etc.
Forfeits
These forfeits only apply to myself and my colleagues, but are shown to give you a brief idea. Feel free to set up your own and share them with me in the comments!
- 25p in the jar every time we have a cigarette.
- 50p in the jar if we miss a run.
- Each time we consume something that we are not meant to have, 50p is to go into the jar.
Cheat day is Saturday night and Sunday day (I'd allow this to be 12pm-12pm) as we all work carvery shifts on a Sunday and obviously wish to tuck into one once we have finished working hard! Also, Saturday night is the obvious time for us to consume our vodka and diet lemonade.
Make sure that you also include your hobbies to this schedule, For example, I am going to start dancing again as of next month. I also live quite near to my workplace, therefore I am to start walking/cycling there when the weather is nicer. Consider the distance that you may drive or take public transport to - could you get off a stop earlier and walk for ten minutes? It's a great endorphin, especially when the sun is shining!
Make sure to let me know what you think to this plan, and whether you're going to take notes from this! Got any tips? Let me know in the comments below. I can't wait to update you all with my progress, hopefully I'll stick to this longer than a day for once!
Autumn-Blaze
xxx
