Six Week Slim Down for Brides-to-be!

Are you counting down to your 2012 wedding? Then here is the perfect plan for you (your bridesmaids, family members and even your husband-to-be!)

Losing weight for their wedding day is a top priority for most brides-to-be.

Indeed, a whopping 85% of brides reveal they plan to lose weight for their wedding, and 42% said their groom would be slimming with them, when quizzed by You & Your Wedding.

So, to help happy couples start to feel and look amazing on their big day, the expert team at Slimavite has put together a special six-week diet and exercise plan.

Designed for the ultimate in weight loss and toning, this Six Week Slim Down combines delicious Slimavite shakes, with a healthy and balanced eating plan and special exercise regime.

“While the exercise part of our plan tackles fitness and toning, the Bite Plan encourages maximum weight loss over the six week period,” explains Slimavite’s expert nutritionist, Melanie Bibby.

“For maximum results, choose lean meats and fish, with lots of fresh vegetables, some fruit, nuts and seeds, while limiting your intake of processed and high fat foods, and starchy carbohydrates. Drink lots of water and try to avoid alcoholic beverages. Also make sure you get enough sleep, to allow your body time to recover and rejuvenate.

“To keep motivation levels high, try setting yourself weekly goals and take a before and after picture. Remember it’s not just what the scales say it’s also how your shape is changing, so take waist measurements regularly. It won’t take long for you to walk down the aisle feeling a million dollars!”

THE BITE PLAN
Each day enjoy a filling and nutritious low gi Slimavite shake for breakfast and a second for lunch. Snack on up to three portions of fresh fruit each day (in the case of smaller fruits a handful of grapes/berries is one portion) and then enjoy a main meal in the evening with unlimited vegetables using our clever Bite Builder tool to help you balance your meal, and our bank of delicious healthy recipes.

THE FITNESS PLAN

This plan is separated into 3 two-week plans, to mix it up and stop your body getting used to one workout. (If you're not sure how do to any of the exercises, check out the descriptions at the end of the blog)

Weeks 1-2

Monday – Go outside for a run/jog/walk. Walk/jog for 5 minutes to warm up then jog at a steady pace for 20 minutes, walk a further 5 for a cool down

Tuesday – Body weight circuit 20 minutes
Squat x 20 reps
Alternating lunges x 20 (10 each leg)
Press up on knees x 20
Wide squat x 20
Repeat as many times as possible in 20 minutes

Wednesday – Rest day (still try to walk and be active)

Thursday - Go outside for a run/jog/walk. Walk/jog for 5 minutes to warm up then jog at a steady pace for 20 minutes, walk a further 5 for a cool down

Friday - Body weight circuit 20 minutes
Squat x 20 reps
Alternating lunges x 20 (10 each leg)
Press up on knees x 20
Wide squat x 20
Repeat as many times as possible in 20 minutes

Weeks 3-4 – Stepping up the intensity...

Monday – Go outside for a run/jog/walk. Walk/jog for 5 minutes to warm up. Then sprint/run from 1 lamp post to the next, then walk to the following lamppost and repeat for 20 minutes, Walk for a 5 minutes to cool down

Tuesday – Body weight circuit 20 minutes
Squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 reps
Alternating lunges holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 (10 each leg)
Press up on knees x 20
Wide squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20
Repeat as many times as possible in 20 minutes

Wednesday – Rest day (still try to walk and be active)

Thursday - Go outside for a run/jog/walk. Walk/jog for 5 minutes to warm up. Then sprint/run from 1 lamp post to the next, then walk to the following lamppost and repeat for 20 minutes, Walk for a 5 minutes to cool down

Friday - Body weight circuit 20 minutes
Squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 reps
Alternating lunges holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 (10 each leg)
Press up on knees x 20
Wide squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20
Repeat as many times as possible in 20 minutes

Weeks 5-6 - 2 weeks to go!

Monday – Go outside for a run/jog/walk. Walk/jog for 5 minutes to warm up. Find a hill that takes about 60 seconds to run up. Run up as fast as possible then walk/jog down. Do this 5-10 times and walk for a further 5 minutes to call down.

Tuesday – Body weight circuit 20 minutes
Squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 reps
Alternating lunges holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 (10 each leg)
Press up on knees x 20
Wide squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20
Side planks x 30 seconds each side
Squat jump x 10
Repeat as many times as possible in 30 minutes

Wednesday – Rest day (still try to walk and be active)

Thursday - Go outside for a run/jog/walk. Walk/jog for 5 minutes to warm up. Find a hill that takes about 60 seconds to run up. Run up as fast as possible then walk/jog down. Do this 5-10 times and walk for a further 5 minutes to call down.

Friday - Body weight circuit 20 minutes
Squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 reps
Alternating lunges holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20 (10 each leg)
Press up on knees x 20
Wide squat holding a backpack filled with tins, clothes etc x 20
Side planks x 30 seconds each side
Squat jump x 10
Repeat as many times as possible in 30 minutes

Exercise Descriptions...

If you’re new to exercise, here is a handy breakdown of the different exercises for you:

Squat – Feet hip width apart, bend at the knee and hips driving your weight backwards so that your heels stay on the ground. Drive back up through your heels until standing tall. Great for legs and butt and burning fat!

Lunge – Take a long stride out while bending both legs, drive back through the front legs heel and repeat with the opposite leg. Again great for the legs and but and an awesome fat burner!

Wide squat – Take a wide stance and repeat as the above squat technique... focuses on the inner thighs!

Press ups - On your feet or knees (all fours), lower your chest to within 1 inch of the ground and push back through your arms. This is great for toning those ‘bingo wings’ and will your back look great in your dress come wedding day.

Plank – Great for your tummy, posture and your back! On your feet or knees, place your elbows on the floor and pull your tummy in tight and lift up off the floor. Imagine a press up but on your elbows. Hold this position for 30 seconds

Side plank – Lie on your side with your elbow directly under your shoulder. Lift your hips and torso off the ground
and hold for 30 seconds. Use the other arm for support if needed... great for hips and the sides of your back!

Jump squat – Same as the squat accept you jump up each time... big calories burner

Remember the Bite Burner tool can help you see how many Bites you are burning with your exercise routines.