Shape Up: My 7 Days to Skinny Jeans Plan
Let me guess...It's 4pm and you're sitting at your desk still recovering from a post-holiday sugar coma. Your favorite "skinny jeans"" are tight. And you are trying to convince yourself you didn't eat that many Sparkly Lemon Cookies. But you finally admit, "Maybe I did get a little boy crazy with the Gingerbread Men" (Ha! You showed him.) Now the hunger pains set in. But you think (dramatically), "No! I'm not eating ever again!" False. Skimping on meals is not going to get you back in your skinnies any sooner. If anything, it will mess up your metabolism even more than your holiday binging. Rather, focus on eating nutritious, balanced meals and working out. It will help get your metabolism pumping and your body burning calories, which will have you back in your skinnies before you know it!
Here's my 7 Days to Skinny Jeans Plan:
The Rules
- Commit. Keep your eyes on the prize (a.k.a. those darn skinny jeans) and if possible, enlist a partner in crime. It's always easier when you have a buddy for support!
- Drink lots of water! At least 8-10 glasses a day.
- Pick one exercise to do every day (save one day for rest).
- Pick one meal from each category for each day.
- Pick one snack for each day. (I like to have a snack between lunch and dinner, but the timing is really up to you.)
- If possible, try to sneak in your exercise before breakfast. Otherwise, just make sure you squeeze it into your schedule. This is the important part!
Breakfast Options
- Greek yogurt topped with walnuts, a handful of berries (or sliced banana) and a light drizzle of agave nectar
- Steel cut oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of dried apricots, 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds and a splash of almond milk
- Veggie omelet with a slice of whole grain toast (Click here for my favorite omelet recipe!)
- Breakfast smoothie
- Half an avocado stuffed with cottage cheese and a side of sliced tomato
- Ezekiel toast topped with 2 sliced up hardboiled eggs served with half of a grapefruit
- Breakfast Quinoa (Make a big batch and eat it for breakfast for a few days. It's delicious!)
Lunch & Dinner Options
- Whole-grain pita filled with chicken, arugula, sliced tomato, a teaspoon of crumbled feta and a drizzle of olive oil; serve with a side of grapes
- Grilled Bruschetta Chicken with a small side salad (use a mixture of lemon, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the dressing)
- Zucchini "Pasta" with a side of quinoa
- Two slices of cauliflower crust pizza with a side of steamed vegetables
- Sesame-Tofu Stir-Fry (Another excellent meal you can make a big batch of to last a few days.)
- Beet, Orange & Fennel Salad with a side of quinoa
- Healthy Chicken Salad served over lettuce or on a slice of whole-grain toast
Snacks
- 1 medium apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
- 1 cup of red grapes and a low fat string cheese
- ¼ cup of almonds
- ½ cup of bran cereal (or Grape Nuts) with milk and a few berries
- Raw veggies with 3 generous tablespoons of hummus
- 1 hardboiled egg with a few whole-grain crackers
- Celery with a tablespoon of almond butter and a few raisins
Exercise Options
- 30 minutes of cardio (running, kickboxing, elliptical, swimming, step aerobics etc.)
- 1 hour of yoga or Pilates
- Intervals: run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds (repeat 8 times)
- Circuit: 100 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 squats, 10 push ups, 25 bench dips (you can do this using a chair), 60 second wall sit, 60 second plank (repeat two times)
- 1 hour hike with steady incline
- Quickie: 20 lunges, 50 jumping jacks (or swap out jumping jacks for jumping rope for 2 minutes)
- Semi-Quickie: 15 minute jog, 20 squats, 20 sit-ups
Sadly there's no way to un-eat what you've already eaten over the holidays. But thankfully there is a solution: If you make a conscious effort to have healthier eating and exercise habits, your body will bounce back in no time! Be sure to follow this plan for seven days straight. It will be tough, you will be tempted and you will probably slipup a few times. Once you're done, try to maintain this healthy lifestyle (but reduce your exercise regime to 3-4 times per week). I'll be starting the plan tomorrow so we can all do this together.
Be sure to check in by leaving a comment on your progress in the comments below!
Aside from the skinny jean incentive, why do you want to get healthy and fit for the New Year?
XO Lauren
P.S. On day seven, snap a photo of yourself donning your good old skinnies! Upload and submit the photograph to your LaurenConrad.com profile page for a chance to be featured as my very first Chic of the Week!
P.P.S. If you liked this post be sure to: Pin It
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131 comments
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Nutella is a GREAT substitute for peanut butter. One tbsp should fill your chocolate craving and leave you satisfied. Good luck!-
Hi! :) I just want to chime in here that while the ratio of cal/fat may be "better" in Nutella, over all it's really not. Natural Peanut Butter that is just strait peanuts offers healthy fats and protein. The very first ingredient in Nutella is sugar, then it goes on to list artificial vanilla flavor? Not good stuff. We just finished learning in my Anatomy & Physiology class what your body does with (table)sugar, (which is whats in your foods that list sugar, sugar from eating whole fruits are different) and it is 100% counter productive to weight loss. If your interested check out some doctoral/science blogs and you- tube video lectures from MD's; they give a different science based point of view. Chocolate cravings are just that, craving and can pass. I used to be a DOVE-aholic, but I don't crave it at all anymore. And if during a rage of PMS I need something, I pick up pure 80% dark chocolate that isn't loaded with other junk ingredients like Dove is. I'm not trying to jump all over what you said, ( In text it can come across that way but I promise I'm not :) I just want girls who are trying to lose weight to pay attention to what they are putting in their body as well.
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I'm getting married in two weeks and with all the stress and stuff I've been really bad, eating fries and lots of cookies, although I still fit in my wedding dress I feel bloaded and awkward. I will defenitely do this!! thanks a lot
Hugs from Chile -
I've been drinking this smoothie and working out plus eating better and sorry to say but it's not working I am not getting into any skinny jeans anytime =(-
"It took more than a week to gain it so it will take more than a week to lose it, don't give up!" :D That's what I keep telling myself! (Saw it on a poster, haha)
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Keep a Food Log to Keep Slim and Healthy Fit for more information
http://www.trendsfair.com/keep-a-food-log-to-keep-slim-and-healthyfit/
Keep a Food Log – Following a fixed timetable for meals could be a more effective process of dieting than attempting to cut out fatty foods, say experts. People who snack on healthy food can put on fat if their eating styles are not maintained... -
Make or Break your Diet Sheet for more information
http://www.trendsfair.com/make-or-break-your-diet-sheet/
When you wake up everyone, you may think what to eat and how much to eat the whole day as a part of your diet. As you take daily part, you may not feel it as important, but it saves more calories when you see in the end of the month. The following… -
I am 42 and training for my second marathon in June.I will definitely
Start this plan tomorrow!!! Can't wait to see the results. -
Love this idea, I am going to either do this one or the other ones you have suggested :)
Xoxo
Check out my blog: ohthethingsyoucanwear.blogspot.com -
This is a really helpful post! I'm always looking for healthy snack and food ideas to help me slim down. I definitely find I get a better workout when I'm using a workout program though rather than just having a general list of exercises. I'm really excited to tone my legs and butt once I get my Brazil Butt Lift Advanced for Xmas! That'll help me get into those skinny jeans in no time :)
Here's the link if anyone wants to check it out! I've heard its a pretty awesome workout! http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/brazil-butt-lift-master-series-advanced-workout.do -
I have already gone back to my mostly raw diet but I need to go back to the grocery and I will give this a shot next week! I'm very excited! I've in a week I already notice some weight loss. Now to get to the gym more.
Chao
Poppie
http://thepoppie.com -
I need to do this-- I am so in love with being healthier and more active. (so are my parents)
About the greek yogurt-- I HATE most Greek yogurts, but there is this brand that is COMPLETELY healthy, etc., it's called 'greek yogurt with honey', and it tastes JUST like cheesecake filling, almost! We bought it. It's even more amazing when you put blueberries or strawberries in it and topped it with chopped nuts, with a glass of 100% orange juice. I don't think there's any added sugar in the greek yogurt, but it's feels great, with all it's vitamins in there.
Just thought I'd share, because I really hate Greek yogurt plain XD But I can't wait to try this. -
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Here's a suggestion for the apple and peanut butter snack option. If you have peanut allergies like myself, substitute for almond butter and use a medium sized Royal Gala apple. It's absolutely delicious!
And the baked tofu rolls: if you're not into tofu (again, like myself) substitute for chicken and season with dehydrated vegetables (like Mrs. Dash Table Blend $4.99 avg, or any McCormick spices $5.99 avg) and a tablespoon of cayenne pepper ($2.99 Clubhouse). It'll be a tad spicy, but the capsaicin in spicy foods and seasonings is great for revving up you metabolism and gives a great kick. (want something spicy but more flavour? Try paprika instead of cayenne pepper)
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Hi Lauren! This is a great plan - I love the inclusion of raw, vegan elements. I have bookmarked this page for when I've had my baby :-) x x
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Hi Lauren...I just have a question regarding the drinks....what can i drink with this delicious eating plan? can you drink coffee? or tea? or lemonade?
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How I lost the 30 lbs and have kept it off for almost 3 years. :)
amandafrances.com/gethealthy
Love yourself!! You deserve a body you feel hot in and you can absolutely do it. -
This is motivating, even in February. I designed a quick tracker sheet for this!
Visit the pinterest link; click it, save it and print it!
http://pinterest.com/pin/422281184905332/
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When I find myself without a lot of time I run through this circuit 3 times and I love it!
Can someone please post the healthy chicken salad recipe on here? I am having such a hard time opening it!! Thanks!!
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