My Diet & Fitness : Holiday Countdown!!

My Diet : The basics

Ok, I've been struggling with weight my whole life, it fluctuates to extremes. But I found a few diets that work! So, as the countdown to my holiday approaches...63 days!! I need to get in shape. Like, immediately. So, my diet is pretty strict anyway, as I will explain, but I am also doing a lot of fat burning and toning exercises, which help. For example, spinning, HIIT, running, crunches, charlotte crosby's workout video!! Anyway here is what I do:

Firstly, I am vegan. This means, I do not eat meat, or any animal bi-products such as milk, eggs etc. The only one I do eat, is honey. That's because if I didn't have something sweet, I would probably explode. You know the struggle!

Secondly, I am overlapping this diet with the paleo diet, which does not allow you to eat any dairy products (which I wouldn't eat anyway as it isn't allowed in a vegan diet), but I am also not allowed any gluten or wheat.

You must be sitting at your laptop/tablet/whatever thinking, WHAT DOES THIS GIRL EAT AND HOW THE HECK DOES SHE MANAGE?? Well, readers, I am going to explain this to you. I am going to present it in bullet points:

• I eat 3 meals a day, and have 1-2 snacks. I DO NOT eat any later than 8pm. I find that going to bed slightly hungry is good, as you sleep, you sleep through the hunger, and you allow your stomach to shrink, which means you will be fuller faster. 
• You're probably tired of hearing people say "drink more water" but... it's true. However, I HATE drinking glasses of water, it's soooo boring and this might be just me but forcing myself to drink it makes me feel sick. So, instead, I always keep a bottle of water in my hand or in my bag during the day, and next to my bed at night. This way I take sips every 5 minutes all day, which doesn't make me feel like I'm forcing it.
• I exercise EVERY DAY. About 5 days a week I will do more intense exercises, and the other 2 days I will do something gentle, like go for a walk or go shopping (doesn't sound like work but it's a long walk to the shops and back)
• BE ECO FRIENDLY! One way to feel good about yourself is to do something eco friendly, so instead of taking a car, walk or ride a bike! This way you get exercise too! 

Some Meal Ideas

Breakfast:

• Rye bread - maybe add dairy free butter, peanut butter, almond butter, avocado, grilled tomatoes...
• The obvious- SMOOTHIE! - add any fruit you fancy - tip for saving money, buy frozen bags, they are cheaper and last 10x longer!
• A piece of fruit. Don't underestimate the power of fruit, it has energy and tastes soo good!
• Porridge (gluten free oats) - cook with alternative milk (I use almond milk) top with honey and berries and voila!
• Alpro yoghurt with gluten free granola and fruit... oh... my god, i love alpro yoghurt, i usually get the plain with coconut but the vanilla one is amazing too, and the dark chocolate... just all of them!!!
• Pancakes: gluten free flour/ almond flour/ coconut flour/ oats, with almond/coconut/rice milk and maybe an egg white if you're feeling naughty, fried and drizzled with honey... omg best thing in the world, my mum makes the best ones! (She's on the same diet as me, so it makes it easier)

Lunch:

• A classic salad - nothing beats a plate with crunchy lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, grated carrots, cucumber, etc.. mmm! Maybe add some boiled quinoa... or some seeds, and top it off with your favourite salad dressing, or on its own!
• Kebabs! Grill or barbecue some veg, stick it on a stick and yum! I love having grilled vegetables with rice (brown rice)
• Bean burgers with sweet potato chips... the perfect meal prepared the healthiest way!
• Soup with rye bread

Dinner:

• Vegetable stir fry
• Ratatouille
• Vegetable bolognese with gluten free pasta or spaghetti squash 

Snacks:

• Nuts & trail mix
• Fruit
• Popcorn is healthy, as long as you buy either organic unpopped popcorn or an organic brand, then you can add anything to it!
• BANANA OAT CAKES: I made these soooo much, it's literally a crushed banana, gluten free oats and then you fry it (in coconut oil).
• Quinoa chips: I love the sundried tomato and basil flavoured ones!

Right, just to be clear, I am in noooo way saying follow this and you'll lose weight, I'm just sharing with you what I do. Do what you want! As long as you're healthy and conscientious about keeping healthy for your body, you will be fine. And you're all beautiful. I work very hard to lose weight, it isn't something that has come overnight, you have to stick to it. Though, if you do want to jump-start it, I recommend detoxing first, there's no point trying to eat healthily if you've still got years worth of junk food still in your colon (forgive my disgustingness). I did this with a 14 day teatox, there are other ways but I got mine for £9.99 on amazon and I feel so much better for it and it has even helped me shed a few pounds. 

Hope this helped at least one person out there, again, I am not a nutritionist or a dietition this is just what I do:)