best SEVEN-DAY DIET
Here’s how to drop 5lbs in just 7 days...
HOW IT WORKS
Ever noticed that despite your best dieting efforts, you pile on a pesky 3-4lbs a year? This ‘creep-on’ weight is hardest to lose and most often caused by hormonal changes as we get older that makes us lay down fat around our middle. Our midriff crisis plan is based on healthy fats to help slim down your waistline. Follow it for seven days and you could be 5lbs lighter. Once we reach our 40s the change in hormones can decrease bone density and lean muscle mass too, making it harder to lose weight – especially around our waists. You need muscle to burn fat so it’s important to get the right combination of protein and fats with quality carbs to help you stay strong.
The UK’s leading diet expert Dr Marilyn Glenville (marilynglenville.com) explains: ‘As the production of oestrogen slows down, the body tries to compensate by making you fatter. Fat around the middle makes its own oestrogen to make up the loss from the ovaries.’ Research shows slimmers on lowcarbohydrate diets had significantly more weight loss at six and 12 months than those on low-fat diets so it’s important to eat good fats including olive oil, eggs and seeds and quality carbs such as veggies and brown rice for body fuel.
Clinical trials by new probiotic Pro-Ven Probiotics ShapeLine revealed having the right combination of probiotics in the gut can help with long-term weight loss, reduce waist circumference and body mass index BMI. Taken daily it can also help prevent rebound weight gain.
DAY 1
LOVE-YOUR-WAIST BREAKFAST:
Fuel it up: 1 tub Greek yogurt, 1 chopped banana, handful walnuts, ½tsp each ginger and turmeric.
FLAT-OUT LUNCH: 2 seeded crispbreads topped with 2tbsp cream cheese with chives, 2 cherry tomatoes. Handful watercress.
SLIM-IT-DOWN SUPPER Turkey bolognese: Made with 30g lean turkey mince, 1 can chopped tomatoes with herbs. 1 clove chopped garlic. 3tsp fresh wholewheat spaghetti. 1 pear.
DAY 2
LOVE-YOUR-WAIST BREAKFAST: 2 poached eggs, with handful spinach and 3 chopped mushrooms, stir-fried in 1tsp olive oil. Glass unsweetened orange juice.
FLAT-OUT LUNCH: 1 ripe avocado mashed with dash black pepper, chilli flakes spread on 1 slice wholegrain toast. Small bunch grapes.
SLIM-IT-DOWN SUPPER: 1 medium tuna steak brushed with olive oil and 1tsp red pesto grilled for 10-12 mins, bag mixed salad leaves drizzled with olive oil. 3tbsp couscous. 2 kiwis.
DAY 3
LOVE-YOUR-WAIST BREAKFAST: Top 1 slice sourdough toast with 4 chopped cherry tomatoes pan-fried in 1tsp olive oil.
FLAT-OUT LUNCH: Salmon salad bowl: Toss together bag mixed salad leaves, cucumber
