30 Day Lean-Me Challenge

With summer just around the corner, everyone is rushing to get that "summer body" and others are aiming to make a toned-gym-body a lifestyle thing (raises hand). Whatever the reason, many people are looking to become fitter and maybe look better in that new bodycon dress without the unwanted interruption of rolls, you know what I'm talking about, ladies! Just yesterday when I was at work, it was busy therefore I was sweating. I felt the skin on my tummy sticking together (because I've developed rolls) for the first time in years, and that totally freaked me out! The one month that I've been at home I was pigging out and didn't see the inside of a gym except on TV shows! Now I have to pay the price!

This will be my new best friend...

That being said, I want to start yet another diet challenge for which being in a gym isn't a main requirement. This shall commence on the 1st of May. Each day, I will add another set of exercises or increase intensity for effectiveness. I will still go to the gym as normal. Being fit is necessary especially for students like me because it helps me to be more focused and feel better about life. Generally, when I work out I'm more energised and positive about a lot of things, which will be reflected in the way I carry out my tasks effectively. Working out will be incorporated with clean eating, so that means no junk food for the whole time, and avoid fried food at all costs. I shall also consume less refined carbs and try very hard to keep eating clean. Recipes will be posted on my Food Blog (link here) and progress will be tracked here and on instagram. Below is the plan:

Day 1 (May 1st) - 

Morning - 10 squats, 10 sit ups, 10 lunges (hold lunge for 5 seconds) and repeat once (therefore 20 squats altogether, etc)

Afternoon - (optional) aerobic exercises in the gym for 30 minutes

Night - 15 minute jog OR P90X

Day 2 - 

Morning - 10 sumo squats (squating with legs wide apart), 10 sit ups with raised knees, 10 lunges (hold lunge for 5 seconds) and repeat once (therefore 20 squats altogether, etc)

Afternoon - optional 30 minute aerobic exercises

Night - 15 minute jog OR P90X

Day 3 - 

Morning - 10 squats, 10 sit ups, 10 lunges (hold lunge for 5 seconds) and repeat twice (therefore 30 squats altogether, etc)

Afternoon - optional 30 minute aerobics

Night - 20 minute jog OR P90X

Day 4 - 

Morning - 10 jumping squats, 10 sit ups, 10 star jumps, 10 lunges (hold lunge for 5 seconds), repeat twice (therefore 30 squats altogether, etc)

Afternoon - optional 30 minute aerobic exercises

Night - 20 minute jog OR P90X

Day 5 - 

Morning - 10 jumping squats, 10 sit ups, 10 star jumps, 10 lunges (hold lunge for 5 seconds), repeat three times (therefore 40 squats altogether, etc)

Afternoon - optional 45 minute aerobic workout

Night - 20 minute jog OR P90X

For days 6-10, repeat the sequences from days 1-5

For days 11-15, repeat the sequences from days 1 -5 but double the reps (i.e. 20 squats per rep, etc)

For days 16-20, repeat the sequences from days 11-15

For days 21-25, repeat sequences from days 1-5, but increase reps to 30 (i.e. 30 squats)

For days 26-30, repeat sequences from days 21-25

*** NOTE ***

***DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH before and after working out to avoid sore and achey muscles! Those will definitely set you back*** 
During this period, make sure you eat clean and keep a food diary. This will help you keep track of what you've already eaten. Try not to get too obsessed with counting calories and all that nonsense, our body still needs energy to function. Also, cut off alcohol completely, 30 days won't be much compared to years of a beer-paunch! With increased intensity of work out, try to increase your protein intake as well and make sure it varies (beans, seafood, meat etc), and also increase carbs slightly, opting for healthier foods like sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Get creative with food, check my food blog and food instagram for inspiration because having the same food daily becomes tedious! We want this to be a fun way of losing weight and toning up for bikinis! (yay). If you join me, let me know how you're getting on and we can swap meal ideas and stuff!

xoxo