Pre-holiday prep a bit lastminute.com?
Relax! We’ve got the toolkit to transform you from pale and un-pedicured to
bronzed beach goddess in just two days
We’ve all done it – booked a beach holiday
months in advance and simultaneously made a pact with ourselves to hit the gym
and ditch the biscuits; only to end up frantically working late in the office
in the run-up to departure, bikini diet and exercise regime not even started.
Not to mention the Mani, Pedi, waxing and fake-tan appointments that also
somehow failed to happen. But there’s no need to do a Nigella and start
frantically Googling burkinis. Our quick and simple detox plan can hone a
flatter stomach in 48 hours, while our hotel-room workout and hand-picked,
quickly-fix beauty products will buff you into bikini-ready shape – however
late you’ve left it.
1. Banish the bloat
Believe it or not, you can reduce belly
bloat in just a couple of days. This 48-hour plan from nutritionist Charlotte
Watts eliminates toxins and excess water, to leave your skin sparkling, hair
shiny and belly flat before you even get on the plane. Hurrah!
Tonight
Dinner
Vegetable stir fry You’ve no time to lose, so prepare for your detox with a cleansing
mix of vegetables. Stir fry pak choi, green beans, broccoli, ginger, garlic,
tamari, soy sauce and Chinese five spices. Add some cashews and coriander to
serve.
48 hours to go
Breakfast
Bircher muesli The night before, mix 40g
rolled oats (or buckwheat flakes if you’re gluten intolerant), 1dsp of golden
linseeds and 50ml apple juice. Cover and refrigerate overnight. To serve, mix
in 1/4 grated apple, 30 ml natural yogurt, 1/2tsp
cinnamon and top with a few berries.
Lunch
Salmon salad Poached or baked salmon fillet
(or, if you’re vegetarian, some tofu), Mixed salad including beetroot, 1/2
an avocado, watercress and onion
Supper
Super
Lentil and vegetable broth Fry an onion,
then add water, lentils (canned are fine) and veg of your choice (including
some green veg). Simmer until the lentils and vegetable are soft. Season and
serve with a scattering of pumpkin seeds.
24 hours to go
Breakfast
Bircher muesli (made the night before)
Lunch
Chicken and greens Slices of baked chicken
or turkey breast (or tofu), plus plenty of steamed green veg/salad, carrots and
a small baked sweet potato/small whole meal roll.
Supper
Miso soup Boil some crushed garlic, ginger,
spring onions and green veg. Add miso paste and tofu cubes or a small amount of
cooked chicken.
Drink
Herbal
tea
Boost your water and herbal tea intake to
two litres a day. Nettle tea is a good choice, because it helps eliminate
toxins, while water will flush out your digestive system and help you beat
bikini belly bloat. Cut down to no more than two caffeine drinks a day.
Get your beauty sleep
Be in bed by 11 pm at the latest while
you’re on this detoxing diet. It will help moderate your appetite and reduce
caffeine and sugar craving, so you’re less likely to wake up gagging for an espresso
and a pain au choc!
Snack
Snack
You can have amid-morning and afternoon
snack. Choose from:
·
1/2 an
avocado and four oatcakes
·
Fruit – stick to lower GI options such as
berries, apples, plums, pears and peaches.
·
Nuts
·
Seeds
·
Carrot stick
