"I used to be so self-conscious when in groups, waiting for someone to point out that I was fat and have everyone look and laugh."
Andrew Sweeney was classified as obese for most of his life. After years of yo-yo dieting and unproductive gym sessions, he decided to figure out a plan that was finally going to transform his body and his life. (
You can read Andrew’s transformation story here).
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl5sj1HnJXs/
These days, Andrew has turned his passion into his work, helping others like him find the lifestyle that suits them. His goal is to help people with a similar story to his; people who are struggling with their weight, who are lacking in confidence and want to build a better lifestyle.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxNEaKSH7Ko/
We’ve teamed up with Andrew to bring you a Six Week Summer Shred, complete with shopping lists, meal plans, and workout videos, to kick start your fitness journey. (
Read Andrew's Week One guide here).
These plans don’t take gender, weight, height etc into account, so while they are a fantastic guide, if you’d like something more personalised, get in touch with Andrew on andrewsweeneyfitness@gmail.com.
So, with that in mind, here’s your Week Two shopping list and meal plan.
Points to mention:
- For vegetarians that eat fish - you can swap out chicken and turkey for white fish and swap steak for salmon. If you do not eat meat of fish contact me for more info.
- You will have some of the shopping list from last week so please go through the list prior to buying new products
- To ensure freshness, Some items may need to be purchased closer to the date needed.
- Fat loss will only occur when a person is in a caloric deficit to their TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). This meal plan is based off 2000 calories so while it will work for most it will not work for all.
- Aim to drink 3-4L of water per day (this alone will have a huge impact)
- Disclaimer - I am not a dietitian or nutritionist but I do know how to create food combinations that are both healthy and satiating and will help you achieve your goals.
Shopping List
5 apples
1 Head of lettuce
1 pack of cherry tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 head of garlic cloves
1 bag of spinach
2 large courgettes
6 bell peppers
2 tomatoes
2 aubergines
2 red onions
2 large sweet potatoes
1 pack of asparagus
1 pack of mangetout
1 pack of blueberries
1 pack of strawberries
2L of unsweetened almond milk
1 pack of philadelphia light
1 pack of low fat cheese (slice)
1 pack of feta cheese (usually comes in 200g pack - but if you see a 100g pack get that)
1 bottle of ballymaloe relish
1 jar of pesto (green)
1 tube of tomato paste
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 bottle of sweet chilli sauce
1 bottle of olive oil cooking spray
1 bottle of olive oil
1 jar of red kidney beans (in water)
1 can of tuna (in water) - 120g drained weight
1 pack of uncle bens basmati microwave rice
1 tin of sweetcorn
1 jar of organic peanut butter
1 large bag of almonds
1 pack of corn/rice cakes
2 bagels
1 pack of penne pasta
1 pack of pearl barley (you can get quick cook if you find it - 10 min cooking time)
1 pack of turkey mince (500g)
14 eggs
3 chicken fillets
2 salmon fillets
2 hake fillets
1 pack of turkey rashers
1 pack of turkey sausages (Whelehans are the best in my opinion)
1 fillet steak (under 250g)
1 pack of ham (slices) - Small pack will do
1 tub of whey protein powder
2 chocolate bars of your choice (under 300 calories each)
1 protein bar of your choice (under 250 calories)
Monday
Breakfast: (overnight oats - can be served hot or cold)
½ cup of oats
1 scoop of whey protein
1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
½ cup of blueberries
½ cup of chopped strawberries
Optional: add some sweetener (stevia)
Note: Combine the oats, whey and almond milk and leave in the fridge overnight. Add fruit in the morning before eating. (make in tupperware for a handy on the go breakfast)
Snack 1:
1 scoop of whey protein
Note: mix scoop of whey with almond milk or water
Lunch: (Deli wrap - or can make at home)
1 wrap
2 teaspoons of pesto (if made in a deli just ask them for enough to cover the middle of the wrap lightly)
1 chicken fillet (if made in a deli one handful of cooked chicken - you can ask for any other dry chicken such as cajun - just not the chicken with sauce like tikka)
Any or all of the following additions:
Lettuce
Tomato
Sweet corn
Onion
Snack 2:
2 corn/rice cakes
2 teaspoons of peanut butter
Dinner: (this dish serves 2 so you can add half of it to some tupperware for lunch tomorrow)
300g of turkey mince (A pack usually comes in 500g - you will need the 200g for Friday. If you don’t have a food scales you can eyeball it - ⅗ and 2/5 )
1 red onion
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of tomato paste
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
2 cups of penne pasta
Note: Add the oil to a pan, sweat the onions and add the chopped garlic. Add the turkey mince and cook. Add the tomato paste and then the tin of chopped tomatoes. Let simmer for roughly 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced. Cook the pasta and add it to the turkey bolognese.
Tuesday
Breakfast:
½ a bagel
1 teaspoon of pesto
Scrambled egg (3 white + 1 whole)
Handful of spinach
Note: cook using spray oil
Snack:
1 apple
Lunch:
Turkey Bolognese (leftover from yesterday)
Snack:
1 protein bar (under 250 calories)
Dinner:
Barley Salad - (see recipe attached)
1 chicken fillet (you will also have chicken for lunch tomorrow so you can prep another fillet now to save time)
Note: the barley salad serves 4 so you will see this in 3 more meals over the next few days
Wednesday
Breakfast: (overnight oats - can be served hot or cold)
½ cup of oats
1 scoop of whey protein
1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
½ cup of blueberries
½ cup of chopped strawberries
Note: Combine the oats, whey and almond milk and leave in the fridge overnight. Add fruit in the morning before eating. (make in tupperware for a handy on the go breakfast)
Snack:
1 handful of almonds
Lunch:
1 serving of barley salad
1 chicken fillet
Snack
1 scoop of whey protein
Note: mix scoop of whey with almond milk or water
Dinner:
1 baked salmon fillet (This is also down for lunch tomorrow so you can prep another fillet now to save time)
1 large sweet potato (bake or boil)
1 handful of asparagus
1 tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce
Note: cook using spray oil.
Tip: If mashing sweet potato, add some almond milk for creamy consistency. (I like to add 2 teaspoons of Philadelphia Light and 2 teaspoons of Ballymaloe relish for added flavour)
Thursday
Breakfast:
½ a bagel
2 teaspoons of Philadelphia Light
2 teaspoons of Ballymaloe relish
Scrambled eggs (3 white + 1 whole)
1 handful of spinach
Note: Cook with spray oil. Add Philadelphia Light and relish to bagel and serve eggs and spinach on top.
Snack:
1 apple
Lunch:
1 serving of barley salad
1 baked salmon fillet
Snack:
4 corn/rice cakes
2 slices of ham
2 teaspoons of philadelphia light
2 teaspoons of ballymaloe relish
Note: add philadelphia and ballymaloe to corn cakes and top with ham
Dinner:
1 serving of barley salad
1 hake fillet (or white cod)
Friday
Breakfast (breakfast bagel)
1 bagel
2 teaspoons of philadelphia light
2 teaspoons of ballymaloe relish
2 turkey rashers
2 turkey sausages
1 slice of low fat cheese
Note: cook using olive oil spray. Spread bagel with philadelphia, add turkey sausages, turkey rashers and cheese. Put under grill to melt cheese. Top with relish before closing.
Snack:
1 apple
Lunch:
1 chicken fillet
½ tin of red kidney beans in water (drained)
½ pack of basmati rice (250g microwave bag)
2 tablespoons of sweet corn
Note: cook chicken using spray oil. Cook rice to packet instructions. Add to chicken along with kidney beans and corn.
Optional: 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
Snack:
Chocolate bar of your choice
Note: Chocolate bar to be under 300 calories
Dinner:
200g of turkey mince
½ tin of red kidney beans in water (drained)
½ pack of basmati rice (250g microwave bag)
1 bell pepper
Note: Cook peppers using spray oil for 2-3 minutes to soften. Add turkey mince and cook. Microwave rice to packet instructions. Add to turkey mince along with kidney beans.
Optional: 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
Saturday
Breakfast:
Scrambled eggs (3 white + 1 whole)
2 turkey rashers
1 cup of mushrooms
1 tomato
Snack:
1 apple
Lunch: (Tuna salad)
2 cups of chopped lettuce
1 cup of cherry tomatoes
¼ cup of chopped red onion
2 tablespoons of sweet corn
1 cup of chopped cucumber
1 can of tuna (in water) - 120g drained
Optional: 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar or some lemon juice
Snack:
1 scoop of whey protein powder
Note: mix scoop of whey with almond milk or water
Dinner: (Restaurant Choice)
Tribeca
Starter: Buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese dip
Main: Caesar Salad with grilled chicken (instead of the dressing ask for either some balsamic vinegar or just squeeze some lemon juice on it - if you must have the caesar dressing ask for it on the side and add the equivalent of 2 teaspoons to the meal)
Optional: 2 glasses of wine
Sunday
Breakfast:
2 eggs any style
2 turkey sausages
2 turkey rashers
1 cup of mushroom
1 whole tomato (grilled)
Optional: 2 tablespoons of ketchup
Note: Cook using olive oil spray. You can also grill some of the above - your preference
Snack:
1 apple
Lunch: Salad
1 fillet steak (under 250g)
1 bell pepper
1 cup of cherry tomatoes
2 handfuls of spinach
2 tablespoons of sweet corn
2 teaspoons of oil
(optional: 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar)
Snack:
Chocolate bar of your choice
Note: chocolate bar to be under 300 calories
Dinner:
1 hake fillet (or white cod)
1 large sweet potato
1 handful of mangetout
Note: bake fish and boil vegetables
Tip: if mashing sweet potato. Add some almond milk for creamy consistency. (I like to add 2 teaspoons of philadelphia light and 2 teaspoons of ballymaloe relish for added flavour)