JUNE is winging its way towards us at a rate of knots – which means one thing: time to get ready to bare all on the beach.

But instead of staring at the mirror clutching rolls of fat in disgust, Victoria MacFarlaine enlisted the help of personal trainer Paul Sawyer. Here it is revealed how he worked to get quick results – so quick in fact, Victoria had to buy new clothes…

WITH just a few weeks to go until the big moment when that towel is whipped off to reveal all to a packed beach, radical action was needed – and fast.

The remedy to my headache arrived in the form of Paul Sawyer, a personal trainer and former pro-cricketer.

Paul, 32, is well-versed in the art of body transformation (actress Susie Amy is a former client, and The Only Way Is Essex star Billi Mucklow has just signed him up), but he doesn’t just rely on exercise to get the desired results – no, he is also fanatical about nutrition.

Paul says most people feed their dogs better than they feed themselves, and is passionate about sticking to a ‘caveman’ diet.

In summary, on the menu would be food ‘from the land’ for example, chicken, fish, beef, colourful vegetables and fruit.

Five a day? More like ten. And strictly no bread, rice, sugar or pasta. Caffeine and alcohol should be given the push in place of litres of water.

Just recently I had been a tad lax with my five a day, and felt I’d done well if I’d had a tin of baked beans. And I’m not exaggerating when I had previously counted the soda in my white wine spritzer as part of my two litres.

As part of his work, Paul inspected the kitchen cupboards and gave pointers on what should be changed. Rather than go on this mission alone, I also volunteered my husband Ian to join our regime, bearing in mind his sizeable beer-belly.

Shocking measurements revealed our body fat levels were fairly high and our waistlines had expanded.

Many would look at us and think we were relatively in shape, but it is amazing how dressing well can belie a multitude of sins underneath.

In line with the caveman food, Paul also pointed out how our ancestors used to exercise for around 21 hours a week – adding that some people don’t even do that in a year.

It is always nerve-wracking working out with someone new, but Paul is a real-life action man whose hobby is trying to crack the four-minute mile.

And despite my husband Ian’s waistline, he is actually surprisingly sporty. Therefore I was definitely the weak link, often out of puff during a warm up.

Despite this, Paul patiently encouraged us, and gently pushed us beyond what we thought were our limits. Our intense 90 minute work-outs, three times a week, included resistance and cardio work, plus lunges and squats, which were perfect for women’s bodies, and for Ian, sit ups.

Paul says it is helpful to have a goal to work towards, a 5k run perhaps, to increase fitness. Also keep ‘surprising’ your body – don’t let it get used to a routine.

It only took a couple of days for our clothes to fit us better, and on day nine I could take off a pair of my trousers without unzipping them.

The results: Ten days on and the outcomes are startling. But it has gone beyond just toning up for the beach – it has become life changing.

General aches and pains have gone, along with the midday slump of tiredness, indeed we sleep better.

My spot-prone skin has been transformed into a clear, bright complexion. My stomach is perfectly flat, and our wobbly parts are now smooth and firm.

We look fantastic in our clothes, and walk taller.

We feel healthy, energetic and alive.

Impressive results courtesy of Paul’s regime. But we vow to continue this, even with the temptation of sangria...

Paul Sawyer’s five tips to stay beautiful

1. Exercise for beautiful skin.

When the body is undergoing a cardiovascular workout (for example, running and cycling) the heart is vigorously pumping oxygen rich blood to all the cells in your body leaving you with a healthy and soft glow.

2. Eat for beautiful skin.

Not only is healthy eating important for your waistline, it also has a big part in how our skin looks and feels. Having a balanced diet rich in certain minerals, vitamins and proteins has been proven to help slow the aging process of the skin and help with acne. Try to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables (the darker green and more orange the better) and good quality meat and fish.

3. Women need to lift weights!

Resistance training mixed in with cardio work for women is important. Resistance training will help you to lose body fat, help you to become stronger without gaining bulk, decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis and help you gain a bum like Kylie’s and arms like Jennifer Aniston!

4. Snack your way slim.

Snacking isn’t bad. It’s only bad if you run to the work vending machine for a chocolate bar or bag of crisps. If your blood sugar levels fall too low you will find yourself craving a sugary snack so be armed with healthy snacks. Snacking on fruit, dried fruit and nuts, raw veg and lean meats like chicken dipped in organic houmous will keep your blood sugar levels constant all day.

5. Drink water!

We are designed to basically just drink water but hardly anyone drinks enough. To find out exactly how much water you need every day multiply your weight in kilograms by 0.03. Not only will it improve your health it will help the look of your skin and help you to lose weight.

For more information about Paul Sawyer’s work see his website www.fitness6.co.uk

To see the full results read Elite Magazine on this site or pick up a copy from the Bucks Free Press in Station Road, Loudwater.