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May 05, 2006

Lose Weight for Your Wedding - A Practical Guide

Special Report ~ Losing weight for your wedding

Many brides have written me in the past asking about weight loss. It's a hot issue, to say the least. Who doesn't want to look the hottest they possibly can in their wedding dress?

There are also a lot of weight loss tips and articles out there, and frankly, I've found most of them to be a bit fluffy. But then Gail Young, the co-founder of The Bridal Chalet, sent me this great weight loss article. I think it's practical and one you can start putting into action asap.

Let me know if it helps, you guys. Send me before and after photos if you have success!

Weight Loss for Brides - Drop at Least One Dress Size before Your Wedding

The stress and anxiety that most brides experience as their wedding day approaches can be overwhelming for them. The amount of preparation involved and the countless number of details needing attention can make it very difficult to eat sensibly and maintain even a modest level of good nutrition. I can recall countless conversations with brides who are so stressed out in the month or so before their wedding that they abandon all good eating habits and either starve themselves or binge on junk food to handle the stress.

Many are genuinely terrified that they'll be overweight and unattractive on their wedding day or even worse won't be able to fit into their dream wedding gown.

I have been working with a personal trainer for the past 10 years who continually reminds me how just a few simple changes to your daily routine can make a huge difference. The four basic principles I outline below really do work. I've had personal success using these strategies and continue to follow them on a daily basis. Many of my clients who have requested my help and followed this advice have had remarkable results. Start this program at least 3-4 weeks before your wedding day and see for yourself.

1. Water, Water and more Water

Hydration is critical. While the benefits are countless this is one of the hardest things to implement into your daily routine. Whenever I would neglect this item my trainer would recite how water lowers body fat, flushes cellulite, improves digestion, gets rid of dark circles under the eyes, and makes you feel full. These are just a few of the benefits of drinking the required 2.5 litres of water per day.

This may seem like a lot but I found the easiest way to get into the habit is to break the amounts down into manageable amounts:

Keep a bottle of water beside your bed. Before you go to sleep drink 1/2 the bottle and as soon as you wake up (before your feet touch the floor) drink the remaining 1/2 bottle

Before each meal drink a half a bottle of water

Carry water with you and sip it throughout the day

I can't overemphasize how important this step is.

2. Go for a 10 minute Walk Every Day

Start with this...you can always increase later after it becomes routine. It's enough to gently boost your metabolism and keep you active.

3. Eat Often but Only in Small Portions

Before I started this method of eating I would starve myself for a couple of days whenever I wanted to lose weight. It seemed logical to me at the time. When I started personal training I had to modify many of my bad eating habits. I had to start eating 6 meals a day. Don't panic, it's easier than it sounds. Every 3-4 hours from the time you wake up eat a little something. Your digestive system is far more efficient at handling a series of small meals than it is at tackling one large meal.

I usually eat at 7am, 10 am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10 pm

Your meal portions (meat, veggies, carbs) should be no larger than the palm of your hand and no thicker than the palm of your hand.

4. Eat Healthy

I could spend days offering suggestions on meal variations but there are many excellent books that have been written to give you ideas. I will share my recommendations in another upcoming article.

So to make it simple a typical meal should be a protein, a carbohydrate and a vegetable or fruit.

Here is a sample daily meal plan that I eat to get you started:

Meal one: Protein shake with 1% milk (I like whey protein drinks such as IsoPro)
Meal two: 1/2 an apple and cottage cheese or yogurt
Meal three: Piece of chicken (no skin) and a small salad
Meal four: Cheese and the balance of the apple
Meal five: Piece of lean meat, rice or potatoes, vegetables
Meal six: Low fat chocolate pudding mixed with protein powder

5. The Best Part - Reward Yourself!

Choose one day a week as your reward day and eat whatever you want and as much as you want. Whether you like pasta, cookies, ice cream or my personal favorite chocolate.

Enjoy!

Don't worry, you won't gain fat if you do this because for the past six days your body has been used to eating what I term 'clean' food. On the seventh day your body thinks you are going to do the same and when you don't it gets fooled and eliminates the effects of the 'junk' food. In essence you are tricking your body that day but you must eat cleanly on the following day.

I have told many upcoming brides about this method of eating and almost all of them have emailed me back to let me know how thrilled they were at reaching their target goal of weight loss. I hope it works for you too.

As a final note of encouragement, my daughter used this method of eating and in 1 year she went from a size 18 to a size 2. This was four years ago and she has still maintained her weight to this day.

These simple techniques will not only help you quickly, safely and effectively lose at least one dress size but they will also help you feel more energetic, vibrant and healthy. Not to mention the positive effect it will have on your skin texture and overall appearance.

Stay on track and you'll be amazed at your results. Eat well, drink plenty of water and as you progress, simply imagine your groom seeing you for the first time in your wedding gown and watching his jaw drop in speechless silence.

Posted by Jayne at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (256) | TrackBacks (0)

Comments

Thank You for all your advice and tips, I found it very helpful. Will definately try the diet you recomend.Hope you have a wonderful day, and keep up the good work.

Kind regards
Lee-Anne

» Lee-Anne | May 9, 2006 02:25 PM

I have been doing this for about two weeks now and I have lost one pant size already. My wedding is June 17, 2006. My mom told me to slow down or my dress would be to big. I said no. Thank you for all of your help. My maid of honor hasn't helped me out at all yet, so if it wasn't for you and all of your tips I don't know what I would have done. Thank you!

» Kristin Heyn | May 13, 2006 10:56 AM

Wow, thanks Kristin! Comments like this make it all worth it :)

Happy to be a virtual bridesmaid,
~Jayne

» Jayne | May 13, 2006 01:14 PM

although i didnt go from an 18 to a 2, i went from a 12 to a 2 in about a year as well. no small feat by any means. this is the exact kind of diet i stuck to and am currently on. it's more of a lifestyle change. the eat less move around more diet, is what i like to call it. i started quite a while before we got engaged though. and i was heavier for about 3 years of our courtship. so the pictures we have for our slideshow are either of me kind of chunky or of me super skinny. oh well, at least i'll look great in all of the pics from the big day! guys have it easy, they get to wear a dress shirt and a coat that pretty much covers it all.

» danielle | May 18, 2006 03:50 PM

I just got engaged in May of 2006. My family is trying to rush us to get married and his family wants us to have a huge party. We feel presure from both ends and finally told them what are plans actually were, which is that we wanted to have an all in one which is going to Vegas and having an intimate ceremony and our honeymoon all in one. We are trying to please them but in a way we don't see any other way around us having a wedding in an inexpensive way. We just don't have the cash for that. Please help I am so confused.

» Jennifer | May 23, 2006 04:13 PM

I plan on trying this out starting tomorrow morning!!!

I'm getting married on 9/3/06. When I met my fiancé 5 years ago i was a size 20, then I got up to a 24 and now I'm down to a 14. I've lost 90 pounds in two years. Since last June I’ve pretty much been maintaining a weight of 190 at a size 14. I'm finishing my BA at night, I work full time and I’m planning this wedding! In the last 4 months since i bought my dress I’ve been eating like crazy. I feel stressed and out of control personally while I try to keep everything else in control around me (wedding, school, home)

I am so scared to even make the appointment to get my final dress fitting. I'm losing this weight for myself. I don't have dreams of being a 2. A 14 was fabulous for me till I got out of control again. So I think I'm pretty realistic in my goals. I'm losing it for myself and not him, that's for sure. He's loved me Fat and Crazy before, I know he's not going anywhere. It's all me. And thank god I have him for love and support.

I’m up late tonight and remembered I read this plan a week ago, and tonight I lay awake, so I had to jump online and print this out again. I'm desperate and scared. Thanks for listening. Crazy bride to be...

» Emily | June 26, 2006 02:24 AM

Oh, yeah, since my dress fitting in March, forgot to mention, i've gained 20 pounds. that's why i'm freaking out!!!! That's at least a whole dress size or two.

» Emily | June 26, 2006 02:26 AM

Listen girls, you are all beautiful and there is so much emphasis on the body today it's SICKENING. The biggest trick for me was to never get on a scale.....I'm serious! Don't do it. It lies and not to mention when we have our monthly along with ovulation stress and everything else no telling what the scale will say. Listen, just remember to eat smaller portions throughout the day and you will see a huge difference and girls go by the way your clothes fit not by what people magazine shows girls that look like they eat tic tacs and a glass of water for breakfast. Believe me if they are so hot why are they all SINGLE. Hello, real women love yourselves and rock on!!! love Jenny Marsden

» Jenny Marsden | July 12, 2006 07:34 PM

iwill try this...thanks im getting married sept 23, 06. ill let you know how it works for me...

» mona fanguy | July 18, 2006 10:21 PM

iwill try this...thanks im getting married sept 23, 06. ill let you know how it works for me...

» mona fanguy | July 18, 2006 10:21 PM

hi everyone..im a bride to be, and my wedding is planned for may 10, 2008...it seemed like i had a lot of time to lose 100lbs+, but now im freakin out..it is just so hard to keep myself motivated when im trying to work full time, go to school fulltime, and plan this wedding..did i mention the fact that it is going to be out of state?...what can i do to keep myself going?? help!!!

» JASMINE | July 19, 2006 09:49 AM

Any of you guys have any success yet? I am thinking of trying this little plan myself...

» Jayne | August 5, 2006 03:43 PM

not that there's anything wrong w/ being a 12 or a 2, because i didnt say that. ive been both and loved myself no less at each size. but the blog is about losing weight. on the one hand you can call me superficial, but i would personally like to look fit and healthy, not bulgy in the wedding pictures. but on the other hand, as a short woman in the larger size ,i was unhealthy. i wanted to lose weight, i was successful in achieving my goal. i personally know that it's hard to lose weight, and i can remember clearly all the excuses i made for gaining so much weight in the 1st place. so i certainly congratulate those who have reached their weight loss goals. healthy is definitely better than heart attack. ladies, dont feel bad for wanting to lose weight and be more active and attractive to YOURSELF. your man is going to love you regardless. so do it for yourself, i did. that's all.

» danielle | August 7, 2006 01:24 PM

Remember ladies you'll look at these pictures for the rest of your life. So if you drop 100lbs. are you going to look back at it and think i wish i was skinny like that again? Everyone has asked me if I'm going to lose weight before the wedding and i tell them nope, if i happen to lose weight on my own great for me. Ladies love yourselves first!!!!!

» katie bennett | November 13, 2006 12:06 AM

Wow! Easy to find helpful information. Congratulations!
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» Poles | January 20, 2007 06:29 PM

Hooray for practical diets! I am getting married on Nov. 11, 2007. I want to lose 7% body fat (yes, I had my fat measured at the gym). Many people already say I'm thin (I'm 5'6", 136 lbs.), but I think I can do better. However, I have trouble dieting, because I love yummy food (esp. my fiancee's cooking - he's a fireman)! I exercise frequently so I'm able to stay somewhat slim, but I really want to look my best on the wedding day (and everyday before and after). Trying on wedding dresses is depressing when you dont fit into them. I'll try this diet, especially the water advice, and keep you posted.

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