So discouraged *update*

I tried on my gown tonight to see if I could get away with not having the bottom of the dress altered.

I've been dieting and exercising hard and I lost 10 pounds since I last tried the dress on, when it was too snug to wear a bra underneath. I could get it zipped without a problem but I had the creases under my arms, a little 'rollover' on the back, and the waist was riding up every time I bent over.

So I tried it on tonight, figuring 10 pounds is going to make a difference right? WRONG! I bought a tulle underskirt to poof out the dress that comes all the way up to my boobs. With that 'extra padding', I could barely zip the dress!

And to top it all off, the shoes are too low. I either have to get higher shoes and be a few inches taller than my FH or spend hundreds on getting the length altered.

I'm so discouraged. The weight loss has leveled off so even though I'm doing the same thing, eating the same thing, exercising the same, I'm not losing any more weight.

So now I have 54 days left to starve myself.

**update***

So I took all your advice in this thread and in forum mail and emails and lost 6 pounds since I posted this thread.

I went to Phyllis at Bridal Elegance tonight (Gownfind) and she asked me what my bra size was to get me a long-line bra. I told her, she put it on, and it was too big!

She went and got the next size down and it fit perfectly. Helped me put on the underskirt and the dress and I held my breath as she prepared to zip me.

Zipper went right up, no hesitation.

No creases in the dress, it smooths out and doesn't bunch even after I bend over, and it feels totally comfortable!!

She's taking an inch or two off the bottom so I can wear my shoes, and bustling the back. They're also steaming the dress so I can save the money I was going to spend taking it to the cleaner!

Now that I don't need any alteration for the top and it looks wonderful, I can concentrate on my chest, arms, and back muscle toning!

I want to thank all of you, especially FINEY for your help. Couldn't have done it without you, and because of your help, I felt like a princess tonight. I can't wait to see what I'll look like in a month!

I'm sorry you're feeling so disocuraged!!

10lbs is a great accomplishment. Have you done any strength training? I've found that it's really helping for losing inches and toning up. And don't forget 54 days is a long time..you can do it!

So sorry hun...you probably lost 10 pounds but now have bigger muscles too ....dieting.exercise suck like that

Maybe try a short term diet like slim fast to lose some extra inches??? It worked for my husband before our wedding...he lost about 20 pounds by drinking the shake for breakfast and lunch eating sensible snacks and a healthy dinner


as for the length problem....I would probably get it altereed...I have this thing where DH has to be taller- comes from being the tallest in class all my life I guess

Plus, lower shoes = happy feet all nite

I know the battle ur goin through and those 10lbs you lost you should be proud of that. What kind of diet are you on?

Whatever you do don't strave yourself because you won't lose anymore weight. Try to do some leg raises and crunches before bed if your not already. Don't worry 54 days is enough time to lose some more inches.

Don't starve, add the strength training or add heavier weights if you're already doing that... eat more good protein so you don't feel hungry, step up the cardio a little... 10 lbs. is GREAT, you're probably just at a temporary plateau, or retaining water.

You will do it!!

(I also would alter the dress length and be comfortable in your shoes)

Don't be discouraged. You still have plenty of time. Have you tried pilates? It's supposed to stretch out your muscles. I'm going to try it for my arms and back muscles in addition to walking/jogging on the treadmill. Try to stay positive!

Maybe try another slip under your drwss that isn't so full...then the dress might not be too short and it won't rise up so much. There are so many different kinds.

Don't starve yourself! You'll never be able to do it, 1st of all, and why would you want to punish your body like that when you want to feel happy and healthy with yourself?

Just keep doing what your doing - you are doing fine!!!

You still have time! Don't be discouraged!!! Have you tried yoga or pilates? Look what it has done for Madonna!!! lol Good luck sweetie I know you can do it!!!
XOXOXOXO
Kitty

10 pounds is awesome!! That is like a size smaller!! Dresses are made funny and I'm sorry that this is happening to you

don't get discouraged- keep on eating right and exercising, your inches will come off. You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm doing weight watchers, and they teach you about how the balance of food affects weight loss. They say if you eat the same thing every day, then your body isn't getting enough nutrients. You need different kinds of protein throughout the week (fish, chicken, beef, etc.). You MUST drink at least 2 glasses of skim milk a day... or have a Weight Watchers dessert, which counts as dairy. The combination of dairy and Vitamin C kick starts metabolism in the morning, so I've been making mixed berry and banana dairy smoothies for breakfast. These are just little tips that should make a difference in that plateau... I wish I knew about them 6 years ago when I plateaued. I ended up gaining everything I lost back, which is now what I'm going to lose before November. Also, you have to weigh and measure EVERYTHING to make sure your portions are okay. And, of course, drink water. And WW insists that you include 2 Tablespoons of healthy oil (like olive or sunflower oil) in your diet every day. And write down EVERYTHING you eat. I joined weightwatchers online to do this, and it really helps!

I'm writing this as much for me as I am for you... I think a lot of us are in this battle together, and I hope the above tips help you (and me!) out BIG TIME so we look our absolute BEST on our wedding day! I'm SURE we will! FM me if you ever need any support!

I can't tell you I've lost so much weight so far because I really only started applying all these tips in the past week. I'm gung ho about it now. Easter messed me up a little, but I look forward to using all the above information to LOSE weight!

Good luck!

don't starve yourself! That's the worst thing you could do.

Instead, try mixing up your workout routine and what you eat. When you eat the same things and continue on with the same workouts, your body gets used to it and just plateaus.

Also, drink a lot of water.

Oh my. You ladies are the best.

I am a positive, optimistic person but last night I was pretty down. I overreacted and posted that about starving myself, but it's something I really shouldn't (and probably couldn't) do.

And you're absolutely right, starving myself would never be healthy or get the results I want.

For someone like me, 10 pounds is a lot. I'm a food & carb addict and until recently, never exercised regularly. I've been pretty dedicated to eating well and exercising consistently. My sister works for a gym and just went through the same thing, trying to lose weight after her pregnancy so she has been coaching me.

You hit the nail on the head about eating the same thing all the time. Here's my typical day:

Breakfast:

(1) cup of coffee with sweet and lo & half and half (this is a bad thing, I know; but it's my one indulgence)

(1) small bowl of shredded wheat, unfrosted, lightly sweetened with 1 cup 1% milk

Lunch:

(1) small bowl of shredded wheat, unfrosted, lightly sweetened with 1 cup 1% milk

3 o'clock munchie time:

(1) cup of unsweetened green tea
(1) weight watchers carrot cake snack (1 point)

Dinner:

(1) baked chicken breast marinated in lemon juice and garlic seasoning. One cup of steamed asparagus, one cup of steamed mushrooms (no seasoning or sauce).

In addition, I drink between 1 and 2 liters of water daily (no iced tea, no soda). I do a 1/2 hour cardio on Monday, 1/2 hour leg-arm weight exercise on Wednesday, 1/2 hour abs or 1/2 hour butt on Thursday. I garden on weekends or fit in another 1/2 hour of exercise if my schedule permits.

So maybe I'm putting in a medium-effort where if I exercised for longer or more frequently, I might see more results? It's just hard, getting home from work, exercising till 7, eating dinner and relax for a little while, then I have like one hour till I go to bed.

I have dietary (gastric) concerns so I can't eat broccoli at all, and I tried Slim-Fast years ago and had a lot of problems with it. Bananas are also a problem.

I guess I need more food options that are lower in fat/carbs and that are quick enough. Or that I could cook on Sunday night and package for the rest of the week.

As much as I don't want to spend the extra dough, you may be right about the alterations. It just seems so overpriced! I guess I just have to suck it up and do it. I have to call Phyllis from Gownfind about the bustle anyway to make an appointment.

Yes, I was going to go to Georgette's today to check out what my options are. Any kind of extra padding right now and I won't be able to zip it. So I still need to lose a few from my upper body, but maybe I could explain to them my dilemma so they could reccommend something 'slimming'.

Thanks again ladies for all your support and suggestions. I have Cablevision's iO and they have free yoga and pilates workouts On Demand that I'll try. I really liked yoga years ago but I find that it's something I get more results out of doing it in the morning. It's more calming, you know?

You make me feel better. We're all in this together right?

It sounds like you're really doing well! That's a very good routine if you haven't exercised before.

I only have a few suggestions: Instead of the shredded wheat, try having a bowl of instant oatmeal with 1% milk in the morning. I find it's much more filling than dry cereal, and it's a whole grain so it's not a 'bad carb.' You should also try eating something a bit more substancial for lunch if you can -- it's better to eat more during the day when you can use up the energy/calories than at night, before you go to sleep. Maybe make what you make for dinner and bring it in for lunch? Or have a salad with chicken? Even a sandwich with whole wheat bread would be a little more filling than the cereal.

I would also recommend trying out the book Buff Brides. They have a 12-week 'crash' program that I've been doing, and it's helped me out a lot. You have to do it 4 days a week though, but it only takes about 40 minutes.

Also, do you have to wear the crinoline? I think a little less fabric would make any dress more comfortable.

Good luck!!

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Posted by sarahradio5

I'm doing weight watchers, and they teach you about how the balance of food affects weight loss. They say if you eat the same thing every day, then your body isn't getting enough nutrients. You need different kinds of protein throughout the week (fish, chicken, beef, etc.). You MUST drink at least 2 glasses of skim milk a day... or have a Weight Watchers dessert, which counts as dairy. The combination of dairy and Vitamin C kick starts metabolism in the morning, so I've been making mixed berry and banana dairy smoothies for breakfast. These are just little tips that should make a difference in that plateau... I wish I knew about them 6 years ago when I plateaued. I ended up gaining everything I lost back, which is now what I'm going to lose before November. Also, you have to weigh and measure EVERYTHING to make sure your portions are okay. And, of course, drink water. And WW insists that you include 2 Tablespoons of healthy oil (like olive or sunflower oil) in your diet every day. And write down EVERYTHING you eat. I joined weightwatchers online to do this, and it really helps!

I'm writing this as much for me as I am for you... I think a lot of us are in this battle together, and I hope the above tips help you (and me!) out BIG TIME so we look our absolute BEST on our wedding day! I'm SURE we will! FM me if you ever need any support!

I can't tell you I've lost so much weight so far because I really only started applying all these tips in the past week. I'm gung ho about it now. Easter messed me up a little, but I look forward to using all the above information to LOSE weight!

Good luck!

---

WW works. I started 10 weeks ago and have lost 15 lbs without starving myself. The key is portion control, lots of fruits and veggies and lots of cardio and weights.

Don't get discouraged, you have 2 months and that should be plenty to see some results. good luck!!

That's a great idea teany. I actually had the chicken/mushrooms just now for lunch. Maybe on the way home tonight I'll pick up some oatmeal.

And I'll check out that book too!

Without the crinoline, the skirt creases a lot. I like it on because it puffs out the skirt so you can see the detail in it and it makes it easier to walk.

But maybe I should see about getting one that stops at my waist. Then if I get some kind of corset bra thingy that 'packs me in', it might work.

Thanks agailunas, I'll keep that in mind.

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Posted by lipglossjunky73

Don't starve yourself! You'll never be able to do it, 1st of all, and why would you want to punish your body like that when you want to feel happy and healthy with yourself?

Just keep doing what your doing - you are doing fine!!!

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i agree. and don't worry aout the shoes....i'm sure i'll be as tall (almost) as FH with the shoes i've got...but i kind of see it as a blessing.....no awkward stretching to kiss! hee. obviously the only advice on that is spend the $$ onalterations or get taller shoes. sorry sweetie.

you know, I was reading your post about what you eat daily, and it sounds like to me you aren't eating enough.
A bowl of cereal for breakfast and lunch is what, maybe 300-400 calories combined? And the dinner you are eating isn't much more. You need to eat some more (healthy) stuff. I read an article recently that said you should aim to have 500 calories for breakfast. I eat an english muffin or whole wheat toast with peanut butter. It tastes good and keeps me full.
I would look into WW because they will help you eat the right amount of food. If you are not eating enough, your body will go into survival mode and start storing everything you eat, and you won't lose any weight.
Good luck, and don't be discouraged!!