Dieting...

Ok, I'm not skinny, &, like many brides out there, I'm feeling the pressure to slim down for my wedding (esp. since pics and video are forever, lmao) ;)

Just want to get some advice: How many lbs were you able to lose for your wedding day & how long did it take?? Also, how did you do it?? I work out at the gym, but the weight is very slow to come off. I'll admit that I really don't like to exercise & would rather stick to a strict diet. I have a lot to lose, but I have about a year to lose it...please advise...

--Maryann

ms maryann ... slow and steady wins the race! people who drop tons of weight right away gain it all back. diet and exercise are key! lots of girls do weight watchers or jenny craig. any of those programs work well it just depends what type of program works for you. can you do things independently and count calories etc or do you want a no brainer that sends you your prepackaged food.

you CAN do it and you will! just takes patience and dedication!

I had about 25 pounds to lose. I lost 20 since January - so you DEFINITELY have time.

I changed my diet. Eat small meals every three-four hours.

Breakfast - when I 1st started I would eat egg whites w/spinach or broccoli or hard boiled eggs (just the white part)

Snack - raw unsalted almonds, maybe carrot sticks

Lunch - Salad with turkey or chicken

Snack - protein shake (get EAS AdvantEDGE - they taste great - I get the dark chocolate or the cafe caramel)

Dinner - Salmon - TONS of salmon wioth vegetables. Or grilled chicken

Snack - carrots or you can even have a sugarfree snack like sugarfree pudding. They taste great and take away cravings you may have.

DO NOT CHEAT. Its not worth it.

Honestly - the diet is the most important part.


As far as exercise - RUN. RUN. RUN.

When I first started I couldnt run more than 2 minutes without stopping (NOT KIDDING) .. I would run 2 minutes than walk on an incline for 5 minutes ... Id do cardio for about 25 minutes.

Im up to running 4 miles without stopping but it took a LONG time. BE PATIENT AND DONT GIVE UP.

As far as weight training. DO NOT USE LIGHT WEIGHTS. I started out with 7.5 weights .. Im up to 12 pound weights (for overhead shoulder presses) ... for back im at 90 pounds .. You WILL NOT bulk up. Promise.

Concentrate mostly on the cardio part. If you can find time - do 20 minutes in the a.m. and then 20 minutes at night. This way you are getting 40 minutes/day in but the 20 minute sessions go fast.

DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED. When I first started working out it took like 1 month for me to start seeing any movement. No change in weight until 4 weeks passed. True story.

Last but not least. DRINK A TON OF WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck - HTH. YOU CAN DO IT!

Below is a link to an article my personal trainer wrote (if you can get a PT I HIGHLY recommend it) .. But here is an article that inspired me and it may inspire you too!!



http://www.kristinreisinger.com/training/likeawoman.html

Hi MAryann!

Don't feel discouraged! I am in the same situation as you...weight comes off very slowly and it takes about a month or 2 to start seeing or feeling it...usually I get my self discouraged and give up before I see any results too which I HAVE to stop.

In the past what really works for me is RUNNING too..there was a 3 month period where I ran 3 miles 5-6 times a week plus followed weight watchers and I lost about 15 pounds in 2-3 months. I also had a personal trainer helping me with the weights. I am just starting to start my pre-wedding diet and I plan on running long distances and following weight watchers as well as personal training. For me, if I slack on the cardio, and am not very strict with my eating habits, I lose NOTHING. If you need a partner I would love to have someone to talk to on my journey! Let me know!

60 lbs in about 10 months.

Weight Watchers.

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Posted by SummerBride10

60 lbs in about 10 months.

Weight Watchers.

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OMG that's amazing!! You look great!
Did you do just purely WW or excersize too? I have the same issue with excersize, I cant get myself to do it! I just started WW and lost 2 lbs first week

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Posted by SummerBride10

60 lbs in about 10 months.

Weight Watchers.

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Posted by Pixie

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Posted by SummerBride10

60 lbs in about 10 months.

Weight Watchers.

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OMG that's amazing!! You look great!
Did you do just purely WW or excersize too? I have the same issue with excersize, I cant get myself to do it! I just started WW and lost 2 lbs first week

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Thanks!! I did both diet and excercise. Right before the wedding I also hired a personal trainer who helped me tone.

weight watchers is great!! i lost 6lbs in one week without exercising! so with exercising and eating good, you will do well.

Also, Green Tea helps you lose weight too. Its an antioxidant....

Have to agree.. WEIGHT WATCHERS!!! It's so amazing.

I have lost 35 lbs since Feb... and that's without exercise. I finally got FH to join with me and he lost almost 12 lbs his first week!!!! Can't say enough great things about this program!

I agree with SoontobeMrs.Brown

i lose 35lbs and have 40 more to go.. I did what she said since 2008 and keep 30 out of 35 off...

you can do it!!

i am just starting to diet and have lost 2 lbs per week (but am only on week 3 and have a long way to go lol).
I agree with everyone on the exercise but disagree about weight watchers. I had a very hard time following it last year when I tried (however this was pre-engagement so maybe i was not as motivated as I am now). Since i was not happy with WW i am just trying to count my own calories and keep under a certain amount per day. I dont know if it will prove successful but a site I am using that helps count calories is:
daily plate
I have noticed a big decrease in appetite just from joining the gym and working out so that could be why dieting is easier for me now

lets keep up the good work ladies!

I am also on WW - I lost about 35 since Feb as well (although some weeks I gained a little, which is normal).

For me, it's great because it's not a diet - it's a lifestyle change and you learn how to make smarter choices with food.

I should exercise more, but i don't although I've been trying to get back into the gym to tone a little...

I try to use www.caloriecount.com

it's pretty useful. I really need to hit the gym though.

I do great during the week. It's the weekends that kill me!