Brides and Diets….. Is It Worth It?

If you have ever struggled with your weight, you are not alone. If you have gone on more than one diet in your life, you are in good company. If you would love to lose 10 pounds before your wedding, join the crowd. But, I am here to tell you that there are a few things you should NOT do in order to fit into your wedding gown for one day.

Dropping 20 or so pounds before your wedding is tricky, there are dozens (hundreds) of diet pills, supplements, books, tricks, fads and crazes that promise to get you to your ideal weight fast and some of them work. Don’t be sucked in by the photos, don’t be deluded by the testimonials… there is only one safe and healthy way to lose weight and that is with a healthy diet and exercise.

Rapid weight loss is bad for your heart. My mother in law told me stories of how she would diet, lose 50 lbs before an event and then eventually gain it back, at her funeral she was overweight. I have seen friends go drastically up and down in weight over the years, lost some of those same people due to heart failure  and as recently as yesterday lost a dear friend due to her complete and total dedication to a very dysfunctional eating disorder. Lose no more than a pound a week.

Fads are stupid. This recent fad of the ‘feeding tube diet” has me concerned. This is probably one of the  most irresponsible medical treatments I have seen regarding weight loss. What docotor would agree to this? If you have ever been in the hospital and on a feeding tube ( hopefully you  haven’t), I can tell you that when you get out you are exhausted. Two years ago I had my ruptured, infected appendix removed. I was 49 yrs old – MUCH older than most appendectomy patients and due to the fact that I didnt realize it ruptured for three days…. it was quite serious. For 8 days I was on a  feeding tube and when I finally came home and ate food – real food, I could barely hold the fork. FYI – I only lost 2 pounds. It took months to regain my strength. I was winded, tired and had dark circles under my eyes from the whole ordeal. 2 lbs. Really? Is it worth it? What insane person who loves torture would do this?

When you are 25 years old you are invincible. You don’t realize that every time you crash diet and lose 20 lbs you have just overworked your heart. You don’t realize that your vitamin counts, muscle tone and energy level have all decreased. You don’t realize that you have probably just taken years off of your life. Your body needs fuel just like your car and your body cannot function properly in starvation mode. Your body needs those stored fat and vitamin reserves to fight off the germs.

Get off the sofa and go for a walk, ride a bike to the store, walk to work if you can, walk the dogs if you have them, mow the grass by yourself with a push mower ( my personal favorite), eat apples and oranges every day, carry celery and bananas and crunchy healthy snacks with you at all times. Call Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers or any other safe diet program. Get a fitness DVD or game for the Xbox… Kinect is awesome!

But, please, whatever you do –  don’t take diet pills, yo-yo diet, starve yourself or sign up for a feeding tube. We will miss you.

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago.

 

Losing weight before your wedding? Consider this

Are you one of the millions of men or women who would like to shed a few pounds before a big event? Would you like to decrease belly fat, eliminate cellulite and have no back fat whatsoever? If so, read on.

Losing weight is difficult. Working out  can be painful and we all know that food is our best frenemy. What to do? I hoep you are ready for this life-changing secret: diet and exercise are your only options. 

If you want to lose weight before your wedding, you need to begin your lifestyle change the minute the ring is on your finger. The sooner you start, the sooner you will see results. 6 months before the big day is the suggested time frame for maximum results, 6 days before is still not too late to lose a pound or two.

There have been hundreds of diet books written and equally as many exercise programs designed specifically for quick weight loss. Do they work? Yes and No. It is possible to lose massive amounts of weight before a big event by deprivation but this is a quick fix and the weight will probably start to come back on the minute you taste the first piece of wedding cake.

The single best way to lose weight is to find a diet and exercise plan that sounds like something you could stick to and proceed with caution. Always consult a physician first. Why consult a physician? Just as every single person has their own unique fingerprint, each person has specific metabolic and nutritional needs. I can personally tell you weight loss horror stories that include shortness of breath, fainting and hair and tooth  loss. True stories from personal experience, not the kind of thing that is made up and emailed to five thousand people.

Diet – The Duakn Diet is the latest diet to receive a ton of media attention due in large part to Carole Middleton ( Mother of future princess Kate). There is also the Wedding Day Diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, South Beach Diet, Atkins and so on. They all work to some degree, and of course individual results vary.  The common thread is the fact that they ALL demand you drinks lots and lots of water. In addition some boast that you can re-train your way of thinking about food and some aim to re-train your body to burn calories in a specific manner.

Fitness – Almost every fitness center or gym offers a cardio program. Enroll. Try out one of the Bridal Boot Camps offered at many gyms, they work! If you can’t join a gym for whatever reason, try a workout CD or video game. Wii and Xbox 360 both have some very strenuous workout regimens where you can actually see your body on TV, in the privacy of your home. The good news is that Bridal workout tapes are targeted specifically for losing inches and toning in the areas that will be the most critical to look and feel better in gowns that are still tending to be strapless. Arms, waist and back are the three most complained about.

The last thing you need before you begin your diet/exercise regime is a realistic goal. Don’t expect to come out on the other end with a 22 inch waist if you never had a small waist to being with. You will be disappointed. Your basic shape will remain the same, only tighter and more tone. You will also reap the benefits of healthy eating by enjoying clearer skin and healthier hair and nails. Its a win/win!

-Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago