Getting married 2017! Best weight loss tips?

kminjee
kminjee Posts: 49 Member
edited November 28 in Health and Weight Loss
So to give a little backstory, I'm 5ft and 140 and as much as that sounds I'm also a lifter and danced for years so I have a ton of muscle. I have been in a wonderful relationship with m my now fiancé and gained the "comfy" weight and would like to lose 20lbs in about 13 months. I have been eating and drinking well for the two days I've started and working out. I just wanted to see if there were any other tips anyone can advise to keep myself accountable just cause 13 months is a long long time!

Appreciate any advise! Thank you!
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Replies

  • ki4eld
    ki4eld Posts: 1,213 Member
    Speaking as someone who's losing weight: Eat less, move more, weigh your food in grams and log everything you eat or drink.

    Speaking as a former wedding planner: Don't buy a dress too small and think you're going to fit into it. That almost never happens.

    Congrats!
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
    Eat at a deficit for fat loss. Log carefully. Get a digital scale. I suggest weight lifting too. You want your back and arms to look awesome in that dress! Weightlifting can really help change your body composition. Congrats & good luck.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    It sounds like we have a lot in common. I'm 5' tall and a lifter, too. I would like to lose about 20 pounds (I'm at about 145 currently). Only, I've been married 20 years and am losing the baby weight (instead of preparing to get married and wanting to lose the comfy weight :wink:)

    Get in the habit of making mostly good food choices and staying within your calories. Eat foods that are enjoyable to you. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Track your macros and calories and keep lifting. Don't make too big of a deficit. I wouldn't suggest eating under 1500 calories ... you can probably even eat a bit more.

    Making this a sustainable change is the key to sticking with it. I've been on this site for 4 1/2 years (joined when pregnant, got down almost to goal afterwards and then another baby a year ago) and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Those who are the most successful do make this a part of their lifestyle - logging daily food intake, allowing for treats, and eating at a calorie level that doesn't create an extreme deficit. The ones who don't last generally try for 2 pounds a week (or under 1200 calories) when they don't need that fast of a loss, and overdo it with the exercise and denying themselves of anything tasty.

    (Feel free to add me if you want)
  • jackjackattck
    jackjackattck Posts: 117 Member
    I am in the same boat as you, only I am getting married in October 2016. For me, the main motivation is not the wedding dress, it is me in a bikini in Vegas for my bachelorette and in Hawaii on my honeymoon. On top of that, I want to start out my marriage as a new life, in shape, and maintain my figure when I have a baby.

    Although I would never buy a wedding dress that was too small in hopes of fitting, a friend recently suggested I buy the bikini that I would want to wear in Vegas and Hawaii at the size I want to be at. If I don't make that size, it is not too much money lost. But I can hang it up in my room where I can see it every day and be reminded of the goals I have. I want to look back at my wedding and surrounding events years from now and be pleased with the photos, not wishing I was fitter! Good luck to you and conrgats!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Good for you for starting now and not being one of those frantic brides with only a few months to go!

    Just keep in mind that you don't want that to happen to you :)
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    13 months is not really a "long long" time. The rest of your life is. What are you going to do after the wedding? Go back to where you are now? If so, why bother?

    The tip is to count your calories based on the methods explained in the sticky notes on this site.

    100 calories per day is 10 pounds per year. So you could create a deficit of 200 cals per day over what you've been eating, and you can lose those 20 lbs in a year!
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    kminjee wrote: »
    I just wanted to see if there were any other tips anyone can advise to keep myself accountable just cause 13 months is a long long time!

    What are your plans after the 13 months, to avoid regaining the weight?
  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    Congratulations on the upcoming wedding! :)

    I'm 5 ft 2 and I started out in April 2015 at 157lbs - none of which was muscle. I am now around 118 lbs. You can definitely achieve your desired results if you are willing to make lifestyle changes (Sorry for the cliche but it is what it is!). Track your food, eat at a sensible and reasonable deficit and educate yourself about your body's needs.

    I'm always a little weary when people want to lose weight solely for an event. There is no reason why you can't continue to feel fabulous and healthy AFTER your wedding too. Make life changes, not temporary ones. You'll thank yourself for it (Though I'm sure you look great already).
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    Perhaps I should clarify - I do want to keep the weight off after my wedding! But I would like to hold one goal at a time. So right now the goal is to get into the new habits so i can keep them for the long haul! thank you all so much for the tips and congrats to all who have the same goals and future marriages to come! I dont plan on buying a dress right now just rather to see what looks good on me (of course things might change as i lose weight)
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    kminjee wrote: »
    I just wanted to see if there were any other tips anyone can advise to keep myself accountable just cause 13 months is a long long time!

    What are your plans after the 13 months, to avoid regaining the weight?

    To keep the weight off! I like to just keep one goal at a time! :)
  • HutchA12
    HutchA12 Posts: 279 Member
    kminjee wrote: »
    So to give a little backstory, I'm 5ft and 140 and as much as that sounds I'm also a lifter and danced for years so I have a ton of muscle.

    Lies you weigh at least 2140 pounds.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    HutchA12 wrote: »
    kminjee wrote: »
    So to give a little backstory, I'm 5ft and 140 and as much as that sounds I'm also a lifter and danced for years so I have a ton of muscle.

    Lies you weigh at least 2140 pounds.

    Totally
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    ki4eld wrote: »
    Speaking as someone who's losing weight: Eat less, move more, weigh your food in grams and log everything you eat or drink.

    Speaking as a former wedding planner: Don't buy a dress too small and think you're going to fit into it. That almost never happens.

    Congrats!

    Oh gosh!! I would never! I want to be a decent weight first then i will buy a dress!! :)
  • BioQueen
    BioQueen Posts: 694 Member
    edited January 2016
    More of a "losing weight for the wedding" tip (although biggest tip - don't lose weight JUST for your wedding, health is more for just an event). Get a dress that you can alter easily. I LOVED my dress, and it was super easy to get fittings done for, and I lost weight up until the week before, so if I wasn't able to get it altered a little a week before, I would have been in a little trouble. I lost 50 lbs total for my wedding, although it has been over a few years. I lost the last 25 the year before the wedding.

    *Edit: I also want to say you don't have to delay buying a dress depending on the dress you want and the size. I bought a size 10 or 12 and by the time I wore it it had been altered down to probably a 4 (not all dresses can do this). Just don't wait -too- long to get a dress before your wedding. You need at least 8 months to get it in.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    Congratulations on the upcoming wedding! :)

    I'm 5 ft 2 and I started out in April 2015 at 157lbs - none of which was muscle. I am now around 118 lbs. You can definitely achieve your desired results if you are willing to make lifestyle changes (Sorry for the cliche but it is what it is!). Track your food, eat at a sensible and reasonable deficit and educate yourself about your body's needs.

    I'm always a little weary when people want to lose weight solely for an event. There is no reason why you can't continue to feel fabulous and healthy AFTER your wedding too. Make life changes, not temporary ones. You'll thank yourself for it (Though I'm sure you look great already).

    About howlong did it take you to lose all of that? Any tips?
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    I am in the same boat as you, only I am getting married in October 2016. For me, the main motivation is not the wedding dress, it is me in a bikini in Vegas for my bachelorette and in Hawaii on my honeymoon. On top of that, I want to start out my marriage as a new life, in shape, and maintain my figure when I have a baby.

    Although I would never buy a wedding dress that was too small in hopes of fitting, a friend recently suggested I buy the bikini that I would want to wear in Vegas and Hawaii at the size I want to be at. If I don't make that size, it is not too much money lost. But I can hang it up in my room where I can see it every day and be reminded of the goals I have. I want to look back at my wedding and surrounding events years from now and be pleased with the photos, not wishing I was fitter! Good luck to you and conrgats!

    Congrats to you too!!! So exciting. Vegas is a good motivator too! I have never owned a bikini so that would be a good thing fo rme to shoot for as well! haha. The Bikini goal is good though - i wish you all the best of luck to achieve that goal :)
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    mathjulz wrote: »
    It sounds like we have a lot in common. I'm 5' tall and a lifter, too. I would like to lose about 20 pounds (I'm at about 145 currently). Only, I've been married 20 years and am losing the baby weight (instead of preparing to get married and wanting to lose the comfy weight :wink:)

    Get in the habit of making mostly good food choices and staying within your calories. Eat foods that are enjoyable to you. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Track your macros and calories and keep lifting. Don't make too big of a deficit. I wouldn't suggest eating under 1500 calories ... you can probably even eat a bit more.

    Making this a sustainable change is the key to sticking with it. I've been on this site for 4 1/2 years (joined when pregnant, got down almost to goal afterwards and then another baby a year ago) and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Those who are the most successful do make this a part of their lifestyle - logging daily food intake, allowing for treats, and eating at a calorie level that doesn't create an extreme deficit. The ones who don't last generally try for 2 pounds a week (or under 1200 calories) when they don't need that fast of a loss, and overdo it with the exercise and denying themselves of anything tasty.

    (Feel free to add me if you want)

    what the heck is macros??? haha.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Good for you for starting now and not being one of those frantic brides with only a few months to go!

    Just keep in mind that you don't want that to happen to you :)

    Thank you! No no, i am such a planner and like to do things in advance to have room for the things that could go wrong haha.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    Talan79 wrote: »
    Eat at a deficit for fat loss. Log carefully. Get a digital scale. I suggest weight lifting too. You want your back and arms to look awesome in that dress! Weightlifting can really help change your body composition. Congrats & good luck.

    Where can you get a digital scale?
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    kminjee wrote: »
    Talan79 wrote: »
    Eat at a deficit for fat loss. Log carefully. Get a digital scale. I suggest weight lifting too. You want your back and arms to look awesome in that dress! Weightlifting can really help change your body composition. Congrats & good luck.

    Where can you get a digital scale?

    Pretty much anywhere that has a kitchen supplies section. If I were looking for another one, I'd probably go with Amazon. I got mine from the grocery store.
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    kminjee wrote: »
    mathjulz wrote: »
    It sounds like we have a lot in common. I'm 5' tall and a lifter, too. I would like to lose about 20 pounds (I'm at about 145 currently). Only, I've been married 20 years and am losing the baby weight (instead of preparing to get married and wanting to lose the comfy weight :wink:)

    Get in the habit of making mostly good food choices and staying within your calories. Eat foods that are enjoyable to you. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Track your macros and calories and keep lifting. Don't make too big of a deficit. I wouldn't suggest eating under 1500 calories ... you can probably even eat a bit more.

    Making this a sustainable change is the key to sticking with it. I've been on this site for 4 1/2 years (joined when pregnant, got down almost to goal afterwards and then another baby a year ago) and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Those who are the most successful do make this a part of their lifestyle - logging daily food intake, allowing for treats, and eating at a calorie level that doesn't create an extreme deficit. The ones who don't last generally try for 2 pounds a week (or under 1200 calories) when they don't need that fast of a loss, and overdo it with the exercise and denying themselves of anything tasty.

    (Feel free to add me if you want)

    what the heck is macros??? haha.

    Macros are macronutrients: Carbs, fat and protein.
    If your goal is strictly to lose weight and see a lower number on the scale, they don't mean much to you.
    If your goal is to lose more fat and less muscle and end up with better body composition, they're your best friend.

    Protein makes you feel fuller and is used for muscle protein synthesis (meaning that eating more of it will result in retaining more muscle as you lose weight so that more of your weight lost is actually fat).

    Fat also make you feel fuller and is beneficial for health in many ways (healthy joints, healthy hormone production which happens to also be beneficial for weight loss, healthy skin and hair...)

    Carbs are your main source of energy. After you've gotten enough protein (.8 to1 gram per lb of bodyweight) and enough fat (.35 to .45 grams (I think, this is from memory) per lb of bodyweight) then the rest of your calories will come from carbs (fueling workouts and just generally giving you the energy to go through the day).
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
    kminjee wrote: »
    Talan79 wrote: »
    Eat at a deficit for fat loss. Log carefully. Get a digital scale. I suggest weight lifting too. You want your back and arms to look awesome in that dress! Weightlifting can really help change your body composition. Congrats & good luck.

    Where can you get a digital scale?

    Bed Bath & Beyond has them. As low as $20.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    kminjee wrote: »
    mathjulz wrote: »
    It sounds like we have a lot in common. I'm 5' tall and a lifter, too. I would like to lose about 20 pounds (I'm at about 145 currently). Only, I've been married 20 years and am losing the baby weight (instead of preparing to get married and wanting to lose the comfy weight :wink:)

    Get in the habit of making mostly good food choices and staying within your calories. Eat foods that are enjoyable to you. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Track your macros and calories and keep lifting. Don't make too big of a deficit. I wouldn't suggest eating under 1500 calories ... you can probably even eat a bit more.

    Making this a sustainable change is the key to sticking with it. I've been on this site for 4 1/2 years (joined when pregnant, got down almost to goal afterwards and then another baby a year ago) and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Those who are the most successful do make this a part of their lifestyle - logging daily food intake, allowing for treats, and eating at a calorie level that doesn't create an extreme deficit. The ones who don't last generally try for 2 pounds a week (or under 1200 calories) when they don't need that fast of a loss, and overdo it with the exercise and denying themselves of anything tasty.

    (Feel free to add me if you want)

    what the heck is macros??? haha.

    Macros are macronutrients: Carbs, fat and protein.
    If your goal is strictly to lose weight and see a lower number on the scale, they don't mean much to you.
    If your goal is to lose more fat and less muscle and end up with better body composition, they're your best friend.

    Protein makes you feel fuller and is used for muscle protein synthesis (meaning that eating more of it will result in retaining more muscle as you lose weight so that more of your weight lost is actually fat).

    Fat also make you feel fuller and is beneficial for health in many ways (healthy joints, healthy hormone production which happens to also be beneficial for weight loss, healthy skin and hair...)

    Carbs are your main source of energy. After you've gotten enough protein (.8 to1 gram per lb of bodyweight) and enough fat (.35 to .45 grams (I think, this is from memory) per lb of bodyweight) then the rest of your calories will come from carbs (fueling workouts and just generally giving you the energy to go through the day).

    Thank you for explaining!
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    kminjee wrote: »
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    kminjee wrote: »
    mathjulz wrote: »
    It sounds like we have a lot in common. I'm 5' tall and a lifter, too. I would like to lose about 20 pounds (I'm at about 145 currently). Only, I've been married 20 years and am losing the baby weight (instead of preparing to get married and wanting to lose the comfy weight :wink:)

    Get in the habit of making mostly good food choices and staying within your calories. Eat foods that are enjoyable to you. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Track your macros and calories and keep lifting. Don't make too big of a deficit. I wouldn't suggest eating under 1500 calories ... you can probably even eat a bit more.

    Making this a sustainable change is the key to sticking with it. I've been on this site for 4 1/2 years (joined when pregnant, got down almost to goal afterwards and then another baby a year ago) and I've seen a lot of people come and go. Those who are the most successful do make this a part of their lifestyle - logging daily food intake, allowing for treats, and eating at a calorie level that doesn't create an extreme deficit. The ones who don't last generally try for 2 pounds a week (or under 1200 calories) when they don't need that fast of a loss, and overdo it with the exercise and denying themselves of anything tasty.

    (Feel free to add me if you want)

    what the heck is macros??? haha.

    Macros are macronutrients: Carbs, fat and protein.
    If your goal is strictly to lose weight and see a lower number on the scale, they don't mean much to you.
    If your goal is to lose more fat and less muscle and end up with better body composition, they're your best friend.

    Protein makes you feel fuller and is used for muscle protein synthesis (meaning that eating more of it will result in retaining more muscle as you lose weight so that more of your weight lost is actually fat).

    Fat also make you feel fuller and is beneficial for health in many ways (healthy joints, healthy hormone production which happens to also be beneficial for weight loss, healthy skin and hair...)

    Carbs are your main source of energy. After you've gotten enough protein (.8 to1 gram per lb of bodyweight) and enough fat (.35 to .45 grams (I think, this is from memory) per lb of bodyweight) then the rest of your calories will come from carbs (fueling workouts and just generally giving you the energy to go through the day).

    Thank you for explaining!

    No problem!
    Here's a good thread to check out on the subject.

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819055/setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets#latest
  • dolliesdaughter
    dolliesdaughter Posts: 544 Member
    edited January 2016
    ki4eld wrote: »
    Speaking as a former wedding planner: Don't buy a dress too small and think you're going to fit into it. That almost never happens.

    Congrats!
    I do not understand why people do this. Purchase a dress at your current size and have it tailored down. Why is that so difficult? The only people who know the size are you and the place where you purchased. Everyone knows wedding gowns fit small anyway. A good friend of mine has been a size 6 her whole adult life and with vanity sizing she was a "4". Why was couldn't she get a size 4 wedding gown past her thighs, size 6 wouldn't zip, size 8 she couldn't breathe, she had to purchase a 10?????? She had to have the size 10 waist nipped in, but that was it.
  • mrsloganlife
    mrsloganlife Posts: 158 Member
    As a recent bride, this is great you are losing weight overall not just to look good in that dress :smiley:

    If down the road your weight loss is not going the way you hoped--don't stress! Remember your soon to be husband loves you no matter what and he will think you are 100% beautiful on the big day. Also wedding planning can get stressful. I don't know if you are a stress eater or a stress drinker (I was the latter), but don't let the blindness of stress derail. You can always walk away from the planning for an hour or two, go on a walk, clear your head, etc. Don't reach for the bottle(s) of wine/beer/that really tasty burger. Congratulations and best of luck!

    Also on the day of I do suggest eating a solid breakfast. The day is so busy and everyone will want to be congratulating you that dinner will be a bit difficult. On my big day my maid of honor literally spoon fed me fruit and yogurt while I was getting my hair ready--and I am so glad she did because after all the planning of the delicious dinner...I literally got 5 bites in. I did get to take back to our wedding condo about four cupcakes though ;)

    (And yes, don't size down on a dress purchase. It's easier to take in than it is to take out, and it is also a really good feeling when you get told the dress has to be taken in!)
  • krithsai
    krithsai Posts: 668 Member
    20 lbs in 13 months is TOTALLY doable. Log, log, log and log some more. Weigh your food and exercise when you can.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    ki4eld wrote: »
    Speaking as a former wedding planner: Don't buy a dress too small and think you're going to fit into it. That almost never happens.

    Congrats!
    I do not understand why people do this. Purchase a dress at your current size and have it tailored down. Why is that so difficult? The only people who know the size are you and the place where you purchased. Everyone knows wedding gowns fit small anyway. A good friend of mine has been a size 6 her whole adult life and with vanity sizing she was a "4". Why was couldn't she get a size 4 wedding gown past her thighs, size 6 wouldn't zip, size 8 she couldn't breathe, she had to purchase a 10?????? She had to have the size 10 waist nipped in, but that was it.

    Vanity Sizing is so horrible. But i with you on this, i don't plan on buying a dress, but rather just to see what looks good on my body.
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    As a recent bride, this is great you are losing weight overall not just to look good in that dress :smiley:

    If down the road your weight loss is not going the way you hoped--don't stress! Remember your soon to be husband loves you no matter what and he will think you are 100% beautiful on the big day. Also wedding planning can get stressful. I don't know if you are a stress eater or a stress drinker (I was the latter), but don't let the blindness of stress derail. You can always walk away from the planning for an hour or two, go on a walk, clear your head, etc. Don't reach for the bottle(s) of wine/beer/that really tasty burger. Congratulations and best of luck!

    Also on the day of I do suggest eating a solid breakfast. The day is so busy and everyone will want to be congratulating you that dinner will be a bit difficult. On my big day my maid of honor literally spoon fed me fruit and yogurt while I was getting my hair ready--and I am so glad she did because after all the planning of the delicious dinner...I literally got 5 bites in. I did get to take back to our wedding condo about four cupcakes though ;)

    (And yes, don't size down on a dress purchase. It's easier to take in than it is to take out, and it is also a really good feeling when you get told the dress has to be taken in!)

    Thank you so much and congrats to you and your newly married life! I know how to deal with stress and I am such a control freak myself that I think the stress will be fine. Luckily my venue includes ALOT of the things so i dont have to worry about flowers, music, decor, etc. so my main focus is just to lose weight in the healthiest way possible just because i do have quite a bit of time. I want to develop the good habits especially before my big day! So that wedding day I can eat those '4' cupcakes! haha.

    I def dont plan on downsizing a dress, i just wanted to see what is the best route to go :) Thank you so soso much for your advise!
  • kminjee
    kminjee Posts: 49 Member
    krithsai wrote: »
    20 lbs in 13 months is TOTALLY doable. Log, log, log and log some more. Weigh your food and exercise when you can.

    that is the plan!
This discussion has been closed.