Mission LBD

SlimSadieG

Okay, so if you take a look at my profile picture, you will see exactly what I am talking about.

This was a photo taken last night, in the dress that I wore for my 21st birthday. The photo doesn't necessarily do it justice, but let me tell you, this dress is GORGEOUS and I've only ever worn it once.

I can't let that be the case.

On the 15th December I have my work's Christmas do and I am DETERMINED to be back in this LBD by then! I thought I was fighting a lost cause, but some encouragement from my MFPs has lead me to believe that it COULD be done...

So I'm begging for all the help I can get...

What should I be eating? What should I cut out completely? What exercise would specifically target and tone my back/chest?

The rest of the dress fits perfectly. It's just the DAMN ZIP! (Bear in mind, a few months ago I couldn't even get it up passed my bum!)

Come on MFP. Don't let me down...

A desperate Sadie.

russelljclarke

The smart money all says that you can't 'spot reduce' Sadie, so you just have to exercise like crazy and hope it hits the right areas as well as everywhere else in time. As far as diet is concerned, stick to your allotted calories, more if you exercise, and eat clean - this is what helped with my last half stone. Lastly, make sure you drink your 2l of water a day, and cut down on the salt, so that nothing is retained that needn't be.

Luck, and don't forget the photos of when you make your grand entrance!

mariec25

Hi

As has been mentioned, you can't spot target weight loss, it will come off where your body takes it from. However, I have found that jogging has really reduced the size of my back and chest, and I know a lot of other women find this to be the case. I dropped inches there pretty quickly, and I still continue to do so, depending on what you do already you could try couch to 5k or some intermediate training programmes? I know this won't work for everyone but you could give it a try? I am sure there are many other toning exercises out there that others can advise you on.

As for diet, stick with your calorie goals, don't go under in an effort to fit into the dress, and try to eat healthy as much as possible. I think its the only real thing that works.

Good luck and enjoy wearing that dress at Christmas!

fitzie63

At RUSSELLJCLARKE: Excellent reply and your suggestions are more beneficial than any others.

3shirts

As above really. All good advice. Drink plenty of water, stick to your calories and do a mix of cardio and weights. Even for people that don't want to 'bulk up' it is still wise to do a few weights as muscle requires energy to sustain so you will be burning more calories even when idle.
Also, weight training can be targeted so you could aim for toning the chest and back etc. Sadly fat loss just happens however your particular body chooses to use it so you can't target areas for that.

vanessaclarkgbr

As above really. All good advice. Drink plenty of water, stick to your calories and do a mix of cardio and weights. Even for people that don't want to 'bulk up' it is still wise to do a few weights as muscle requires energy to sustain so you will be burning more calories even when idle.
Also, weight training can be targeted so you could aim for toning the chest and back etc. Sadly fat loss just happens however your particular body chooses to use it so you can't target areas for that.

^^Yup that's what I'm talking about - firm boobies etc in that dress! I'd check out Youtube - but the good old press up is a good start, along with the pec deck and lateral pull down (if you've got access to a gym) burpees, anything to keep it all firm while the cardio does its work :-)

SlimSadieG

Thanks everyone! I am well aware that you can't spot reduce weight loss. i try and do plenty of cardio to focus on an all-over loss, but I wondered what strength exercises work the back and chest etc.

You've all given great advice though!

Vanessa - I keep seeing people talk about burpees, but I have no idea what they are?!

SlimSadieG

Oh wait, I've just Googled them...

I do them in Body Attack.

YUCK!

ginandtonica

Morning, Sadie! Well, it is morning in the States, anyway. I love watching your progress on here, you are really very funny and I often relate to your frustrations. I took a look at your food diary, and if you want to make that dress happen I see two things that might help. I noticed that you have a lot of candy/sweets as snacks in the morning. Maybe having a larger, more balanced breakfast would help. A small bowl of cereal or a bar of some sort just seem to leave me even more hungry! Try some oatmeal with milk or soy milk and some fruit or peanut butter in it. Or yogurt (maybe greek, if you like it...lots of protien) with some granola and fruit. Might keep you full longer so you dont eat the sweets before lunch. Maybe have the cereal or granola bar and some tea or water for your snack. I have a really sweet tooth too and I like a sugar free hot cocoa for my sweet treat...it is warm, fills me up and at least gives me some calcium. As far as exercise goes, add in some strength training. Maybe a muscle tone class...anything that does at least 20 min of weights, squats, etc to get those big muscles working and burning more all day.
I think you are on the right track but that you fall into the same trap as me and don't eat enough "good" food so you get too hungry and eat convenient crap because you are starving! I can SO relate. Good luck with getting in to that dress, you will look lovely no matter WHEN you meet that goal. Cheers!