Must fit the white dress & need support!

Confession: I'm terrified I won't fit into my wedding dress for August. I've gained 14 lbs since I bought it last year and it didn't fit then (at 177 lbs). So, my goal is to lose 25 lbs in order that I can enjoy my little white (ivory!) dress on my big day. My plan is to go to the gym 3 times a week (which I've been doing now for a few weeks). I will also plan my work meals so I have plenty of options to eat during my day. I will also treat myself to goodies in a balanced fashion - which means eating consciously and no sneak eating. I will also attempt to drink plenty of water. I'm sure I suffer from dehydration regularly, so it will be important to ensure I have fluids. The goal is for a pound of weight loss a week - but inches would be better! :).

I'm really struggling to do it on my own this time and I'm not sure why, so I need the support.

My biggest issue is eating at night when I get home after a long day when I'm super hungry. It's as though I need to stuff my face to feel the comfort of a full belly. If I were able to change that, I'm sure I'd see more success. Also, weekend outings with friends are becoming more the norm, so I've got to watch those choices as well.

I've got no back-up dress - the one I have is the one I'm going to wear, so it's crunch time. It's now or never!!

Join me!? :)

Replies

  • elghee123
    elghee123 Posts: 489 Member
    Well, the white dress is a good motivation to lose weight. Losing the weight would also make you more feel comfortable on the big day. I say you still have time. 3 times a week is good but the habit of eating is the problem. Can't you control yourself?
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    You'll have heard it before - but weight loss is 80% diet, and very little to do with exercise. You HAVE to get your eating under control, the exercise is a second priority.
  • jigsaw_me
    jigsaw_me Posts: 616 Member
    hang your dress or a picture of your dress where you can see it in the evening

    put one on the kitchen door

    put one on the fridge ...

    maybe that will help you keep focused in the evening ..
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    if thats the dress you have then surely its incentive enough!?

    i would pre log each day ensuring that you have enough cals left for your evening meal so that you can still stuff your face!

    do you do strength/resistance training as part of your routine?
  • Of course its doable! ...sounds like you need to figure out the naughty sneak eating and late night snacks (don't we all!) figure out why, talk LOADS to you lovely H2B and make sure the best day of your life IS the best day of your life.

    I'm so wise when dishing out advice, soon i'll start listening myself!

    P.S. tell us what the dress is like!
  • Therealobi1
    Therealobi1 Posts: 3,262 Member
    you have enough time to do this if you stay focused. Take a picture of the dress and place it everywhere so you can remember what you need to do. It really is about your calorie intake. You can eat at night but budget for it by it eating less during the day then. MY goal last year was not too be huge on my holidays and I did it because I just really wanted it. Still enjoy your outings but plan for what you will have. You dont need to cut out the treats just cut them down.

    You will do it. x
  • janetay01
    janetay01 Posts: 1,299 Member
    Congratulations on your coming wedding - if you are talking about the dress in your profile pic, it is beautiful :)

    Agree with TavistockToad - prelog as much as you can, even down to planning your meals a few days in advance. Shop so that you have everything in that you need - that way, you can move straight into preparing food when you get home hungry rather than reaching for whatever you can find. Drink water and maybe keep a healthy snack to the side - if I'm that hungry when I get home, I will much on a portion of grapes or something similar - keeps the hunger pangs at bay without breaking the calorie bank balance!

    And yes, it is 80% food/20% exercise - but some exercise in the evenings should make you feel good and will distract you from eating! I know it's easy to say but I do honestly find that 20-30 mins in the evening on a workout DVD stops me from eating in front of the tv.

    Good luck - have sent you a friend request!
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    If you want to eat more a night, save calories for then by eating lighter throughout the day.
  • Go low carb and the weight will fall off. Southbeach diet is great! Cutting carbs can be very difficult initially, but hang in there for a week or two and you will start th see major changes in your appetite. I used to eat lots of carbs, cereal, bread, pretzels and such and was always hungry. Now I start my day with egg casserole that I make every Sunday, salad with some kind of lean protein for lunch and the same for dinner. My appetite has dropped so much that some days I actually have to remind myself to eat. I do allow myself a cheat day every week where I can eat whatever I want, hamburger( with bun) french fries or a candy bar. A sudden spike in carbs after a low carb period can actually help spike weightloss. I have lost 7 lbs since januare 1st:) Also, check out a website called Kalyn' kitchen, there are tons of great recipies there. Good luck!
  • Thanks all.

    Long story short - I've lost the same 30-40 lbs at least 4 times. This is not my first rodeo. The difference is that I'm generally content where I am with my weight - not thrilled, but not self-loathing either. My motivation is no longer based on wanting to be thin. My life is pretty much under control (except a super stressful job). I just need to take better of my mental health and find some good self-care rituals/activities so that it isn't food that's providing the comfort at the end of a tough, busy day.

    Had I bought a dress that fit me now, I'd probably be fine, but I was silly and bought a unique one that was on sale... and too small, lol! It's a transformer dress - so long and short :)

    If it were so easy, we'd all have it mastered, but it's not and this is just another leg of the journey for me. I just want my dress to fit because there is no back-up!
  • suzely0530
    suzely0530 Posts: 150 Member
    Congratulations on your upcomming wedding ! I got married last month and I know the pressure of wanting to look perfect on your special day ! I've been on MFP for over a year and log on several times per day. I woudl be happy to offer support and any other ladies, if you'd like support please feel free to add me :)
  • I'm going to say something a little different.... I think exercise is *critical* in managing stress which in turn helps us eat less (and also allows us to eat more without gaining). I would explode into a million stressed-out shards if I didn't work out almost every day.

    Could you aim for an hour of work-out-like activity a day vs. three times a week? Walk to the store, bike to work, go to the gym, lift weight, whatever. Weight lifting is a great stress reliever for me. Running too. I do both in the evening because that's my super-stressed gobble-all-the-food time.

    I think its super awesome how comfortable you are with your body. Is there any way you could hire someone to make the dress fit you no matter where you are a couple weeks before your wedding? That way you can focus on taking care of yourself and not stress out so much about fitting into the dress. IDK how these things work - very little experience with weddings :)
  • I feel you. i have to fit into a mother of the groom dress and its small. I am trying medifast for a month to see what happens.