Have you got a summer wedding on the horizon? If you’re thinking about losing weight in time for your big day, you’ll want to get started a few months in advance. This makes February prime-time for getting your fitness and nutrition into gear.
However, it can seem like such a long time away which makes it tempting to procrastinate. Unfortunately, this can lead to stress and anxiety for some people who then struggle to reach their goals in time. So, taking action now is your best option for getting the results (and wedding photographs!) you really want.
What to do to lose weight for wedding
Wondering where to begin? Here are 5 practical tips to help you lose weight in time for your summer wedding…
1. Start early
The earlier you start, the easier the entire process will be. You may be able to achieve your goal weight well in advance of your big day which makes ordering the dress and attending fittings much easier. It’ll also put less stress on you, both physically and mentally, and help to avoid saggy skin that can occur when people panic and try to lose weight too quickly nearer their end date.
Set yourself a deadline that’s well in advance of your actual wedding day and allows enough time for small but consistent weight loss. Aim to lose a maximum of 1-2 pounds (0.5-1kg) per week so that your skin and metabolism are able to adapt accordingly. Include mini-goals or milestones along the way so you can see how far you’re progressing towards your main objective.
2. Understand your energy requirements
If you don’t consume enough calories, you won’t have the energy to do all the running around that planning a wedding entails. This can lead to you feeling tired and lethargic which will make the whole experience much less enjoyable. It’ll start to feel like a chore instead of an exciting activity and may even lead to you feeling faint or passing out. So, it’s important to understand what your energy requirements are so you can balance weight loss with sufficient fuel.
There are lots of calorie calculators available online that’ll tell you how much energy you need based on your weight, activity levels, and fitness goals. You can also check out this article that explains how many calories you need to lose weight in more detail.
To ensure you see consistent progress, you’ll need to recalculate your energy needs every 4-6 weeks. This is because you’ll gradually need fewer calories as you shed the pounds, so it’s important to keep revisiting your energy intake as your body adapts.
3. Identify & address your worst food habits
We all have weaknesses when it comes to food and drink. Perhaps it’s white wine spritzers after work, junk food when you’re too tired to cook, or the inability to stop at ‘just one’ cookie. Taking an objective look at your food habits can go a long way to getting you on track for your goals. Identifying the biggest contributors to your weight gain will enable you to address them so that you’re able to slim down by your big day.
A great way to do this is to keep a food diary for a week – this can be written or on your phone. Record everything you consume including snacks and drinks so that you have an overall picture of your calorie intake. Then pick out the things that are high in calories and saturated fat and make a plan to reduce consumption or replace them with healthier alternatives.
For most of us, these are likely to be junk food, high-sugar snacks, or alcoholic drinks. But you may also need to look at reducing your portion sizes (PhenQ can help to control your appetite) or eating more good stuff, like fresh fruit and veg.
4. Find a workout you love
For many people, it’s not enough to simply lose weight for their wedding day. They don’t just want to look slimmer, they want to look toned and healthy. If you fall into this category, then incorporating exercise into your lifestyle is going to be essential. It’s important for anyone trying to lose weight as it burns calories and boosts the metabolism. But it’s absolutely crucial if you want to tone up muscles and get a lean physique.
The key to making exercise a lifestyle habit is finding something that you love. Not everyone enjoys pounding away on the treadmill, but there are plenty of other activities that’ll help you burn calories. Try joining a dance class or taking up CrossFit, both of which will test your coordination as well as defining your muscles.
Think about the activities you loved as a child, such as trampolining or volleyball, and then seek out a club for adults. You could also consider working with a personal trainer who can devise a program that’s customized to your needs and fun too. If there are specific areas that you want to address (like upper arms or back) then they can create a tailored workout plan that addresses these things.
5. Don’t let it distract you from what matters
It’s also important to remember that your big day is about making a commitment to the guy or girl you’re in love with. If losing weight is going to put unnecessary pressure on you or ruin your enjoyment of the planning and build up, then ask yourself if it’s really worth it. You’ve clearly found someone who loves you just the way you are so perhaps it’s time to start seeing yourself the way they do and loving yourself a little more.
Starting early and understanding your energy requirements will put you in the best position for achieving your weight loss goals in plenty of time. By combining workouts you love with an improved approach to eating and drinking, you’ll shift your energy balance into negative territory which is where the pounds melt away. Just remember not to lose sight of why you’re getting married and what the most important aspects of your wedding really are.
Read: How to Keep New Year’s Weight Loss Resolutions
Wedding dress weight loss FAQ’s
Losing weight in the build-up to your wedding presents some practical challenges regarding the dress. Here are a few tips for getting the look you want no matter what your size
Q: How do I know which size dress to order when I don’t know how long it’ll take to get down to my goal weight?
A: Starting early will help with this as you should be able to reach your goal weight well in advance of your dress ordering deadline. Setting smaller milestones will also help you to predict what weight and size you’ll be for the various stages of fitting.
Q: What dress style is most flattering for larger brides?
A: Your best approach is to go with a dress that accentuates the things that you love about your body. If that means a plunging cleavage or shorter hemline, then go for it! If there are areas that you’re less confident about, such as your upper arms or back, then lace is a good option for providing more coverage.
Q: Should I make decisions based on the body I have or the body I want?
A: This is a really personal choice – for some people, having an ambitious goal will motivate them to workout consistently and make healthy food choices. But for others, it’ll be a source of stress and worry which can overshadow what’s supposed to be a happy time. It really comes down to knowing yourself and accepting that your size doesn’t define your beauty.
Q: How can I speed up weight loss if I’m running out of time?
A: Sometimes, we leave it a little later than we should to plan our weight loss. Even a boozy hen weekend can knock us off course for that final dress fitting. To lose those last few pounds, we recommend dropping to a 1000 calorie-a-day diet, and supplementing with PhenQ. Doing this should allow you to see some rapid results in a relatively short space of time.
