gained weight after initial dress fitting

[nikki2]

Unfortunately over the past 3 years my weight has been on a steady uphill climb. When I got engaged in June I thought that would be the motivation needed for me to lose some weight and get back in shape. However instead I gained 15 lbs over the summer and my first visit to David’s Bridal was a nightmare. There I was with all my old girlfriends getting measured and trying on dresses at 185 lbs when just 2 years ago I was in the 120’s. The lady at David’s Bridal recommended I order a size 14 or 16, a frightening number to me, and instead I order a size 12 saying I was going on a diet. Now the brides maid dresses and the wedding dress are in and I am too embarrassed to go in for the fitting since as of this morning I weigh 203 lbs and there is no way I am going to be able to fit into a size 12(especially since I am only 5 ft 2 inches tall).
So now I have no clue what I am going to do. I have never really dieted or tried to lose weight before, until 3 years ago I was lucky enough be just naturally thin despite not the greatest eating habits. Now my appetite has caught up with me and my figure is paying the price. I told all the girls in my bridal party we would go to David’s Bridal soon to try on the dresses and get measured for alteration, I am just embarrassed how I am going to look trying on a size 12 dress.
I am sorry for the length of this post, I am just venting and getting stuff of my chest. However I am wondering if anyone else experienced a pre-wedding weight gain, and if so how did the dress place handle it, and also how did you handle it?

[Moon.Dust.]

you have nothing to be sorry about!
That's the beauty of venting. You get it all out there.
Have you thought about calling David's Bridal and letting them know of the situation? Maybe something can be done. I know you're embarrassed, but it has to be handled. Honey, I'm MUCH larger than you, I've been engaged for over 1.5 years, and I'm still at the same weight that I was when we got engaged.
Now yes you CAN work towards weight loss and toning up. I'm not saying not to, but it's better to face your current weight and get something that flatter your current shape. And if you happen to shrink... yay!

[gwenshack]

Oh honey, it'll be ok! :)

When is your wedding? How much time do you have?

I second the idea of calling David's Bridal to see if they can do anything to help you out. But if all else fails you can eat healthy and exercise or get a different dress. Frankly, I'd get a different dress. Your FH loves you no matter what - but you want to feel beautiful on your day - find something that works for you. :)

Good luck!

[WBandMe]

I agree with Gwen... I'd probably get a different dress, or at least the same one in a different size.

I got my dress at David's and she gave me the option of ordering between two sizes, and I went for the smaller one. She told me that when it came in if it didn't fit I could exchange it for the other size for free as long as I did it quickly, not 6 months later. Try calling them or even going in by yourself to talk and see what they say.

I have never seen a bride who wasn't beautiful even if her dress was a 14, 16, 24 whatever. You'll be gorgeous and you shouldn't feel ashamed about wanting a gown that fits you beautifully, regardless of what size it is. I'm sure the David's consultants have been through just about every dress experience possible with their brides, and they'll be more than happy to help you!

[Fishlips]

One of my best friends is constantly talking about losing weight and how much weight she's gained (I think she's a size 12 or 14). Of course, she had a baby a year and a half ago. However, she is easily one of my beautiful friends. So first and foremost, to your friends, family and fiance, the number on the tag means nothing to them.

Second, don't get flustered or frustrated. And don't make an unreasonable goal. I think everyone should always strive to be healthy, but everyone's frame makes "healthy" different for everyone. If you are a size 12 now, shoot to be a size 8. Not a size 2, it will just make you loose focus and probably negate your hard work.

Third, my wedding is on a very tight budget and as much as I would love to hire a personal trainer, but NO WAY NO HOW and I'm going to afford that. But I looked at the local community center and you can get a plethora of classes, from yoga to "boot camp" workouts, for like $50 for 12 weeks! TAKE THAT EXPENSIVE GYMS!

Hang in there! It seems defeating now, but use that to your advantage! You will be beautiful on your wedding day. He will see you as the most beautiful woman ever. A number is only a number.

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Don't worry chica, wedding dresses tend to run smaller than they really are especially at David's Bridal. As the other girls asked, when is the wedding? I would just start getting on track and eating healthy and the rest will fall into place. :)

[nikki2]

The wedding is on April 4 so I have a little time to work with. However I am worried about losing the weight, since I have never really been on a diet before and technically I have been trying to lose weight since June and have only managed to gain 30 lbs. I love food, have horrible eating habits, and at 203 lbs it feels ackward when I try to do any type of physical activity. I wish my body was like it was 3 years ago when i could eat anything and not gain weight.

[animal.crackers]

Hi!

I'm sorry about the weight struggle... I think that most of us have dealt with it before- it sucks that it's interfering with your dress =(. I would definitely call David's right away and see if you can exchange your dress for the right size that you are NOW. If you hate seeing the number, take a sharpie and black it out or cut out the tag on your new (fitting) dress.

If you can't exchange it, maybe try to sell yours and buy it in the size that fits. The size is just a size, and you should get the size that flatters your body. You WILL be beautiful, no matter what size you are!

I would size it for how you are NOW just to be safe. If you do lose weight, they can always take it in! And as far as the weight loss- I can recommend Weight Watchers. It's about moderation, and it's healthy and effective and emphasizes being active no matter what your fitness level. I have used it before, and I'm signing up again (oops, I've gained 10-15, too) later this week. That's my suggestion. =) Good luck!

[Moon.Dust.]

The wedding is on April 4 so I have a little time to work with. However I am worried about losing the weight, since I have never really been on a diet before and technically I have been trying to lose weight since June and have only managed to gain 30 lbs. I love food, have horrible eating habits, and at 203 lbs it feels ackward when I try to do any type of physical activity. I wish my body was like it was 3 years ago when i could eat anything and not gain weight.
When I started to get serious about my weight loss and did the eating right/exercise thing and wound up GAINING weight. I was upset. I really wanted to quit, but I was terrified that if I was gaining weight “eating right & working out” what was I going to be like when I STOPPED that?

I was honestly at a loss.

So I went to the doctor and was completely honest with them. I mean HONEST. I told them what I’d been doing, what the results were, and that I needed help. They did some blood work to see where I was health wise (check kidneys, blood sugar, ect.), then she gave me some recommendations.

I can NOT say enough about getting your doctor on board to helping you lose weight!! It seems like it’s something you should be able to do on your own, but take it from someone who’s tried EVERY crash diet out there and then some –go to an expert.

Here’s something to think about. Like I mentioned I tried all the diets -6 week body makeover, low card, Adkins, Lindora, even that “cleanse” thing. Ok what I didn’t know was that my insulin was high so this was just screwing with my chemistry and when I actually had a breakdown because of doing nothing but that cleanse thing for 4 days I had no one to blame but myself. Once I saw a doctor and we found out everything my body needed work on and we started addressing those issues, I started to see results. No I’m not talking 10 pounds in a week –more like 4 in a month, but they were SOMETHING and something meaningful.

Sorry this got wordy.

[RosieAngel]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry! :hug: My best friend is your height, and 240 lbs. When I met her, she was about 300. She lost 60 lbs (and still dropping!) by doing the following:


Going to the gym for one hour, every day. She would do light weights M-W-F-Su, and do a brisk walk on the treadmill Tu-Th-Sa. I went with her until I moved in with my husband, because we lived too far away from each other.
Parking her car in the last row of parking spaces, to make her walk further to where she needed to go.
Drinking green tea, which is delicious without sugar, instead of soda.
Eating fruit whenever she wants candy.
Skim milk instead of 2%.
Brown rice and whole-wheat pasta instead of white rice and normal pasta (It's SO much yummier than white rice, She got me hooked!)


She didn't have to do anything weird or anything. Just hit the gym and do a few minor substitutions, and she lost 60 lbs!

As far as the dress goes, I would just cut my losses and get another one. You can ebay the first, especially if it hasn't been altered!

EDIT: ARGH, why aren't the bullets showing up? :snide: