I need help!

[ikkin510]

Ok ladies. I need help. I have been trying to loss weight for a while now. It's not working. I went and tried on my dress tonight. It's even farther from being able to close then it was last time I tried over 2 months ago. I need to loss about 2 inches in my waist in just under 2 months and don't know how to do it. I can not afford alterations, and from what I was told, there really isn't that much extra fabric to work with. Does anyone know what else I can try? I have been trying to eat healthy, not as big of meals. I don't drink soda, only water. I try to walk everyday and do sit ups. I don't know what else to try! Please help me come up with some more ideas to try!

[JennF]

Ok, I'm not expert, but I can tell you the last thing you want to do is go on a crash diet. I do have a few suggestions that may help.

1. Do not try to go on some sort of crash diet. Not only will that not work for long term weight loss, but it could backfire for short term weight loss too. Plus, you want to be looking healthy and glowing on your wedding day. :)

2. Write down everything you eat. Don't just try to healthy meals (although that's a good start.) Really pay attention to portion size. Most of us walk around really unaware of exactly what we're putting in our mouths. It adds up. I don't care if you count calories, points, or carbs. The point is to count them. (And remember, not all food is created equal. Veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins are what you're looking for here.)

3. Excercise. Cardio excercise is good for you because it will burn calories, but what you really want to do is get in some resistance training. Muscle takes up less space than fat and you can really see a change in your body with relatively little fat loss just by toning up. Sit ups are a good idea, but be sure that you're excercising those obliques as well. Maybe think about excercising using a stability ball, that's great for getting a good core work out.

4. Think about really good foundation garments. Sometimes wearing something that smooths things out can make a big difference in the fit of a garment.

These are just some thoughts. I'm not an expert, in fact I've got a lot of weight to lose myself. But these are the things that are working for me so I thought I'd pass them along.

[WebLady]

While I am not a fan a crash diets and I agree with Jenn on alot of the things she said ... but if you just have to loose weight fast, cut back on carbs for a month or two. I did that a while back and I lost nearly 20 pounds. But I don't like the whole no carb thing as a lifestyle diet.

As far as needing to loose in a certain area (like your waist) I've been told by trainers and Dr's that it is hard to spot reduce. The best bet is overall fat reduction. A healthy diet and good cardio is the best way to go.

Also like Jenn said, look into getting some good undergarmemts ... you may be able to 'loose' those 2 inches you need just from a good tuck and smoother ;)

[JennF]

Weblady is absolutely right. My thought would be that you might firm up your waist area with the crunches and lose those inches that way. It's also my understanding that you can't spot reduce fat. (Although I wish an exception could be made for my arms!)

Edited to add:
I just read your wedding journal and you mentioned that you're even farther from fitting the dress than you were before. Is it possible that you're retaining a little water? Or did you eat a big meal earlier today? I know that I have jeans that are loose on me during one part of the month and are uncomfortable tight during other times of the month.

Plus, that reminded me that another tip that I've received many many times about weight loss is to drink lots of water! Make sure that you're getting all of the water you need.

I'm sorry to have so many opinions on this topic. I just know how much anxiety a person can feel about their weight and clothing fitting. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, but I know that it'll all work out. I love the dress you've chosen, you're going to be a beautiful bride!

[LaceyinPgh]

Start counting calories. Stay between 1200-1500 per day, total. Lots of fiber from fruits and veggies will make you feel full. Try to eat as many of them as you can. Remeber to keep in mind, portion size when you are doing this. I think you can get a food scale at Target and Walmart for just a couple dollars. www.calorieking.com is a great site for looking up the calories and utritional info on any type of food you can imagine. They even have listing by brand names and restaurants.

Also, you can walk and do all the sit up you want to. But that doesn't mean that you are actually burning calories. You need to do a real cardio work out for over 30 minutes to get to the point where you start to burn fat. Before that you are just burning everyday calories. I recommend 45 minutes of speed walking. Then finish up with your sit ups. Drink as much water as you can.

DO NOT STRAVE YOURSELF OR GO ON A CRASH DIET!!! You won't make the 2 months if you do.

[ikkin510]

I already do drink lots of water. I walk every day and do sit-up and crunches. I'm goign to try to cut back on my carbs more, see if that will help at all. Normally I tend to loss more weight in the summer, that hasn't been happening this year...go figure. I think my BC pill has something to do with the weight gain. I've noticed that is when I've done most of the gaining. I tried to stop taking that for a while, and I gained more...go figure. SO I am just sticking with it and trying whatever I can.
About the undergarments. What exactly should I look for and wear should I look? I've never relaly found anything in the stores, or course I haven't been looking too hard.

[AngelinLove]

Well Nikki...you know I have been struggling right along with you...and am having the same problems. My problem is that I know what to do...I just need to do it!!!! I agree with Lacey Brandi and Jenn...and the biggest thing is to sick to whatever you choose to do!!!

[BriansBride07]

As for some undergarments some good ones are body shapers from any local department stores you can find them to shape anything from your breast down to your knees. Also you can go onto Fredricks of Hollywood or Victoria Secrets and condsider a corset not sure which will work for you personally. Hope this helps, best of luck to you

[ladymelissa]

With your exercise program you have to be working hard enough during cardio to keep your heart rate very high, you should be really pushing to keep your heart at 50-75% of your maximum heart rate. Your max. is 220 - your age. If you are 20 yrs. old your max heart rate is 200 beats per minute (bpm). So you should strive to be averaging about 150 bpm. I typically train in the 170 -185 bpm range, it will feel like pretty hard work, I happen to enjoy that though.

Weight training is another big one. Building muscle burns so many more calories than diet and cardio alone. Muscle is also active tissue, it requires energy all the time. The more muscle you have the more calories you will burn while sleeping. Don't cut calories and nutrients so severely that your muscles cannot rebuild and recover.