September wedding

[MalGal]

Hi all, I am pretty new to the boards. Signed up a while ago, but don't write very often. Visit every once in a while. Anyway, I am 26 and getting married on September 24, 2005. I am currently at my all time high of 224lbs. I just started low carbing(again) on Tuesday and I also started working out at Curves on Tuesday. My question is...how much weight can I expect to lose by the end of September if I stick with a low carb diet of all whole foods, and exercising at Curves 5 times a week. I am currently a size 18-20 pant size. I am afraid to buy a wedding dress because I know you can only take them in a couple of sizes. Anyone have any insight on this subject. I am very committed, and want to look like a million dollars on my big day, so I will stick with this. Thanks!

[Resolved2Achieve]

Everyone is different as evidenced by this board. You know you're body. So it just depends on how your system will react this time. Again, everyone is different but I notice that it seems to be more difficult the next time around however, stick with it because you will see results if you eat right. And while you workout remember that you will gain muscle (which weighs more than fat) so don't be discouraged with the scale initially. Keep the cardio up using interval heart rate and keep your workouts consistent. Drink lots of water and limit or sparingly consume sugar alcohols.
I would wait to buy the dress because I think you're going committed to achieving your goals. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[Jess080804]

Hi Mal Gal!
Congrats on your Wedding!? I'm sure you will be beautiful no matter what size you are.

I got married in August of 2003..and I so wanted to be thin on my wedding day. But, unfortunately I wasn't as committed as you are. I ended up weighing 215lbs. on my wedding day and wearing a size 18. It took me a full year to realize that I wasn't going to get smaller unless I did something about it.
So, Oct.18,2004 I decided that I was going to stick to this WOE. I have lost a total of 64lbs. so far. The first 55lbs were easy...but lately I have noticed that I am losing slower than I was in the beginning.
Everybody is different...so it's hard to say how much you will loose...but if I was just going to throw out a ball park figure I would say 40lbs. When I started this...I said that I was going to try to loose 10lbs. a month..and so far..I have done that..but, it doesn't look like it will happen this month. The closer you get to your goal weight..the slower the weight loss.
Oh--and I didn't start exercising until about a month ago.

Anyways, I hope this helps.

[route66]

I agree with the above that everyone is different and if you can stay resolved through the ups and downs of plannign a wedding and getting through day to day life, you will see vast improvement in your health, weight and peace of mind.

Why don't you set a mini-goal of 10% of you body weight and see when you hit that, then set another goal.

Personally, I think that exercise it the most important factor for long term success. Good for you for joining curves.

[MalGal]

Thank you all for the helpful words. I guess it really doesn't matter what size I am or how much I weigh by my wedding, because atleast I'll be on the road to a lifetime of being healthy, and who am I kidding, looking hot!! I know that I will be feeling good too. All those processed carbs that used to make up my diet, are not good for the spirits or the mood.

[Jamie]

I don't like to see people pressure themselves by committing to lose x amount of weight by a certain date.....sets you up for failure. I like the idea of a mini goal too. You could also start looking and talk to the people who help you about how much a dress can be altered and what you have for time frames.

Congratulations!
Great attitude too

[route66]

Lifetime health...that's what it's all about! Good Luck!

[sky75]

Hey, MalGal, how tall are you? I ask b/c our stats are really similar. I started at 222, and was a size 18/20. I'm 5'7". I lose about 2.5 lbs. a week when I'm very strict (including exercise) - of course everyone is different but that may provide you with some kind of ball park. Just set small goals and you can do it, I'm sure you will look great on your big day!

[just4peas]

Hi! Congrats on your upcoming wedding! I am probably not the norm, but it is my story. I set my goal of 145 pounds by my birthday, May 3rd, last september, when I was at 209, size 18 5'6". Today I am at 146. I called my goal two weeks ago when I successfully fit into a size 8 jeans (in four different brands to be sure lol). I did it in 7 months with NO cheats, NONE, NADA, ZILCH. I stayed pretty low calorie, 1200-1400. Plus I kept by carbs under 30g gross the whole time. Drank my water, 64 oz. to 1 gallon a day. I didn't exercise until the last month.

I've never dieted before so I am sure that was to my advantage. I used FitDay daily, weighed, measured and logged everything.

It can be done. But to be honest, I am still surprised at how well, how easy and fast it went. I think low carbing just agrees with me. I have raised my carbs up to 40g net with fruits and veggies at this point and I am still losing.

Just stick to your plan like glue. You can do it!

[BodybuildingBrat]

I would really NOT recommend NOT exercising. That totally defeats the purpose of the weight loss. I believe weight loss should be done in a healthy manner, some people cannot stick to the Atkins Diet, because carbs are so tasty. I think Atkins has great products for increasing protein intake, we all need more protein in this world. The more lean mass the better, but carbs also help in that. But, the unhealthy fat content gets extremely high. Once you go off that diet, you'll gain it back like you're Oprah! You're metabolic rate is supressed, so when you try going back to normal eating, your body is going to need to adjust, once again. Which, most likely, will cause that weight to come right back again, until the body catches up with what you are doing. Your body is there to help you survive through famine ya know! It's a love/hate relationship....

I would seriously re-think being on a low-carb diet while planning for a wedding. Most everyone I know of who maintains a low carb diet breaks down, due to mental stress (low carb cuts energy, and can cause depression side-effects during Ketosis) . If you do go "low-carb," don't take it below 100 grams. That will help your mental grip while getting ready for a wedding. With my wedding, I was just careful, most of the time, about what I ate. And exercised everyday. Just go for however long you can. Be sure to lift weights, that will tell the muscles they need to be stronger, and properly partition your calories more toward muscle than fat. (Meaning the body will store more "calories" in the muscles instead of into Fat Cells, turning into Adipose Tissue). You will not get "bulky," no matter what you hear. Just lift medium size weights, with high reps (12-15). Let your muscles know they are being used and need to exist! It will then harden your body more instead of store so much fat. See!?

I would say, times your body weight by 12. Take that number and divide that out... 15% Fat (good fats mind you), 55% Protein and 30% Carbohydrates. Keep with low glycemic carbs; apples, veggies, whole grains, etc. Stay away from potatoes, high-fructose corn syrup or anything you know is in the classification of "Junk Food." Then exercise on a regular basis. I think when you are at a high percentage of body fat, low carb is too much dieting, way too hard. Once you are trying to lose those last 5 lbs or 2% body fat, go hard core low-carb. But for now, don't put more un-due stress on your body! Getting married will raise your Cortisol levels enough woman! That's my opinion.

-Kiwy