June bride wanting to lose 20 lbs before wedding!

Weight watchers is helpful! Or, if you can exercise for an hour 4-5 times weekly you should find out what your macros are and follow that. I've lost 15lbs in 4 weeks exercising & following my macros (I also stopped drinking pop in exchange for water...I only drank diet but it makes you retain so much water). You can still eat everything it just has to be portioned (invest in a kitchen scale). The weight comes off quickly in the start...then will slow to 1-2 lbs weekly (depending on how strict you are). Drink water and meal prep so you are never stuck grabbing whatever (in my case it's FHs junk he is so lucky he NEVER gains weight!!) Tip...you'll be hungry for the first couple days and have low energy...if you can get past that it seems to get way easier!!!

Hi! I lost 50lbs last year! Here's how I did it:

- Track calories with MyFitness Pal and stick to their calorie goals!! (Make sure to weigh your food to be accurate!)

- Do 15 minutes of yoga every morning & 15 minutes before bed (look up Tara Stiles on Youtube)

- Drink lemon water first thing in the morning and when you're feeling snacky. It helps to reduce cravings.

- Meal plan on Sundays. This will help you avoid running through a fast food restaurant because you don't have a dinner plan and you're tired.

- Allow yourself one big cheat meal a week! This actually helps with boosting your metabolism.

- If you must use a sweetener in coffee or tea, use stevia!

- Eat a salad almost every day!

- When you're craving pizza, have a lean cuisine pizza for dinner!

- Drink unsweetened (or stevia sweetened) tea throughout the day to keep your stomach full.

- Take a walk on your lunch break.

Meal Ideas

Breakfast:

- 1/2 English Muffin, half an avocado, crushed red pepper, and one egg

- Fage Nonfat greek yogurt, a touch of honey, and your favorite granola

Lunch & Dinner:

- Grilled chicken, romaine, red onion, feta cheese, light caesar dressing

- Grilled steak, spring mix, dried cranberries & nuts topping, goat cheese, light balsalmic dressing

- Lean Cuisine Pizzas!!

- Grilled salmon & asparagus

- Grilled barbecue chicken (use Stubbs Original) and corn

I hope this helps!!

Lauren

I've done a lot of different diet and exercise routines in my life but the most effective and long lasting I've ever tried is cutting out sugar. It's hard at first but there's a lot you can still eat (bacon!, cheese!) and the weight falls off. And there's no counting or tracking.

I would definitely watch your nutrition. If working out, multiply your weight times 12 to get enough calories in to lose weight. Also, eat lots of nutritious foods, drink lots of water, limit sugar/alcohol (water, sugar, alcohol and carbs all bloat so you retain water...which you dont want if you are trying to lose weight)

What kind of workouts do you like doing? I think since you have 4 months you totally can do this!

Hi Drew! Looking back when you have wanted to lose weight before, what's worked? What didn't work?

Don't get burned out by trying to incorporate so many things at once - it's a recipe for disaster. Instead, pick one or two things that you think that you can definitely incorporate into your life starting today. As you find success with those first few things add another. Repeat this process. Before you know it you will be looking and feeling great.

Another hint when you start doing the above is to add things in first before you take things away. Sounds counter intuitive, but from a behavioral science point of view it's easier. What to start adding in? Veggies! Try to incorporate as many as you feel comfortable with now and continue increasing the amount till your wedding. You might find some of the other not so great things start to disappear "magically." Also, I'm not sure where you are at in fitness right now, but trying doing a 4 minute tabata workout every other day. (It seems so little and insignificant, but it's crazy how doing just this much gives you so much results)

Example: Do each of the following exercises as hard and fast as you can - remember it only lasts 4 minutes so it tricks your mind into thinking that it's almost done and you can push yourself hard the entire time.

20 seconds of squats

10 sec rest

20 seconds of pushups (can be on knees or against a wall depending on your level)

10 sec rest

20 seconds of mountain climbers (can be on the ground or standing - depending on your level)

10 sec rest

20 seconds of jump rope (or mimicking a jump rope action)

10 sec rest

Repeat once more

Best of luck Drew. Let me know how it goes and if you need anymore suggestions.

My wedding is in July and I'm trying to lose 40lbs, so I feel your struggle. Don't give up!

I just want you to know that a) its okay to treat yourself! Eating a piece of cake at your friends b-day won't ruin everything. It's all about moderation! b) Follow your body and its signals. I tried doing high cardio, but I have a standing job so I just didn't have the energy to run on a treadmill after work. Now I do weight-lifting, yoga, and biking (lower cardio). I feel so much better!

Also, cut out Starbucks/Timmies/whatever your vice is. I work for Starbucks, so I know how bad everything is! If you love coffee, just stick to plain coffee or get some sugar free syrup in it. I cut 600 calories off of my diet but cutting out Starbucks.

I definitely recommend tracking your food. As tedious as it is, it increases your awareness as far as how much you're actually eating. I don't want to push any crazy diets down your throat, but I am personally doing a low carb variation (the Ketogenic Diet, if you're interested) and I have lost almost 20 pounds since the beginning of the year. Do your research, find something that fits your schedule and stick to it.

I am getting married in May. I had Bells Palsy about a year ago and was prescribed steroids for a few months. They caused me to bloat and gain weight. Not a great wedding dress combo.

So, my engagement shoot was my wake up call. I felt uncomfortable in everything I tried on and didn't really feel very pretty. This was really sad to me since I felt so happy about what was happening. I wanted to be in the moment. But, I wasn't.

So, I decided to do 21 day fix.

I have very specific recommendations.

1) Take before/after photos-they motivate you to see what you really look like and stay committed. They also allow you to see progress that the scale doesn't show.

2) Take measurements! Your body will lose fat and gain muscle first, which weighs a lot more than fat. The scale doesn't show results as fast as the tape measure!

3) Losing weight really is 80% diet and 20% exercise. You need to find a program that helps you with both at the same time.

4) I really recommend 21 day fix. It has both built in. If you sign up with a coach, you get added to a challenge group on facebook that comes with a whole group of people to vent to about struggles, get advice or recipes from, and who will hold you accountable and encourage you to follow the plan. People on facebook who are able to see if I did my workout and ate well that day helped me dramatically.

I started 2 months ago. I have only lost 15 pounds but, I lost about 15 inches and 2 pants sizes. Everything is big on me and I fit in clothes I haven't been able to in years. I have definition in my arms and I am stronger every day. The results have been crazy fast and the eating plan is pretty simple after the first few weeks. If you want help, have questions, or need anymore info, contact me at *********@*****.***. I would also be happy to share privately some before/after photos. Or, if you want, e-mail me and we can be friends on facebook. This changed my life and it can change yours too!

Whatever my results by my wedding are, I know that I will feel great because I will never look back at those photos with regret. I am doing everything I can to be healthy and fit!