Getting Fit vs Fitting In

             

 
 
 
                    So many brides struggle with weight gain in during their engagements. Some engagements last a few months and others may go on for years. The longer the engagement; the greater chances for your body and weight to change.  Have you ever looked at photos of yourself from a year ago and wondered what have I been eating or doing in the last 12 months that have me in this current size situation?  Whether it is bigger or smaller there are ways to handle wedding weight change. In my case there was a lot to consider in my journey to getting healthy.

               After my mother passed in April 2012, I purchased my wedding gown a few months later. While I mourned losing my best friend, I gained over 50 lbs. 1 year later I was a whopping size 20. Let’s just say that my dream dress was becoming just a dream. I decided that I will marry my future wife in the dress I fell in love with and had fantasized about for the last 12 months. My dress was a slim bridal size 18 which in the real world is a 16. I tried on my dream dress again and I couldn’t even zip it up. Something had to be done. So that’s where my journey began.

 I joined a local gym strictly dedicated to and facilitated by women that offered personal training and fun classes that I enjoy in November 2013. I took pole-dancing classes at this really cute studio in Baltimore called Xpose Fitness which really made me appreciate the work that strippers do. I’m just saying, it is not as easy as it looks. I changed my diet to no fried foods and more portioned meals. I explored different food options which became more of an experience than a challenge.  I began to love it.

               I encouraged my bridal party to join in the fun to provide a better support system within my wedding team. It worked out great! I truly began to love the new me. As time grew closer to the big day, I searched for healthy natural ways to boost my immune system and get all of my vitamins. I researched juicing as an option. That Christmas I asked for a juicer. My fiancé got me a Brevelle Juicer and let me just say that I loved it. I completed a 5 day juice fast that helped me shed 10 lbs and opened my body up to a better eating and active lifestyle.

I never knew how beautiful life could be when you take the time to nourish and love yourself.  Needless to say I lost weight and toned my body to the point that I fit into my dress that I had purchased almost 2 years prior, perfectly. My seamstress that altered my dress was even in shock. She was surprised that I lost the amount of weight that I did. The knowledge that I gained through this journey is something that I value deeply. I learned that it’s not about fitting in your dress but rather getting fit for yourself.