I'm getting desperate here!!!

I only have 6 weeks left until my wedding & I haven't been able to lose any weight for MONTHS now!! I lost 10 pounds the first 2 months I was counting calories & then I added in exercise once I stopped losing & I have been stagnant since then!! I'm starting to freak out a little because I am going to Jamaica for my honeymoon so I'll pretty much be in a swimsuit the whole time & I want to feel good, not embarassed! Any words of wisdom or help? I am about 120 lbs (my scale is off by a few pounds I think), 5'4", and I am eating between 1200-1500 cals per day depending on if/how much I exercise.

From what information I could find, you're at about the ideal weight for your height. Maybe you can't drop those last few pounds because your body is at the weight it need to be. Explore this web site for more info on ideal weight and BMI: http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-livin g/weight-management/learn-the-basics/ideal-we ight/best-weight?ipc=B00497

Exercise can help you get swimsuit ready, toning those parts of your body that you're unhappy with. Have you worked with a trainer to put together a weightlifting workout that meets your needs? Try using a measuring tape to chart your progress over the next six weeks. It may show you more positive changes than a scale.

Congratulations on your wedding. I'm sure it will be a beautiful event and you will be a lovely bride.

I know I'm in the ideal range, I just still have trouble spots--huge legs & chubby arms! I did get a free session with a trainer & they basically didn't help me! I have tried toning & I just get bigger instead of smaller--I have been using a tape measure. Nothing seems to be working. I guess I just need to accept that I'm not going to get down to what I wanted to.

Is your body shape typical of the women in your family? Sometimes fighting mother nature is frustrating. If you are eating right, exercising regularly, and working to tone your trouble spots, you're doing all the right things.

You might try the fitness forum for some suggestions on weights and exercises for arms and legs. They've got some very knowledgeable people on that forum. I've been using a bosu ball alot and have really noticed my thighs and butt slimming down.

You probably won't get the kind of results your looking for in just six weeks but keep trying.

Yes, my body shape is unfortunately typical of my mother's side of the family.

Then choose a wedding dress to make the most of your natural body-shape rather than trying to pummel it into an unnatural form.   With the right clothes, you'll end up looking a lot slimmer.

Yes, and find a bathing suit for your body type. There are loads of cute styles. Your body sounds fine the way it is. If you want to keep toning, by all means, but you should be focusing on the fact that you're about to get married and go on a wonderful vacation. Don't let body issues ruin that.

Oh I have my dress already, of course! It's less than 6 weeks away, I'd be panicking if I didn't have my dress! ha ha ha. I've had that for a year now.

And I already have swimsuits. I'm a really organized/anal person so I have most everything I need at this point. I am definitely not going to worry about my chubby arms & such on my wedding day! I may worry a little on the honeymoon but I won't know anyone there but Jeff so there is no way I'll let it ruin my honeymoon! I was just hoping for some advice for crunch time! You know, something like "right before my wedding & did X video for X amount of time a day & I looked great!"

I think I'm going to go for pilates. I always feel better when my abs look better no matter what my legs look like so I'll focus there since I can definitely get those in better shape in 5 1/2 weeks!

You sound like an intelligent, sensible woman who just needed to rant a little about some of the frustrations we all have at one time or another. Welcome to the club!

You are going to look great for your wedding day, and I hope you enjoy your honeymoon. Jamaica sounds like a real treat since its still snowing where I live.

Don't stop working out after the wedding. I don't know what it is about husbands, but many new wives gain weight after the wedding. Domestic bliss seems to pack on the pounds - all that man food - so keep taking care of yourself.

Yeah I definitely needed to rant so thanks for listening!

I think the domestic bliss was how I gained the weight in the first place! Luckily my fiance did too so we are eating healthy & exercising together so we don't plan on stopping after the wedding. We made the decision about 6 months ago to start being healthier in general.

You are organized! Congrats.

ha ha a thanks!

Hey, there's this video and/or book called "making the cut" by Jillian Michaels (she's from the biggest loser). I haven't tried it but it got good reviews and it seems like it's designed for what you are looking for. I think it's basically a 30 day toning and diet plan. Shouldn't cost you more than like 20 bucks and you can get it on amazon.

Good luck!

Yoga and pilates have helped a friend of mine with similar stats as yours "lengthen" her muscles rather than "bulk them up" as she refers to it.  She had similar areas of concern, too.  She lifts very light weights with her arms and avoids squats, instead relying on the yoga and pilates to strengthen and tone.  I'll ask her if there was anything else she thought made a difference.

Congrats on your upcoming big day -- and the healthy lifestyle success you've already achieved!  

jennpz89--I signed up for a free trial of the jillian michaels website & the exercises are awesome BUT I couldn't stick to the diet AT ALL. And the exercises made me ADD inches because I was gaining muscle but not losing fat. So I quit that. =(

stewmama-Thanks for the tip! I think I'll try that for a bit & see how it goes! I'd love to hear if your friend had any other tips or specific pilate videos/exercises that worked great.

Original Post by stewmama:

Yoga and pilates have helped a friend of mine with similar stats as yours "lengthen" her muscles rather than "bulk them up" as she refers to it. 

 Muscles either get bigger or smaller.  The only way to "lengthen" muscles is to rip them off the bone and surgically re-attach them at a different point.

Very helpful, thanks for the post.