Falling off the cart... feeling like a horse

OK, maybe I'm over exaggerating, but since I've changed jobs and allowed winter weather to throw a wrench into my workout routine, a few additional pounds have found their way to the scale.

A few months ago, my plan was to be too thin for my dress and have it taken in. The rose-colored glasses are off. I'm suddenly filled with not only too many takeout meals, but the overflowing fear that my dress will need to be let out.

I hit the treadmill hard on Thursday night, but I know it's not going to be enough to fight this battle. I can't let "It's Valentine's Day weekend," be my excuse all of the time.

It's a tough fight, taking off what you put on. Plenty of online sources offer to whittle your middle for a pretty penny, but who can dig into their bridal budget for empty promises? Thankfully, free (or inexpensive) online tools exist to help brides shed the winter weight:

News websites - You can always peruse the health and fitness sections of online news sources. Here's a story on weight loss for brides from MSNBC.

Health publication sites - Magazines like Self and Fitness Magazine have inspiring websites with access to wonderful diet and nutrition information without the subscription. Wedding websites, like the Knot, often have a section devoted to bridal transformation information.

Weight loss sites - You know the old standbys. Weight Watchers is everywhere these days, especially since they have vocal vixen Jennifer Hudson as their new spokesperson. These sites/ programs can be costly, but will provide results if you provide the will power.

TV shows - Look to shows like Dance Your Ass Off or even Dancing With the Stars for inspiration. Some reality TV Shows focus on weight loss and have options that include a membership with access to recipes and workouts, though there is some controversy in the methods used and practicality of the extremes taken. But if you're looking for fast results, it's an option.

All of that said, there are risks with extreme dieting for any occasion, so don't put your health in harm's way in a desperate effort to lose that extra bit of weight. Chances are your partner's jaw will drop as you gracefully float down the aisle. And it's always a good idea to check any change in diet etc with your health care provider - Just in case.

I'm going to start this week by eating clean and setting a workout goal of 45 minutes, 5 days. Next week I hope to check in with some good news and some tips of my own that have helped me in the past.

'Tis the Season...

Neither A nor I could sleep last night. I wish I could say it was because we were both so excited to open gifts, but mostly it was due to indigestion. I wonder--was it the taco dip? Perhaps the meatballs or cheese and sausage or lasagna. Or maybe it was the ice cream, grasshoppers, wine and brandy slush. Ugh, thank goodness A and I got in a good workout yesterday.

I'm no stranger to overdoing it when it comes celebrating through food and I can always find something to celebrate. Our wedding will be no exception. Friends and family we come across this holiday season have been asking us a lot about plans and the meal inevitably comes up. There's no question, between the cocktail hour, dinner, dessert and late-night snacks, everyone will have an opportunity to stuff their faces at our wedding.

I've been reading a lot about ways to save on the big day and multiple sources have commented that you can cut costs through two main methods: 1) Do a dessert-only reception or 2) Cut the cocktail hour in half or out completely. This is a great idea, don't get me wrong. However, it would not work for A and I. We love food... Love it. When we talk about what we want people to remember on our wedding day (aside from how in love we are) food is number one on the list, followed by the music. We feel really lucky that we have wonderful friends who will be doing the catering for us, so that's cutting tremendously on our costs and allowing us to spend more on quality food for our guests. We hope they can appreciate it as much as we do.

Whatever your reason to celebrate--eat, drink and be merry this holiday season. And stock up on Antacid pills...

The way to this bride's heart is through her tummy

I feel that I can hold my own in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking. My groom-to-be, on the other hand, is pure magic with a sauce pan and spatula. With weekend breakfasts and Thursday Soup Days, it's no wonder I'm having trouble losing any extra weight. But trust me, you won't hear me complain... too much.

There are some aspects of your wedding day that will be more important than others, but time and time again, people always talk about how they remembered (and loved or hated) the food. I have experience as a food editor and A cooks at a local cafe 5 days a week. So you can believe it when I say he and I are on a mission to satiate each guests appetite with an unforgettable meal. Given A's gift to concoct culinary creations worthy of Food Network Stardom, he and I agreed that he (with a little of my input) would plan the meal for our wedding day.

We jotted down some ideas that all looked great on paper, but neither of us wanted the meal to be a surprise to us as well as the guests. A little stuck on the concept for the chicken option, we decided to prepare a few things and see how it went. There's a great deal of skill that goes into achieving the perfect balance between savory yet light, exotic but homey, filling *ahem* yet cost-effective. We wanted something unique, but simple enough not to scare off the "meat & potato" crowd. And I wasn't about to serve two starches. Just ask A how adamant I was about that one.

Last weekend, A completely blew the challenge out of the water, using inspiration from the first meal he ever prepared for me. He whipped up a terrific meal of chicken breast lightly showered in sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese on top of a bed of orzo. Flanking either side of the main attraction was a playful stack of sesame green beans and a fluffy cloud of cauliflower puree with parmesan. Wow. An interesting and well-married gathering of flavors and textures. We both knew within bites that we struck a home run. I can't wait for guests to try it. Too bad dinner is still 7 months away. Next up: steak.

Tiny-waisted Bride...please :)

Wedding diets and physical appearance is such a touchy subject. I’ve read tales of brides who “force” their bridesmaids to go on diets and lose weight prior to the big day. Sometimes the wedding party uses the wedding as a motivator for them to make certain changes in their lifestyle to achieve their best possible figure before the day comes. And of course, brides always want to look their absolute best as they walk down the aisle. I’m no different. It might sound vain, but my goal is to make Aaron’s jaw drop the second he sees me. Hey, I’ve been a little chubby much of my life and always felt awkward about my body. If I can have one single moment of feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world, I’m going to snatch it while I can. That in mind, I keep telling myself I’m not going to shop for dresses until I’m positively certain I won’t lose another single pound (or gain) before the wedding. Well... that didn't happen. I bought the dress on somewhat of a whim, but that's another story.

I feel really blessed that I’ve had the determination and will power to work off about 40 lbs in a year and a half. No joke. But I’m not satisfied. Hey, the dress can still be taken in! I haven’t been this size in probably 10 years, but it’s just not quite good enough for “wow factor” yet. So what measures am I taking?

First, I have two goals:

Drop 15-20 lbs more

Tone, tone, tone my arms and back… like… meh, idk hot Hilary Swank style?

For the past 6 weeks I’ve been taking an at-work Boot Camp class that mixes cardio and strength in a circuit-training style. I’ve been running pretty seriously for the last year and let me tell you, this is a work OUT! You can work at your own pace, but keep in mind that you only get out what you put in. So push it real good. Through the same gym, Edge Fitness in Sun Prairie, WI, I recently started a 3-week “Challenge.” This challenge combines a serious diet and workout schedule. Not quite as hardcore as P90X, but promises results. I’m just over halfway through week one. I’ve lost a pound or so and I notice a difference.

Week one’s diet includes extremely lean proteins, Omega-3 eggs, liquid egg white, a little cheese and tons of veggies. I’m the type of dieter that craves chocolate the second you tell me I can’t have it, even if I don’t really care for it. So this week, no sugar and no grains, it has been a rough one. I’m already thinking about how I’m going to sabotage myself by eating out once the 3 weeks are over. So if willpower can be willed… please will it to me. Maybe I need to tear out some “hot bride” pics from magazines and post them at my desk with the quote, “Nothing tastes as good as you’ll feel in this slinky dress.”

The working out part of the challenge is a piece of cake for me… mmm… cake… I typically work out several days a week and love to run while catching up on Food Network shows… OK, no more food references. The hardest part is waking up early in the morning for Boot Camp. However, it’s remarkable the amount of energy you feel after you’ve sweat buckets for an hour. It’s an amazing sense of accomplishment. That’s what keeps me going. In addition to 2-3, 45-60 minute Boot Camps per week, I play basketball with the boys at work on our lunch hour about twice per week. And I’m in a run group at work. We’re training for a 5k in November and run together twice a week. Sounds like I should have lost like 20 lbs in the last month, right? Well, now you see why I’m frustrated at this plateau.

What I would like to do:

Add an extra run or 2 throughout the week—one intervals run and one long distance, slow run

Stick fairly close to the diet. I’m not missing out on that much and it will give me a deeper sense of appreciation for quality food and date nights. I may give and go to Olive Garden next month, but it doesn’t mean I have to fall off the wagon for good, ya know?

So, I’m going to start perusing some Web sites and articles to find good wedding workouts and diet tips you can try if you’re looking to shake that few extra pounds before you try on the puffy, white marshmallow. Stay tuned.