Brides who want to lose weight before their wedding day do so in an attempt to look their best, according to survey results reported in the N.Y. Daily News. "The Wedding Dress Diet," a book published in 2000 and written by Robyn Flipse, R.D., and Jacqueline Shannon, offers brides-to-be instructions on how to reach their goal. Consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan.
Authors
Robyn Flipse is a registered dietitian who runs a nutrition counseling service in New Jersey. She claims to still fit into her wedding dress, and also wrote the book "Fighting the Freshman Fifteen." Jacqueline Shannon is a freelance journalist who focuses on parenting, health and women's issues. Her other books include "Sexy at Any Size" and "New Mother's Body Book."
Diet
Future brides are advised to avoid rapid weight loss, unrealistic goals and fad diets. A bride has time to lose 20 lbs. if her wedding date is 6 months away, according to Flipse, which equals a slow and steady weight loss of approximately 1 lb. per week. No food is off limits in moderation, and portion control is key. Dieters are encouraged to eat healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The plan is "hyperstrict" about calories because of the wedding-day deadline, and followers must keep a food diary to track everything they eat each.
Beyond the Diet
Flipse says "The Wedding Dress Diet" encourages healthy food and lifestyle changes suitable to adhere to long-term, not just when trying to lose pounds. Regular exercise is an important part of the plan, and readers learn how to improve their posture to project a slimmer appearance. Dieters are encouraged to make a weight-loss contract with themselves and enlist the support of family and friends. The book also includes information on how to choose a gym and a personal trainer, how to make good food choices at wedding-related functions and tips on reducing pre-wedding stress.
How It's Different
The authors explain that "The Wedding Dress Diet" differs from other diet books because it focuses on issues that are specific to you as a soon-to-be-bride. Readers are given advice on how to order a wedding dress before they reach their ideal weight, and are given tips about how to select a flattering dress if they have a protruding stomach or other figure flaws. There is also information on how to avoid gaining weight while on the honeymoon and on making healthy lifestyle and diet changes acceptable to a spouse and in-laws.
References
- The Wedding Dress Diet: Lose Weight and Look Great on Your Wedding Day and Beyond
- Access Atlanta; Eating Out: The Wedding Dress Diet; Carolyn O'Neil; May 24, 2011
- NYDailyNews.com; Wedding Weight Loss: How Brides Go To Extremes; Eloise Parker; May 21, 2008
- USA Today; A Wedding Diet is Not a Piece of Cake; Nancy Hellmich; April 5, 2011
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