Before & After: My Fit-for-Wedding Weight Loss Journey - Dianne's Challenge Conclusion

I am writing this the day before my wedding and I am ecstatic!  I’m so excited to be marrying the man of my dreams, but I must admit that the fear of my final weigh-in has felt like a dark shadow lurking over my shoulder.  I’ve been weighing myself daily this week and that number on the scale seems to be stuck at 145.4!  It’s been frustrating to bear witness to every day, but I’ve been mentally preparing myself to accept the fact that the number on the scale might not go down any further. 

This morning I decided would not jump on that scale until after a hot yoga class my bridesmaids organized for all of us as a way to get in exercise but also de-stress before the big day…

PRE-WEDDING WEEK REFLECTIONS 

The week leading up to the wedding has been so incredibly stressful.  I think I’ve felt every single human emotion possible.  It’s been just so go, go, go that at times I didn’t even get a chance to sit down for a meal until late afternoon.  I still had a few of my ProTrain meals left, and thank goodness for that.  I really don’t know what I would have done without them this week.

As for workouts, I managed to squeeze one more session in with Holly, which was AWESOME!  We did heavier weights with lower reps in a fast-paced circuit to maximize calorie-burn and muscle-building.  Otherwise, most of my exercise have consisted of constant running around town.  When I was home, however, I’d do a few push-ups and pull out the 10-pound ProsourceFit dumbbells to do some squat-to-presses, and the good ol’ resistance bands to help with toning my arm muscles.  I’ll just fit in 10 or 15 reps of each exercise, run off and check another item off my  ‘to do’ list, then do another 10 to 15 reps of something else when I find a few minutes. 

REACHING MY WEIGHT LOSS GOAL

The pre-wedding yoga session provided for some much needed deep breathing and meditation while stretching and strengthening my mind, body and soul.  At one point, towards the end of class, the instructor gave me a back rub and massage and it felt so good!  The moment she let go, however, I experienced a bit of breakdown - I just let go completely and it was such a release of everything I've been feeling all week.

When I finally got on the scale that afternoon before the rehearsal dinner, I had done it!  I was at 144.6 lbs! Wahooooooo!!! BEST FEELING EVER!  I had lost 20 pounds to reach my goal weight and it was a glorious feeling.  It definitely provided for an extra bounce in my step.

LOOKING BACK & LESSONS LEARNED

Looking back over the last four months, I’ve learned so much about food, exercise and lifestyle habits to help balance health and happiness.  I’m finally at a point where I feel comfortable in my own skin.  I feel like I am the me I am supposed to be.  My outsides match my insides.  I don’t mean to be corny, but this journey has been so incredibly life changing and I couldn’t have gotten here without the help and support from Holly and ProsourceFit.

Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned…

Food – you don’t have to starve or deprive yourself of the foods you love.  Everything in moderation and planning your meals accordingly to enjoy the foods you love.  Logging your food is so important in understanding portion control, and understanding different nutritional values in the foods you decide to put into your body.

Exercise – the body is made to move.  We have so much energy within us that needs to be released to provide for a healthy balance within our minds and bodies.  It’s all interconnected.  I’ve had so many workouts that I go into kicking and screaming, only to find myself grateful that I pushed myself for that hour because I find myself in a much better headspace afterward.  It’s helped with my anxiety, my moods, and it just makes me a little more positive every time.  I’ve also learned that you don’t need a fancy gym membership to get your body moving.  Just having a few pieces of equipment will allow you to use muscles that you normally leave sitting idle. I’ve discovered so many muscle groups I never knew existed!

Lifestyle – it’s all about balance.  Eat right, but don’t deprive, and workout.  That’s the only way you can really maintain “healthy and happy”.  I am confident that I have the skills now to keep going and maintain a well-balanced lifestyle.

POST-WEDDING RECAP & TIPS FOR BRIDES

My wedding day was the most magical day - just perfect!  Sure, there were a couple of mishaps along the way.  I had added off-the-shoulder sleeves to my dress that I could take off for the reception and sure enough, one of them kept popping off the clasp at the church!  I think this happened about three times during the ceremony. At one point, this happened right as my dad was giving me away.  I had my dad, Dave, and the priest and… yea, it was embarrassing, but I think it provided for some much needed comedy to lighten things up a bit.   

There is certainly truth to the saying “it all passes in the blink of an eye.”  My advice is to just take it all in.  Take your time and enjoy the moments of the day.  Walk down that aisle slowly.  Take your husband-to-be’s hand and don’t let go all night.  It’s about the love you have for each other and you want to experience it together.  Carve out some time on your wedding day, after the ceremony and before the reception, for you and your man.  I had a moment to just breathe with Dave and it was really nice to have that downtime to take it in together where it’s just you and him.  All night, you’ll be pulled here and there, so having a moment to breathe together is really special.

I want to close my last entry with a massive thank you to everyone involved.  I am overwhelmed with the amount of support and encouragement I felt along the way from the team at ProsourceFit, all the viewers, MyFitnessPal, Polar, Just Live, CrossFit Synapse, Real Fitness, Be Mixed, ProTrain F3, and Hips and Curves.  I would do this again in a heartbeat.  It really has been a very special experience and I want to thank you all for helping me achieve my goals.  I did it!

Final Stats

Weight Lost: 20 pounds

Body Fat Percent Lost: 6.4%

Inches Lost: 10.5

What do you think?