How did you lose weight before your wedding?

I used to compete for Miss Nebraska and this is a 6-day diet that is meant to "strip" you down. It gets rid of excess body water (since it includes taking a diuretic as part of the plan) and really makes your body look more defined and tighter.

I've also attached the normal diet I was on when I was training in the months prior to the pageant. This one is a bit more manageable!

KEEP IN MIND...the way this whole plan is supposed to work is that in the months leading up to your event you are following a "normal" diet (whether it be the general one I've attached or just a healthy one on your own), lifting weights and doing cardio, and then the 6-days leading up to your event is when you kick in the 6-day diet to enhance all the work that you have been doing leading up to this point.

I am not a personal trainer, nor a nutritionist and I am not trying to condone quick results with no work put behind them. However, I feel these plans may help some of the girls who seem to have hit a plateau and need a change-up.

And the 6-day one DEFINITELY does what it is supposed to!

Six Day Diet Plan.doc

General Diet.doc

Holy egg whites Raychel! I can't believe you could follow that. Then tilapia for breakfast! You are a trooper!

I have to agree that i think the goal you have is "crash diet" material and doesn't sound to healthy. Maybe try to focus on slimming inches instead of pounds? Consuming lots of lean proteins, whole grains and veggies will help. Also try to cut back on the whole grain "carb" factor to bfast aka have an oatmeal with fruit etc. and pick either lunch or dinner to have your second (not do both). I think simple things like sub-ing white potato for a sweet potato, using flat breads like Wasa Crispbread instead of regular bread and eating brown rice instead of white make a huge difference. Hope this makes sense and helps! ...

Ya, I should probably re-iterate the fact that this diet is used to firm up for a special occasion AFTER YOU'VE BEEN WORKING OUT REGULARLY AND EATING HEALTHY as part of a lifestyle choice. I absolutely do not think that girls should follow this diet on a regular basis, or for more than 6-days. It's pretty much just a sort of detox diet. It also makes a girl really cranky!

The general diet I follow also includes a lot of protein, probably more so than the average person, because I like to lift and work out a lot. You really don't have to have a protein shake for 4 meals a day to see results. Look at what your habits are now, and alter them to include better choices (like what kuteliya said). Later on down the road, re-evaluate and change things up again if needed.

I am a firm believer that different diets work for different people, especially taking into account peoples' personal fitness goals and where they currently are as far as diet and exercise habits.

What's the HGC diet? I don't want to do something too extreme, but I am looking to lose about 20 lbs more in 3 months.

You guys actually take HCG hormones? That's really interesting - doesn't it make you nauseous?? (It is the cause of morning sickness in pregnancy). Also - can you guys by diuretics (ie prescription strength - like say a thiazide diuretic?). These are not available in Canada without a prescription, though I'm sure ppl get them online. Although it sounds tempting, I would really stay away from these - they have a lot of potentially negative side effects ranging from mild ones (like dizziness or low blood pressure) to more serious ones (like kidney stones, or electrolyte imbalances). I am not sure about dandellion root but it's probably got a mild effect at best so its most likely safe. The problem with using things like these "water pills" is that you are only losing water weight - and they can actually make you extremely dehydrated (unlikely if you are taking small amounts but still). In case you guys are wondering I am a medical student - so I just worry when I hear about these sorts of things (also I just finished learning about the kidney lol).

I think its great that ppl want to get into shape and that the wedding is motivation, but I really hope that it does not become an obsession so much that you start to associate your success/self worth only with weight loss...I think its a fine balance. I guess what I am trying to say is - set realistic goals (like the OP said - she reassessed what she could realistically achieved and is satisfied with the outcome, I think that's the way to do it!).

As for losing weight around the Abs - I don't think there is any magical solution, but if you don't do much cardio I would definitely suggest it (you could start with something low impact like the elliptical) - and also add in some strength training, and ab exercises. If you enjoy dancing - you could take a Zumba class, or yoga etc etc. Whatever you can do to increase your calorie burn and target those core muscles SHOULD help you lose weight. Sometimes I think your body gets used to the same old exercises, so its good to switch it up once in awhile, you may see some results!

Good luck everyone.

You may want to try a cleanse... I did the 9 day Isagenix cleanse last summer and lost 9lbs.

It consists of cutting out a lot of crap and replacing 2 meals per day with high protein/fibre shakes and then cleanse days where you just drink this special aloe/herb mix.

And no, it doesn't make you have to use the toilet all day!

Hey, what is the HCG diet? I'm trying to find out about it online. Did you get injections?

What I found worked for me is to pay attention to what I put on my plate. I make an effort to buy organic and a lot of whole wheat and lean protein. I am 5"1 and weighed 135lbs at one point. I swear I looked like Pikachu. I went to PR with my FI and saw the pics of me in a bikini and wanted to cry. So I changed my outlook on food and it helps a lot. Yes its hard but trust me it only takes two weeks of you doing something regularly before it becomes second nature. I work out 6 days a week and I love love love Pilates. Ladies Pilates will firm you up so fast and you not even realize it. It works all of your muscles even ones you don't know you have. If you vcan do reformer classes. Also invest in a 9in plate. I swear it helps with the portion control. By the way I'm at 123lbs yaay me!!!

And just in case you're wondering yes I still drink wine and have dessert... Just in moderation. You will see after a while your body won't crave it as much.

One more trick that I found that works, Brush your teeth at night before you watch TV, for some reason it takes away that craving that you get!