Banishing Back Fat for the Bride-to-Be!

Q: My fiancée recently tried on her wedding dress and had trouble zipping it up because she has gained weight in her back, middle, sides and breasts. Are there any exercises she can do to fit into her dress?

A: You don’t mention how soon your wedding is, but if it’s in a month or less, having the dress altered is probably a better solution.

If your fiancée has gained weight in her torso, she has gained fat. Specific core exercises that target the abs and back may help her to firm up, but they won’t slim her down because this type of exercise does not reduce fat. The best way to lose inches is to eat more healthfully and to do more cardio workouts such as walking, running, cardio machines and aerobics classes.

It’s unclear exactly how much weight loss corresponds to a certain amount of inch loss, since different people gain and lose fat in different places. The rule of thumb is that losing 10 pounds equals one dress size, but that’s not foolproof. Some women find that losing even 5 pounds can make their clothes looser.

Although your bride-to-be may want to reduce her calorie intake, she shouldn’t go on a crash diet because, while she may be skinnier on her wedding day, she may also look unhealthy and feel weak and fatigued as a result. One to two pounds a week is the healthiest weight-loss goal, but it requires a concerted effort to eat smaller portions and cut out the junk, as well as doing regular exercise on most days of the week.

As for a food plan, some people recommend cutting out carbs to reduce bloating and drop weight fast. However, bad breath can accompany a low-carb diet (and who wants halitosis on her wedding day—or wedding night!). Also, low-carb diets can cause extraordinary fatigue.

The most sensible way for your fiancée to tackle this problem is to follow a healthful diet that consists of small, regular meals. If she has trouble eating well during this super-busy pre-wedding time, she can order diet dishes prepared by a company that offers home delivery, or she can buy frozen diet dinners. It would also be a good idea to knock out all the unnecessary calories found in sweetened drinks and alcohol.

As for exercise, she should gradually build up to at least 60 minutes of cardio per day. A certified personal trainer can help her stick to a plan. Some trainers specialize in getting brides in shape for the big day.

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