How to Plan a Diet Before a Wedding

Weddings can be stressful. Unfortunately, stress can cause weight gain. Being in a hurry can cause poor diet choices such as fast food, which definitely causes weight gain. Or maybe you just want to lose a little weight so you can look your best for your new spouse. Losing weight while planning a wedding can be done with a little planning and willpower.

Things You'll Need

• Family doctor
• Nutritionist (optional but recommended)
• Support group (friend and family or a weight-loss support group)
• List of healthy habits and foods
• Instruction in safe and healthy exercise

Instructions

Before Starting the Diet

1. Weigh yourself. This is your starting weight.

2. Take a photo of yourself at this weight, even if you don't want to. Write on the photo what your weight is now. Keep it somewhere where only you will see it.

3. Visit your doctor. Ask her what the healthy weight range for your height and body type is. She may tell you that you need a different weight due to health concerns such as cholesterol, diabetes or other problems.

4. Decide how much you want to lose based on that weight. Ask your doctor how much weight loss is healthy by week and by month.

5. Ask your doctor for tips on how to maximize weight loss without harming your body. She may be able to refer you to nutritionists or other professionals who can help you.

6. Note these tips, write them down and use them. Following your doctor's guidance is the most important part of a diet. Not doing so could be harmful.

7. Create a weight-loss plan based on your doctor's advice and your own needs. The best way to do this is in chart form with daily, weekly and monthly goals (like a calendar, only with notes).

Choosing a Diet

1. Meet your nutritionist if you were referred to one. He will know which diets to place you on based on your needs and health issues.

2. Follow nutritional guidelines set out by your doctor, if you are not working with a nutritionist.

3. Join a diet support group such as Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers. Some may charge a membership fee or require purchase of their products to be in the support group. These should be avoided if the products do not fit your diet.

4. Look into Oprah's or Dr. Phil's diet support groups. These usually will have the most realistic diet tips and better support. They should also be free.

5. Remember that any diet should also be combined with exercise. Also ask about an exercise regimen.

Staying on the Diet

1. Serve smaller portions. Most weight gain is due to eating too much, not the wrong foods.

2. Eat healthier foods. Eat enough servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein each day.

3. Choose fruits, vegetables, dairy or grains (such as crackers) for snacks instead of junk food.

4. Drink enough water to keep from getting dehydrated, and take vitamin supplements under doctor supervision to ensure you get enough vitamins and nutrients.

5. Get enough sleep while dieting.

6. Stop eating after about 5 o'clock in the evening since your digestion slows down by then. It is okay to have a snack after this time but not a heavy meal.

7. Save the sweets for dessert. Try to limit desserts to one a day. Use fruits and dairy for dessert as often as possible.

Weighing and Celebrating

1. Weigh yourself consistently. If you weigh at different times of the day, you will get different results. Generally, early in the morning after using the restroom and before eating is the best time to weigh yourself.

2. Wear the same clothes each time you weigh. If you weigh fully clothed and wearing shoes, you must weigh this way all of the time. If you are sharing your weight loss with your doctor, dress the same way you weigh at his office.

3. Keep in mind that you may lose a lot the first week, but very little after that. You could also gain weight back after the first week. This is normal. Large amounts (over 5 pounds a week after the first week) of loss or weight gain should be discussed with your doctor.

4. Write down your weight losses and gains in your journal, and take a photo of yourself at each weigh-in.

5. Remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so weight gain could also indicate you are gaining muscle. Ask your doctor for more information.

6. Celebrate each success. Go out with friends, buy a new outfit or just treat yourself to something fun. Try to avoid eating as a celebration, since it could undo all of your hard work.

Tips & Warnings

• Limit salt intake and increase intake of foods that are healthy for you.

• Remember to celebrate. This gives you an incentive to keep working.

• Keep a positive outlook. You are doing something great for your body.

• Don't try to completely avoid sweets and junk food. You will eventually fall off your diet. Instead eat sensible portions.

• Don't try to starve yourself. You may lose weight initially, but you will gain even more when you eat again. Also, this is very unhealthy.

• Don't avoid getting a doctor's advice before starting your diet. You could end up harming your body.

• Don't lose weight for anyone but yourself. If someone is forcing you to lose weight, seek counseling. This could be a form of abuse.