I have a wedding that I am in on October 7, and the bridesmaid dress is ordered for me, but i have to lose 3 inches off my bust and 4 inches off my waist. Can it be done by then? They had to order the dress because it was the biggest size there, and they wanted them all to match. So I dont want to dissappoint them. Plus I also want to lose weight. How much weight would that be approximately does anyone know? What are some suggestions?
Thanks!

Whew! That's not easily answered. Your goals sound very reasonable, but we can't choose in which order our body parts lose weight, so it is a gamble. There's no way that I know of that you can get any better than a guess for these answers. Those are two areas high in body fat, so hopefully things will go your way. Eat a balanced diet and be sure and get lots of exercise, and you will reach your goals in no time!

With healthy eating and exercise you can achieve good inch loss, but you do need to exercise!!! I have lost 64 lbs in a year, but have dropped from a size 22 to a 12!!! Which is just amazing to me!!! I never thought my dress sizes would start with a 1 again!!!!

With exercise you may found your pound loss isn't as dramatic as your inch loss, particularly if you are weight training. I would really suggest weight training........you and I started and pretty much the same weight, and I bet your metabolism is as slow as a wet London week, and adding some weights to your routine will get it going.

There is heaps of support (and lots of succcessful friendly slimmers) in the 100+ club.

I have a hard time making deadlines for weight or inch loss -- in part because some of the equation is up to my body, not me. You could do great and your body lose 4 in in the waist but only 2 in the bust.

For instance, I've lost 80 pounds -- and 9 inches (or more) in my waist, but only 4 in the bust. I can't tell my body where to lose the weight.

So, it seems like it's possible you could set yourself up for failure, even if you are by other measures very successful -- meaning that you do lose a lot of weight...

Just my $.02.

Once again I am in agreement with Wyllen. Lotstolose, I do wish you the very best of success... but it would be a huge disappointment for you to work like crazy to achieve such a goal and then your body just not respond in the exact ways necessary. It's a really big expectation for yourself. Personally I think I would be inclined to have them find another bridesmaid. But again, here's hoping you make your goal!!

I think that sounds reasonable. I'm losing about 2 lbs a week, and in the first five months (your length of time) I lost 5" from my bust, 7" from my waist and 10" from my hips. As you can see different areas lose different amounts. As Wyllen says, you can't tell your body where to lose the weight. Whether you lose exactly the amounts you need to lose or not, with exercise and eating healthier, you'll definitely feel better and be healthier.

I'm with the other gals. It is doable indeed. Also keep in mind that the seamstresses who alter these dresses are magic! I'm sooo impressed with what ours did for my daughter and her bridesmaids.
Just keep plugging away and know that you wil be successful and a seamstress can take care of the rest.

I say it's doable. For me I haven't been keeping track of my inches, just pant size. Since September 15th I have gone from a tight 18 to a 14 or sometimes a 12 and I took a 3 month hiatus from healthy living in that time too. Even if you don't quite make it a slimming undergarment should be able to do the rest.

Some tips on how to do it:
1) Strength train
2) Drink 1oz of water per 2# of bodyweight (plus extra for exercise)
3) Work on your posture (correct posture can probably take care of the 4" around the waist)
4) Eat 5-6 mini meals a day
5) Eat no less than 1200 calories a day
6) Get protien with as many meals as you can
7) Get extra activity wherever you can

It's very doable..I went from a 18 to an 8 in 8 months..so I know you can lose that. Exercise and healthy eating are the clue. Get active and you will feel so much better!

Have faith. You can do it. They'll probably be having to take that dress up to fit your new body. Good luck.

Hey, I’m going to be a bridesmaid in my sister’s wedding also on October 7, funny coincidence. I still haven’t ordered my dress, I’m lazy and a bad bridesmaid. LOL

I think it’s possible that you could achieve that goal, but like everyone says even when you’re doing everything right we just can’t control how our bodies will react to changes. A healthy balanced calorie-controlled diet along with exercise will do you loads of good weather you make that particular goal or not, so get crackin’ and I hope it all works out for you. Weight training is really great at re-shaping, so I would recommend and good dose of that in your workout regimen.

Thank u for all of your replies. I realize I can't control where I lose the weight. But I never really realized that until u all said, I am slow sometimes forgive me. What kind of weight training is there a website or somewhere to go for exercises? I went to see a dietician today, and she referred me to a website and I have to track my food there and exercise and then she will meet with me every week to see where I need to make improvements. So I will try this and see what happens. Thanku guys! If u have any exercise advice I would appreciate that.

Well I went to the gym this morning and I feel pretty good. So if I can only keep up with the exercise I should be okay i guess. I am also following the nutrition plan I have so. I will fit into that dress.

Good for you!!! Just keep moving and you will make it!!

If you want more info on weight training, check out "ladies (and gents) who lift" on the Exercise forum! Great info there!

Good luck - and keep posting here!