Wedding Toning up for wedding dress?

[honey22]

Ok fellow brides - you will understand my dilemma.

Bit of background - I have been losing weight over the past 12 months I guess, on and off in spurts. I have so far lost 25kg (55 pounds) which I am very happy about. I plan to lose another 20kg - 25kg (44-55 pounds over the next 12 months). I know this sounds drastic but I am not going to be a skeleton, I will smack bang in my healthy weight range. And I won''t throw myself off the nearest bridge if I don''t get all the way there either. I am cool about this.

My problem is my arms. I am so ashamed of them. I have saggy baggy arms - a lot of empty skin left over from losing the weight, and I fear that it will continue to get worse the more I drop. Yes, there is still fat in there that needs to go too. I really have my heart set on wearing a strapless dress. I do have nice shoulders (they were very nice when I was thinner) and I could pull off the right strapless gown now I believe if it weren''t for my arms.

How do I fix this?!?! I havn''t done any toning exercises yet, as I have been focussing on cardio. I have a full gym set up at home (ohhh the shame!!) like weight machine, benches, full set of free weights (I can almost hear you calling me an idiot

) so I do have access to these thing without paying for a gym membership.

Do you think it will make a difference? I am realistic about this and know that no amount of toning will make all the skin magically disappear, but I was kinda hoping if I worked really hard over the next 12 months, then my arms would pass the test for the dress I am dreaming about?

What do you think - be honest! I can handle it (well, can you be honest gently?!) I would post pics but you would be grossed out I am sure.

Thanks for your help ladies.

 

[palomablancabride]

If you start to incorporate weights into your workout, continue with cardio, and eat a healthy diet that you will become more toned! One year is certainly enough time.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Small 2 lb weights incorporated into a Pilates routine. This worked like gang busters for me!
Pilates is incredible, period, but when you bump them up a notch by using small weights through all the various, applicable exercises, you will notice a difference.

Hope that helps!

 

[CJ2008]

honey...

Weights WILL definitely make a difference. As will exercises that use your body weight for resistance (i.e, push-ups).

A year is definitely enough time to see changes in your body. But you need to be realistic, too...if you have a lot of extra sagging skin you're not going to end up with Madonna arms without a lot of hard work. And as I'm sure you know sometimes the ONLY way to get rid of loose skin is surgery.

So you want to be realistic about your body type, weight, etc., otherwise when you DON'T have Madonna arms a month before the wedding you'll get disappointed/sad.

Please don't be ashamed to post a picture - we would not be grossed out! None of us are perfect! My arms are not a problem but my legs are. I've accepted a while back that no matter how much I exercise (and I work out HARD) I will never ever have toned thighs. But I still felt beautiful on my wedding day.

 

[honey22]

Thanks so much for the advise ladies. So I guess there is some hope but I do accept I won''t have Madonna arms. But somewhere in between flab and fab would be good.

And anyway, I do know that increasing muscle mass will help burn those extra calories, so it''s all good in the long run.

I am actually thinking of taking a few pics anyway, even just for myself and every few months take new ones, print them out and see if there is any difference. I know I will only need to see a little bit of improvement to really boost my motivation.

I am off to the Melbourne Bridal Expo tomorow, so that should help me get on track. Nothing like seeing tons of beautiful designer gowns to guilt me back into my gym hey?

Thanks for listening!

 

[honey22]

Date: 8/7/2008 6:00:55 PM
Author: Sparkalicious
Small 2 lb weights incorporated into a Pilates routine. This worked like gang busters for me!

Pilates is incredible, period, but when you bump them up a notch by using small weights through all the various, applicable exercises, you will notice a difference.


Hope that helps!

I have never done Pilates. My rheumatologist said that I can do Thai Chi, but to avoid Yoga as it can stress your joints. I don''t know where Pilates would fit? I guess it''s worth a try. I should get a video to do at home. Anyway, who ever listens to their rheumatologist hey? No alcohol my backside.............

 

[miraclesrule]

Honey, you have free weights at home. Tha is all you need to firm up the "chicken arms"<------as I lovingly refer to mine.

I have seriously flabby arms. I like to make the guys at the gym laugh when I am pumping iron by shaking them at them. They usually end up laughing and dropping their weights and then getting all pissed at me because I broke their concentration. But dang, some of them so so seriously pumped up

I recommend that you pay for at least one or two sessions with a personal trainer so that you can safely and properly use the free weights you have at home. It is good for you to work up to at least 8 pound weights in each hand. I use nothing less, but I have been working out since I was 17. I just can''t do that full pilates straight out with 10 pbs in each arm because I start compensating with my neck and lower back.

There is an amazing under arm exercise on the Callenetics video that I still do...and can feel it every time....and I learned that 15 years ago. You need to really work your shoulders, biceps, triceps, deltoids and trapezius to help firm up the upper arms.

Good Luck and congratulations on not only your engagement and upcoming wedding, but your incredible weight loss to date and your committment to your future health. Here.... I am going to cheer you with my glass of Cabernet.

 

[Deelight]

Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.

Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

 

[honey22]

Date: 8/7/2008 9:59:57 PM
Author: miraclesrule
Honey, you have free weights at home. Tha is all you need to firm up the ''chicken arms''<------as I lovingly refer to mine.

I have seriously flabby arms. I like to make the guys at the gym laugh when I am pumping iron by shaking them at them. They usually end up laughing and dropping their weights and then getting all pissed at me because I broke their concentration. But dang, some of them so so seriously pumped up

I recommend that you pay for at least one or two sessions with a personal trainer so that you can safely and properly use the free weights you have at home. It is good for you to work up to at least 8 pound weights in each hand. I use nothing less, but I have been working out since I was 17. I just can''t do that full pilates straight out with 10 pbs in each arm because I start compensating with my neck and lower back.

There is an amazing under arm exercise on the Callenetics video that I still do...and can feel it every time....and I learned that 15 years ago. You need to really work your shoulders, biceps, triceps, deltoids and trapezius to help firm up the upper arms.

Good Luck and congratulations on not only your engagement and upcoming wedding, but your incredible weight loss to date and your committment to your future health. Here.... I am going to cheer you with my glass of Cabernet.

Thankyou so much! You are so kind. I do want to lose weight for my health (arthritis etc) and a selfish shallow part of me just wants to look stunning on her wedding day. I know that''s petty but at least I am honest hey?

I know this sounds terribly like I am off track already, but I plan to have a big weekend, get all the craves over and done with by Sunday night. I have a fav bottle of wine, a big roast dinner in the oven soon and cake for dessert. Come Monday morning, I have one goal - a trimmer toner body! I will do this! If I can''t look slim for my wedding, then I am never going to be able to do it - it''s now or never!!!!!

DF has been big into gyms in the past, he has learnt heaps and even helped train some of his friends. He is more than happy to help put together a program for me, so I can save the money on the personal training. I just have to convince him to ignore my puppy dog eyes when the going gets too tough.

Enjoy your Cabernet! I am going to indulge in a lovely Margaret River Sem Sav Blanc tonight, I might even share it with my sister who is coming for dinner tonight. We are hitting the big bridal expo tomorow, that should shock me into weight loss action.

 

[honey22]

Date: 8/8/2008 12:09:45 AM
Author: Deelight
Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.

Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

Yep, the dreaded tuckshop ladies!! Grrrrrrrr! I am going to start off with 3 sessions of weights a week I think, and build up from there. I have heard that too, that it''s really hard to woman to bulk up. I think with the extra ''padding'' I have on muy arms would disguise any bulk anyway wouldn''t it? And cardio everyday. I drag my exercise bike in front of the telly and go go go. I lost the first half that way, so I know it works. Can''t wait to start losing again, it will really boost my motivation.

If all else fails, I will just staple my mouth shut until the wedding..............................

 

[Deelight]

I do weights at least once a week and cardio x3 a week with a PT for the past four months and while I have not lost a heck of a lot of weight I have slimmed down considerably, to date I have lost 27cms on my waist and a heck of a lot off the rest of me. I have definitely not bulked up but I have become more defined and stronger, I love my new little bumps it beats lumps for sure.

What I found with weight training - you might be different is that you shrink but the scales don''t shrink at the start with you, muscle weighs more then fat so measuring yourself is a good way of accurately gauging loss there have been months I have gained weight but lost measurements I had my testing today and this month is my first weight loss so far my body is finally dropping more fat .

Pilates is really low impact and good if you want to improve your core strength and abs but you need to do it with cardio as well (which you do already), but I wouldn''t say it does much for your arms, I love it though.

If you want to tone the TS ladies, I would use some small hand weights probably a 2.5kg and a 5kg each set and work from there. Some of the ones I do are:

Punching out in front of you while holding a 2.5kg weight in each hand.

Hold your arm straight above you head with a 5kg weight (providing it is not to heavy) bend at the elbow and extend upwards. I don''t know if that is okay for your joints.

Pull downs if you have the equipment holding your elbows in at your waist

Arms down by your side and lift upwards with your elbows pointing outwards.

Push ups, an oldie but a goodie.

So as many as you can and you should see results, also eating good lean proteins helps to feed your muscles.

It will be good if you can get your DF to help you so you can maximize the effectiveness of your training. Good luck, a year is heaps of time to get toned.

 

[dani13]

Honey, do you go to a gym? If they have a rowing macine, that is an excellent workout for your arms/whole upper body. When I was training for my wedding, I rowed for 15-20 mins, 5 days a wk. It made a significant difference in the way my whole upper body looked.

Of course, I also worked out 5-6 days per wk, doing 45-60 mins of high- intensity cardio every time, and 45 mins of wt training on 3 of those days. I was really motivated and hard core. Also, watch your calorie/fat intake. A good eating plan in conjunction with excercise should get you the results you want. You just have to stick with it.

Good luck!!!

 

[honey22]

I am exhausted just listening to all that exercise!!!!

I went to the big bridal expo today with my sister and saw all these gorgeous gowns. I really have a good idea of what I want now, although I havn''t exactly found it. But I am open to trying lots on. This will be cool. I am going to avoid trying any dresses on until I get to my Mum''s in October (I wanted her to be there for the first try-on) so I will work on the bod and see how I go then. I still have 13 months, so I don''t plan to purchase anything until Feb-March I think.

I can do this!!!!

Here is the website my sis found, and I really like so many of them. I am thinking along the lines of something like these? Bearing in mind I am getting married in a chapel on the beach, so I don''t want anything too over the top. Are these too much.

I can''t link the actual dresses, but the ones that have caught my eye are Trinity, Catalina, Kelsey, Catlyn, Ainsley, Lisa and Delta. They all are different and I like different things about each of them, but I can imagine me in something like these ones. Do you guys think they are too much?

http://www.wendymakin.com/subdesigns.asp?parent=1

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/8/2008 12:09:45 AM
Author: Deelight
Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.

Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

TUCKSHOP LADIES??? LOL!

 

[honey22]

Date: 8/9/2008 7:35:03 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/8/2008 12:09:45 AM
Author: Deelight
Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.

Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

TUCKSHOP LADIES??? LOL!

Lorelei - I just love how you love our little quirky words here Down Under. We are happy to always provide a laugh

Surely you have some daggy words too

You are in England arent'' you? I recently heard of a Nickerbocker Glory and laughed my butt off when I did. Hilarious! And yummy!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/9/2008 7:40:30 AM
Author: honey22

Date: 8/9/2008 7:35:03 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/8/2008 12:09:45 AM
Author: Deelight
Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.

Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

TUCKSHOP LADIES??? LOL!

Lorelei - I just love how you love our little quirky words here Down Under. We are happy to always provide a laugh

Surely you have some daggy words too

You are in England arent' you? I recently heard of a Nickerbocker Glory and laughed my butt off when I did. Hilarious! And yummy!!!

Hehehe! I enjoy your sayings very much!

I think we call tuckshop ladies bingo wings, so we do have plenty of daggy words of our own ( love that one!)

I am in England and yes a Knickerbocker Glory is an icecream sundae, served in a tall glass - most yummy! And of course speaking of puddings, we have our famous Spotted Dick!

 

[Deelight]

Date: 8/9/2008 7:56:31 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/9/2008 7:40:30 AM

Author: honey22

Date: 8/9/2008 7:35:03 AM

Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/8/2008 12:09:45 AM

Author: Deelight

Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.


Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

TUCKSHOP LADIES??? LOL!

Lorelei - I just love how you love our little quirky words here Down Under. We are happy to always provide a laugh

Surely you have some daggy words too

You are in England arent'' you? I recently heard of a Nickerbocker Glory and laughed my butt off when I did. Hilarious! And yummy!!!

Hehehe! I enjoy your sayings very much!

I think we call tuckshop ladies bingo wings, so we do have plenty of daggy words of our own ( love that one!)


I am in England and yes a Knickerbocker Glory is an icecream sundae, served in a tall glass - most yummy! And of course speaking of puddings, we have our famous Spotted Dick!

Hehehe I love all the different sayings from all over funny how you can know someones region but the saying they say, giggling at bingo wings LOL, I am not sure why someone would name a desert Spotted Dick but I have heard it is quite good.

Honey I have heard Wendy Makin gowns are quite beautiful, I think the ones you listed are beautiful.

 

[buttercup80]

Okay, I have to ask - please excuse my ignorance, but what on earth is a tuckshop lady??!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/9/2008 8:22:23 AM
Author: buttercup80
Okay, I have to ask - please excuse my ignorance, but what on earth is a tuckshop lady??!

I think a tuckshop lady is ( going by this conversation!!) where you can get some loose skin on the underneath of the upper arms.

 

[honey22]

Date: 8/9/2008 7:56:31 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/9/2008 7:40:30 AM
Author: honey22

Date: 8/9/2008 7:35:03 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/8/2008 12:09:45 AM
Author: Deelight
Honey I assume you want to tone your tuckshop ladies? It is harder but it is possible I have to duck out but I can list a few things you can do with the weights that I find helpful that I have learned from my trainer when I get back.

Weights rock it is good for fat burning and it is seriously really hard for chicks to bulk. I do free weights once a week and my muscle strength is much improved.

TUCKSHOP LADIES??? LOL!

Lorelei - I just love how you love our little quirky words here Down Under. We are happy to always provide a laugh

Surely you have some daggy words too

You are in England arent'' you? I recently heard of a Nickerbocker Glory and laughed my butt off when I did. Hilarious! And yummy!!!

Hehehe! I enjoy your sayings very much!

I think we call tuckshop ladies bingo wings, so we do have plenty of daggy words of our own ( love that one!)

I am in England and yes a Knickerbocker Glory is an icecream sundae, served in a tall glass - most yummy! And of course speaking of puddings, we have our famous Spotted Dick!

Sorry, I am so not put off my many food items, but I don''t think I could bring myself to order that. I just sounds gross!

 

[Deelight]

Date: 8/9/2008 9:21:55 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/9/2008 8:22:23 AM

Author: buttercup80

Okay, I have to ask - please excuse my ignorance, but what on earth is a tuckshop lady??!

I think a tuckshop lady is ( going by this conversation!!) where you can get some loose skin on the underneath of the upper arms.

Yup that''s it you hit the nail on the noggin

 

[Lorelei]

LOL!!! Thanks Dee!

Hehe! Honey, spotted dick isn''t one of my faves actually, it is AKA fly pudding because of the currants! I don''t like currants and the little hard bits in them. It is a suet pudding with some spice and currants added, then it is steamed and served with custard generally. I would far rather have treacle pudding than that.

 

[Independent Gal]

OK, first of all I just have to say that YOU ROCK losing all that weight. You're my hero and I hope you feel proud of yourself every day because this is a major accomplishment already!

Next, I think it would be well worth the money, if you can afford it, to hire a personal trainer just for two sessions or so, to teach you targeted weight routines to meet your goal of toning up your arms. Having a professional tell you what and how while making sure you're doing it right for maximum impact can make all the difference. I'm guessing it would cost $60-100 per session, and you really only need a couple of sessions, and maybe a follow-up every 2-3 months to make sure it's going OK and revamp the plan.

Money well spent!

 

[DMBFiredancer]

what are some good weights to work with? i have 10 lb weights here at home and i am wondering if they are too heavy. i can do 3 sets of 12 with them no problem of different exercises, but i am wondering if i should be using lighter ones (5-8lb.?)
someone told me that lighter ones wont create as much bulk, just tone, but i feelt hat if i can handle the 10 lb ones that maybe they are better for me. anyone know more about this?

thanks!

 

[honey22]

Thanks so much IndGal, you are too sweet. I think I might invest in a few sessions after all, maybe in a few more weeks when I feel a little more comfortable about the whole thing.

DMBFiredancer - thanks. I will have to get out my calculator again and convert pounds to kgs, actually they may be both written on them I think (shows how long ago I picked one up hey).

DF joked yesterday as he was carrying in some bridal mags from the car for me, that if I were actually carrying them around and not him, I would get toned up in no time - those things can get heavy!!!

 

[Deelight]

Date: 8/10/2008 2:06:30 PM
Author: DMBFiredancer
what are some good weights to work with? i have 10 lb weights here at home and i am wondering if they are too heavy. i can do 3 sets of 12 with them no problem of different exercises, but i am wondering if i should be using lighter ones (5-8lb.?)

someone told me that lighter ones wont create as much bulk, just tone, but i feelt hat if i can handle the 10 lb ones that maybe they are better for me. anyone know more about this?


thanks!

For bicep curls I do between 5-10 kgs each arm and 10 pounds is approx 4.54kgs so your fine if you can do that comfortably I don''t see why to change.

Honey to give you an idea of PT training prices I do 3 1/2hr PT sessions a week and a small group class and it costs about $84 a week which is not to shabby. Seriously one of the best things I have ever done for myself .

 

[Independent Gal]

Date: 8/10/2008 2:06:30 PM
Author: DMBFiredancer
what are some good weights to work with? i have 10 lb weights here at home and i am wondering if they are too heavy. i can do 3 sets of 12 with them no problem of different exercises, but i am wondering if i should be using lighter ones (5-8lb.?)

someone told me that lighter ones wont create as much bulk, just tone, but i feelt hat if i can handle the 10 lb ones that maybe they are better for me. anyone know more about this?


thanks!

No offense, DMB, but I don't think 10 lbs weights are going to "bulk you up". 25lb weights, maybe, but you'll be juuuuust fine with 10-15 lbs.

 

[DMBFiredancer]

Date: 8/11/2008 8:49:57 AM
Author: Independent Gal

Date: 8/10/2008 2:06:30 PM

Author: DMBFiredancer

No offense, DMB, but I don''t think 10 lbs weights are going to ''bulk you up''. 25lb weights, maybe, but you''ll be juuuuust fine with 10-15 lbs.

hahahah...no offense taken at all! i was asking because a friend said she was always told "lower weight, more reps" and suggested i use 5-8 lbs weights instead. i started to question whether i should be doing more reps with less weight or keep rocking with the 10 pounders.
thanks for the reassurance