To all the newly engaged ladies...

Hello Ladies! Sorry its been a while. I have 12 days until my big day and have lots to do! I found myself very stressed and overwhelmed with not just tasks, but also looking how I want to. I found something that really helped me manage both, and my only regret is that I didnt find it sooner!


Bikram Yoga. For those of you who are unfamiliar, its hot yoga, literally. Its 105 degrees. Its hot. Like really hot. You do 2 sets each of 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises. The poses are not terribly difficult, but the heat makes it seem almost impossible.

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I love the way Bikram yoga can clear my mind, my skin and make me sweat! Its 90 minutes, and not the most pleasant. I am going to go asmuch as I can over the next 2 weeks. I can feel my arms getting toned!

I highly recommend www.dcbikramyoga.com in Tenleytown. Its inexpensive to start. Give it a try!

What would you do?

About 6 months ago, when I first got engaged, I was feeling very "in the spirit." I came up with this idea to email talk shows about having a bridal competition to lose weight. Ya know, 3 brides competing and you win things for your wedding, type thing. Well to my surprise, one of the shows called on Saturday! I couldn't believe it! I never expected to hear back. So now, I have to decide if I really want to do this!? I mean....advertising your weight to the world? I don't think so. Standing in a bikini on TV? Um not so much. Winning prizes, OH YEAH!I only have about 20 lbs, maybe 25, to lose, but I don't know if I really want to do this? Needing adivce, ladies! What would you do? Realisitically?

(Right now I asked for information regarding possible prizes and details on what is required from me, so more info to come)

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Opportunity or Stress Inducer?

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The fiance and I generally eat decently, and while we exercise, it's what you'd call sporadic at best. We both like to walk and I also run. I usually end up signing up for 2-3 road races through out the summer because it takes the "you just paid $35 to run a 10K, get your butt on the road" to keep me on track.

I've been thinking though that with our long engagement, F & I could have the ultimate motivator on our hands: Wedding, Wedding Photos, Wedding Tux, and Wedding Dress (eek!). We have about 15 months ahead of us, so why not make the most of it? My theory is that if we can use the wedding to re-mold our eating and exercise habits for 15 months, it might stick after the wedding!

We've decided to make a concerted effort to make better food choices, cut back on nights out and alcohol consumption, take lunch to work more often, and try to walk together 3 times a week. We also talked about trying out the South Beach Diet together, but we're opting for baby steps right now. In addition, I've ramped up my running of late (I'm supposed to run this on labor day).

I've known other couples who have bought gym memberships together in preparation for their wedding and subsequent beach honeymoon. We also know a couple doing Weight Watchers together to get ready for their December wedding.

Having a buddy to go through this with is great--raise your hand if you had a work-out buddy sophomore year of college to lose the freshman15 (me!). But I could also see how it could create extra wedding stress as the day gets closer. Will it create too much pressure? Will there be nit-picking over the how much pasta we're eating or skipping a work-out? possibly, but we think the potential health benefits make it worth a shot.

Are you doing anything special diet and exercise related in preparation for your wedding?