Weight-loss Plan For The OSB
January 31st, 2008 @ 10:32 am by Mrs. Cupcake
…..Ya know, the OSB: Over-Scheduled Bride.Yesterday, I ventured to the gym for the first time in about *cough, cough, static* months. What’s that? You didn’t hear me? Well, let’s just say that the packed gym bag that has been living in my car all this time had a magazine in it which I had planned to read on the elliptical….. so when I finally got to the gym yesterday, I found myself reading about Thanksgiving dinner tips in late January.
Yup, it’s been a while.
It’s not that I’m lazy. It’s that I’ve been so. damn. busy. that it’s really hard to find time to get there. I know it’s the classic excuse, but balancing a new job with wedding planning and trying to keep somewhat sane and connected with my loved ones has proven to be really, really hard. Getting to the gym isn’t always the first thing on my list of things to do with my spare time. (Ha, sorry, I just hallucinated a little bit there and implied that I have spare time!)
But now, the wedding is less than 8 months away and there is no avoiding the fact that I need to get in shape. I’m not looking to lose an obscene amount of weight — I’m shooting for 8 pounds and a more toned bod — but if I don’t start now, I’ll just feel more pressure to get fit later on, when I’ll likely have even more wedding chaos surrounding me. If I’m gonna do it, I’ve gotta start now, before the flab really takes over!
I know all you readers out there are uber busy bees…. what is your secret to finding time for fitness amidst your chaotic schedules? How do you fit it in with not much time and still see results? And what is your favorite activity — running with a friend, pilates, yoga? Share your secret!
Related Posts
33 Responses to “Weight-loss Plan For The OSB”
I go first thing in the morning. It’s the only way it ever gets done, because after work I’m tired or stuff comes up. Getting it out of the way first thing in the morning is the only way I’m able to exercise regularly.
I joined a gym very close to my office, and I try to think about it like I have three potential slots for workouts each day - before work, at lunch, or after work. For awhile I was trying to hit the gym twice a day, but with less than three months to go, I have a million things to do, so now I figure, if I can fill one of those slots with some kind of workout on most days, I’m doing pretty well!
It sucks, but I get up and workout first thing in the morning. It’s the only way I can guarantee a workout, as I get to be really lazy in the evenings, or have plans that I need to get to within an hour of being done with work, so evening workouts just don’t suit me.
So I get up at 4:30 or 4:45 on the days I work out, I go to the gym and workout from 5:30 - 6:30, and then I either shower at the gym and head to work from there, or I go home and shower, depending on which gym I’m at. (I work out with a trainer twice a week as well…necessary expense, as its often been my only workouts throughout the week since my wedding. I’ve gained 10 pounds since then, btw. When I was able to drink beer again, I took a little bit too much advantage of that situation! ;))
It seems early…I know it does. But it’s worth it to get the workout done, and not have to worry about it at the end of the day. Trying to get to bed as early as you can the night before (I went to bed at 10:30 last night…would’ve preferred 10, but I got swamped by the dishes in the sink!) helps.
That’s my (longwinded) tip! Have fun with it!
I’m an early morning girl too (not naturally, but to get it done, I have to be!) I usually am up at 4:30, leave by 4:45, get to the gym by 4:50 (it’s less than a mile away) and work out until 5:45, drive home, get ready for work and go from there.
I’ve found that having someone meet you at the gym (which is really hard to find in the AM) is the best thing possible. The accountability is great and if you’re lucky enough to have a friend that can hash out wedding stuff with you, even better! You’ll find you sleep better and feel better even though it’s taking more time, plus you have an outlet for those vendor frustrations!
Also, getting it done first thing in the morning frees up the rest of your day for whatever may come up - you don’t have to worry about “fitting it in” - you’re done before work.
I really want to try getting up in the morning…how do you guys get yourselves to do it? I have to be out of the house by 6:30 to head to work, so I’d only be getting a quick workout.
I’ve been tracking my calories on sparkpeople.com and it has made an insane difference already. I still can eat what I like, for the most part, but I just watch my portions more now and you’d be surprised how much that helps. I really suggest you try it (and it’s free)! It also gives you more motivation to get to the gym.
I go straight after work with my bag packed in my trunk. Then I can come home and make dinner and do the rest of my evening things. Plus, it’s nice to get moving after setting at my desk all day.
I do some combination of elliptical, StepMill, treadmill, and recumbent bike for 45-60 minutes with at least one day of weights thrown in there. I really enjoy doing weights and the way it makes me feel.
I started working out 3 mornings a week about a month ago - at home with my iPod shuffle! I used to have some “sit around and drink coffee” time built into my mornings, so I only get up 30 minutes earlier on workout days, straggle into the living room, put on some jams (sometimes still in my PJs - I’m at home, who cares?) and do some toning and aerobics moves for 45 minutes to an hour. It actually really wakes me up, and the only equipment I use is a resistance band: everything else just requires me (push ups, crunches, jumping jacks, occasional unplanned dancing because Justin Timberlake just shuffled on… you know).
I started with this: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/explore/chi-0110_workout_detailsjan10,0,4341821.story
But am adding moves as I find them.
Good luck!
Morning workout too! I am up at 5, out the door at 5:30. Work out from 6-7:15. Shower at the gym.
**tip** I am the first one in at my workplace so I usually bring my clothes (or leave a spare set) at my desk and just get ready at work instead of fighting for counter space in the ladies locker room.
I’m with Miss Jasmine–morning workouts are the only way I stay true to my routine. Otherwise I am too tired or other things come up by the end of the day. And you get all those endorphins to make the day go by slightly faster and you actually have more energy as the day goes by (as long as you remember to eat & keep your metabolism up throughout the day)
**tip2** It was hard to get out of bed in the beginning so I created a “Wake Up” playlist. As soon as my alarm went off I would immediately insert headphones and start making coffee. It worked like a charm.
Oh–I also make sure my bag is packed the night before and I leave it by the door. Good Luck!!!
i can’t bring myself to do mornings. after work i actually work out at home with kettlebells, i swear by them because they’re a total body workout in a short time (and they don’t take up much room). i’m also on a sports team in the spring and fall, which helps with the accountability part 
My FI and I are going to sign up for a half-marathon a few weeks before the wedding. This will force us to train in the months leading up to the wedding. And since we are doing it together, neither one can back out.
i definetely could never do morning workouts. so i try to get a workout in during lunch. if not, i go home, make dinner, eat and force myself to do a DVD at home. its hard, but i easier for me than waking up early. plus, its great after a meal, you feel digested and continue to burn the calories into your sleep.
I have been really motivated lately, I guess I just realized I had 9 months to the big day and want to look my best. I have been hitting the gym about 4 times a week, I go after work and then in the morning on the weekends. I really enjoy spin class, it gets me sweating (always the sign of a good workout).
I’m also a morning gal. FI and I get up and go together-we get up a little before 6, try to make it to the gym by 6:15 and work out until 7. Then race home and try to get to work by 8:15!
Its only 45 min per morning, and we always take wednesdays off and then have a ‘big’ workout on saturday or sunday.
But I have to say the early morning thing-as much as I hate getting up-is the only way I’ve been able to keep a routine!
I have to be at work at 8:15, and I’m up at 5:45. I definitely prefer the morning workouts, and I found that the best way to keep me motivated is to have my FH drive me to the gym on his way to his workout at 6. The gym is in our apt complex, so its a short walk back, but the accountability is what forces me to actually go. He then drives to another gym where his work buddies meet him - which has really helped him stick with it.
I also started wearing my workout clothes to bed…not very pretty, I know, but it works!
My hunnie and I go together. We started walking a few months ago, and walk a few evenings a week (when we can squeeze it in around our schedules *i work full time and 2 part time jobs. He works full time until 730pm and has baseball twice a week*) we go about three miles, and jog a bit when we can.
We recently started going to the gym on tuesday evenings and saturday and sunday (which are the only times we have together to really do anything) So we spend time together and get in shape for the wedding. He helps me with my form (because im gym-tarded) and i help motivate him when he’s ready to quit.
I can tell you, i keep that image of me in my strapless gown and then look in the mirror at the flabby arms ™ and it keeps my tuckus movin’ 
I also agree mornings are the only way to go (run 6:30-7 with a neighbor). The night before I lay out my running clothes and pack a lunch. My motivation comes from a monthly contest with my FI (and now my neighbor has the contest with her husband): 30 minutes of continuous raised hearttate counts as 1 point. You can only get 1 point per day. Most points at the end of the month wins and chooses date (we will be seeing Juno this weekend!!!). Being that my FI, neighbor, her hubby, and I are all very competitive, this is working REALLY well.
One last suggestions, celebrate small victories. I wish I were running with the neighbor for an hour every morning, but 30 minutes is what we can fit it, and 30 minutes is better than nothing! (I’m also thinking of a once per week trainer…)
I’m a morning exerciser too! My husband and I get up around 5am and hit the gym for an hour. We try to go 4-5 times a week.
I hope I can hang in there. But it really helps to go with someone and we get to spend that time together. After work, I’m way to tired/lazy to even think about going. I’d rather get it out of the way!
Good luck!
i have no secret. i am exhausted all the time. i commute 2.5 hours and work 8 hours a day. i dont know where to squeeze in a workout. i just want to sleep dammit!
but i’ve got to get it together. unlike you, i have a lot more that i want to lose……kinda like 30 lbs…and i could theoretically do it by my November 08 wedding. but freak! i am sooo tired. all. the. time.
I live by my outlook calendar. My phone is connected to my work e-mails and calendar so anytime anything happens it beeps. Well, I started scheduling time to go to the gym, so when I’m at work and my reminder pops up, even if I still have stuff to do, I leave and go to the gym for an hour and then go back to work. if I’m not at work and my phone beeps, I look and it says “GO TO THE GYM” which honestly works. Sometimes you get so lost in your day that you just need a reminder that going to the gym is a priority also. When my gym has classes that day I put it in my calendar “Step class” or “Yoga”.
Honestly though, it is one of those things that you have to make a priority. It sounds as though a lot of women *want* to do it, but there’s always something better to do. I make it a high priority to go to the gym. If my friends want to meet for a drink but I have a gym time scheduled on my calendar, I just ask them if we could push it back until 7pm or whenever so I know that I can work out and then still have time to meet them.
I got a personal trainer and prepaid for 2 sessions/week every week up until the wedding. At $75 a pop, there’s no way I’m not showing up!
I am soooo not a morning person, and I have to be to work at 7:00 anyway. So mornings are out for me. However, I did find a club just a mile from my house that has yoga and pilates classes every evening at 5:30 - which would be an hour after I am supposed to get of work, so a nice amount of time to get there without enough extra time to get distracted. I am going down to join at lunch today! I plan to start with yoga Tuesdays and Thursdays, and see if I can’t work up to pilates or maybe a step class on Mondays and Wednesdays as well. Wish me luck!
I take Pilates and fusion classes, and I pay for them by the class. I sign up for each class several days in advance. Since I get charged for the class even if I don’t show up, I show up, even when I want to just go home. It’s much more effective for me than a monthly gym membership, where missing one day is not directly connected to money lost.
Of course, it helps that I only have a couple weeks until the wedding, and right now my goal is just to NOT GAIN, with all the celebratory stuff going on. The dress is perfect now, and I don’t want that to change!
I’ve found that if I pay for it and they call it a class, I’m more likely to go. My personal favorite over the past few weeks has been Jazzercise - yes, it sounds corny, but its really fun and you don’t notice the time going by when you’re ‘dancing’ to newer music. I have to make exercise fun - or else I’ll find excuses not to do it every time.
I’ve started working out in the mornings and with a friend — we keep a little excel file with digital “stickers” just like if we were in 2nd grade. It’s ridiculous, but having a little row of panda stickers on my workout schedule for the month is great… And knowing that she’s going to be checking up on me is great, too!
If you have to commute to work, I would recommend going to a gym close to your office. That way your commute’s already done, chances are you’ve missed a chunk of bad morning traffic, and you can go from there. I had some friends go to a close by gym in the afternoon — it let them get a workout in and miss rush hour. Good combination.
I do two things:
Paid ahead for twice weekly yoga classes until the wedding. That means if I skip I just wasted money, and heaven knows we don’t have any of that laying around.
When I get up and don’t want to exercise, I just tell myself that I only have to do 20-30 mins, and it always feels so good that I stay for an hour. But the 20 mins gets me out of bed.
I hired a personal trainer. HE comes to ME - we work out in the gym at my apt complex… so if I don’t show up, I think he’d come ring my bell! lol Other than that, I try to get in a cardio workout in the morning on most days (except Sunday - gym is closed, which is fine). If I don’t do it in the morning, I’m not motivated later. Problem = I’m not a morning person… so if I have to be at school early (i.e. 9am), forget it. I miss the day, but I’m working on it. Every day is a struggle.
I, too, joined SparkPeople and LOOOOOVE it! I just started two weeks ago but I really think it’s going to change my life.
Wow, I am so impressed with all of you who get to the gym in the morning! I am the farthest thing there is from a morning person, but I might just have to force myself. Thanks for all of the input, ladies!!
I think it’s important to figure out what works for you, your life style and schedule. I have to be at work at 6am so clearly working out in the morning is not in option. Therefore I go right after work. If I don’t go right after work it’s not going to happen. Period.
I started following Marie Claire workout plan that helps you lose 15-25lbs over 3 months. You have to work out *gasp* six times a week with alternative to work out 4 times a week. Besides 30-40 minutes of cardio 4-6 times a week it has great strength exercises with dumbells. Now those you can do at home in front of the tv. I think that might be one of your options - cardio at the gym, strength training at home. Each only 30 minutes. If you do it in front of your favorite tv show the time goes by really quickly.
I own a treadmill and do an hour every morning. Every day. No excuses. I also have meal delivery (its practically gourmet, seriously!) through ediets which helps tremendously and is only like 125 a week- I work CONSTANTLY and have zero time to shop, cook, eat….it works for me. I’m extremely conscious about my weight and health and feel that to stay the size I want, I have to be vigilant. Plus, I just feel good!
I swear by interval training (vs. cardio at a constant pace) plus weight training every other day. One of the things I absolutely love about intervals is that while the workouts are intense, they’re short and sweet, which makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule. The results have been so good, it’s been really easy to keep at it.
I have personal trainer:)
If you believe that you are worth putting the effort into, you will succeed. Believe it or not, many women sabotage their own weight loss because they believe they are not important. Brides will use many excuses such as they are too busy, too tired, or their fiancé doesn’t like “rabbit” food. In reality, you are the most important person in your life. If you do not take care of yourself and put yourself first in terms of your health, you will suffer greatly for it as you age. The weight loss goal should not be simply to fit into the wedding dress or look good for the photographer. The goal should be to start your marriage off on a healthy foot, so that you and your new spouse can look forward to celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary without high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or other preventable health problems.
Mrs. Cupcake, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 27, Graphic Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Construction Project Manager
Engagement Date: February 10, 2007
Wedding Date: September, 2008
Blogging Since: December 7, 2007
Venue: The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA
About Me: Mr. Cupcake and I hit it off at a Halloween party and immediately began a long-distance relationship. After two years, he moved to my neck of the woods, and a year and a half after that, he proposed at the “place we fell in love.” I am a true perfectionist who enjoys designing and creating more work for myself, so wedding planning is my perfect outlet. Mr. Cupcake and I are both old souls, and we hope to weave that aspect of our personalities into our wedding day.
I wish I had a secret! Right now, I’m working full-time, going to school full-time, doing fieldwork and then I’ll be student teaching in March. I really need to get into shape, but I never seem to have time to!