Mrs. Cherry Blossom, San Francisco
Age and Occupation: 27, Administrative Asst.
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, District Sales Manager
Engagement Date: December 23, 2006
Wedding Date: May 3, 2008
Venue: Zen Garden in the East Bay w/ reception in a floor-to-ceiling window Atrium with views of the Zen Garden
About Me: After 5 years of dating, we're finally ready to get hitched! I am a lovah of all things wedding, creative, crafty, and definitely DIY bc I love to add a personal touch to everything I gift or make. In my free time, I like to bake, spend time with our family, friends, and my doggies, read my guilty pleasure celebrity gossip and catch up on TV shows.
My Magic Number is 20.
July 10th, 2008 @ 5:09 pm by Mrs. Cherry Blossom
20 what? 20 pounds lost, that’s what!!!
Was it easy? Oh heck naw!
That’s me back in November, when the Bay Area bees came together for a meet. Just check the facial roundness.
I ain’t hating on myself but I wasn’t comfortable in my skin either and hadn’t been for a very long time. When I met Mr. CB I was at my thinnest; factor in years of happy dating, I packed that happiness into my skin. My weight has always fluctuated, lots of highs, never really any lows.
With the engagement, I always figured that’d be my ultimate motivation. One and half year’s worth of time to lose weight. Easy job, right? NO way! Even harder. With 6 months to go, I wasn’t making any progress. Then come late January, I really kicked my ass into serious shape with the help of a friend/trainer.
Even with help, work, the stress of the wedding, fixing the nest for our move in after the wedding, it took its toll and the work outs lasted a mere 3 weeks, if not a month at most. My trainer was extremely supportive and helped me with a serious diet. If anything, he’d tell me the least I could do is control what I ate. It was one of the hardest struggles I had, and it came with a lot of frustration. It wasn’t just about moderation, it was about eliminating tons from my diet.
In short it created a healthier lifestyle for me. I cut out sweets, soda, juice, and CARBS (reserved only for the two family day dinners that we shared with each of our families.) I ate 5 - 6 times a day (about every 2 hours), maintaining small portioned “meals.” The work week helped because it helped me create routine. I’d pack servings ahead of time and always kept something in my purse so I never felt too hungry. I’d alternate between servings of plain/roasted/raw nuts, a fruit, small salad, veggies and protein. When we ate out, Mr. CB and I would share a dinner and he’d make a small plate for me. I kept my portions small and drank tons of water and never ate til I was full but until I was satisfied. Over time, it became habit.
I never once weighed myself. I always maintained my satisfaction with myself and my progress by how I felt in my clothes. I didn’t want to make any sort of goal for myself to stress about reaching. It was about doing this for me, myself, and I and feeling great with me. At times, I rewarded myself when I felt like it (but in the tiniest of portions) and held back when I had the most self control. I’ve since introduced a little more carbs and sweets into my life and may have added back a few lbs but I’ve never been more happy and comfortable with myself.
Never thought it’d happen, but I actually returned to my old weight when I first met Mr. CB. I feel great and healthy. For the first time EVER in my WHOLE LIFE I wore a bikini on our honeymoon, and here I am, very very shy as I am about this, sharing it with you all.
For all of you in the same bandwagon, don’t do it for the dress, don’t do it for the wedding, do it for a healthier you! I support you 500%. If you need more, build a circle of friends for support …. and you can do it too! GO YOU!
45 Responses to “My Magic Number is 20.”
Oh my gosh! Congratulations! After a year of marriage, Lindsay (my wife) wanted to lose weight as well. It’s been over five years of marriage and she is 40 pounds lighter than she was back then! I’m always so proud of people that tackle something as difficult as weight. Seriously, great job 
Here’s to a healthier you!!!
Bobby Earle
you are so my inspiration! i am pretty much feeling exactly the same way - just not comfortable in my skin. i’m hoping to get back to my pre-work weight but i only have 1.5 months to go. i’m aiming for toned and comfortable.
ps - you are HOT in that bikini!
Your post was so inspirational! I never did get around to losing weight in time for the wedding, but even now that it is over, I am slowly realizing that it’s never too late to start getting healthy again.
you are so awesome to post this =) thank you! i think most asians are petite and too many people say “you dont need to lose anything” but it really comes down to how you FEEL about your skin - congratulations and you look very hot in your bikini - what a lucky man Mr CB is!
I lost 20 pounds too! Congratulations! You look totally fabulous.
WOW! you were so adorable and cute before but the after pic looks even more amazing!!! i definitely admire you for that and am so inspired!! how much time overall did it take to lose the 20lbs?
wow again!!!
I think you were hot before, and hot after, but I am glad that you made healthy changes for the right reasons.
What a good looking couple! Congrats on the weight loss. I feel you with the happy dating=weight gain. We eat out a lot, and my habits were a bit healthier when I was single, but I’m happier now, so it’s a trade off.
You looke AMAZING!!! I’m trying to lose weight before the wedding - for all the same reasons you mentioned - so this is totally inspiring!
I love your attitude and your approach. Mr. Avocado and I are both obsessed with health, and even though the wedding is the motivator, he is always reminding me that we are not only doing this for the right now, but for the future we want to have together! You look fantastic in your hot little bikini!
You are my inspiration! Thanks for the post.
This post came at a great time. A bridal store just told me they didn’t have anything I could try on in my size(and I am not morbidly obese, just….chubby) , so I became horribly upset with myself for not being thinner. I’m not that happy with my weight right now, but with your story as inspiration, I’m going for it!
you look great! I am currently down 14 lbs. at first I was motivated by the dress- now I just to be fit and getting the body ready to bounce back after babies. (that is the plan anyway)
Great post emphasizing that it’s about making good lifestyle choices and making a conscious decision to take care of your body…not just fiiting into a dress. I think portion control is a big thing (everything is super sized and there is no way that someone who is 5′0″ should be consuming the same amount of calories as someone who is 6′0).
I’ve made the decision to cut back on the carbs that I love (rice, pasta, white bread) and now that I’m eating more veggies and protein, I have more energy, don’t suffer from food comas, and see a difference in the way my clothes fit. I still eat carbs, but not every day at every meal.
you look great in your bikini. i know how much you sacrificed to get healthy. you can keep it up so you and mr cb can live a long happy and healthy life together. YOU CAN DO IT.
oh and so its easier to bounce back after you have little cbs. im waiting….
You are truly inspiring! You look awesome, I know what you mean about wanted to feel great and healthy, I am also trying to get there too. Thank you for the post I needed to hear it!!
You are one hot son of a gun! Please throw your weight watching secrets over to me and my lazy bum!!!!
Love you sweetie… you rocked that bikini!
CB you’re my hero! I lost like 5lbs for my wedding but I really want to get back to my pre-Mr Peony weight also! I’ve slowly started trying again and it’s tough! I’m gonna bookmark this post and keep it as inspiration.
GOOD JOB! You’re attitude is perfect and totally an inspiration to me, that is the attitude I am trying to have Thanks!
WOW!! Congrats and keep it up!
@bnlearle: HI FIVE to the gent that reads weddingbee and thank you very much for the support! It is greatly appreciated! A round the world HI FIVE to your wife - now that is dedication!
@Mrs. Daffodil: I’d say it took me a good 4 months but I wasn’t really paying attention or keep track either. I finally hopped on the scale after people started bringing it to my attention.
@Mrs. Lemon: I love you more!!!! We’ll hash out the details another time * wink *
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE that takes this as inspiration. GO YOU! It took me a while to post this bc I was really shy about posting it but I really hope that you find it helpful and know that if you set your mind to it and not stress, you can do anything, lose weight, or whatever you want! Thanks for all the love and support! Now maintaining is the next steps in the hard work.
Mrs. CB, you are SO INSPIRING!!! I’ve been trying to get back to my “sevens jeans” weight and the engagement & tight dress really kicked my butt into high gear! Thanks for this post, it’s encouraged me to eat a healthy salad tonight! 
Wow, great job! You are so inspiring! And you look hot in your bathing suit - congratulations!
Amen sister! Do it for yourself. You look great, btw.
omg, you are rockin’ that bikini! i WISH i had a body like that! i was lazy and got an A-line wedding dress so i didn’t have to diet. 
but your post makes is making me re-think putting some work into my own honeymoon bikini!
You are hot. Lets hump. On the beach. Cannnnnoooot believe you haven’t worn a bikini until NOW!!! My whale of an ass as been sportin’ a bikini since 1995.
This is my favorite post. I too am trying to lose 20lbs before my October wedding and yes, I can co-sign…LOSING WEIGHT IS HARD!!!! I’m eating 6 small meals each day, no carbs after 3pm, exercising 4 days a week and trying very hard not to snack on sweets (have a very bad sweet tooth). After reading your post, i am so more motivated to continue with my new healthy approach to eating and living. Thank you Mrs CB and congrats on the weight loss!
You look great! You are an inspiration to us all.
What a perfect post to read after my walk. I just started trying to get into a routine, and I needed to hear this more than ever. Thanks Mrs. CB!
To Mrs. CB:
My sweetest Mrs. CB . . . . I am so PROUD of you! You have come such a long way and your drive and determination for a healthier life has inspired me. I want to be around for as long as possible and share our life experiences as we grow old together. I have always loved you for you not matter what size you were. You look AMAZING!!! I LOVE YOU!!!
Mr. CB
you were cute in the before pics mrs. cb, but DAYAM, you look smokin’ in your honeymoon pic!!! look at that flat stomach!! *jealous*
Mr. CB just made me cry!
This is one of the best posts I’ve read on this site. I actually got a little teary reading it (I’m a sap for success stories) I’m currently struggling to get back to my pre-bf weight (almost 3 years together + 30 pounds of weight gain. yikes). I read your post after taking a random 4 hour nap in the middle of the day…needless to say, it even motivated me to get up and jog for over 3 miles!
ok.. i will admit it.. i hated mrs. cb because she is beautiful (ie, i am just JEALOUS). she says she has a round face? i don’t think so! she is always very pretty and photogenic! try seriously having a round face and being NOT photogenic. … i use to work out for an hour every day. but that never changed my weight! i need to seriously start dieting and watching what i eat! thanks CB for being an inspiration!!!! i have three months to go! wish me luck!!!!
Congrats to you, Mrs. CB! =) You look so beautiful in your pictures!
Okay, when we first met for dinner when you interviewed me, I thought, Jane and Jason are such a cute and fun couple, I really hope they hire me. But then when I saw you at our engagement session I said to myself, Wow, I didn’t realize how HOT Jane looked!!! Then you had mentioned you lost 20 lbs and I was quite impressed because I need to lose about 10 and I can’t even do it!! You’re my hero!! Can’t wait till my photogs get you at one of my workshops!!!
Wow! I am so impressed!! I wish some of your discipline could rub off on my lazy self… gaaahh.
I thought you looked beautiful both before & after. But feeling healthy is what counts. You rock!
wow great job! you look fantastic!! I am at the point where I am maybe 20 pounds above my ideal weight, and am just not quite comfortable in my own skin. since my teens Ive been slightly overweight, and have fluctuated up and down some, but have never had success getting down to where I want to be. My healthy diet and exercise attempts are usually short lived. Now that I am getting married in just under 1 year, I am trying to kick into gear for good, you are seriously a great inspiration!
@GorgesViola: That punk made me tear too! LOL!
@AJK: AAAW * HUG * GOOOOOOOOO YOU!
@bugaboo: No thank you! =0)
@Mrs. Penguin: You’re HOTNESS to the millionth power. We’re not near each other but I’m humping the screen, can you feel it?
@janet: You’re too cute! Thank you for your sweet words. You can do it. It’s friggin hard ass work but set your mind to it, achieve that, you can do anything you want. Don’t think too much into it. Just do it.
@Scott Robert Lim: AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaWWWW Scott! Thanks so much for the sweet words and encouragement. I can’t wait to “model!” You’re MY hero!
ALL YOU GIRLS ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCK! Thank you so much for the support!
Congrats! You look HOT!
