Wedding Blog
I’m ashamed of myself. As I near the 100-day mark I’ve become more and more aware of one thing in this wedding planning process that I’ve completely neglected: my health.
I came to this (not-so-abrupt) realization yesterday when I had to call in sick to my internship. I had somehow forgotten to drink water/liquids the entire day before and was severely dehydrated. Desert-dehydrated. Nearly hospitalized-dehydrated. Dehydrated to the point where I felt like I had spent the previous night partying in Vegas harder than those Hangover guys. You get the picture.
This is so not like me. I routinely carry a reusable water bottle around with me EVERYwhere I go (I have a huge glass of water at my desk as I’m typing this). While recovering, I also realized that I’ve hit another point in my life that I’ve never been before: weighing more than I ever have. I seem to have just disregarded my health and fitness completely while planning for my wedding. The worst part? Exactly a year ago I was in the best shape of my life and making money as a part-time model because of it.
No, I didn’t have any self-image problems. In fact, it was the absolute opposite. I was healthy because I had changed my lifestyle. I didn’t take crazy fat-loss pills, go on a crash diet, or detox. I worked out 4-6 times a week, ate 4-6 small (but satisfying) meals a day, didn’t stress over calories, and got plenty of water and rest. And although I’ve always been a slimmer (but “soft” around the edges) girl and active in athletics, I was learning to truly take control of my health and fitness. Pretty soon, my “model” body began morphing into more of a “fitness” body.
Photos taken by friends
This photo was even featured on a calendar sold by bodybuilding.com!
Photos courtesy of NRV Photography
My back a year ago would have looked sexy in my low cut wedding dress! (Don’t worry, only Mr. Lab was in the house with me all nakedz!)
I can’t believe I’m sharing this one with the hive, but here’s part of my progression into a FIT body from the “I’ll just cover the extra flab with my clothes” body.
Yeah, that last one was taken exactly a year ago. So what happened? Well, school started (I had been training during the summer) and with it, I suddenly had a ton of excuses for skipping out on the gym and stuffing my face. I never quite learned how to manage my fitness with my hectic schedule (classes, extra-curriculars, studying, friends, football season, the holidays, etc.). And when I got engaged, I thought the magic wedding fitness fairy would pay me a visit and get me back on track. Well, I’m still waiting on that fairy. In the meantime, I’ve put on about 20 pounds. Here’s me now:
Photo taken last week. Wii Fit kicked my out-of-shape ass.
Yesterday’s setback has really knocked some sense into me. I’m not trying to get down to a certain pant size or number on the scale. I’m trying to get healthy and fit, to feel energized all day, and to like the way I look. I want to do all this for my everyday life, not just for the wedding (although I’d be lying if I said that the wedding wasn’t a big factor in getting me back on track).
I know I’m not dangerously out of shape. We all have different short and long term goals and know where our bodies should be. I know that I shouldn’t be this out of shape. It took a lot of fast food and laziness to get this way. I do have a thin frame, and it’s a bit frustrating to hear people say I look fine, when I’m so out of shape that playing a hula-hoop game on the Wii gets me sweating and panting in less than a minute. I mean, not that long ago I could run 3 miles in less than 30 minutes and squat 135 lbs!
I have a little over 3 months until the wedding. You might think that’s not enough time to get where I want to be, but those progression photos were taken over just a 2 month period. I won’t be “ripped” like an Oxygen magazine cover model, but I’ll be in shape. (BTW, in my opinion, Oxygen is the best women’s health and fitness magazine out there. Trash your Shape & Self magazines and get a subscription to the “O”, stat!)
I’m going to occasionally post about the things I have done in the past (and am doing now) that have worked for me. I’m no fitness or nutrition expert, but I do know enough through experience about what works for me, and what doesn’t. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me when I write about my renewed fitness journey, and that’s okay. A lot of health and fitness is trial and error, so what works for me might not be the best route for you. But I hope through my experience, you’ll get to learn some things along the way that will help you get to your own fitness goal finish line.
I just have to start taking my own advice, starting now. 
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Share this post: Taking My Own Advice
I could have written this post myself! I used to be in amazing shape, worked out 4x a week and looked good, but more importantly I felt great. Now, 2 years of dating/living with my fiance and a stressful job plus one knee injury, I’m the heaviest and softest I have ever been.
This post inspired me to get back into shape, not just for the wedding, for ME!
Yesterday I just started the 30 day shred, and I’m a lot bigger than you (think 155lbs on a 5′4″ body… yeeeeeah) and it kicked my butt. I know I can do it though, and if you’ve done this before you can do it too!
Good luck!
It is important to remember to take care of yourself, whether you be tied up with wedding planning or having kids! Sometimes it’s hard to keep focus on, though. I have put on a few pounds since getting seriously into wedding planning and I made a similar decision to get back on track last night! I have to, not just for the wedding, but for my career. I’m not terribly out of shape, but enough to not feel my best. Three months is totally enough for both of us to feel rockin’ in our dresses
ME TOO! I used my engagement as a way to jump-start getting back into shape, but it is SUCH A LONG ENGAGEMENT that I burnt out. 
I blame my internship… school was easy, because I didn’t have to wake up at 5AM to get some exercise! But I only have this excuse for a few more weeks… so I might as well start training again now!
BTW, you look HOT in those photos! I’d be pretty upset to lose that, too. 
Miss Lab, I am trying to change my lifestyle and not just make a quick fix. I joined Weight Watchers at the end of May and I’m currently down 12 pounds and I’m noticing a difference. Luckily for me, I’m quite heavier than I should be, I have 14 months to my wedding and I hope to look even half as awesome as you have shown in all the photos. You are BEAUTIFUL chicky and don’t let yourself get too down about the weight lately, like we all know, the STRESS will get to all of us during this planning process. Things get put on the backburner. I know you can achieve what you are determined to do, look what you did in those two months! Goodness! Keep at it and I have no doubt, no matter what, you will feel amazing in your dress and look better than you ever have because, afterall, you are a bride and on your wedding day you will feel like 200%!!!
i definitely lost control after the engagement. Nothing crazy, but I wanted to be in the best shape of my life for my wedding, not as a single girl! (but that’s when I had the time!)
good luck on your fitness journey! (and you had a totally BANGIN’ bod!)
yeah, that wedding fitness fairy is totally an urban legend.
ironically, now that the wedding’s over I’m more able to focus on getting fit and healthy for me. Before, thinking about planning, school, etc was keeping me tied down. My energy is focused now on getting healthy.
you can do it Miss Lab–try keeping a journal of your workouts, I think it helps to get back into it if you haven’t worked out consistently for a while!
I’m looking forward to hearing your workouts/exercises. I always like having new things to do.
You have inspired me when I was most looking for it Ms. Lab. I’ve been on and off the exercise wagon during my engagement. Lately I have just not had enough motivation. You’d think fitting into a dress would be enough, yeah right. LOL I’ve been doing fine with the eating part, I’m just so tired by the time I get home I want to do nothing but sit around. You have inspired me to get off my bum and do something!
I am also a little over 100 days out until my wedding, but I am feeling the opposite. I feel like there is so much to do that the hour or so I run or workout after I get home from work cuts into time that I should be getting important wedding stuff done. I know that’s irrational, but its how I feel. The three month mark is pretty overwhelming for me!
I love that pic of you on the wii fit!!! Your year ago body is so inspirational, like I need to tack all these pics up on my fridge every time I reach for the cheese and crackers
I completely support your goals. Do need to point out though that no cosmetic intervention is required. In other words, you still look great.
Well I’m glad to hear that you are doing better and getting some much needed water to drink. Like you said everyone has their own goals and I love that you said its not about a pant size or the number on the scale. Its about how you feel when you are exercising and fit and healthy. Last week we were on vacation and it was so nice to just get away from it all, no blogging, no work, no wedding stuff and and it felt great walking on the boardwalk and walking every where. So this week Im kicking my butt back into shape as well. Between last yr and this yr I lost about 45-50 lbs but I want to keep up with exercising every day…I love the way it makes me feel. And I started to eat salads with pieces of chicken in them for dinner at work (since I work from 3pm-11pm) instead of eating a lunchmeat sandwhich all the time. Even though it was wheat bread …lunchmeat isnt that healthy for you! Great post Miss Lab.
I’m with you, I have a small frame, but i’m something gross like 40% body fat. I need to get healthy and not be a skin-sack full of fat and bones. I look forward to your posts!
Oh, wow I’m going to start this with you. We’re getting married on the same day, so it’ll be nice to know I’m not alone in this. I also gained a lot of weight (for me) this year. I’ve lost all but 5 lbs of it, but the muscle tone is gone, gone, gone. I have three months to do this. Let’s do it!
Love the macros. =)
And I know how you feel. Sigh. Unfortunately for me, my loss of fitness is greatly linked to the pill (20lbs, at least, along with significantly less muscle mass, and the stupid weight will NOT come off, grr).
Good luck with getting back in shape! I love that you take the same stance that I do with fitness; it really doesn’t matter what number the scale says, or what letters/numbers are on the tags of your clothes; it is about how you feel about yourself and how comfortable you feel in your own skin! I hope you achieve your goals! Your pics from a year ago look fab…
I love how appropriate LOL cats seem for every occasion! They’re so cute and so are you! Good luck with getting back in shape (though you still look fabulous to me)!
THANK YOU for sharing! I have wanted to “get motivated” for so long, but always seem to have a long list of excuses. I had the opposite experience - lost some inches without doing anything - but still know that I need to start DOING something in order to truly get healthy.
I love Oxygen mag! I concur best fitness mag out there! Great post.. I am currently trying to get ‘cut’ for my wedding dress!
If it makes you feel any better the wii fit hulahooping kicks my butt every time I need to start working out more..ugh! What were you doing last summer to tone so much and not bulk? That picture of your back=amazing!
I just want to sat that I admire you for posting those pictures - posting “then” and “now” photos of yourself for the entire world to see cannot be the easiest thing in the world. I’m so happy to read that you’re setting healthy goals for yourself and I’m sure you’ll look fabulous on your wedding day. Reading your post made me more motivated to get my butt back into shape again!
I actually am right there with you. I have been traveling weekly for the past six plus months. I travel with two men who eat whatever they want and that can be hard when trying to watch what I eat. My fitness has also fallen by the way side. I’ve been able to maintain looking okay somehow, but I am softer around the edges than I’d like. I think I’ll look fine on the wedding day, but I plan on regaining what I can after the wedding. Do what you can now, but don’t beat up on yourself too much.
p.s. youz a hottie, baby girl
whoa, you have an amazing bod! i’m sure you’ll get back in shape in no time!
Wow! I’m so glad that I’m inspiring so many of you. Now I REALLY can’t let myself down because I’ll be letting YOU down as well. If that isn’t motivation, I don’t know what is!
@Clover: Yikes! Knee surgery? Now that’s a valid excuse, but good for you for making the decision to jump back on the horse!
@Miss Star: I hear ya about needing to be in shape for our careers. Televisions/stages aren’t too forgiving when it comes to weight. Unfortunately, my face shows it if I’ve put on a few.
@Curlysue: Congrats on the progress so far! Keep it up!!! You can doooooo iiiiiiiitttt!
@JeniRae: I know I’ll be grateful for the post-wedding days and lots of extra non-planning time!
@ke3: I actually do have a journal I keep! I love being able to track my progress as I gain more strength. It’s so encouraging!
@purpleluver: Do you have access to a 24-hour gym that you can go to during non-business hours? Even 30 minutes a day will add up and since most businesses would be closed when you’re there, no wedding meetings/etc. will be sacrificed!
@Mrs. Penguin: Haha, I used to tack up other girls from bodybuilding.com on my fridge! It’s so cool that now I’m the inspiration (well, not CURRENT me, but it’s still cool!).
@D.Marie: Good lord girl! Congrats on that progress! And yes, you gotta watch those lunchmeat macros. Some of them are nothing but sugar because of the added “honey roasting” and whatnot. Even wheat bread may be “faux” wheat bread aka enriched wheat flour instead of WHOLE wheat grain.
@Mrs. Gummi Bear: Haha, never heard “skinny-fat” described that way!
@Laylabelle: The last bit is the hardest to lose. It’s true that the more you have to lose, the quicker it comes off. Then as you get thinner, it gets harder and harder. I think that’s why it’s hard for some people to believe that people like me have to work really hard to get in shape and then STAY in shape.
@Keladry: Definitely always a LOL cat for any topic! lol
@Kalibali: I’ll explain in more detail later, but it’s basically impossible for women to “bulk” while eating a clean diet. The “bodybuilder” looking women are all doing steroids. Women just don’t get that big.
@Mrs. Peony: Yeah, I definitely had to pep talk myself into posting those. But to be honest, I kinda cheated and didn’t do the “swimsuit” pic of me now. It would have been way worse than the other ones I showed. *ashamed*
@Miss Swan: ALL of my guy friends eat whatever they want. It’s so frustrating! Btw, I’ll explain more later, but abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.
look at you brave, and gorgeous, girl…posting your befores and afters for the world. and good luck with the fitness goals…i’m currently getting my butt kicked by jillian michaels just about every day.
and definitely keep the water coming, and try and skip the fast food….even though i know ALL too well how easy it is to grab in the crazy tv world…
@Hayley: SO true about fast food! Every fast food joint imaginable is less than 2 min. away from the station. AH!!! PS. I need to PM you with what I’ve been working on when I get some extra time!
Wow, I wish I was as motivated as you, Miss L! You have taken great care of yourself and I wish I could say the same for myself. Let us know how you do!!
oh my goodness…. incredible!
i’m glad i stuck on the 30 day shred for the wedding, and now i’m doing it a couple of times a week instead of daily, but i did alter my eating habits and am keeping with it!
Green tea is my favorite feel good thing! I feel such a difference when I am not drinking daily!
Wow, look at those abs!!!! Girl, you can get back to that in no time!
I started working out and training a year ago b/c I wanted to feel healthier and not get winded walking up the stairs. It surprises me know how long I can go on the elliptical or how many push-up I can do. Sadly I haven’t actually lost any weight but I look more toned and I FEEL healthier. Anyway… I’ll be interested in hearing what has worked for you and trying some of your technics.
Man, I can totally relate to the not getting enough water, thing. I find myself teetering on the edge of dehydration all the time!
As soon as the bar is over, I will join you in the fitness plan!
Wow. I really hoe I can get that fit my the time I get married! haha.
I have had the same experience with the wedding fairy - she never showed up at my house either I guess we’re on our own
I wanna jump on the fitness train too! I’m down to my lowest weight ever which is a huge accomplishment for me. However, I’ve gotten lazy and have put a few pounds back on. A long engagement gave me a false sense of how long I’d have to take care of this fitness business. I’m a little over 8 months out (but, I do have to make it through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years — EEP) so it’s time to get this party started!
Miss Lab, you’re the ultimate in motivation so I’m thrilled to see more fitness posts in the future. (You know, you could probably easily get certified as a personal trainer after school to make some money on the side. I’d pay you!!)
Thanks for this great post! My wedding day was a lil over a month ago, and leading up to it, I was all business about my diet and exercise habits. I was definitley in the best shape of my life on my wedding day, and I vowed to keep up my healthy habits after the wedding. Jump to now: I’m letting myself eat way too much junk, and my workouts have gotten weaker. I mostly still look the same, but I don’t feel as healthy as I did. Thanks for the great motivation to get back on track!!
@Miss Labrador:
yes please! you can always send me a message at work…i’m on ENPS all day, and i’m the only hayley =)
WOW, you look amazing!!!! I used to play soccer and run cross country in high school and played some in college (intramural) and now… nothing! I’m getting on the kick to go back to the gym, but this really inspires me that I CAN have those sexy abs back! It’s hard because, like you, I’m a journalist and most of the time is in the office. I can’t wait for your “How to” posts… it’s hard for me b/c I get discouraged when I don’t feel like I KNOW fully how to do what I want to do.
And it doesn’t help that I want immediate results.
hey hottie!! You can do it - your regimine from last year sounds healthy and productive - work out 4 times a week and eat healthy, yet filling meals. Stick to that program!
Who worked out so hard in college on the track team that you hated running and put on 15 lbs when you graduated ::raises hand:: Yeah. I was that super fit pole vaulter who could haul her ass in the air.. and now, uh, ouch. If there’s one thing I learned about myself, it’s that it was so easy to stop working out after graduation when there weren’t any more meets and no coach telling me “1 more mile”. I need to get back on the right track, that’s for sure.
I have nothing really worthwhile to say, except Pa-pow! Wow! You look great in those modeling shots, and I’m certain you can get back into that shape!
hI AGAIN! Yeah Ive been reading the back of whole wheat foods and I see that its enriched…even the Special K whole wheat crackers are enriched!! Ive been a good girl all week…I worked out three times already and ate salad with chicken in it all week…but today I pulled a muscle…ouch! Slow down I say to myself! Yeah now that I look at my “fat pictures” and I say 250 lbs fat…and I see how I look and how I feel now I just can believe I let myself get that unhealthy…it was def my highest weight…but it feels great to have lost that weight. Keep going strong to all the ladies on the board. And thanks again Miss Lab for sharing your work out progress with us.
Did I ever say thanks for the compliment!! THANKS MISS LAB!!
@MaPo: Yes, green tea is a great choice! I love love love it!
@Miss Mouse: You have the ultimate excuse. Good luck on the exam!
@DC Anna: Oh gosh, holidays are the worst! Good luck girl! And I’ve always thought about the training thing. Maybe in the future!
@Hayley: Haha, glad we figured out the ENPS thing. Talk to you Monday!
@nada122: I think we all want the immediate results! It took me a long time to realize that that’s not possible. Even when I was making progress, I saw myself all the time so I couldn’t see it. Mr. Lab had to keep taking photos to convince me of the difference!
@D.Marie: Yay! I’m so happy for all your accomplishments! And no problem on all the advice, it would be wrong not to share with my fellow hive members!
Late response–but a bee who squats!?! Yay! Big smiles. On to the next post!
[...] the end of the night. I woke up the next morning grateful for this because I’m supposed to be taking my own advice, [...]
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Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah
Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT
Engagement Date: December 31, 2008
Wedding Date: November 2009
Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station
About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
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