My lumpy midriff immortalised in wedding photos

[rainbowowl]

My youngest Dsis is getting married (fingers crossed) in September this year. Eldest Dsis is abroad, and will not make it to wedding because of the travel restrictions where she lives.

She's asked me to be one of 3 bridesmaids, my eldest DD is a flower girl.
I'm happy to be, and especially as Dsis can't make it, I want to make sure I'm doing everything to make sure her wedding goes smoothly and she enjoys the day.

But good Lord. I look like a sack of potatoes in the dress. I'll also be standing next to two, slender, beautiful 20-somethings, as a 5'2" mid-30s mum of two - one of whom quite recently left my potato body!

I've lost around 40lbs, very happy with that, but any advice on what I can do to help the entirety of my lower half (where the dress clings) I'm intending to eat well and exercise until the day - recommendation on anything... apart from running... I'll try it if I really have to!

Any excellent shapewear? The kind that doesn't roll up or down, preferably neck to ankle and one where you don't wet yourself trying to go to the loo.

I'll post a pic of the dress if that helps?

Goodness- you’re a very lovely sister. I wouldn’t wear that. Did the other bridesmaids seem to like it? I wouldn’t have been comfortable even pre-DS.

Beautiful style and material dress for the tall, willowy among us

Even so, any underwear lines will show. A bra with straps will look naff, and strapless, the lines will show.

The photos of the dress to sell it are a fantasy: on very slender models, wearing no underwear, and probably photoshopped.

Your sister has fallen for a fantasy look.

That sort of dress is so unforgiving!

@RainingBatsAndFrogs

Beautiful style and material dress for the tall, willowy among us

Even so, any underwear lines will show. A bra with straps will look naff, and strapless, the lines will show.

The photos of the dress to sell it are a fantasy: on very slender models, wearing no underwear, and probably photoshopped.

Your sister has fallen for a fantasy look.

I know...I’m tall and willowy and I’d still run a mile from that dress

@Love51 it depends what you call light! It should be a weight that feels challenging after a few reps, but not so much that you can't complete the exercise with good form.
Depending on your fitness level and on the exercise, it could be just your bodyweight or 120kg!
If you only have basic equipment (or even no equipment) there is a lot you can do using just your bodyweight or stuff you have lying around (water bottles, bag for life full of books, etc), and there are a lot of good (free) videos on YouTube or Instagram with ideas for home workouts.

Regular strength training and sensible nutrition (balanced meals, slight calorie deficit but still enough to fuel workouts properly) can add up to significant changes fairly quickly if you're consistent

Holy mother of God, does your sister hate you?

I'm 5'9" and run marathons, and I'd look like a bag of spanners in that.

I assume that you at least like one another, so please talk to her and tell her that, if she loves you, she won't make you uncomfortable in front of family and friends.

Well you are a lovely sister not to be pissed off having to wear that barely there dress!

But really in the round, it's only a dress, and you you can whack a cardi/jacket over the top after the ceremony & pictures and forget it.

Plus you get a free nightie out of it

Would you be able to wear a dress that suits you as the, ahem, more mature bridesmaid in the same or complimentary colour? My friends wedding she specified the fabric and then the bridesmaids had the dresses made up in their preferred style. This was abroad though and dressmaking was v cheap.

I havent read the full thread but can I offer a word of caution to the people advising lots of "deep core" exercise to activate your stomach muscles etc. Be very careful, if you have recently had a baby, that you dont overdo it and cause the stomach muscles to seperate MORE. I had dystasis recti after my pregnancy and my stomach was like a sack of spuds. It did go back to shape, but I took it very slowly and I think it took years for everything to settle. So be careful (and maybe check to see if the abdominal muscles have seperated. If they have there are specific exercises you can do which will help knit them back together/strengthen them without making it worse).
Exercise/having a strong core is very important for posture, back health, self esteem etc etc etc but for one day some decent shapewear will do the job for you :)

And I am sure you look tons better than you think. I look back on photos of me with my baby when I thought I was fat/unshapely and I was beautiful really!