I have four weeks to lose a gazillion lbs and look good.

[Eyelet]

Wedding of a very close friend is the 4th July.
Baby is one.
Went on the hen do Saturday night and I shit you not all the women (35 in number) were trim and stylish.
I had gold plated intentions of getting fit after pregnancy (buggered up CS needing extensive physio to even be able to walk let alone run).
Baby doesn't sleep so I am fuelled mostly by sugar.
ANY attempt to ditch carbs erodes my milk supply.

I'm fat, frumpy and pushing forty. My face is bloated and my skin is shit. Older dd is a bridesmaid and I've been told already I'll be in quite a few photos.

I don't know what to wear, makeup, hair and quite fancy a hole in the ground or paper bag.

Usually I do spend on an occasion like this but I'm not really able to this time. I looked at Joe Brown halter nexk summery dresses but as I'm still feeding I have boobs the size of watermelons and several other bumps in the wrong places. Pre baby I was a slim size 10/12. Now I have no idea.

Myfirst S&B thread. Please be gentle!

Can you swim? Don't worry I lost two stone and the only exercise I did was walk everywhere

Haven't tried swimming but could do that

nilbyname I'd never ever have another cs, did not want this one although I have apparently been particularly unfortunate in the complications.

Have had NHS PT but start private next week as fed up with lack of progress!

You need to turn the massive boobs into an asset.

Best possible bra and then a dress with a v neck. What size and colouring are you and I will browse.

Yes, both sections were emergencies. Some people have no luck!

I hope you get back into ship shape form as soon as possible!

I'm seconding the Sally Hansen spray on legs.
It's incredible!! I piled weight on having the implant and had disgusting purple stretch marks behind my knees. Not only did SH totally cover them, it didn't look like fake tan, didn't streak, was easy to get on and only took a bit of soap to get off. And it's only £8 in primark and the can lasts 4 goes I reckon

Water. Cut alcohol/sugar. Walking/gentle running (try Couch25k). Body brushing. A light, gradual tan (Garnier Summer Body Deep, one of the best!)

Losing weight drastically before an event is a big "NO!" IMO. Counterproductive and gives rise to yo-yo body issues. If you're the larger lady, go large but fit/glossy/healthy large. That's MY advice! Have a great time

Apologies.... Just saw the bit about your leg. Could you walk briskly? Just as good. 15 mins in one directing, turn and come back. You'd see a big difference in shape if you managed 30 mins total, daily.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Your friend wants you there for you. Not a thinner, glammed-up version of you who's had a hellish time, trying to get ready for her big day!

I cut out wheat and ate Nairns oatcakes, instead. Just by doing that I lost 4bs in a week.
I put whatever I'd usually have in a sandwich on them, they are especially nice with Whole Earth crunchy peanut butter and grapes.

I'm watching for ideas! I lost weight last year, but it's been creeping back up (and my jeans are beginning to dig in).

I want to be thinner by the time we go on holiday (early August) as I know I'll be more energetic when a more normal weight).

Would wearing weighted wristbands help? Or exercise arms with small dumbells?

I walk everywhere, and try to find the time to just go for a walk sometimes (I have some joint problems, so cannot get too vigorous). There's some hack and slash gardening that needs doing; probably not hugely calories burning, but at least it's moving.

I need to book a hair appointment. And am considering using fake tan for the first time.

Do any types of massage help? I suspect any effect is transitory, but the feel good factor might be worth it in itself. And it would be useful to know which, if any types, are meant to be effective (even if a bit woo) in stimulating drainage or whatever.

I wouldn't worry so much about weight. As others have said, good hair cut and colour, tan, nails, etc. Look glossy and put together and that's what people will notice. Says she sitting in her dressing gown and socks. Try to knock processed sugar on the head, take a fish oil, or flaxseed oil, and magnesium.

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OK my tips...

Style:

• The right outfit will work many more wonders than going on a mad diet for 3-4 weeks
• I don't know the name, but what about a dress that tucks in under your bust and falls from there? Hides tummy, gives nice little waist, shows off breastfeeding wonder boobs
• Use accessories to draw attention away from less flattering areas
• Avoid frumpy patterns like the plague
• Get fab haircut, makes a world of difference

Weight/fitness:

• Are you currently able to exercise at all? 30 min a day of cardio is the way forward. 30 day shred and Tone It Up youtube videos are good
• Swap carbs for protein, or at the very least ditch white carbs. i.e. wholemeal bread/pasta instead of white. I also found that having one carb based meal, and having it earlier in the day worked well for me
• Cut out juices/sugary drinks

HTH OP! Let us know how you get on!

Ok. I wanted to come back and thank everyone for their amazing advice.

I've switched to eating a lower carb diet by only having them at breakfast and having much lower carb options throughout the day. I've also managed to get about halfway over my sugar addiction, no snacks all week except a very small bag of carob raisins over the weekend. So far I've dropped 5lb but I know that won't continue.

Tying into lower carb I've cut out sugar in my coffee, swapped lattes for Americanos and bought a snazzy water bottle to encourage me to drink more water. So far milk supply has remained ok.

Skin looking better. Had a very nice haircut. Pedicure/Manicure booked.

I've walked between 30-90min every day, I have to accept I simply xannot exercise without pain but I have a private physio session booked this week which I hope will give me some advice about healing.

Still need to sort out what to wear. Off to see JL later this week. Fingers crossed

What a great positive update - well done!

Hope that the jl session is good.

If you want to loose weight look through the diet section and pick one you think would suit you best, I'm a huge fan of 5:2 but everybody seems to get on better with different methods. I will say that for me at least sugary junk is a vicious circle, I use it to provide energy but it's short term and then I crash which leaves me feeling worse, so I eat more, so I'm not hungry for 'proper' food, so I get less nutrients and feel worse. It's hard to break when I'm in it but I know I genuinely feel better after a week or two if I can quit it.

For exercise, if you can afford it a good personal trainer will be able to work within your body's limits and give you things you can do without making problems worse.

Otherwise, yes, personal shopper, fab outfit, hair and nails and flaunt the awesome boobs and curves :-)

Yay! Also following along, I was doing well then had a few "fuck it" weeks and now I feel huge again. :( Back to the veg and water and protein it is!

More sleep would help your skin. I appreciate you're up in the night with DC, but would going to bed earlier in the evening be possible?

For a quick fix give up sugar in all forms

Diet:

Water - LOTS!
No sugary drinks - and that includes fruit juice. If you really need them, dilute them with water.
Cut back on caffeine
Hot water and lemon or lime juice first thing in the morning
Replace 'bad' carbs (bread, potatoes, white rice, sugar) with 'good' carbs (sweet potato and other root veg, brown rice, fresh fruit).
Up veg in general.

Re-think emergency snacks and have them available so hey are easy to grab when you need them - fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, humous and veg to dip, nut butters.

Try and cut back on dairy.

Vitamin supplement will help too - make sure it contains iron and vitamin D. Fish oils (EFAs) will also give you a boost and should help skin, nails and hair.

Can you change your breakfast so you are having protein? (Eggs, fish, meat even! It's not that hard - you just save a bit of whatever protein meal you are having the previous day and ear mark it for breakfast.) That's a better breakfast in terms of a release of energy. And then have your carbs more at lunchtime and dinner.

Pampering:

Try and get to bed at a decent time to up your sleep. I know it is SO hard. But even half an hour earlier could help!
Get skin care sorted - cleanse and moisturise each day. Exfoliate once a week (face).
Exfoliate once or twice a week and moisturise each day (body).
Fake tan?

These involve money, although facial and manicure/pedicure you could do yourself:

Have a facial now - don't wait until just before hand, because you could have a post-facial break out which would be ghastly.

Hair cut
Highlights?
Manicure/pedicure
Get your eyebrows done.
Fake tan?

I'm not going to say exercise - with a 1 year old, that could just not be doable at the moment. But if you can get out for a walk a few times a week, that would be good. Getting the sun on your skin will perk you up as well.

No advice on clothes, I'm afraid.

XX

Just seen your update - well done you!!!

PLEASE if you are experiencing pain, then listen to your body and cut back on the exercise until you are pain free when you are doing it and after you have done it. At least until you have seen the physio. I had a lot of gynae surgery after DD and it can take a long, long time for things to settle down. And if you are BF then it may take even longer. Please go easy on yourself!!

Do whatever exercise you can, and force yourself to stop surviving off of sugar! That isn't healthy!! Try and start living off of proper meals, eating little but regularly.

For the wedding itself, give yourself an incredibly blow dry (or go to the hairdressers), paint your nails, do some fabulous make up, and get some spanx and a PROPERLY FITTING BRA.

Then wear a dress that shows off those curves.

Something like the dress below. The model looks bloody ridiculous in that dress because it needs curves to fill it out. It will showcase your boobs, give the illusion of a waist, and skim over your stomach. Plus it's below knee length so win.

www.zara.com/fr/en/woman/dresses/printed-dress-with-wide-straps-c358003p1929029.html

The only thing left to do will be to put on some kick ass jewellery then look in the mirror, flip your hair and say "This bitch be FABULOUS" and saunter out.

...cut you calorie intake by half and go for long walks/runs. Surefire winner.

I love John Lewis. I had two hours and they offered me a huge selection of dresses to try on out of which I narrowed it down to 3;

Marianne Dress

Poppy

Amalfi

The first one is stunning and good upper body coverage to allow you to wear a control slip underneath.

Look up how to pose in flattering poses in photos and hold a clutch bag or baby over your tummy as much as possible!

I don't mean to be flippant as I'm in a similar situation, in fact I have already failed to lose weight for one wedding this year. I still think I looked alright though. I also attended a wedding 10 months after DC was born and was shamed by all of the thin leggy blondes in short skirts around me (I wore a maxi dress).

I think the amalfi is really gorgeous, there is something more girlie about it while still being chic. I think you would gets lots of wear out of it for years to come ie. you could dress it down with a little cropped cardi for a summer lunch. Would you consider a hat with it, something like this would make it such a glamorous outfit www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_087010326260_-1

I've just been back with DH and I've bought the Amalfi (great mins FallonColby) and I'll be teaming it with a bright bolero jacket. The Marianne dress is beautiful and I highly recommend trying it if anyone wants to cover bumps or tummy, but it needs high heels and something inside me is reluctant to wear white to a wedding.

I will have my hair up - those hats are brilliant, I might try and hire one, although wouldn't wear it all day!