Spring is almost here and summer will be here before we know it. Everyone in Indianapolis is ready for the warm weather and sunshine, even those that like the winter months.

Many June wedding plans are in full swing and there’s no shortage of brides (not to mention grooms) who are trying to shed a few founds to help that wedding dress fit a little better. Plenty of bridesmaids are probably scrambling as well.

After a long a winter of comfort foods and less activity it’s time to get out the spring clothes. How did they shrink so much while they were packed away? Many of us add a few pounds and a couple of inches from fall to spring. Time to get to work.

We’re not advocates of quick fix fitness. Being fit is more than just squeezing in to a smaller pair of jeans. It’s a whole lifestyle that affects not only our appearance but also our mindset. Overall quality of life is better when we’re fit.

Stressed out brides-to-be are not in the mood for a lecture about how they should have been paying attention to what they were eating and exercising more. They are in a time pinch and need immediate results. Here’s the deal: if you promise to make fitness a long term goal, we will help you get ready for your wedding (or bikini).

You will need to strictly manage your calorie intake and plan on working out 4-5 days a week. Ladies, you’re probably going to need to limit yourself to something like 1400 calories. We’ll also recommend 2 days a week of strength training and 2 days a week of conditioning (45-60 minutes of real exertion).

A bridal fitness program does not have to be complicated. It takes diet and exercise to get good results.  This way you’ll lose fat and improve muscle tone. Any effective program will focus on both.

Losing 20lbs and a few inches in 10 weeks is doable. If you’re dedicated to the program. Depending on your current body composition, it’s realistic to think you could drop a couple of sizes in that amount of time. Are you willing to put in the work?

Whether you’re trying to fit in a wedding dress, swimsuit, or spring outfit, you can see real changes in a short amount of time (remember…it works both ways). Combine reduced calories with effective exercise. Grab a friend (or your bridesmaids) and join one of our fitness boot camp classes or a small group personal training class. Sign-up for the next Slim Down weight loss class or talk to one of our nutrition counselors to setup a program for yourself.

You can do this! There’s no better time than right now.

(I presented this topic to my latest weight loss class.  The group came up with some really helpful ideas on how to plan for and overcome obstacles to dieting.)

So many of us set goals to lose weight, improve our eating habits, and get lean.  What keeps us from achieving those goals?  OBSTACLES!

We encounter them everyday – while out with friends, dining with family, when we’re with co-workers – and we allow them to keep us from making healthy choices and losing the unwanted pounds.

What is the best way to tackle those challenges?  Identify them and make a plan to overcome them before they derail you.

Here are some ideas from the Slim Down class:

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Some people exercise with the hopes that their workouts will make up for their poor food choices. (I’m sure none of the people from our weight loss class are thinking that.)

Many of those people will say, “I just don’t understand why I can’t lose weight.” Really?

Bad news for those of you trying to get away with this approach. 80% of your body fat composition will be determined by your diet.

Yes, exercise is also important to health and to speed up fat burning and muscle building, but most of your results will come from how you eat.

If you truly desire maximum results you must get real about your daily diet. Time to give up a few of those large white mochas from you-know-where.

Can you imagine telling this 400lb man that he would be ready to do a triathlon in less than a year?

Matt Hudson at 400+ pounds

Recently, this man experienced a great accomplishment, finishing the Sugar Creek Swim Club Sprint Triathlon in Crawfordsville. Well, it wasn’t quite the same man.

I’m proud of my brother. I can’t say it enough.  Matt and his wife, Paula, started last October to change their lives by getting fit. In less than a year’s time they have lost over 300lbs between them. Matt is now 20lbs away from his goal of losing 200lbs in one year.

In my career, I have had one or two people that have lost 100 pounds, but never three at the same time. (Bill Bean has lost 100lbs during this same time.)

How does Matt do it?

He exercises almost every day of the week and has been doing bootcamp classes a couple of times a week.  He keeps a food log and stays under 2,000 calories a day.

It’s that simple. Simple, but not easy.

Paula has been a strong support for Matt. Having a few cheerleaders (and butt kickers) is always helpful for anyone trying to make such huge life changes. Given Paula’s incredible success, it’s clear they have both been good for each other.

Below is a recent picture of Matt. The change in his appearance is remarkable but the changes can’t all be appreciated in a photo.

Matt Hudson August 2009

I would love to find a way to get more people like Matt and Paula motivated to change their life. Unfortunately, that’s something they have to do before I can help them. Perhaps their story will be motivating for someone.

If you have someone in your life, a friend or family member, who is obese and unhealthy, let them know they don’t have to stay that way and that it’s possible to radically change their life.