From the Male Perspective: Groom of "Fit to be Bride" winner Jessica S.

Orrin– Washington D.C.; Groom of “Fit To Be Bride” winner Jessica S.


“When Jess started her exercise program, I knew I was going to be supportive. My diet would adjust to match hers, and not only would I meet her at the gym to give her incentive to be there, but I would help her with her lifting exercises on her strength training days. (She had never lifted weights before let alone used the machines.) Two months later, I’ve had to adjust my belt tighter twice, and I have a lot more energy throughout the day because we eat 3 small meals and two snacks rather than no breakfast, a small lunch, and a huge dinner right before bed. It’s not a diet; it’s a way to make your body run more efficiently. There are 3 ½ months until the wedding and I hope we both continue on this journey. For any guys out there who want to be supportive of their “fit to-be-a-bride”, I can say that if you even loosely follow her training and nutrition program, you’ll end up a fit groom without the stress or hassle of dieting.”

Week 10: Breaking down walls!

Ten weeks in and I can see a DRAMATIC difference. Thank goodness because I have been hitting the wall. Between the gym being crowded, it being cold and dark and outside, and having amazing desserts or wine around me at all times because people are trying to get it out of their house, I've been having a tough time sticking to the master plan. I still get my workouts in, and I only go over on calories once (maybe twice) a week, but it's been harder lately. At least it was hard until today when I saw the before and after 10 weeks later. It's no longer a matter of me saying "I can do this." I realize it's more "I AM doing this...so get to it." So at ten weeks in, I feel like I'm starting at Week 0 again...same excitement and determination but this time without the anxiety or soreness because I'm in pretty great shape. And the best part is, I know this will work. It's not a diet...It's a lifestyle that I can control without being obsessive or guilty when I choose to splurge. Today marks 4 months (120 days til my wedding). I'll be the one in white upfront with Michelle Obama arms. :-)

Week 9: The "Resolutionists" vs. The Regulars

So I've already come up with my new year's resolution for next year: don't be upset with the New Years "resolutionists" that will crowd the gym. Ok...I admit it. It comes across as a bit snobby, but I'm officially a gym regular. And all of the gym regulars "know" each other. We smile at familiar faces across the gym; we give the same exasperated stare at the "resolutionists" who are messing up our workouts because every machine is taken. It's like this elite club that I've never been apart of until now. And frankly, I like it. Everyone has to start somewhere...my start was because I had six months until my wedding, so I can't blame someone who chooses the first of the year or the beginning of this new decade. Just remember, there's a 30 minute limit on cardio machines when people are waiting and you can be a part of the "regular elite" too if you just stick with it past Valentine's day. You'll know you're in when you begin to recognize faces and the stranger gives you a quick smile from across the room. Who knows, that stranger could be me!

Week 6: Starting a Fitness Revoltion!

So I've started a fitness revolution! Six weeks down and I'm definitely in the groove (minus the few moments of stress at a holiday party when I'm trying to mentally calculate which delicious morsels I should have in moderation). It's amazing how many bite size things have such a high fat content! Thankfully I have Toneka on speed dial and I know how to use it. But I digress...back to the fitness revolution. So every 3 weeks I take photos in my original bikini to track my body's changes, and although I've been pretending like I don't really notice a difference, there's a HUGE difference. My face is the most noticeable because it's smaller; I'm starting to develop an actual waist; and you can see that I'm losing inches when you check out my side profile. Well I sent said side-by-side photos to my parents and sister as I've done each time, and I got separate calls about how everyone is going to dedicate 2 months starting immediately to get healthy so they can walk down the aisle looking as svelte as I do. And somehow my parents managed to rope in my grandma too! Who needs a New Years resolution... Starting any day that ends in a "y" works just as well. And thankfully, Christmas should be easier than Thanksgiving because everyone will be giving our standard holiday desserts the cold shoulder. There's strength in numbers! J

Week 3: Getting Excited!

My anxiety is finally starting to subside and the excitement is setting in. I'm now in the "6 month window" to my wedding, and I have no doubt that I will have my "Michelle Obama" arms in my dress. At first, I was REALLY nervous about what to expect. As someone who has a busy and hectic work schedule, it seemed really unlikely that I could follow directions on what to eat (EVERY meal), how much water to drink (when I barely drink more than 3 glasses), and how often to work out (when I already get up at 7 and don't leave work until 6 and its DARK outside). But it's actually great, and has turned out to be really fun for both me and my fiancé. We meal plan using the website, and now actually get up earlier in the morning to have an amazing breakfast together. He's my workout buddy and we get to hang out and talk while we're exercising (unless I'm on the treadmill in which case I'm huffing and puffing so hard that speaking isn't an option). Now that this first 3 weeks is over and I know I can do this, the big hurdle is reminding myself that results take time. I've become ever so slightly mirror obsessed to see if I can see changes. I parade past them several times a day. But the exciting part is knowing I'll be seeing changes soon enough, and hopefully my next blog entry will confirm it! Until then, off to the gym. My workout buddy is waiting... :-)"