One Woman's Wedding Shape-Up: "Phew! My Dress Finally Fits!"

My New To-Do List

I met with the show's fitness coach, Tommy, three mornings a week before work. I typically did 45-minute circuits: 30 seconds each of five total-body moves, then rest and repeat with five more, plus cardio bursts. On other days, I did cardio interval routines that Tommy created.

I was so busy at work, I'd skimp on lunch and be ravenous by dinner, when Dallas and I would polish off a pizza or other takeout. To break my starve-then-splurge cycle, the Bulging Brides nutrition coach, Nadeen, helped me plan three healthy meals plus two 150- to 200-calorie snacks. I felt full all day and ditched the comfort-food habit.

I nearly fell over when Mary, FITNESS magazine's fitness director, showed up at a gym session. She told me if I reached my goal, I would model Tommy's workout in an upcoming issue. I knew I could do it; I used to be a kick-butt trainer myself, after all. Suddenly it was also about rediscovering the old me.