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

Top Tips from Our Experts

Tommy Europe, fitness coach on Bulging Brides: "Do 30 minutes of cardio intervals at least every other day and aim to burn 300 calories per session, which will put you in the weight-loss zone."

Nadeen Boman, nutrition coach on Bulging Brides: "If you're a chocoholic, it may be easier to avoid chocolate entirely, as it was for Hedy, than to tempt a splurge by tasting it. Try going cold turkey for a week -- eat fruit to get your sugar fix -- and see if that lessens your cravings."

Mary Christ Anderson, FITNESS fitness director: "When you hit a weight-loss plateau, stay motivated by measuring your progress in other ways. Gauge your size by how much looser your waistband is or see how many more push-ups or miles you can do."

The dress zipped! I lost 14 pounds and 10 inches in six weeks, and with two weeks to go before the big day, I even had the dress taken in a little. Now, months later, I am expecting a baby girl any day and have been swimming and doing prenatal yoga along the way.

Sign up for our 6-week Bridal Boot Camp to get the plan that Hedy used, plus meals, motivation, and pamper-yourself pointers.

Originally published in FITNESS magazine, March 2010.