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Dear Betsy, I AM getting married in July in England and I have been on a strict diet.
I have lost almost 20 kilos in the last year, but my face is looking saggy and my arms and thighs are soft and flabby. I already bought my white wedding dress which is a sleeveless bustier-style and my arms look awful. What can I do to firm my face and body in time for my big day?
Sophie.
Dear Sophie,
CONGRATULATIONS! Losing weight is not an easy task, but I guess that a wedding is one of the best motivations a girl can have.
Let's talk about your dress first of all. The bustier-style can look very elegant and is always popular for summer weddings but it can be chilly, especially in England in July with the unpredictability of an English summer.
So, Sophie, how about a really elegant bolero or shrug to help cover up your arms and keep you warm?
If you are wearing the traditional white wedding dress then a beautiful sheer bolero will look great.
You could have either long sleeves or three quarter sleeves depending on the style and how self-conscious you are about your arms.
You will also find lots of marabou-style feather shrugs in the shops right now too or you could have a bolero specially made in white satin, or similar, to match your wedding dress.
Check with the shop where you purchased it as many wedding shops offer this type of option. The other alternative is to wear a sheer silk chiffon wrap, softly draped around your shoulders and arms. This could prove fiddly if you are carrying a bouquet and trying to cope with walking down the aisle in a long gown.
Now for body toning, of course, there are lots of exercises you can do but without seeing your body it is difficult to be more specific.
I suggest you consult a 'personal trainer' who can professionally analyse your body and prescribe the most effective work out programme for your needs.
Most gyms and health clubs have them. Try Fitness First in the World Trade Centre or book an assessment with Nong at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa as she specialises in getting maximum results in the minimum of time.
I recommend water exercise and focused swimming (as well as the gym) as this can prove very effective and can also help your stress levels.
For the upper arms, try standing in shoulder deep water and perform exaggerated breast stroke movements really following through with each stroke. Repeat 20 times building up to two or three sets of 50 strokes. There are lots of other aqua arm and body movements you can try so check with your trainer.
The inner thighs and arms are two of the most difficult areas for women to firm up but a combination of exercise and spa treatments such as wraps, massage and body scrubs can help as can those clever machines that use EMS or Electro Muscle Stimulation to target and strengthen those muscles and help them firm, lift and tighten.
Check local spas, salons and fitness clubs. A similar technique can be used on the face, where you will generally see a quicker result. Using firming creams and serums on the face on a daily basis will also help to a degree, but you must be committed to this regime night and morning for best results. L'Oreal has an excellent range of inexpensive creams or you can try Estee Lauder and Dior if your budget is not a concern.
I am sure that if you have lost so much weight for your wedding then you will find the determination and commitment to follow whatever route you choose to success.
It is all about being comfortable in your own skin, Sophie. It is important that you can relax, be yourself and enjoy your big day and look back on it with happy memories and having that inner confidence that comes from knowing you have worked hard and you are looking and feeling your best will give you an immense boost.
You should also consider consulting my GulfWeekly colleague Alia Almoayyed, whose nutritional programmes can help your inner beauty, strength and health shine through and help you cope with all the rigours of being a bride.
Good luck and remember your most important asset ... your smile!
