Source: BlackDoctor.Org

Women about to walk down that aisle are very well known for doing some pretty extreme things to slim down for their big day, from the Master Cleanse, to eating bizarre food combinations, to drastically reducing their calories in general.

Even more extreme, there has been recent news of brides-to-be wiring their mouths shut or resorting to the K-E Diet, where a feeding tube is used to slowly drip 800 calories of protein, water and fat from the nose, down the esophagus and directly into the person’s stomach every day for up to 10 days.

Dangerous Effects Of Dramatic Weight Loss

Yes, any and all of these measures can result in quick and dramatic weight loss, but the downside is that, because these are all temporary fixes, the weight loss not only will not be long-term, but in many cases, will re-appear quickly, sometimes along with a few extra pounds. Aside from these diets being non-permanent solutions, medical experts also are alarmed by the extreme dangers that these women are putting themselves at risk for.

What’s The Right Way To Lose Wedding Weight?

A bride wanting to lose pounds before the wedding should actually start a weight loss program at least 10 weeks before the wedding date, says Heather Mangieri, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Some people, especially with those with more than 20 pounds to lose, can safely lose more. Experts agree that eventually things will level out to 1 to 2 pounds a week for the average person.

Last-Minute Diet Tips That Experts Can Agree On

Eat a low-carb diet. There is no question that low-carb diets work well. But experts caution against eating too few carbs, and advise brides to consume between 50 and 75 grams per day to safely speed up weight loss. This can be achieved by eating lean protein, leafy greens, and healthy fats, such as nuts and seeds (watch the portions), and cutting back on processed grains, dairy, soy, sugar (including fruit sugar), and starchy vegetables.

Eat more often. Yes, you read that right! Eat five or six times a day, spaced out every two, three, or four hours, says Amira Lamb, a holistic nutritionist and personal trainer in New York. This can be three meals and two snacks or all mini meals. Eating regularly helps to maintain stable blood sugar and control hunger.

Stop eating out. Eat all of your meals at home if possible, suggests Keri Gans, a registered dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet. That way, you can control portion size and how food is prepared (without a half-stick of butter, for example). Remember this is only temporary, she says.

Drink the right drinks. Drink as much water as you can. Naturally fruit-flavored bottled water is OK. She also suggests drinking 1 to 2 cups of plain green tea before or with lunch or dinner. Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism.

Eliminate sugar and artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners can intensify sugar cravings, making it harder to resist temptation. Also, there are studies that have shown that artificial sweeteners may somehow affect the body’s ability to lose weight efficiently.

Eat protein with meals. Protein fuels your metabolism and helps you stay full. Try an egg-white omelet with vegetables for breakfast; a large vegetable salad with shrimp or chicken for lunch; and broiled salmon with steamed spinach for dinner. A snack may be nonfat, plain Greek yogurt, which contains more protein than traditional yogurt.

Start dinner with a non-starchy vegetable. Non-starchy vegetables, such as tomato or cucumber slices, baby carrots, sugar snap peas, and broth-based vegetable soup (without pasta, rice, or beans) help make you feel fuller, faster.

Don’t Forget To Exercise. Try sculpting your body faster by doing high-intensity interval training workouts. Power-circuit training—a superset of four to six different exercises with no rest in between—is the preferred method of Jackie Warner, celebrity trainer and author of 10 Pounds in 10 Days. She recommends doing the workout five times a week for 20 to 40 minutes.

Ask For Expert Help. A personal trainer can help you design an effective exercise routine that’s right for you, while a registered dietitian can help you design a sensible plan that will result in a slimmer but still healthy-looking body. Experts can also help keep you motivated, challenged and accountable.