Posted on by Maggie

Operation Wedding

**UPDATE**

My wedding was on July 24th, 2010. When I moved to New York in November 2009 from California, I took a new job, I started eating out more, and got a little bit lax about exercise and fitness. I wanted to shape up a little bit for the wedding, so these are the exercises that I found most effective:

Yoga

  • Tom Morley’s Buns and Thighs Yoga (~25 minutes)
  • YogaDownload’s Yoga Sculpt (~25 minutes)
  • YogaDownload’s Weight Loss Yoga (~25 minutes)

Strength Training

Cardio

  • Walking. I try to walk at least 2 miles every day. On my better days I will walk upwards of 4 miles. Walking is great for your bones, your legs, and toning in general. It is an exercise that you can do whether you are in shape or just starting to get fit. You can walk no matter where you live, no matter what the weather is like outside. Walking in snow just makes it better exercise 😉 Walking is my exercise of choice because it’s just so easy to fit in. I walk with my husband and we chat about our days. I walk alone and listen to music or podcasts. I think about things to blog about. I cannot get enough!

My Results

I lost about 5 pounds and I gained back a lot of tone. I was really pleased with the results of “Operation Wedding”. Here are some wedding pictures (I am a little bit wedding-obsessed now, so bear with me! For more pictures visit My Photographer’s site -> Featured Events -> Maggie & Robert):

**END UPDATE**

—Original post below—

I have just over 2.5 months until my wedding to look toned. I’m going to try to do either Jillian’s 30-day shred *or* a 20-minute yogadownload routine every day. This morning I did the 30-day shred level 1 routine. Great before-work workout.

What will I eat? Probably the same stuff I usually do. I just want some nice long lean muscles for the wedding. I’ve lost my toned-ness since moving to New York because I haven’t been doing much yoga (or any kind of strength training at all).

Yesterday I mentioned that I saw a celebrity at Souen – it was Lisa Edelstein, aka Dr. Cuddy from House. I adore House. Such a good show. Cuddy was absolutely drop dead gorgeous in person. That show does not do her justice. Apparently she is vegan and practices Ashtanga yoga. I may copy her if I will look that good when I’m 44.

I also mentioned that I converted Bobby and Julia (sister) into oatmeal lovers. This was our Sunday brunch:

Mine is on the left (oats, butter, honey). Julia’s in on top (oats, cinnamon, sliced apples, peanut butter). Bobby’s is on the lower right (oats, honey, apples).

The trick is to use Scottish style oats or steel cut oats. They are chewy and have a completely different texture from instant oats or even regular oats. If you think you don’t like oatmeal, think again. You will love these. (Make sure to add a dash of salt for each serving while cooking – that’s another reason that people don’t like oats. They’re awful without the salt.)

I have also been eating yummy lunches at work. Last week I sauteed up some cabbage in a whole lot of butter and ate it with half of a frozen eggplant parm from Trader Joe’s.

Mmm butter. I could be a vegan aside from the butter and the cheese. Oops. I would be a bad vegan.

Though this new breakfast is completely vegan and awesomely delicious (and fatty!) on a hot day:

Yes, that is a smoothie in a bowl. It’s just…

  • 1 cup coconut milk kefir
  • 1.5 cups frozen fruit (this is strawberries, but today’s was raspberries and blueberries)
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Blend it in a food processor, blender, or magic bullet. I used my mini food processor.

It was great after my morning workout. I may have another one tomorrow. I love having fats in the morning.

Have you made a new breakfast recently? I rarely waver from either eggs or oats, so this was a nice change.

15 Replies to “Operation Wedding”

  4. Sorry I’ve been MIA! Just now catching up on blogs! I hope the wedding planning is going well. I know a lot of people who do the Shred thing. I don’t know anything about it, but I hear it’s good for toning. Good luck 🙂

    I rarely change up my breakfasts. They’re always a combo of some of the following: oatmeal, fruit, cereal, soy milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, english muffin/toast. I guess that’s pretty varied, but I seem to just cycle through the same 4-5 breakfasts, with oatmeal being the regular star. I read an article recently that said most people like routines, not variety. I relate to that!

  5. i laughed at the vegan comment:) i am the same way! i could never give up cheese or butter….mmmm. guess i will just stick with vegetarian:)

  6. I’m currently enjoying a coconut milk smoothie- made with full fat coconut milk, blueberries and raw egg yolks from farm fresh eggs. It sounds gross- but it keeps me going for a good 5 hours and you can’t taste the eggs!

  7. Wow, the wedding is getting so close! I know you’ll look fantastic no matter what workouts you do, you’re naturally so beautiful! I decided after a couple of the most stressful workweeks ever that I’m resuming daily yoga. So far I’m feeling really good, even if I just get in some 20 minutes of stretching, I surprisingly feel it in my muscles, and it’s doing wonders for my stress levels. I just remember my 30 day yoga challenge from last year (which turned to over 50 consecutive days!) and I think it’s the greatest I’ve felt and looked in a long time. So I def recommend the yoga! Though Jillian is killer and quick too!
    I’ve been switching up my breakfasts and have tried many smoothie in a bowls after my workouts. I always feel like I need to put protein powder to refuel though, and while it tastes good, it’s pretty harsh on the stomach. Today I didn’t want all the crampy feelings so I went with a granola, mango, yogurt and coconut parfait. Wonderful tropical combo! Last week I had some odd savory cravings and did a few mornings of (soy)cheesy tofu scrambles. I like this because it gets extra veggies into my days too.

    Those pizzas look amazing in yesterdays post!! There are so many places I’d love to try in NY, but I don’t know when I’ll get to go next. My parents are going at the end of May again but I got stuck with work here :\ Hopefully I’ll get to go soonish though!

  8. You’re already so tall and thin hun! You don’t need to lose any weight!! Please don’t stress yourself, you’ll be a lovely bride! 🙂

  9. Maggie, I have to ask – where did you get your dress? I highly dislike 90% of wedding dresses I see but yours is so elegant and tasteful, and you look stunning in it!

  11. Oh my, I love this! Congrats on your wedding—sorry I’m so late! You look absolutely fabulous and so happy. Where’s your dress from? Stunning!

    My wedding is in little over a year. 😀

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