Need to vent - sad about how my dress fits.

I think we are often our own worst critics. I'm sure the dress looks absolutely stunning and you're fixating on an area that you're self conscious about, but likely no one else will even notice. Do you have a picture of you at your final fitting?

I also felt really down after my dress appointments because my dress was ordered a size too small (boutique's fault) and since I ordered a custom length, they wouldn't exchange it. So it literally never fit until the last fitting when the seamstress miraculously took out like 4 inches. And I still felt like it was tight and unflattering.

I felt completely different on the day of my wedding. After my hair and makeup was done and I put the dress on, I couldn't believe how beautiful I felt (fat arms, and back rolls galore). It seemed as if all of my personal issues with my body went out the door and the most compliments I received was on how beautiful I looked, as I am sure you do as well.

Don't exchange the dress. You loved it for a reason. Instead of looking at the areas you don't love, why don't you focus on the ones you do! You said the top looks great and the back is stunning!

I totally get where you're coming from... as women, we're our own worst critics.

You have been putting in the effort and seeing results - even if your stomach is not where you want it to be, remind yourself of how far you've come. 42 days is still A LOT of time to get to where you'd like to be.

You are absolutely, 100% right though... NOBODY is going to notice! I haven't seen any pictures of you in the dress obviously, but I can almost bet you look gorgeous in it, and I'm sure your family and friends will think so too!

Don't buy a new dress. You will rock this one! You got this.

I am sorry. We all deserve to feel confident in our own skin, but that is often harder than it should be. I can offer this though, your eyes are the most critical ones looking at you. Every one else sees you as the beautiful person you are. I can only hope you can see what they see.


As more practical advice, can your trainer offer any thoughts on targeting the areas you are currently most unhappy with?

I hope that in the end, you are able to feel confident and beautiful. You deserve to see yourself the way your FH sees you!

I’m so sorry you feel like this. I have definitely been struggling as well. Something that helped me a lot was going back and looking at older pictures of me... I remember when those pics were taken thinking ugh I look so fat!...but now when I look at them I think they are fine and I just remember the fun I was having. That is how people see you, especially on your wedding day. They just look at the joy and the fun. Another thing that helped a lot was a looked up pictures of brides my size and I looked at lots of pictures and I thought they look great! If they can be confident then I can too... and if nothing else, I just remind myself that FH loves me for how I am now, he chose me, looking like this and he tells me I’m beautiful every day.
You still have time for some toning but don’t stress yourself out! You will amazing simply because it’s the happiest day!!

We are definitely our own worst critics. That said until you are comfortable in it, no matter how gorgeous everyone says you are you won't feel it (I know this is how I am anyways). If you buy off the rack you *probably* still have enough time for something with minimal alterations.

Also if you are interested (I'm sure you don't need too but...) I have the same issue and started doing 50 crunches every morning and have seen improvement.... maybe try to do some crunches everyday until the wedding?

Apple cider vinegar 2x a day everyday with a bottle of water!!! Will get that stomach down if you are consistent good luck!

They have shapewear that goes right up to your boob area and also down the thighs, like a nude colored swimsuit almost. You can get it with and without straps. Maybe that'll help tone it up a bit? I tried one on myself but ended up getting something different, but it did slim up my stomach and love handles!

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Thank you for this. Part of the problem might be that I'm going in to these fittings straight after work and it's 95 degrees out right now, so my hair is in a messy ponytail and my makeup has mostly melted off. I'm definitely not feeling "wedding pretty". I'm sure once I get all done up, and with the excitement of the day, I'll get back to my old confident self.

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Hey, crunches can't hurt. I'll give it a shot! Thank you!

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Ha. I was just Googling this like two days ago. Another idea that it probably can't hurt to try. I tried it the other night just to see what it tasted like, and it's pretty rough. Might take some getting used to. How much ACV do you recommend? I tried like 1 tsp (maybe it was a Tbsp) in a cup of water, kind of had to plug my nose to get it down.

View Quoted Comment The one I use it says Organic on it from Walmart not the Braggs one that one smells sooo bad! But I do 1 tbsp not teaspoon. One first in the morning before eating and again before dinner.

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No luck, I've tried them all. Target, Nordstrom, Macy's, Amazon... I'm just not proportioned right for shapewear. It's either too long in the waist, or too short causing all kinds of issues front AND back. I've resorted to looking for gym pants that might hold things in, but not leave any visible lines.

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I'll give it a try!

Thank you everyone for your support!! I hate getting so down on myself, and needed to know I wasn't the only one this happens to. I want so badly to be a bad a$$ strong woman and be comfortable in my own skin no matter what, but some days it's a struggle! Plus, any mention of this to close friends or my mom and they just blow me off like I'm crazy. I HATE having my feelings discounted like that. It's so nice to have people to bounce this stuff off of who just get it.

I understand exactly how you feel...
I went as far as having a tummy tuck w/lipo 2 weeks ago and I have 43 days until my wedding....my muffin top would not go anywhere, regardless of what I tried.(this is NOT a suggestion to have surgery, just sharing my experience).
Try Leonisa...they are expensive but the have great, surgical grade shapewear for all sizes and shapes....www.leonisa.com.
Good luck.

Ugh, that sucks so badly! I'm sure it won't be a big deal and you're harder on yourself than anyone else will be. But if you're still looking for quick fixes, you might consider a seaweed wrap before the wedding? My mom got one when she and my dad renewed their vows to sort of tighten everything up. It doesn't fix everything but you might want to look into it.