Not ashamed to post this pic but please help

Oops! Here is a pic of my back fat issue!

You need to focus on cardio and low weight and high reps! That way you slim and tone instead of bulk. You can do it!!

Girl that problem happens to everyone. It's mostly skin, not fat. You need someone to "tuck" in your skin. Gross I know, but just one of the wedding necessities especially with strapless dresses.

You don't want to JUST lift as that will, like you said, bulk some. You've got plenty of time to add a little cardio, even if it's just something short and quick for 30 minutes 3-5 times a week.

I do yoga daily and my back got pretty ripped within six months. All those chaturangas, lol. But to answer your question, yes, machines at the gym could help you slim down. I suggest lifting more than cardio, though.

ETA: I'm surprised by all the "just add cardio!" posts. I'm a fitness instructor and I see women get frustrated with weight loss constantly because they only focus on cardio. Full body weight training is far more effective, in my professional opinion, even more so when combined with cardio. I highly suggest finding a personal trainer that fits in your budget and setting some real goals with them. They'll be able to give you far better fitness advice than a bunch of strangers on a wedding forum

Hey Carrie, welcome to WeddingWire. You have absolutely no reason to be ashamed of that picture!

To answer your question--weight training (like the exercise you're describing) is ALWAYS good for muscle tone, and is a key element that people often overlook in losing weight. Cardio on its own can only take you so far.

That said, I'm afraid you can't spot-lose weight. Your body will get in shape altogether, on its own terms, as you take care of it with working out, eating right, etc. (Besides weightlifting, the other most-overlooked element in losing weight is diet. Again, cardio can only get you so far. Experts say it's around 30% exercise and 70% diet.)

So the moral of the story is--yes, exercise! Building muscle, along with cardio, will not bulk you up to make your dress tighter; it will help your tone and slim you down. But don't just do back exercises, because spot-training one area of the body won't make that one area slim down. Our bodies don't work that way.

Good luck!

I agree, add cardio to your exercise regimen! You got plenty of time.

You can't target specific body parts like that to slim down. You also won't bulk unless you're specifically trying to bulk (it's harder for women to bulk.... Typically weight training is going to slim you down). I would recommend talking to a personal trainer and have them set you up weight training routines. Do full body, upper body, and lower body workouts with some cardio.

Also, your dress is pretty

I am going to say it - your dress is too small - as it fits your now. "Tucking" your skin into the dress is pointless because if you lift your arms, you will have a "muffin back" again. Get your dress altered to fit you as you are now or wait and reevaluate closer to the wedding.

Thank you all so much! My new workout regimen is a mix of cardio, clean eating, better habits, etc. But just frightens me about that back fat! Emily, the lady who helped fit me for the dress actually did the skin "tuck" and worked pretty well! I'll put my MOH to that task! Haha

Cardio and diet! Muscle toning is great (and you should definitely do it), but you can't spot-zap fat. So any muscle you gain will just sit under the fat and probably make it looks worse.

ETA - good for you for taking a positive approach and going after what you want!

100% what Elizabeth said

Zaggora was my go-to for my back boobs Now mind you, mine actually needed an underwire bra unlike yours. They have everything to help sweet out a certain area when working out. I purchased a jacket that helped slim my arms/backboobs/tummy. It was great. It's not a miracle product, but it made a huge different with working out and eating healthy at the same time.

Hi! Have someone "smooth" your back as they zip up your dress. It's mostly skin and the tight dress will push it up on even the thinnest person! It happens. Have them stick a thumb by the top and zipper under your dress and slowly pull to the right and smooth your skin out so it doesn't hang over. Have them do the other way going towards the left. My alterations shop taught me this trick because it happens to almost everyone with a strapless dress. ... trying to find a video for you but I don't see one yet

Unfortunately, you can't spot-reduce. Doing strictly cardio will cause you to lose muscle, which won't do much for your back either. Lifting weights will not cause you to bulk up. If it did, i'd look like the hulk, since I've been lifting weights for 6 years! I would combine HIIT with weight training. HIIT has been proven to lose fat while preserving muscle. It kills you, but the workouts are much shorter, and the results are awesome!

In addition, eating right, lower your simple carb intake, increase your veggies, track your calories, and drink lots of water.

Now, if only I can follow my own advice once in awhile, my hips wouldn't be the size of New Hampshire! .

That happened to me, I'm actually making my dress a corset back instead of zipper that way that wont happen. and hitting the gym 4 times a week

Cardio, push ups, planks. Full body workouts.

There is this class that I used to take, it's called TRX, in which you use these bands and you use your own body weight to work out. That slimmed down my back fat and you tone everywhere!

Definitely lift but not for the reasoning your using. The more muscle you have the more resting calories your body burns in a day. Don't be afraid to put on too much muscle! In order for women to bulk up you would need to consume and excessive amount of calories and follow a completely different lifting routine. It is virtually impossible to bulk up while trying to lose weight. I would set a routine combine cardio and total body lifting. Unfortunately you cant lose weight just in one spot but you should see your back change quickly once you start losing weight.

I had exactly the same thing happen! With a bit of self adjusting it evened out. I rounded my shoulders in just a bit while being zipped so my "skin" wasn't folded in.

From a former personal trainer, Elizabeth and OriginalRandi are spot on with the exercise and diet advice :-)

Wear your hair down and a veil = no problem anymore. :o)