(Not So) Little Black Dress
A few weeks ago, I got a call from the newly engaged Katie (my former roommate for you newbies) asking me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. I said yes rather quickly because I know better than to miss an opportunity to dress up and walk down a church aisle with (hopefully) single men waiting in suits at the front of the church.
Of course, the groom is always out of the running but there’s usually enough guys left up there to cause all the bridesmaids to get in cat fights over who gets to sit by them at the rehearsal dinner.
Not that I’ve ever done that.
(Except at my friend Christan’s wedding.)
(Oh. And Brandy’s, too.)
(Ashley? I wasn’t even one of your bridesmaids and I still tried to do it. I’m sorry.)
Katie picked out beautiful dresses for us from the BCBGenerations line (which is not usually a first stop for bridesmaid dresses). Those of you that are familiar with this line know that their sizes run a little small to say the least. But the dresses are really classy. And cute.
And they only go up to size 12.
Now, I may share a lot with y’all (I mean, really? I told you this?) but I will NOT be sharing my dress size other than to say that it is not a size 12 or even a close cousin to that number. In her defense, Katie told me that I was welcome to find a similar dress in my size and that she didn’t care if all other nine bridesmaids were wearing one dress while I stood up there in another one.
Um, okay.
She really doesn’t care, but I do. And so, I’ve purchased that little black dress and it’s now hanging in my closet where I can see it every single morning. I know exactly how many days are left until the wedding (227, in case you’re wondering) and I have a plan that I’ll occasionally be updating you on that involves me becoming best friends with the treadmill and learning to love vegetables a little more than before.
I’ve been working at it for a little over two weeks now and I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 10 lbs along the way.
Which means I’ll now be able to get at least my little toe into the dress.
Posted: October 29th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 38
Comments
Comment from Lydia
Time: October 29, 2008, 7:01 am
Amy Beth, I feel your pain girl!! I was in a wedding last summer in the same situation! The first two weeks I fussed and fumed to myself that the largest size the dress came in was a 14 (which was actually more like a 12 in real clothes), and then I had a little attitude adjustment and started the process of making it work. So…I would like to tell you that I continued my exercise and eating healthy, but, alas, I am in another wedding this Saturday and some how (darn it) I got myselft back in the same situation. As I type this I am praying for you. You can do it, and congratulations on the 10 lbs. I love that you are real on your blog. It helps me to relate! 
Comment from mandy
Time: October 29, 2008, 7:28 am
I need to lose 10lbs (x3)…it’s just so hard.
Great job for working on it! Walking w/ roomie would be great for both of you!
Comment from Kristy
Time: October 29, 2008, 7:35 am
Yeah for you. I will be praying that this process is not as hard as it sometimes is. Thanks for sharing.
Comment from Mom
Time: October 29, 2008, 8:15 am
Oh…..I would be the proudest of them all!!!! Congrats Amy Beth…. YOU can do anything! Well, just look at school and Starlite…..like I said, YOU can do anything! You stare down a challenge right in the eyes…Your determination and drive will see you to the finish!!! Keep us updated. I’m cheering for you!!!! Give me an A, give me me a M, give me a Y. You go girl!!!!
Love you, Mommie
Comment from Leslie Ruth
Time: October 29, 2008, 8:38 am
Ok, a.) Your mom is hilarious. What a cheerleader! And b.) CONGRATS ON THE TEN! You *can* do this. And it’s not just about the dress. The dress will just be icing on the cake (oh, why did I say cake? Now I want some….) because you will feel so much better in every way possible. I’m preaching to myself here as well. Hey, our new house backs up to a state park with walking trails. We can go walking together sometime!
Comment from Brittany
Time: October 29, 2008, 8:38 am
I’m with you. My sister in law is getting married in Jan. and My dress fits but it doesn’t look like I want it too. I”m part of a “Fit Friday” if you want to join. We just help each other with accountability. Congratulations on the 10 lbs. That’s awesome.
Comment from Kelley
Time: October 29, 2008, 8:47 am
I’m with you sister. I’m doing the “eat better/look better/feel better” thing too.
You can do it Amy Beth! Doesn’t it feel nice to step on the scale and say, “YES!” when you go down in the numbers? : )
Comment from Michelle
Time: October 29, 2008, 8:55 am
Good luck my friend. I am trying too…rather unsuccessfully it seems! But still trying.
I totally get why you wouldn’t want to wear a different dress. I love that it is black though! How exciting, you could actually wear it again!!!
Comment from Liz @ Discovering Liz
Time: October 29, 2008, 9:01 am
C’mon, Amy Beth! Way to go, girl! Keep us updated on your progress, so we can cheer you on.
Comment from Ashley Flores
Time: October 29, 2008, 9:24 am
Good job on those 10 pounds! BTW, if I could go back, re-do the seating chart and put you next to the hottest single groomsman we had, I would.
Comment from debbie d.
Time: October 29, 2008, 9:45 am
10lbs??? you rock! But now, I must ask a question to the masses…what is up with the strappy/strapless sensation in the bridal world these days??? Are sleeves a thing of the past???
Comment from Kate
Time: October 29, 2008, 10:04 am
The first 10 is the hardest!! Way to go! I just started working at it to. I can’t wait to hear about your progress. Woohoo for you!
Comment from Shara
Time: October 29, 2008, 10:22 am
You can do it, girl!! I have total faith that you will!
Comment from Kelly
Time: October 29, 2008, 10:56 am
“Give me an A, give me a M, give me a Y. You go girl!!” Hilarious! From one Kelly and another. You can do it!! Just remember, now you have a little extra incentive 
Comment from Amanda
Time: October 29, 2008, 11:21 am
I think you should plan an awesome beach trip for right after the wedding to sweeten the deal. Then you’ll have twice the motivation. I am already making Curt swear that he’ll take me to Mexico a year after the baby’s born so I can have a goal to get back in shape. Way to go on the first 10! You’re gonna rock that LBD!
Comment from Sarah
Time: October 29, 2008, 11:28 am
ten pounds already!!! YAY!
You’re gonna rock that little black dress, AB
Comment from trs
Time: October 29, 2008, 11:42 am
Wow! 10 pounds in two weeks! That’s awesome. And totally a sign that you can get into that dress in 220 more days (you’ll get into it before that – but hey a deadline is a deadline!)
Go for walks, get ready to get on a bike in the spring.
Get a vegetable steamer. They’re so easy and the veggies are tres yummy when steamed.
And Ha… Debbie D – “Are sleeves a thing of the past?”
Uh, yes they are. When I thought the possibility of marrying Mr. Burns was inevitable, told my best friend to start collecting images of her dream dress (she would be my only bridesmaid)
She told me her dream dress would have sleeves.
I can’t even picture a suitable dress that would have sleeves! I have no idea! So I guess it’s a good thing I’m not getting married anytime soon.
I’m sure when we’re 60 sleeves will be all the rage!
Comment from Brenda
Time: October 29, 2008, 12:54 pm
I have done the Prism weight loss system(the one Karen Kingsbury lost all her weight on) for the last 2 months and am down almost 40 pounds. it does involve giving up sugar and flour, but it’s super healthy and I feel great! Might want to get the book!
Comment from Deidre
Time: October 29, 2008, 1:28 pm
Oh, the things we do….
After having my first child, my SIZE ZERO friend called to ask me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. She wanted my measurements and without thinking I gave her 2 inches less in every area than I actually was. I was crazy! When the dress came, I had only a few months to fit into it. I will NEVER forget that time and ALL that the Father taught me – He certainly meant to teach me MUCH from that little lie Never got over it
Comment from Rachelle Page-Wood
Time: October 29, 2008, 1:33 pm
Weight Watchers is a great program if you’re looking for something. My sister quickly lost 30 lbs of baby weight with it and she said it is extremely livable, you don’t feel as if you’re giving up anything. Good Luck!
Comment from moelunger
Time: October 29, 2008, 1:35 pm
Far be from me to be a Negative Nellie… But actually “Criticism” is one of my top five StrengthFinders strengths (you don’t remember that one?Hmmm.)
Anyways, I say find a good seamstress who can make the dress for you so it looks like the original.
Losing weight for weddings is not good from a health standpoint. It might be short-term motivation, but not long term.
IMHO I think it sets you up for frustration.
And not because I ever did anything like this myself. It’s not as if I d ordered a dress 2 sizes smaller bc I was sure I would lose the weight for my sister-in-law’s wedding. It’s not as if two weeks before the wedding a seamstress was frantically altering it while moaning about my lack of foresight in ordering a velvet dress too small. OK, it did happen. But it shouldn’t have. And I’ve never worn the stupid thing again.
Comment from Mom
Time: October 29, 2008, 2:34 pm
I think it is great that you have 21 POSITIVE comments about YOUR decision to lose weight. I hope your “comment leavers” will continue to remain positive so the Mother Hen doesn’t have to come out of her corner.
Comment from Lauren
Time: October 29, 2008, 2:58 pm
Your mom is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sooo proud of you AB…. I know that when you have something that you want to do, you will do it, no matter how and when you do it! Wow…this is amazing!
No, YOU are amazing! 
Comment from Honour Annekins Harris
Time: October 29, 2008, 3:39 pm
Way to go!! You’re my hero.
Comment from Krista
Time: October 29, 2008, 4:13 pm
Wow, 10 pounds in 2 weeks is good! Just don’t get frustrated if it slows down. You WILL hit a plateau eventually. Then you have to keep going and let your body know you’re serious!
I have been on a “watch what I eat” diet since this summer. Not working real well. Then I joined the gym 2 months ago. Helping a little, but not much. It’s definitely a challenge to keep it up for the long haul. I think the main reason I joined the gym though was because if I’m paying that much for it then I’d better darn well use it! (and yeah, still trying to lose the baby flab 18 months later…)
Comment from amykay
Time: October 29, 2008, 5:08 pm
i love your mom. ab’s mom, you are awesome!
Comment from Beth
Time: October 29, 2008, 5:12 pm
hey! I never thought of buying something (expensive) that is way to small to totally motivate me to lose weight! Great “mind trick”! I might have to try this!!!
Comment from trs
Time: October 29, 2008, 7:02 pm
I’ve been thinking about this since this morning… and decided I want to add something.
And reading the latest comments since… I am encouraged that I am right to do so.
I’m going to start by saying that your LONE negative commenter (as Mom pointed out) does have a point.
You could end up frustrated and disappointed – IF you are not doing this for yourself. If you are doing it to fit into a dress, or to impress someone, or to accomodate your friend – you could be setting yourself up for great disappointment.
But Amy Beth – the moment I read your post this morning – it was clear to me that you ARE doing this for YOU. I don’t know you from Adam or Eve – but I can see that THAT is true.
I believe you are doing this because you want to make a change. And that dress is just incentive. That’s great.
In fact, you have inspired me! I’ve lost all my muscle tone in the past few years – mostly due to the aging process.
So I have decided that if you can whittle your way down to the size 12 BCBG – I will strengthen my body and rock my tiffany blue halter dress by the time you are Katie’s bridesmaid!
Deal?
Deal.
(I sent you more encouragement via email – to keep this short!)
Comment from Kellye
Time: October 29, 2008, 7:08 pm
AB – I have been down this road before. You need a support system. Try Weight Watchers – you can live your life (i.e: Mexican Food and popcorn at movies) and still lose weight.
You can do it girl!!!
Comment from Vicky
Time: October 29, 2008, 9:07 pm
I started Weight Watchers October 1st. I agree with the comments above– definitely a realistic, lifestyle changing program. I don’t go to meetings, just the online program. It’s a great way to track my food, and I’m finding the point system to be way easier than calories/ fat/ etc. So far, I have lost 8 lbs.
For the last week, my pants have been driving me crazy because I have to constantly hitch them up (a good problem to have, but a problem nevertheless). This morning I tried on my “next size down” pants– AND THEY FIT! COMFORTABLY! I was so excited that I went out and bought a pair of jeans that actually fits so I can quit feeling frumpy.
I was going to wait until I hit the “10 lbs” mark, but I think I might post about this later tonight.
If you’d like to start something were we post once a week on how we’re doing, I’d be interested in joining that (looks like there are a few other commenters that are working on this too). We don’t have to post our weights, but we could post pounds lost (or even “precentage of body weight” lost like on “The Biggest Loser”). It’d be a fun way to share recipe and exercise ideas and keep each other accountable. Just an idea…
Comment from Kelli
Time: October 30, 2008, 8:20 am
AB – GREAT JOB!! You are going to look smokin’ in that dress! Whenever you think about your EX you can turn the treadmill speed up just a little more and it is a great way at getting your frustration out!!!
Comment from Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list
Time: October 30, 2008, 10:59 am
Awesome start, Amy Beth! I know from experience that you can do it! I was laid off a year ago, and changing my lunch habit from fattening lunches out to turkey sandwiches at home made THREE SIZES of difference — can you believe that? I really need to start exercising so I can get to a weight I’m really happy with, but the weight I was when I met you in San Antonio was 15 or 20 lb less than my highest.
And while I’ve spent the last ten years or so shopping at “Lane Giant” (as I heard one blogger refer to it), I’m now too small and have to shop at regular stores. I’m not quite small enough to wear that dress you bought, but you have time to get there, and I KNOW you can do it!
I can’t wait to see the pics of you in your LBD!
Comment from Chatty Kelly
Time: October 30, 2008, 12:41 pm
Is that really the dress? It looks like a size 2! Or a nighty. Seriously – if you are losing hte weight for YOU = kudos, do it. If you are losing the weight for a dress…just buy another dress.
You are beautiful – “full figured” or not.
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Comment from amykay
Time: October 29, 2008, 12:53 am
GOOD JOB ON TEN POUNDS!!!!! my husband and i just started a weight loss competition (with each other) and we are saving up for a sweet prize because we know we will only stay motivated in the beginning when it’s so hard if we have something tangible. what a great motivation to have that dress hanging in your closet. it also helps to have someone to trash talk, so if you need to brag about how awesome you are, feel free to email me!
you can do anything!!