1. Eat, eat, eat.

Make sure you are eating enough. I know it is easy to not eat during the day or think that if you don’t eat a lot of food (eat less calories) that you can keep the weight off. Actually, starvation is not a quick fix to weight loss.  I’m telling you to pick up your fork and grub! Start by making sure you are eating breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, and dinner.  Rev up your metabolism and get your body ready to burn calories.

  1. Grab your walking shoes

Look for ways to add a few extra steps to your day – park farther away from the shopping center, walk around your office building during your 15 minute break, or dust off your treadmill in the morning before work.  Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.  Did you know that you can break up the 30 minutes into 3, 10 minute sessions?  Now exercising seems easier to do.  It is also as easy as walking. You don’t even need to get a gym membership, just a comfortable pair of shoes.

  1. Add some weights

Weights help to increase your metabolism so your body is working harder to burn calories. If you are wearing a sleeveless dress, easy arm exercises can help to shape things up.

  1. Make smart choices

You probably know the difference between what is healthy and what is not.

Some examples of unhealthy options and healthier solutions are below:

  • Eating fast food a few times a week is probably not that healthy – try packing your lunch or thinking of quick dinner options that you can make at home.
  • Having French fries with your meal is probably not that healthy – try a salad or a side that is not fried or filled with fat.
  • A double shot mocha, extra whip doesn’t equal breakfast – choose a larger meal like English muffin, lean turkey sausage or veggie sausage, and top it with an egg and cheese. This meal will fuel you for your day. A cup of coffee with creamer is better than your mocha packed with sugar and fat.
  1. Just say no to sweets

If you are like me and have a sweet tooth, try not to even have the sweets in your house.  When at the store, don’t be tempted to buy a bag full of candy or chocolate. If you can’t resist, buy the smallest bar of chocolate you see and break it up into bite size pieces to eat for the whole  week. If your fiancé likes to go out for ice cream or to keep cookies at his house, ask him if he can help you with your healthy choices and hide the cookies or not have them in the house for the next few months.

  1. Read labels

This can be confusing but very helpful with portion control.  Turn over a bag of chips and read the label.  If it says, blank servings per bag, this means that there are x number of servings to equal the calories, fat, sugar, etc.  A large size bag of chips may say the bag contains 2 servings, so if you finish the whole bag you will have eaten the calories amount listed in the nutritional panel times 2.  Sometimes I like to grab the serving amount and put the bag back in the cabinet so I don’t eat the whole bag.  If a bag of pretzels is 100 calories for 16, then I take out 16 pretzels, put the bag back in the cabinet, and then start snacking.  Also, read the label for the amount of sugars and fats.  If you are trying to decide between 2 different yogurts, turn both of them over and go with the one with less sugar and fat.

  1. Stop when you are full

When you start to have that full feeling, put down your fork.  A few extra bites equals extra calories.  These extra calories can add up each day.  If you are hungry after your meal, try a healthy snack like fruits or vegetables or a low sugar (less than 7 g of sugar) granola bar.

  1. Don’t get discouraged

Keep up the good work you are doing. Even if you don’t see the weight change on the scale, know that you are making positive choices now.  Look at losing the weight like a seed you plant in the ground.  You can’t see what the seed is doing in the ground, but you still water it and fertilize it, and then one day, after all of your hard work, you start to see a little green leaf.  So, keep doing all the work because eventually you will see results.

  1. Watch what you drink

You can easily decrease the amount of calories you consume by watching what you drink.  Try to stay away from sugary soda, juices, and coffee drinks.  During the time you are engaged, go for water, iced tea, or only try to have a soda once a week.  With juice, look for something that doesn’t have sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or sucrose in the ingredients.  Many juices have natural sugar because sugar is in fruit.  If you like naturally sweetened juices, try mixing half juice and half water.  Also, watch the amount of alcohol you drink since alcohol contains calories too.  This is an exciting time and friends and family will want to take you out to celebrate. Just think about the extra calories and how you will look on your wedding day if you only have one glass of wine instead of two.

10.   Get the size dress that fits

So this really isn’t a tip to stay in shape, but it is something that will help with your weight loss journey.  Think realistically about what size you will be when you order your dress.  It is ok to say that you will only lose 5 pounds vs 15 pounds. If you are realistic about your goals, then you will be happier weeks before your wedding when you realize that your wedding dress fits perfectly!

Why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach

By Natalie Jones • February 27, 2025
Here’s why you should have a small wedding in Pismo Beach Small weddings are the way to go these days! We aren’t just saying that because small weddings have been our thing since we started our business back in 2015. A small wedding can have the same parts of a large wedding - unforgettable moments, celebration with friends and family and the start of the rest of your life together. But, small wedding have a few more benefits like - less stress, less more, and more of the two of you and what you want for your wedding! We love the scenery of the Central Coast for small weddings. There are million dollar views - from your toes in the sand at one of the beach locations, to overlooking the ocean, to shaded eucalyptus trees, and jagged cliff sides. Small weddings are our favorite because the couple is free to focus on the most important things, like having their day, their way, spending the day with the people who truly matter, and having an amazing day packed with lasting memories. What Is Driving the Trend Toward Smaller Weddings? Several factors are behind the increasing trend of smaller weddings. Modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love, and in most cases, they focus on quality over quantity. Small weddings have become for popular and couples embrace fewer guests and find the beauty of intimate gatherings. Changing societal norms and the desire for unique, personalized experiences also make smaller weddings an attractive option. How Do Small Weddings Create More Meaningful Connections? Small weddings foster more meaningful connections by allowing couples to spend quality time with each guest, creating an intimate and personal atmosphere. With fewer attendees, conversations feel more genuine, and guests feel truly valued and appreciated. Some couples will have a few day long celebration for their wedding - starting a few days before the wedding with wine tasting or seeing the sites of the Central Coast, then relax on the beach the next day. After some fun in the sun, it's wedding day. The day will end with a group dinner or casual private reception. Then, the guests will leave and the couple has a few more days to celebrate their honeymoon in Pismo Beach or other beach location. This setting also encourages deeper interactions, making it easier to share special moments, heartfelt toasts, and personal stories. Without the hustle and chaos of a large event, couples and their loved ones can be fully present, strengthening bonds and making the celebration even more memorable. How Does a Smaller Guest List Reduce Wedding Stress? Planning a wedding can be quite challenging. It is easier for couples to plan their weddings with smaller guest lists, as this dramatically lowers their prospects of worrying. Incorporating fewer guests into a wedding means that there are fewer logistical elements to take care of, such as catering, seating arrangements, accommodations, and more people to please. This way, couples can spend more time and energy making their special day more unique instead of fretting over accommodating numerous people. A more personal gathering helps create a homely and calming vibe, giving the couple a chance to make the most of each interaction with their guests. Most importantly, a smaller guest number means that there would be fewer changes needed at the last minute, which translates to lower expenditure and costs. Hence, all attendees, coupled with the couple, can fully enjoy themselves without feeling the pressure of the wedding arrangements. What Are the Financial Benefits of Hosting a Small Wedding? Hosting a small wedding can be a cost-effective choice, offering couples the chance to allocate their budget more intentionally. With fewer guests, expenses for catering, venue size, and decor are reduced, freeing up funds for other priorities such as an unforgettable honeymoon or investing in a dream home. This financial flexibility allows couples to create a celebration that reflects their values and vision without overspending. Celebrate your love story with us! Small weddings are more than just a trend—they represent a shift in how couples approach one of the most important days of their lives. By focusing on intimacy, meaningful connections, and thoughtful planning, small weddings offer a unique and heartfelt way to celebrate love. For couples looking to create a stunning and intimate wedding experience, Coastal California Weddings is your simple and stress-free way to plan your wedding. We provide expert guidance and inspiration.

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