I guess I'm getting really stressed as my wedding day approaches.  I think this is what they call the wedding blues. I'm losing focus, I'm feeling tired, I'm having nightmares about the wedding. Oh my! 8 days to go! wah!!!!!!!!!

I'm feeling depressed! Is this normal?

Are you getting frustrated because of the number on the weighing scale? Don’t be! It might only be due to weight fluctuations caused by several factors.

#1 Salt intake – excessive salt intake cause the water balance in the body to change resulting to water retention.

#2 Water intake – if you drunk a lot of water and haven’t urinated yet, it might be the cause also. With too much salt intake, you’re sure to retain that water in your system.

#3 Hormonal imbalance – this may cause the body to be inefficient to metabolize the food and use it as energy.

#4 Menstruation- feeling bloated before having your period is natural for women. It is because of extra weight gained around the lower belly area until the time you have your menstruation. This is also due to an increase appetite causing you to overeat prior to your period.

#5 Constipation – inability to move your bowel over 2-3 days will definitely cause you to gain weight.

Weighing is a key to a successful weight loss. Taking your weight on a weekly and daily basis really depends on how you understand the variations in your weight. Now that you know the factors that may affect your weight, it will be less frustrating to stand on the weighing scale and face the truth.

The Bandwagoner or the Serial Dieter - the type who has tried every slimming tea/coffee and pills in drugstores, Chinese stalls, and herbal kiosk; the one who enrolled at every fitness class and has complete collections of fat-burning cds and work-outs. All these and more, but has never been successful because of the lack of execution to eat healthily and stay active.

The Promiser or the Monday-dedicated Dieter -the type who is very motivated to start but always end up losing discipline as the cravings starts to rush. A person who is determined to lose weight but cannot even sustain a diet until the target weight is achieved. Self-promises that are meant to be broken without self discipline and proper motivation to keep the eye on the goal.

The Lethal Deceiver - the type who looks fine, who eats well, and who claims to be healthy but in fact slowly ruining his/her own health by purging and abusing laxatives. This person is also the type who is so afraid of getting fat when in fact he/she is already thin.

Are you one of these types of dieters? If you are, start changing your perspective about going on a diet. A proper diet and fitness is about healthy lifestyle which is sustainable, consistent and should be simple and easy.

Dieting is never easy, they say.  I actually agree. It will never be easy unless you believe in yourself that you can.

1.       Decide. Dieting is a personal decision. Decide to do it regardless of whatever reasons you have not to. This is your motivation, your mantra, the only thing you will hold onto when everything else seems so tempting, frustrating and depressing. Your decision to succeed, no matter what.

2.       Do. Work on it! Do something to make a change, an improvement.  Make the most of the NOW! Motivate yourself. Get an inspiration. Value yourself more.

3.       Discipline. Times will get tough as you go along. Things may go against the way you wanted it to be. But heaving the right discipline to take on the challenge will help you stick to your goals and meet them.

The choice is yours. Start today! :)

 As a dietitian, it is very rewarding to see that my clients are happy and satisfied with their weight progress, be it for a weight reduction or body building.

Being able to motivate and inspire people to pursue a healthier lifestyle and helping them gain the confidence and enjoy life by simply being able to wear the clothes they want up to a more serious reason like health concerns.

For a diet to work, these 3 principles are crucial.

1. Individualization - A diet should be personalized. Everyone is unique and has specific needs. Your diet should be specifically tailored to you.

2. Liberalization - Be lenient at times. A very restricted diet can only be sustained for a short period of time, but a diet in accordance to your own lifestyle is different. Considering your own preferences, food indulgence and comfort foods are key to make a diet successful. Pleasure should be present. Deprivation will only bring disappointments and frustrations.

3. Simplification - In order to sustain a diet, it should be easy and simple to follow.  

Congratulations to Suzanne, 36, a working mom and a mother of two. She has not much to lose but she wants to able to wear the clothes she wants and she no longer feels comfortable with her weight and looks that is why she decided to change her lifestyle and follow The Chrono-Geno Nutrition Diet by Dr. Claude Chauchard. From 126 to 117 lbs in 1 month.

You see, weight loss isn't about lowering the number on the scale. It's about you. Your lifestyle. Your overall wellness.