Following Up With the Buff Brides
Find out how Julie has been doing since the taping of her Buff Brides episode ended ...
Q: If you didn't reach your weight loss goal before the wedding, have you since reached it?
A: My goal weight is 150 pounds. But I was never expecting to reach it in time for the wedding. At the start of Buff Brides, I was aiming for 160. About halfway in, I realized it would be tough to hit that as well, since I was gaining muscle weight. So, I reset my goal to 165, which I hit the day before we left for Las Vegas. As I said over and over on the show, "I'm a work in progress!" So, no, I haven't reached my weight loss goal, but I'm working on it.
I'm also a person who doesn't like to focus too much on numbers. Those are things we can't control. Instead, I focus on things that I can control, such as my calcium or fiber intake for the day or how many glasses of water I drink in a day. I find those kinds of goals get me closer to my goal weight.
Q: Did you gain any weight on your honeymoon?
A: We really didn't take a honeymoon. Our wedding was a destination wedding. We were in Las Vegas for a few days before and after the wedding. But I was so busy running around doing wedding things that my weight didn't change at all.
Q: What's your favorite body part now?
A: I would say my favorite body part now is my stomach. I get a lot of comments about how flat it is. (It's also my husband's favorite body part!)
Q: What's your favorite new piece of clothing?
A: My favorite new outfit since losing the extra weight is this cute white and blue dress I got from Ann Taylor. I bought it for our rehearsal dinner. I usually have a problem wearing dresses because I have a small waist and larger hips. So, finding something that complements both is difficult. But this dress is perfect. It's A-line and it has a tie in the back. And the colors are my wedding colors!
Q: Do you think you'll be able to maintain your weight and exercise routine now that the wedding has passed?
A: I think because I was already well on my way to a healthier lifestyle BEFORE Buff Brides, I'll be able to continue on that track. Since the wedding, I've been focusing on maintaining while I get settled back into normal life. Now, I'm ready to move forward. I've started journaling my food intake again. And I'm back to doing three strength training sessions a week and cardio six times a week. Although, instead of spending two hours at the gym — an hour doing strength and an hour doing cardio — I'm spending an hour an a half, giving both strength and cardio 45 minutes.
Q: How do you feel physically and emotionally now that the Buff Brides experience — and your wedding — is over?
A: Of course I was a little sad when the wedding and the Buff Brides experience was over. You expend so much effort in order to have this one perfect day. Then it's over in the blink of an eye. I'm glad I took a little time off afterward to relax and just maintain. But now I'm ready to continue my challenge of a better body and a healthier lifestyle as well as having a great marriage.
Q: What is your favorite food now that you've gone through the Buff Brides experience?
A: Ice cream is still my favorite food. I believe in moderation. There are no foods "off limits" in my world.
