I'm getting married in the morning!

On the eve of her wedding, our Bridal Blogger, Nichole Yaffe reflects on how she went from feeling frumpy and out of shape at 10st 12lb and a size 14, to feeling fabulous in the wedding dress of her dreams…

It’s T-minus one day! This time tomorrow I will be a married woman, I can’t believe it! As I write this my beautiful wedding dress is hanging in my room, and I can’t wait to put it on in the morning.
I don’t want to give anything away about it though, in case Neil logs on and has a cheeky read of my blog!

I could never have prepared myself for the frantic rushing around I’ve been doing this week.  I thought I was so organised, but there are always the tiny details that actually can’t be done until the very last minute.  Now I know why they say getting married is one of the most stressful times in a person’s life.

I’ve been feeling more anxious than I expected - I think it’s a mixture of missing my mum and dad and plain nerves.  I’ve also realised that I’m not too comfortable with the whole day being about me (and Neil!). 

It’s dawned on me that I’m not quite sure how to react to being the centre of attention, but I keep telling myself it’s a day to share with Neil – my soul mate – and my closest family and friends. I’ve been doing a lot of self talk which Jenny my life-coach taught me and it’s definitely calming me down.

Speaking of Jenny, I had my final session with her this week and I noticed just how far I’ve come in a few short months. I’ve learned so much about myself and my sessions with her have taught me how to cope with so many things.  There will always be ups and downs in my life, but now I know I can handle them. 

Between family and friends flying into Belfast over the past few days, the wedding rehearsal, last minute talks with the caterers and picking songs with the DJ, I feel like I’ve been on a wedding-themed merry-go-round this week.

To escape from the madness, my bridesmaids and I spent a relaxing day at the Galgorm Resort and Spa. We had a very girlie time being pampered with facials, manicures and spa therapies followed by afternoon tea... pure bliss and just what we all needed.

My diet has remained on track this week, but now it’s just part of my life and daily routine I don’t think of it as a diet anymore which makes it far easier to stick to! Admittedly, I did have a sneaky wee scone and cream with my afternoon tea at the Galgorm, but you know what they say...when in Rome!  That’s not to say I’ve slacked off though as the exercise is still riding high...just ask Alex my trainer...and my abs!

As this is my final blog before my wedding I can’t sign off without saying a massive thank-you to all the beautiful people who have helped me turn myself around, inside and out.

To Jane McClenaghan, nutritionist to this new star – sincerely from the bottom of my healthy functioning heart (and adrenal glands!) I couldn’t have done it without your expert advice. Thank you xx

To Alex Redmond my trainer – my body has hurt like hell these past few months and I’ve loved every minute of it!  We’ve become really close (not many people have seen me sweat!) and I’ve valued your help so much. Thank you xx

To Jenny Grainger, life coach and guru - I was on a downward spiral and you’ve pulled me back up!  You’re one of my life’s motivators and my fabulous role model! Thank you xx

Last but not least...Fabulous...I’ve had so much fun thanks to you!  Things can only get better for me now, but you started this ball rolling and fished me from a murky depth and for that I’m indebted! Thank you all! Xx

Lots of love

Nichole Yaffe xx (Last time I’ll be using this officially....next time you see me I’ll be Mrs Crawford...I can’t wait!)

Hen Party Mayhem!

Dear Fabulousmag.co.uk,

I have a confession to make…I well and truly fell off the wagon at the weekend. The diet went out the window and I totally over-indulged on the cocktails! But, I had a very good excuse - my second hen night!

Because not everyone could make it to Malaga, I had a second night out (any excuse for a party!) in Belfast. A raucous group of us, including my mother-in-law to be Elizabeth and my four sisters Charlotte, 32, Charmaine, 30, Natali, 25 and Olivia, 24 who are my bridesmaids.

I had salmon for dinner, which was very virtuous, but then stole lots of fries from other people’s plates, and washed it all down with lots of white wine and shots of sambuca. I debuted my Adrianna Pappel bandage dress at the party and, according to my fiancé Neil I looked ‘smokin’ hot’! I was a stone heavier when he bought it for me two months ago, and seeing it hanging in my wardrobe has inspired me every time I’ve felt too tired for the gym, or I’ve craved some stodgy food. I now weigh 10st and am a size 10-12. The compliments I was received when I wore it were awesome, a real driving force for me to keep going.
 

My girlfriends are calling me Michelle Obama because of my new slim-line figure and chic dress sense. As my body confidence has grown, I’ve rediscovered my love of fashion, and I was thrilled to be able to show off my figure in such a clingy and unforgiving dress. A few months ago I wouldn’t even have considered wearing it.

After a weekend of excess, I’m back on the straight and narrow. I’m writing this while sipping a fruit smoothie, and there’ll be no crisps, cocktails or coffee for me this week!

Alex my personal trainer is punishing my bad behaviour at the gym!  I’ve been boxing and running lengths in the yard outside the gym - Rocky Balboa has nothing on me!  The shuttle runs are 50 metres long and I have to make it from start to finish in 10 seconds which is hard if you’re not a natural runner! The penalty is 20 push ups and she takes no prisoners!

The wedding planning has become very hectic and I’ve felt a bit overwhelmed this week. I never appreciated before how much work goes into it, but I’m determined everything will be perfect so I’m throwing myself into the preparations. My life coach Jenny has taught me a really useful exercise where I write a list of my ‘energy drains’ and ‘energy gains’, and try to steer clear of the drains. It’s really helped me stay positive, even when I’m feeling a bit stressed, and to prioritise what’s important. I’d advise any bride-to-be to try this!

My sisters have flown over to Belfast from Glasgow to stay until the big day and they’re helping me with the last minute details. Until now I’ve been doing most things on my own so having them here to help is fantastic, and they’ve been put to work writing place cards, drawing up table plans and a million other things.

It’s going to be a busy week and I can’t believe the wedding is just around the corner. I’m feeling really focused and positive though, and instead of worrying about it, like I was a few months ago, I’m looking forward to it so much!

Log on next week for my last blog as a single girl, before I walk up the aisle!

‘Til then

Nichole

xxx

Three weeks and counting...

Dear Fabulousmag.co.uk,

It’s three weeks and counting until my wedding day and I can’t believe how fast time is passing.
 
I’m just back from my hen weekend in Spain and already it feels like a life-time ago I was sipping cocktails and pole dancing!
 
There’s still so much to do before the big day and my head is spinning with talk of dress fittings, menus, first dances, cake tasting, fees due and of course the all important wedding night lingerie! Yikes! I think a few more sessions with Alex my personal trainer are required before I even think about some of the saucy underwear the girls were suggesting!

I had a dress fitting this week, which was the first time I’ve seen my dress since I bought it. I was excited but nervous - would I still love it? Did I choose the right one? Lots of questions! BUT…it’s absolutely perfect and even better, it needs to be taken in slightly because I’ve lost over half a stone so far. Yay! All the hard work is starting to pay off and I’m delighted. The dress is going in rather than out, and so am I.

I’ve struggled a bit with my cardio sessions this week. I had a really bad chest infection which means I haven’t been able to train as much as normal.  I usually do three cardio sessions a week at the gym as well as a 40 min run either on the road or in the park, so I’m really frustrated I haven’t been able to do much.  Every day is vital at this point!  All the same, I have tried to keep active by doing body balance and stretch-and-tone classes with Alex instead of the cardio.  I’m on the mend now, so I can’t wait to get back into it! 

At least the healthy eating plan created by my nutritionist Jane is still on track.  I’m really surprised how well I’ve taken to it.  A few months ago I would’ve woken up in a rush, skipped breakfast, worked all day probably with only several cups of strong coffee and staff-room biscuits to keep me going, then home for comfort food like a takeaway.

Now I have breakfast every morning - porridge or wholemeal toast with poached eggs - and eat every three hours through the day. A typical lunch would be a feta cheese salad and for dinner I have wholemeal pasta with vegetables. I snack on nuts, seeds, oatcakes, hummus, carrots, celery and yoghurt, which keep my body fuelled so I don’t crave sugary drinks and snacks.

I had my fourth session with my life-coach Jenny this week which always gives me a lot to think about. I’ve been anxious about appearing in Fabulous, and what people might think about me. Jenny’s been teaching me about having the inner-confidence to say “what the hell...everything I’m doing is positive for me and my relationships with the people around me regardless of anything else.”

Another busy week is coming up, and I’ll tell you all about it in the next instalment of my blog. Don’t forget to visit on Tuesday, April 21 to see how I’m getting on.
 
‘Til then,
 
Nichole xxx

Introducing our Fabulous Bridal Blogger!

We all know every bride is prone to a few pre-wedding jitters. Will my dress fit? What if I get a breakout of spots the day before the ceremony? Will I get through my vows without blubbing?
However, when we received this heartbreaking letter from bride-to-be Nichole Yaffe, a 28-year-old podiatrist from Belfast, we realised she needed some Fabulous help…

Dear Fabulous,

I’m getting married next month but instead of being excited about my big day I’m dreading it.

I’m marrying my gorgeous fiancé Neil, who I met at university nine years ago. We’re so happy, I just wish I could look forward to our wedding instead of worrying so much about it.

Over the past five years, I’ve lost my mum and dad, Julie, 50, and Sydney, 73, to illness. After mum’s death in 2004, I suffered a breakdown. After taking anti-depressants, I piled on the pounds and was an emotional mess. With Neil’s help (my rock through everything), I healed to a point, but my old bubbly self vanished. My dad died in November 2008, which was another huge blow.

A busy lifestyle and comfort eating have seen my weight go from an 8st 10lb size 10 to a 10st 12lb size 14. I feel frumpy and out of shape. I also feel stuck in an emotional rut. When I first met Neil I was a happy, confident and proud girl, and I want to get my spark back again. Every bride wants to look her best and I have a gorgeous dress. I’d love to have it taken in a few sizes, get down to 9 ½st and feel beautiful when I put it on.

Thinking of walking up the aisle without my dad on my arm, and my mum there to see me in my dress, makes me sad. My brother Anthony is giving me away and my sister Charmaine is my bridesmaid, but it will be a hard day for us without our parents. After the pain of the last few years, I want my wedding day to be filled with smiles, and I want to feel good about myself again. Every girl wants to look awesome on her big day, but I don’t know how to.

Neil says he wants to meet the girl he first met nine years ago at the altar to start a long and wonderful life together, and I desperately want to be that happy, gorgeous girl again.

Please make me Fabulous!

Love
Nichole Yaffe xxx

To help Nichole look and feel a million pounds on her wedding day we drafted in nutritionist Jane McClenaghan, who’s put Nichole on a healthy eating plan brimming with pulses, fish and fresh fruit. Life coach Jenny Grainger of Fresh Start Life Coaching is having regular sessions with Nichole to help her rediscover her positive, confident nature. Finally, personal trainer Alex Redmond at Fitness First, Connswater has been putting Nichole through her paces three times a week with one-hour cardio-based sessions, including running, boxing and weights.

Visit www.fabulousmag.co.uk next week for the first instalment of Nichole’s pre-wedding blog to discover how she’s getting on!