Brides hoping to quickly shed pounds before their big day are skipping calorie-counting programs and embracing a growing trend that involves getting a feeding tube inserted in their nose and stomach.
Many health experts warn that it's not a good idea, saying losing too much weight too fast can be dangerous.
Joe Roush, a licensed personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Belpre, agrees.
"I would not be a fan," he said. "It's a medical procedure and it's just typically used in a medical crisis. Why would you want to do that when you're healthy?"
The K-E diet reportedly results in the loss of 20 pounds in 10 days. The feeding tube runs from the nose to the stomach, where a mix of protein, fat and water are slowly released through a constant drip. An individual who has the tube receives 800 calories a day, but zero carbohydrates.
The procedure is new in the U.S. but has been used in Europe for years, according to the Associated Press.
Parkersburg resident Amy Reeder, who is getting married in May, called it "crazy."
"I feel like once they've had their wedding, that's not something realistically you're going to be able to stick with the rest of your life to maintain that weight," said Reeder, 29.
Roush said crash dieting in general is never a good idea.
"Crash dieting never really works," Roush said. "A lot of times with crash diets, you also lose a significant percentage of muscle mass along with the fat and that brings the metabolism down and makes it easier for the weight to come back."
He said no one - including brides - should attempt to lose weight in a short time period.
Those who do want to lose weight, Roush said, should make it a lifestyle change which they implement in the months leading up to their wedding and continue in the years beyond.
"If you're getting close to your wedding I'd suggest getting advice from a trainer and if you're healthy enough, you can engage in more strenuous exercise to help get rid of the calories," he noted. "If you're exerting more calories than you're consuming, you're going to lose pounds."
Weight loss only occurs, he noted, when a person commits to both a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.
He said a healthy diet should consist of as much natural food as possible, including fruits, vegetables and lean meats.
"Probably the biggest problem people have is portion control," Roush added, noting that there are many books on the market today that address portion control, with some including information about how to eat healthier when eating out.
As for exercise, he said 30 minutes a day is the minimum amount of time a person should be engaging in physical activity, but a full hour is even more effective.
Roush said a person should dedicate some time to cardio and some time to resistance exercise, as well.
"That translates to five to seven days a week for cardio and then for resistance, every other day," he said.
He said a person can get a good cardio work out by running, but using an exercise bike, treadmill or elliptical is also effective.
Roush added that it's OK just to go for a walk, but it should be done at a rapid pace.
When it comes to getting a resistance workout, he recommended that a person first use a machine like a Nautilus - which provides support when weight lifting - before using free weights.
"Your body is stabilized and you don't have to worry about balancing free weights," Roush said. "You can make the increments smaller...and you're less prone to injury."
Reeder said she has always worked out, but in September, she hired a personal trainer who she says has helped her immensely.
She has also been watching what she eats.
"I will work out with her several days a week and then I have my own workout I do on the off days, but it has helped to have her guide me to know what muscle groups to work," Reeder said. "I've lost 20 pounds since I started working out with her."
Although she has reached her goal weight before her wedding, she said she didn't shed the pounds just for her big day.
"I just wanted to do it just to be healthy in general and it's something I'm going to continue to do even after the wedding," she said.
