Abner's Diet Plan: Weight loss tips for new brides, and their dads

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - You see it everywhere.

Almost daily on TV commercials, celebrities like Marie Osmond and Kirstie Alley are flaunting new and improved figures, sharing their secret struggle with weight loss and the "magic" way they lost it all.

Since a wedding day is magical anyway, brides are especially vulnerable.

Kelsie is about to marry John Mark.

She doesn't need to lose any weight, but her father, Abner Euresti, wants to lose 20 pounds.

A Cornell University study of nearly 300 engaged women found that 70% said they wanted to lose weight, typically 20 pounds before the big day.

You may remember when Abner adopted Kelsie and her twin sister Kiersten. Well, they're all grown up now.

So what's the best way for a bride, or in this case, the father of the bride, to squeeze into a smaller size for the wedding?

Dr. Ron Cook, Chair of Family Medicine at Texas Tech, says "It's a behavioral change. One of the easiest ways to do it is to cut back on sugary drinks. Cut out desserts and incorporate exercise."

Coincidentally, Abner is right on track.

He says, "I've learned if you can cut back on calories, and exercise more, that's probably the best plan there is."

But there's more to Abner's weight loss plan.

He drinks lots of water.

And five days a week, he's careful about what he eats.

Then on the weekend, he cheats.

So, what does Dr. Cook think about that?

"An occasional indulgence and reward for yourself is good," he says. "Just don't overdo it."

And there's one more factor in the Abner plan...

He has a huge support group that started with his blog on Facebook where he first revealed his plan.

Now that support group has grown to include the newsroom, and YOU, and every other person who watches this story online.

But remember, it doesn't matter if it's a "cheat day."

I asked Abner, "What if someone is sitting close to you in a restaurant and watching you eat? What if they say, 'Should you be eating that?'"

Abner laughed and said, "I'll tell them – it's my cheat day. Thank you very much for your concern."

If you think Abner looks good already, you're right. He has already lost 10 pounds.

This is just the hardest stretch since he has 10 more to lose before the wedding.

So, he admits, "February is going to be a hard month."

Maybe this will help.

Here's one more tip from Dr. Cook, who is about to be in a wedding himself since his son is engaged, too.

He says, "Stay away from salt, especially the day before the wedding. The next day, you'll have water gain."

That could be a problem on the Abner plan - if that little girl who is about to be a bride gets married on a Monday.

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