THE date was set, the venue booked and the bridesmaids and best men primed.

I’d even chosen the dress for our wedding this summer – I just needed to fit into it!

It was all systems go for our big day in August, but I was in serious danger of being a bloated bride.

I had a big white frock to don and was desperate to get rid of the excess pounds that had crept on as we ate our way around the world on holidays and enjoyed ‘couples cuisine’ of fatty takeaways and delicious restaurant dinners.

After an indulgent Christmas spent gorging on wine, cheese and chocolate, it was judgement day and my fiancé Joe Menzies and I decided to call in the professionals!

Megan Batchelor of MGB Fitness came to our rescue and tailor-made a 12-week fitness and nutritional advice package to suit us perfectly.

Brilliantly inventive and flexible, she had us chasing each other around St James’s Park in Shirley one Saturday, pumping iron at the gym one Monday night and flinging kettle bells around our living room one Friday morning ahead of a weekend away.

On the food front, Megan taught us to cut down on the carbs, up the protein and count the calories using a simple programme on our mobile phones.

She provided constant support, food and exercise tips – useful even if you’re a gym regular - and will even direct clients around the supermarket or the kitchen if needed.

It was fantastic fun. And most importantly it worked.

In the past three months, we have lost nearly two stones in weight between us, become trimmer by 7.5cm each around the waist and – more importantly – dropped a dress and suit size.

Now if I can just resist the cider, champagne and seafood on my West Country hen party – or it will be another desperate call to our bridal bootcamp guru.

n For a consultation with Megan, visit mgbfitness.com or email megan@mgbfitness.com