If you are like most brides-to-be, you are hoping to lose a few pounds before your wedding day. In fact, according to a recent survey, the majority of women are hoping to lose around 20 pounds for the big day.

For many women, losing 20 pounds before their wedding day equates to losing 15% of their body weight. This is quite a loss and, when accomplished in a short period of time, can actually be quite dangerous. In fact, many brides-to-be resort to crash dieting and other risky behaviors in order to try to lose the pounds.

The desire to lose weight is so strong that many of these women actually purchase wedding dresses that are too small for them. Researchers at Cornell University surveyed 300 different engaged women and they found that 70% of them were trying to lose weight by the big day. Furthermore, 14% of the women surveyed had already purchased a dresses that was one or even two sizes smaller than their current dress size.

The most frightening part of this research is that over one-third of the brides-to-be admitted that they were using extreme measures in order to lose weight. This included fasting, using diet pills, and skipping meals. Others were using safer techniques, such as drinking more water.

So many brides are hoping to lose weight for their wedding day that “bridal boot camps” are showing up all over the country. At these exercise camps, brides-to-be engage in intense exercise routines that are along the same lines as military boot camp. Although exercise is certainly good for anyone, it is important to start slowly and to know your limitations so you don’t do more harm to your body than good. Remember, skinny doesn’t necessarily mean healthy.