5 Weight Tips for Brides That Actually Work
We all know that our wedding day should be one of the happiest days of our lives. Unfortunately, it quite often turns into one of the most stressful, and unless you are one of the fortunate “few” who are at your tip top shape and weight (I’ve never seemed to fall in that category), then the whole concern about looking your best is probably going to be a major stressor! But whether you have a full year ahead of you or are just a couple months before walking down that aisle, the only way to get there is with a sensible and effective fitness plan.
Most fitness plans fail because we don’t stick with them; been there, done that! But being a bride tends to be a great motivator to get in shape, so this is a perfect time to “make a plan, work the plan”! Let’s get right to the tips for your bridal health to make a part of your schedule starting tomorrow; NO, let’s start today!
Weight Tips for Brides #1 – You’re not going to like this – There is no miracle drug. There are great aerobic and strength training videos, “diet” books, weight management guides, and the Weight Watchers®, Online weight-loss program (an excellent and easy weight loss program!); heck, I even find watching The Biggest Loser very motivational and informational, but there is no pill or tea or special water – I know because I’ve tried them all! Yes, you can take some drastic measures, the South Beach Diet or the Cabbage Diet (can’t imagine), and if all you want to do is lose 5 to 10 pounds quick to look just “right” in your wedding dress, then they will probably work if you can get through it, but the results will not last! When you come back from your Honeymoon you’ll most likely find you’ve gained it all back, and a bit more. So, if you are serious about your overall health and keeping the weight off that you lose then you need to follow Tips #2 through #5.
Weight Tips for Brides #2 – Get Active! Yep, it’s a fact, the more you “move,” the more calories you burn. Help yourself stay motivated to exercise by involving a friend or family member, hiring a professional trainer, enrolling in a class of some sort (doesn’t need to be expensive – the YMCA is very reasonable!). It is obviously easy to blow off working out if no one else knows you were suppose to, you didn’t make an “appointment” to meet up with someone, or you don’t have actual “dollars” invested in the deal. Bottom line here is you know yourself – if you are not good at being disciplined or keeping to a goal all on your own (which many of us struggle with), then do what you have to do and make commitments that make it hard for you to not follow through. P.S. Just about every time you “force” yourself to do what you committed to do, once you are there, you will find that burst of energy that you needed, and once you are done (whew!) you will be happy and proud of yourself and that much closer to a healthier you – that I’m certain of!
Weight Tips for Brides #3 – Strength/Weight Training! Add strength training to your regimen and you will increase your metabolism, which in turn helps the pounds melt right off. If you are new to weight training, you should utilize the assistance of a trainer for the first few weeks to help you understand how to lift weights – there are definite good ways and bad ways. Or, find a DVD that you like and follow their steps. I like to use 3 tapes that I switch around to keep it interesting and I believe it helps my weight loss just that much more by the diversity of these different workouts. I, however, find it hard to commit to more than a 30 minute tape (got so much on my plate to do) so look for short sessions like on Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred
Weight Tips for Brides #4 – Pay Attention to What you Eat. It’s not rocket science. What you put in your mouth does make a difference! Diets — I know, I hate the word and I HATE DIETING, which is why I DON’T DIET! What works is a lifestyle change — Get Your Free Personal Assessment from Weight Watchers and find out how easy it is to make a lifestyle change!
By changing just a few things that you know aren’t good habits (and probably don’t want to admit out loud), you’ll be surprised how much you can lose. As an example – if you’re like me and enjoy wine with your dinner every dinner, you don’t have to cut it out, just reduce your portion – for me that was (hate to admit it) 3 glasses down to 1-1/2. It’s made a tremendous difference. Turn your ice cream treat into a Weight Watchers fudge bar, or instead of you and your fiance both getting a combo at the burger joint, get one combo and one sandwich only and then you share one bag of fries instead of eating one all yourself, or better yet go to Subway instead and with your sandwich if you have to have something more get Baked Lays – they’re good, really! Put fresh berries on your cereal instead of sugar, always have apples around or something else healthy that you like and grab that when you’re looking for a snack. You should have the jest by now – it’s easier than you think, which leaves me to …
Weight Tips for Brides #5 – Think! Be aware of what you’re doing. Think about everything you eat and everything you do. Think out loud when you make a choice – ask yourself is this really what I want to do, is this going to help me get the results I want? You have to be cognizant! When you eat that candy bar or just automatically jump in the car instead of choosing to walk without really stopping to think what a difference it would make if you made a “different” choice, you are not being truthful to yourself about what you’re doing, call it “denial.” Don’t be in denial, be aware!
When it comes to Bridal Health the final thing to remember is not to obsess over what you are going to look like in your dress. Your whole wedding day look is going to be a complete package. Nobody is going to notice if you didn’t lose that last 1/2″ from your upper arms, so don’t let it ruin your day. And, remember, your fiancé loves you for who you are, no matter what. Getting in shape for your wedding is a great goal, but an even better goal is both of you maintaining a healthy way of living for life. I know you can do it!!!
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.
“Create Your Own Wedding — Own Your Style, Not Someone Else’s — and do it all while keeping money in your pocket!”
Wedding Health? Yes, there is such a thing! 6 Simple Tips to Help you Stay Healthy Through the Stress of it All
Wedding Stress – if you are getting married you have most likely already experienced it in one form or another. That pressure we put on ourselves and we experience from others when planning our wedding can lead to poor health and that’s the last thing you want. No one wants to be feeling like the couple in this picture is right now!
With mental stress comes physical problems because when we find ourselves mentally stressed and exhausted, we certainly aren’t going to feel up to doing anything about our physical health. Taking good care of yourself, both mentally and physically, is key to helping you make it to your Wedding Day healthy and happy.
There are many things you can do during the process of planning your wedding to help you maintain good “Wedding Health,” and there is certainly no void for great health and beauty tips on the internet, in books, and from your friends and family, but if all you manage to follow are these five simple steps you should be able to keep your Wedding Health barometer in the red. Oh, and this not gender specific, these tips are as equally important for the Groom or Bride!
Take a Break
Sure, you have a million and one things to get done, but you need to take time to relax. “It’s important to take time for yourself. Read a chapter in your book, get a massage, lay out in the sun, take a nap, go for a slow walk, go to a movie, meet a friend for coffee, get a manicure (yes, men too), visit your Grandparents…. Think of little things you enjoy doing that you can fit into your busy schedule and do them! Taking a break whether it is for a couple hours or just a short 15 minutes will rejuvenate you and help you to not feel like you are going, going, going, all the time!
Pay Attention to Nutrition
People react to stress in many different ways. Some people stop eating, while some binge on junk food. Good nutrition is important, especially during hectic times, so be aware of what you are doing. Do not let your eating habits become bad ones!
This is not new news, it is a known fact that our bodies work better when we “graze” throughout the day as opposed eating large meals 3 times a day. Try to eat several small balanced meals (optimally four) and a couple of small snacks throughout the day. And make sure you are getting plenty of protein and complex carbohydrates to fuel your body! Good sources of protein include lean meats, fish, egg whites, dairy products, beans and rice. Complex carbohydrates include whole-wheat bread, wild rice, whole-wheat pasta, multi-grain cereal and potatoes. You should also aim to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.
Exercise to Look Good, Feel Good
At your wedding, all eyes are on you, so of course you want to look your best. If you want to lose a few pounds or just get in great shape, there are many options for you – from using an exercise tape to going to a gym, to walking briskly, riding your bike or playing a favorite sport. The key to keeping your exercise up which will significantly help you to look good and feel good is to do something that you enjoy, mix it up so you don’t get bored, and be committed. Exercise, when you first start it, is not necessarily immediately rewarding, you must stick to it and then one day (a few weeks into it) you realize that you have more energy, you’re sleeping better, and hey, guess what, you find you are fitting just that much better into your wedding dress!
Ah, and those stress-busting endorphins generated by vigorous physical activity are a great side benefit as your wedding draws near and last-minute details start to pile up. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Whether you go for a run, hit the gym for an aerobics class or take the dog for a walk, physical activity can help you look good and feel good!
Get Plenty of Rest
You’ll be better able to deal with any wedding complications if you aren’t sleep deprived. The amount of sleep you need varies from person to person… sadly I’m one of those that needs no less than 8 and like it even better if I get 9. I say “sadly” because that means there’s less time in my “awake” day to get things done, but I have found that if I don’t stay true to the fact that my body just plain needs this much rest, then it doesn’t matter how much time I have, I just don’t do things quite as well!
Incorporating physical activity into your daily agenda, as mentioned above, also helps to promote a good night’s sleep.
Keep to Your Budget
Very important. Nothing can stress a to be married couple out more than financial matters. Determine your budget early on and feel good about the decision you make together to have a beautiful wedding while keeping to your budget! This “exercise” of sticking to your plan and your budget will also help to create a solid foundation for your financial future.
Above All, Having a Sense of Humor is Vital
Having a good sense of humor and also being able to let things roll off your back and “go with the flow” is vital to your mental and physical health. It is inevitable that you’ll encounter some bumps along the road to your wedding day. The important thing is how you react to them — they can ruin your day (or your week), or you can take them in stride and move on. A sense of humor may be your most important tool as you plan your wedding.
Ok, you say, well, these tips are nothing new. No new tricks; you’ve heard all this before, right? I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that since this advice is given over and over again that it must be good advice! Don’t feel like you have to have some big new difficult steps to pursue, following the “basics” for good health and nutrition are all you really need! Now, go take on the day and happy wedding planning to you!
By Cheryl Cox, Editor of YourWeddingDollars.com, See “Note from the Editor” for more information on Cheryl and her credentials.