So lets make you feel like the most beautiful bride to have walked down that aisle.
Step 1 - Body Beautiful
You have found your dress and you now want to look and feel body beautiful so amongst all your flowers, invitations and place settings you now need to schedule YOU time! Getting active is your priority and this doesn’t mean dragging yourself to the gym it means just that 'get active'. Think about what will benefit you on the big day and then make sure you don’t leave it to the last minute. Getting active for your big day can play a hugely positive role it can help relieve stress, give you body confidence and the stamina needed to get through the day.
So have you set your goal and decided what you want to achieve? Will it be weight loss, to tone up or just generally to get fitter? Now take a couple of minutes to visualise this can you see yourself looking the way you want to look? So are you ready to get started?
So what kind of exercise should you do?
I agree exercise needs to fit in to your busy lifestyle BUT it also needs to be scheduled as an essential part of your daily routine. For you busy ladies out there I am going to recommend to you ..... interval training, this means you can mix sections of hard work with slightly easier work for example 2 minutes of cardio (pulse raising exercises) 30seconds to 1 minute of rest and then 2 minutes of body weight or resistance type exercises such as squats, press-ups and sit-ups.
To help get you started here is a mini 14 minute home workout
Make sure you have warmed up thoroughly before starting this workout
2 minutes of squats (complete 10 without arms and 10 with a bicep curl till 2 minutes is complete)
30 seconds to one minute rest
2mins of walking/jogging up and down the stairs
30 seconds to one minute rest
2 minutes of press-ups and Dips (complete 10 of each until 2 minutes is complete)
30 seconds to one minute rest
2 minutes of jumping jacks, knee lifts, jogging on the spot (complete 10 of each until 2 minutes is complete)
30 seconds to one minute rest
2mins of planks and sit-ups (complete 30seconds of planks and 12 sit-ups and keep alternating till 2 minutes is complete)
Make sure you cool down and stretch fully after your workout
Step 2 - Nutrition
Just relying on exercising is not the way to fully guarantee you getting the body you want for your wedding day and honeymoon. Reviewing your nutrition does not mean you need to resort to living on celery and carrots! Starving yourself to get into your dress will throw your body into turmoil and truly turn you into bridezilla and no one likes to be around a grumpy bride or bride to be. On a serious note review your present diet and see maybe what you need to swap rather than take out.
SWAP ALTERNATIVE
Processed foods Home cooked meals can be just as quick!
Takeaways Try making your own healthy option curry or Chinese
Foods with high levels in sugar, fat and salt Go for reduced sugar, fat and salt food, fresh fruit and vegetables are great snack alternatives
Alcohol Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink and go for soft drinks or for example wine spritzers
Step 3 - Dress fitting
If you are looking to lose weight for your wedding first of all let the bridal shop or seamstress who is altering your dress know. This will help you and them stagger the dress fittings, so as you lose weight or tone up and your dress will still fit you perfectly. TOP TIP Also remember to apply this forward planning with your bridesmaids, mother of the bride/groom as they to may also want to lose weight or tone up for the big day.
Step 4 - Pilates and Posture
You have a beautiful dress and you want to radiate elegance, grace and confidence. Pilates will help you to hone and tone your stomach muscles as well as allow you to hold correct posture. TOP TIP: Correct posture can make you look inches taller and help to lengthen and create a slim line silhouette.
Step 5 - Licence to pamper
Preparing for a wedding can be exciting and stressful at the same time so take advantage of the discount pamper offers available to all you lovely brides to be. Something’s you should get the professionals advice on but something’s you can do for yourself as often as you want.
THE PPROFESSIONALS
Aromatherapy oils are a great way to relax especially when mixed with a massage. Seek professional advice if you do not know which oils to choose or if you are pregnant
Facials are key to that glowing bride skin many beauticians can plan out a facial skincare routine specifically for you just be aware a facial the day before is not always a good idea as it can stimulate toxins in the skin creating a brides worst nightmare 'the wedding day spot!'
YOU CAN DO
Bubble baths
Body brush daily
Exfoliation
Step 6 - Relaxation, rest and sleep
This is your key to being a calm and in control bride, with the right amount of sleep exercising will not feel like a chore, you will have a clear mind to deal with any situation that arises leading up to the big day. Take time to breathe and also enjoy the build up to your wedding day because before you know it, it will have been and gone!
