From mackieshilstone.com

Getting married is one of the most exciting events of your life.   Learn how to look and feel great in the months leading up to your wedding by incorporating a wedding fitness program…

Your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your life and of course you want to be in the best shape for your life.   Unfortunately, the months, weeks, and days leading up to your big day can be stressful with all of the appointments, planning, and fittings making it that much harder to stay on a wedding fitness program or wedding diet.

Taking care of yourself, both physically and mentally, along with following a wedding fitness program is key. Here are a few tips to choosing the best wedding fitness and wedding diet program that is right for you.

• Look for a program that you can start immediately.  Of course you want to look your absolute best on your big day.  For this reason it is important to start a fitness program as soon as possible to achieve your fitness goals in time for your big day.  Look for downloadable programs that you can do at home or start a program at your gym as soon as you can.
• Look for a program that combines both nutrition and fitness as you will need to not only start exercising but make changes in your pre-wedding diet to achieve maximum results.  A good wedding fitness program will combine both exercise and nutrition as part of the program, steer clear of any program that does not as you must not only start exercising but also change your diet to take the weight off and keep it off.
• Look for a bridal fitness program that will help you know how to work-out, when to work-out, along with what you should be eating and when you should be eating.  Following a specific program several weeks or months before your wedding will help guarantee that you not only look good on your big day but feel good as well.  In addition to looking great on your wedding day, the 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.
• Find a program that is affordable for you.  Planning a wedding is expensive, for this reason make sure to find a wedding fitness program that you can afford.  There are several bridal fitness programs that are less than $50 and many of them have been shown to work for hundreds of brides just like you.  Don’t feel like you have to spend hundreds of dollars on getting in shape for your big day.

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1.  Don’t wait to start a program-  Start now!  Ideally you want to lose about a pound a week and you want to make sure that you are losing fat and not muscle tissue.  Other wise you risk looking “skinny fat” on your wedding and not toned and if you lose weight too quickly, chances are you will gain it back within in a few months.  Get started on a nutrition and fitness program designed especially for brides as soon as possible.

2.  Avoid fad diets and diet pills-  Ultimately, these will lead to a disaster on your metabolism, nervous system, and you will gain back any weight lost after you go off the diet and or diet pills.  If you are working with a short time line and  you want to lose fat and build muscle you should increase your protein, decrease your carbs and fat, and do not go below 1,200 calories.  This can be done for a week or two before the wedding.

3.  Try not to stress out-  Stress increases cortisol levels which leads to weight gain and when you are stressed out it is much harder to fight unwanted cravings.  Reduce your stress level by keeping to a regular exercise program and staying focused on your nutrition program.  Stay prepared by packing healthy meals and keeping snacks readily available.  Try taking yoga once a week or treating yourself to a mini massage or relaxing bath to manage stress.

For additional slim down secrets and fitness tips follow Brooke on Twitter.

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1.  Never let yourself get hungry. Two really bad things start to happen, first you start craving anything and everything including the really bad foods such as chips, cookies, fast food, candy, and ice cream.  Then, when your hungry your body starts breaking down muscle not fat leading to the excessive weight gain after going off of fad diets, diet pills, and starvation diets.  Try to eat 5-6 times a day.  I know this seems like a lot but it really isn’t at all.  Space these meals every three hours apart and be sure that each meal includes a serving of lean protein and high fiber carbohydrate.

2. Reduce the amount of “Bad” foods that you take in each day. Bad foods include refined carbohydrates such as cookies, candies, cakes, white pastas, and ice cream, as well as, high fructose corn syrup and trans fats which are found in cookies, candies, baked goods, and fried foods.

3.  Concentrate on the good and quit focusing on the bad. One of the problems with diets is that they focus on deprivation.  You are constantly reminded of what you can’t have and therefore you want it even more.  Start focusing on all of the things that you can have and concentrate on having these foods at every meal and allow yourself to have the other foods just in moderation.

4.  Limit the alcohol. Not only does alcohol pack on extra calories and fat it also negatively interacts with your digestive system by storing everything else you have eaten before in order to rid the body of the alcohol that was just consumed.  Make an effort to cut down on alcohol consumption or only have on special occasions.

5.  Give yourself a cheat meal once a week. Reward yourself for your efforts to improve your nutrition and be a more conscious eater.

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10.  Stay Hydrated- Drink up!  Good for you for so many reasons!  Start carrying a water bottle around with you and make an extra effort to take in at least 8 full glasses of water each day.  Add Crystal Light for some extra flavor.

9.  Get Plenty of Sleep- I can’t stress this enough!  You are going to be stressed and overwhelmed as the wedding day approaches, be sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night leading up to the big day.

8.  Always pack some healthy snacks- You are going to be busy with the planning, work, and everyday life.  Stay prepared by packing snacks such as fresh fruit, protein bars, nuts, and yogurt instead of going through the nearest fast food drive-thru.  Take a little extra to share with your mom, bridesmaids or in-laws so they too won’t be tempted by fast food.

7.  Make a Plan and Stick to it- Start out with a plan of when you will work-out and stick to it.  If you don’t schedule a work-out like you schedule a dress fitting or flower appointment, you will overlook it or postpone it to another day (meaning forget about it).  If you make an appointment, stick to it!

6.  If you are new to training, hire a trainer- It is always easier having a trained professional guiding and encouraging you.  After all this is one of the biggest days of your life so it will be worth it.  Check out Brooke Griffin’s Bridal Programs.

5.  Get Outdoors- Enjoy the warm weather and clear your mind by taking a 30-minute stroll or jog outdoors.

4.  Ask your bridesmaids to help encourage you or even better, ask them to join you-  Go to the gym together, send encouraging emails, or schedule a bridal boot-camp session with Brooke to get you and your entire bridal party in shape for the big day.

3.  Offer healthy snacks at showers and parties- Ask family and friends to prepare a few healthy alternatives and snacks to serve at showers and parties.  Fill up on veggies and fruit first, then enjoy a treat later.

2.  Keep a food diary- Take the time to quickly keep track of what you are eating and taking in each day to ensure that you are not overeating or taking in more calories than you need.  This will help especially if you are trying to take off those last few pounds before the big day.

1.  Ask your sweetie to join you-  After all, you both want to look your best on the big day!  Go to the gym together, take a early morning jog with each other, or sign up for dance lessons together.

For additional tips check out Brooke Griffin’s “Fit and Fabulous” Bridal Guide

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