Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day. Selecting
a dress that will make you look and feel great is an important
first step. But what happens when you look in the mirror and
notice trouble spots like saggy arms or unsightly folds in your
back? When this happens it’s not uncommon for brides to try
quick-fix diets to help them get in shape. Unfortunately, many
dieting brides make fitness mistakes that not only prevent them
from reaching their goals but also cause unnecessary stress and
sometimes even illness. Those are two things no bride needs!
Here are five of the most common diet mistakes as well as some
tips to help you avoid them.
1. Too much, too late. One of the most important things to
remember if you are trying to lose weight is to start early. For
example, don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before the big
day. The key is to plan ahead so that you can lose the weight
(or just tone up) gradually. So if you’re dream-wedding day
includes you being in great shape, then include fitness as a
“to-do” on your overall wedding checklist. That way it will be a
priority in your wedding planning.
2. Setting unachievable goals. Many women get engaged and begin
imagining themselves drastically thinner or more sculpted. Be
realistic with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your
life, then it is probably unrealistic to think you can magically
transform just because you are getting married. And, do you
really want to look so different on your wedding day that most
people (including your fiancé) hardly recognize you?
3. Radical diets or fitness programs. Brides typically are short
on time and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try
unhealthy fitness programs or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted
by diets that promise quick, drastic results with little effort
from you. You should avoid any programs that suggest taking
“diet” pills or eating unbalanced meals (like eating only
cabbage soup for a week). And, don’t be lured into trying
dangerous things, like laxatives.
4. Not exercising. It’s very easy for brides to say “I don’t
have time to exercise” or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet
and exercise should always go hand in hand. Consider them to be
like yin and yang. Without activity your body can’t burn as many
calories. If you are very short on time, try to exercise in
small 10-minute bursts throughout the day. And, keep in mind
that little things help too, like taking the stairs or parking
at the outer edge of the mall parking lot. Plus, if you are
tired from all of your planning, exercise will help give you
back some energy.
5. Skipping Meals It’s not uncommon to get caught up in your
planning and then realize at 9 p.m. (as your head begins to
ache) that you haven’t eaten a thing all day. While it may not
be an uncommon scenario, it is unavoidable. Not only is skipping
meals unhealthy, it can lead to binge eating. That often means
eating very fattening foods and/or overeating all at once. To
avoid this, try packing light snacks to keep on hand throughout
the day. Good examples include carrot sticks, cheese strings,
peanut butter on crackers, etc.
Getting in shape doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t
require a lot of time. If you are trying to lose weight or firm
up before your wedding, below are some sample plans to help you
get started. Keep in mind that the most important thing is for a
bride to feel good about herself. And no matter what size or
shape, all brides are beautiful on their wedding day!
Sample Exercise FITscription:
20-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (3-5 time per week)
Example: 2-5 minutes of brisk walking, 2-5 minutes of jumping
jacks (repeat for 20-30 minutes)
20-30 minutes of strength training (2-3 times per week)
Example: Dumbbell exercises for both the upper and lower body
(like bicep curls, tricep dips, squats, etc.)
Sample Meal Plan:
Eat 5-7 small meals per day (meals should include protein,
grains, vegetables, etc. to meet the food pyramid daily
requirements)
Example: Small, grilled, skinless chicken breast
Slice of whole wheat bread Slice of cheese
Mixed Vegetables
Glass of Water (2 or 3 would be even better)