Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect and live up to the picture they have in their heads, and everyone pictures herself as a trim, fit bride, moving weight loss to the top of the wedding to-do list.
by BradMorgan


Every bride wants her wedding to be perfect and live up to the picture they have in their heads, and everyone pictures herself as a trim, fit bride, moving weight loss to the top of the wedding to-do list.

There are so many details brides have to attend to, but one of the most important is how they can lose weight and look spectacular. Try the following tips to make sure you look as beautiful as you feel on your special day.

1. Nutrition is paramount.

While it may seem like a great time for a fad diet or to stop eating, resist the temptation. You want to look good, but you also want to feel good. Your wedding is not the time to deprive yourself of nutrition.

You can get into the shape you want by following a safe and healthy weight loss plan for nutrition. The key is to start early so you have plenty of time. Quick weight loss isn't always healthy or safe.

* Skip the soda or dessert. By cutting only 200-250 calories a day, you are on you way to weight loss.

* Don't skip meals. This puts your body in starvation mode, when it stores fat instead of burning it.

* Add fiber and protein to your diet. They help with weight loss and keep you healthy so you can actually enjoy your wedding.

* Carry good snacks with you. When you're scrambling to arrange details, it can be easy to give into convenience foods. Think about fitting into your dress instead.

* Stress can make us eat more than we normally would, and weddings are very stressful to plan. Instead of eating, go for a walk, try a yoga class, or do a cardio video each night. You'll feel calmer - and thinner.

* Don't get carried away with pre-wedding parties. Instead of grabbing a calorie-laden, bloat-inducing alcoholic drink, try water instead.

* Cut empty calories (like sugary desserts - opt for fruit instead if you crave sweetness).

2. Your body needs exercise.

If you want to lose weight for your wedding, don't wait until a week before the big event. That is not going to work.

You have to start the weight loss process far enough in advance so you can lose weight healthily. Don't harbor unrealistic expectations that you can drop pounds overnight.

* If you don't exercise, start. Do anything that gets your body moving. If you exercise regularly, add intensity and variety to see faster results.

* For people who do exercise, Bride Boot Camp videos and exercise programs can be just the challenge their body needs to kick up fat and calorie burning. There are a lot of different videos offered by excellent trainers, and they can be immensely rewarding.

* Dance. It is always fun to move to music - you won't even realize you're exercising. But your body will. It also helps you get ready for your first dance as a wife.

* Here are some effective exercises:

- Anything cardio. Get your heart going.

- Pushups. They're not just for soldiers anymore - and they help give you gorgeous chest, back, and shoulder muscles.

- Lunges. These are effective for defining and tightening your thighs and butt. For even better results, add a chest press.

- Pilates or yoga. These are great for toning.

- Use a stretchy band. These are easy ways to add resistance to your cardio or strength routines, and they help firm muscle.

* Have good posture. This can help you look thinner.

3. Weight loss blunders brides often make

* Procrastinating. With all the details they have to deal with, it is easy to put weight loss on the back burner until it is too late. Losing ten pounds in the week before your wedding is not safe or healthy. Effective weight loss takes time, and fad diets can actually hurt your long-term weight loss goals.

* Not exercising. Diet alone is not going to help you lose weight and keep it off. You need to exercise. Plus, it firms your muscles and makes you look more fit.

* Skipping meals. This is worth repeating because so many people try to stop eating to lose weight. Don't! Your body thinks it is starving and stops burning fat. It is a survival mechanism that you can't trick your body out of. Eat!

* Wanting to turn a size 12 into a size 2. Unrealistic goals can make you miserable. You should definitely work to get into the best shape possible, but all the diet and exercise is not going to change a short, curvy frame into a long, lithe one. Instead of focusing on how you want to look, focus on how you do look and how you can make it even better.

If you want to lose weight before your wedding, start as soon as you get engaged!

You can have that glass of champagne to celebrate, but then start on your nutrition and exercise program for real, lasting weight loss and not just quick weight loss.

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