Hi Lovelies,
I've been wanting to feature more health and fitness posts here on Bridal Musings as there is such enormous pressure on brides (and grooms) to lose weight for their weddings.
And although, rationally we know that our partners love us just the way we are, there's something about counting down to a wedding date that sends the majority of brides to be into calorie counting / scales checking mode!
Photo via Fit Sugar
I've been through it myself. And as someone who has issues with my weight and appearance at the best of times, the thought of all eyes on me at my wedding sent me down a destructive cycle of starving myself, over exercising then overeating as a result. Basically doing all the wrong things and feeling rubbish for it!
I don't want any of my readers to make the same mistakes I did so I thought it'd be great to get a little expert advice…
That's why I'm thrilled to introduce London based personal trainer Tim Mugabi of Into That Dress, a company dedicated to helping Brides-to-be look and feel their best on their wedding day. He'll be sharing his bridal diet and fitness expertise with us and even a few exercise videos too!
I love Tim's healthy, sensible approach to ‘getting into that dress‘. Here are 10 of his top tips.
Top Ten Tips for Getting Into That Dress
Avoid Fad Diets. As tempting as they sound with their promises of big results in little time, they will leave you worse than they found you. You will lose some weight, but it will mostly be water and muscle! And when you stop the diet, it will go right back on again.
Photo via Fit Sugar
Drink Plenty of Water. There are times when your can confuse your body’s cry for water as a need for food. Avoid the confusion by staying hydrated. Keep a bottle of water handy at all times.
Eat Breakfast. I understand that you might be in a rush in the morning, but there’s no better way to start your day than making time for breakfast. Skipping breakfast causes your metabolism to be slower and you’ll hang onto fat instead of burning it.
Photo via Simply Breakfast
Schedule Healthy Snacks. Eat a healthy snack composed of fruit, veg and nuts between breakfast and lunch, and again between lunch and dinner. Not only will you get a ton of fibre, vitamins and minerals, but you’ll also be less hungry between meals. You’ll find you have less need for high sugar and high fat snacks like biscuits and cakes.
Grab Some Light Weights. Don’t worry, they won’t make you a bulky bride, but will help you to appear more toned and sleek. This increased tone will increase your metabolism and cause your body to burn more fat.
Photo via Lauren Conrad
A Bride-to-be Needs Her Beauty Sleep. Ghrelin is the hormone that makes you hungry and when you don’t get enough sleep, its levels increase. This is your body’s way of getting more energy from food that it didn’t get from a refreshing sleep. Get your 6-8 hours a night and prevent this from happening.
Set a Goal and Write it Down. As opposed to being vague and stating ‘I want to lose weight’ – be specific. How much do you want to lose? How many dress sizes do you want to drop? This will help to focus your mind and make you more effective. Writing the goal down allows you to refer to it and refocus your efforts when required.
Photo via Maxim
Eat a Smaller Dinner. If you eat a large meal in the evening, your body has little to do with the energy it provides and this can result it being stored, as fat! By eating breakfast and healthy snacks between meals, you’ll be less famished when you get home and will be satisfied with a smaller dinner.
Keep a Picture of Your Wedding Dress Handy. It will provide a motivational boost when required and remind you of what you’re working towards. But don’t keep it too handy; make sure it’s not somewhere your fiancé can see it!
Photo by Anne Adams Photography (Claire Pettibone wedding dress) via Wedding Chicks
Get a Personal Trainer! Take the stress out of getting into that dress, by benefiting from a personal trainer's expertise and experience.
Why not contact Tim at Into That Dress to arrange a consultation? Or check out his blog and Facebook page for even more top tips and advice.
Will you be trying any of these tips?
What's your personal health / fitness / weight loss goal?
Why not be brave and share it in the comments, then it's out there for everyone to see (it might just help you stick to it!)
I may not be a bride counting down the days till my wedding but I am counting down the days till my holiday in Hawaii at the end of July (aka bikini time) so here's my goal…gulp…I'd like to wear a pair of 29 inch waist denim hotpants (without a case of the dreaded muffin top!)
~ Follow the latest musings ~ Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+ ~
