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 don't think you look quite as good
as you could? 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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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)
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)
Get
Fit for Your Wedding Day
