Whether you’re a bride-to-be, bridesmaid or
guest, not sure where to start to get in shape for the big day, fret not. Two
of the H&F team are typing the knot this year, so they’ve gathered all the
expert advice you need.
Planning a wedding is one of the most
exciting things you’ll do in your life, but with it can come a huge amount of
pressure, especially when you’re trying to get in shape at the same time. The
good news is there are many stress-free ways to get fit for your wedding day –
the secret is all in the planning.
‘Like the vows you say on your wedding
day, the silent vows you make when planning to get into shape are just as
important,’ says Sara-Jane Nieusma, author of Shedding For The Wedding (Tate
publishing, $9.99). ‘It’s not about a fad or a quick fix, it’s about adopting
new healthy habits, breaking bad ones and incorporating healthy eating and
exercise into your lifestyle. It takes time, a positive attitude and
commitment.’
Here comes the bride
Write
down some goals, then stick them on the fridge, along with your wedding fate.
‘From the moment you start to prepare for
your big day, you need to put a sensible action plan in place to help you stay
healthy, calm and on track,’ says Nieusma. ‘Write down some goals, then stick
them on the fridge, along with your wedding fate,’ she says. ‘This will give
you a mental picture of what you want and why you set out to accomplish these
goals. Clear all junk food from your house, which will help you avoid the
temptations that can set you back and cause extra stress.’
And remember, it’s not all about getting
the perfect body either. ‘A great shape, a sparkle in your eye and inner
confidence are just as important, if not more so,’ says Janey Holliday,
director of Fit For a Princess (fitforaprincess.co.uk). ‘Many women are stuck
on what the scales say, but you can massively change your shape without
actually losing any weight.’
To help build your inner confidence, be
kind to yourself and appreciate your good points, recommends hypnotherapist Zoe
Clews (zoeandcarey.com). ‘To do this, take an honest look in the mirror,’ she
says. ‘For every one thing you pick on, find another two things that you like
about yourself. You’re going to need to learn how to accept a compliment – because
soon you’ll be receiving loads!’
The countdown
Think of the word ‘bride’, and the words
‘blushing’, ‘beautiful’, ‘radiant’ and ‘glowing’ come to mind, not ‘tired’ and
‘stressed’. So to make sure you’re 100 per cent beautiful for your wedding,
follow this useful countdown. Whether you have several months to go, or just a
couple of weeks, there’s plenty you can do to look and feel your best on the
big day.
Engagement party
Yipee! You’ve announced the date,
congratulations! Now it’s time to start thinking about cutting down n sugar,
caffeine and alcohol. It takes a while for your body to get rid of built-up
toxins, and you want your skin and eyes to sparkle on the bid day. For an extra
helping hand, try Nosh Detox, a three-day juice detox (noshdetox.com) that’s
delivered straight to your door.
12 months to go
Bridesmaid
bootcamp
Once you’ve selected the lucky few, start
some social fitness challenges with your bridesmaids to keep you motivated.
Think Zumba classes (zumba.com), hot yoga (bikramyoga.co.uk) and long walks,
where you can discuss all your big plans while getting fit.
10 months to go
Wedding dress
workout
Think of what style will complement your
shape and then decide which areas you need to tone up before your dress
fittings begin. For a fishtail grown, work your bum and things with squats and
lunges; for strapless, sculpt arms and shoulders with some boxing and
press-ups, and for flirty short styles, perfect your pins with ballet pliés,
leg lifts and calf raises. You should also set a weight-loss goal to help you
stay motivated and to challenge yourself.
