There's nothing like an engagement ring to motivate a woman to get serious about losing weight. The dress. The pictures. The Honeymoon! You're spending a lot of money on a fabulous event and you're in front of dozens, maybe even hundreds of guests during your ceremony. With so many wonderful things happening on your special day, who wants to worry about the rear view? No wonder women strive to look their best on their wedding day. And if your upcoming wedding inspires you to tackle your weight or fitness issues, great. We all need to find our motivation, and a marriage has a deadline that can inspire you to take action. The problem is that many brides resort to extreme measures and quick fixes to lose weight quickly. Some of these methods might work a little (even if they aren't all that safe or healthy), but they usually fail miserably. This is because quick fixes, diet pills and extreme training plans often don't work, especially in the long run. When countless studies show thatMarriage itself tends to gain weightWouldn't you rather make smart, sensible, and sustainable changes to your current diet and fitness plan to avoid the "inevitable" weight gain of wedded bliss? The ones that will not only help you look great on your wedding, but also help you stay healthy, fit and slim as you celebrate your 1st, 2nd and 22nd wedding anniversaries? Hope you answered yes. Even in the stress of wedding planning, it's possible to stick to a healthy diet and exercise program, or even start to lose weight. As? Commit to your plan. All you have to do is decide to be in control, day in and day out, no matter what life and wedding planners throw at you. Here are 20 tips to help you look slim and stylish on your wedding day and beyond.
1.track your food.That means everything from the spoonful of soup you tasted for the reception menu to the little pieces of cake you tasted. These "hidden" calories are easy to sugarcoat, but they can really add up. Plus, research shows that simply tracking your purchases can help.lose twice as much weightthan not tracking (mind tracking doesn't count). If you're not doing anything else the last few days and weeks leading up to your wedding, diligently monitor your food each day.
2. Smart tests.A follow-up to tip #1: If you know you'll be trying a variety of foods in a short amount of time, keep your portions small. Just a bite or two of your caterer's signature cake or fish dish should suffice. And if you know you're going to try a variety of sweets one day, cut back on sugary foods for the next few days to get back on track. Decide what foods you have (and how much) and useSparkPeople's Free Nutrition Trackerto stay in your calorie zone.
3. Breakfast.Breakfast is the easiest meal to prepare and it sets the stage for your day. Eat a healthy breakfast to boost your metabolism, and that way you'll be more likely to make healthy choices throughout the day, like ordering a fancy lunch and hitting the gym after work. Even better:Eating breakfast can help you lose weightAs studies have shown, people who eat breakfast tend to burn fewer total calories throughout the day than people who don't eat breakfast.
4. Make exercise a priority.I want to remind people that food is just one part of the equation that determines whether you gain or lose weight. Fitness is so important. Don't let your training fall by the wayside. In any case, you should try to exercise.advancethan before if you really want to lose a few pounds, especially on those days when you enjoy all that rich and delicious food. How do you fit into a hectic schedule? That's what the next tip is for.
5.Treat your workout like a date.You wouldn't miss the cake tasting, the premarital counseling or the dress rehearsal, would you? Add your workouts to your calendar so other commitments don't interfere with your time at the gym. When you're gathered to discuss plans with your fiancé, your parents, your bridal party, or your wedding planner, take a walk (or cross the room if you're on the phone) for a little multitasking. And if your bride-to-be wants to plan her bachelorette party, let them know you'll be there, but only after the Pilates class starts.
6. Get support.It can be hard to stay strong and accountable for your goals when you don't have anyone to cheer you on. It can be even harder to do when people are tryingsabotage your efforts, perhaps unconsciously. The best way to get support istell someone—anyone—about your weight and fitness goals and enlist their support. If you feel very uncomfortable sharing these details with someone you know, you canSparkPeople-Communityit's great for that. You can interact with people who have similar goals and get advice, motivation and your own cheerleading team. Be sure to check out oursparkteams bridesalso because these women know exactly what you are going through.
7. Limit alcohol.It lowers inhibitions and makes it more likely that you'll forget your meal plan and overeat. Also, alcohol by itself is quite high in calories. If you can relax and de-stress without drinking anything, you'll get better. If you have to drink, drink the glass slowly, choosediet drinksand limit the number of servings. Oh, and yes, alcohol does contain calories, so add each drink to your nutrition record.
8. Choose healthy venues for your pre-wedding celebrations.There will be showers, parties and outings galore as your wedding approaches. If you have an opinion on how this happens, choose a healthy restaurant where you know you can get a good, nutritious meal without going overboard. Need help? check ourrestaurant guidefor healthier options at nearly every chain restaurant. During your stay, focus on your friends and family and enjoy good conversation and activities instead of poring over hors d'oeuvres. Create lasting non-food memories and you won't feel like you're missing out.
9. Atrapa tus zzz.Your head and your calendar may be full of tasks, but is getting enough sleep on your agenda every day? Should be. badly closed canhamper your efforts to lose weight, increasing cravings and leading to bad decisions. Staying organized will help, but it's best to stick to a consistent sleep schedule that aims for at least 7-8 hours a night, including weekends.
10. Don't make mountains out of a molehill.It's easy to go over the calories one day and feel like a failure. Remember, though, that it takes a lot more than a day of binge eating to stall your progress. Accept your mistakes, learn from them and move on. Here they are25 ways to get back on track today.
11. Stay away from fads.When someone is desperate to lose weight quickly, they often resort to questionable measures. Be alertdietsand don't fall for itfitness tricksany. how you recognize her through her too-good-to-be-true claims. Diets don't work and their results are fleeting. Rather than taking chances with this approach, stick to simple, healthy habits that you know make a difference, like the items on this list.
12. Maintain an active lifestyle.Remember, running errands while planning your wedding is not the same.strictly speakingRun - or exercise. Don't confuse being busy with being in shape. The more physical activity you can add to your days (in addition to planned physical activity), the better off you will be. Try short exercises and find easy ways to do it.turn idle time into active time.
13. Pack an emergency snack.save a littlehealthy food and portablein your car, purse, and desk drawer can help you satisfy your cravings and keep you from overeating the wrong foods. This is a good idea if you're hungry at work and the cookies look tempting, or if you've been out and about all day and you see bright fast-food signs beckoning you.
14. Don't get too hungry.In betweensnack smartlyAnd balanced meals can provide your body with enough energy to keep hunger at bay.eat very little, on the other hand, creates monstrous cravings that are very difficult to ignore. When you're hungry, you reach for everything, and usually a lot, to ease your discomfort. Keep hunger at bay with proper planning. Bring snacks. Have healthy options ready. And never go more than 4 hours without eating.
15. Dealing with stress.What bride doesn't care about the details, the planning and even the fit of the dress? Life doesn't stop just because you're planning a wedding, and all that stress can take a toll on your mental health and waistline. this is no secretChronic stress can contribute to weight problems, especially if you tend toemotional eating. Be sure to add some R&R to your day, even if it's as simple as a 1-minute breathing exercise or a few extra minutes in a hot bath. Of course, exercise is a great way to relieve stress and help you reach your goal weight.
16. Drink your water.Recent studies have found that people who drink more water throughout the day consume fewer total calories.another new studyfound that drinking water before each meal resulted in greater weight loss. Water andwater rich foodscan help you feel fuller for longer. At parties, hold a glass of water, drink water between bites, and stick to your daily allotment to avoid overeating.
17. Wake up with exercise.People who exercise first thing in the morning are more likely to exercise regularly than those who exercise later in the day. To beif you don't exercise in the morningstill, morning workouts can be the best way to work your days before other things come up. Plus, if you exercise first, you're less likely to overeat later.
18. Slow down. Enjoy your mealand the eating experience. You'll eat less, feel happier, and recognize hunger before it's too late.
19. Beware of the price.Think about your goals before you grab a bite to eat or hit the snooze button instead of hitting the gym. It will take work to reach your goals and it will not always be easy. Before you act, ask yourself, "Will this help me reach my anniversary goal?" If not, make a different decision. And remember that YOU are in control of your life and your choices.
20. Usa SparkPeople.When it comes to losing weight, we know what works and we provide all the tools, resources, tips, menus, trackers and support you need to lose weight until the big day. Explore everything our site has to offer for everyday motivation and real solutions. Don't worry, it's free so you can save your honeymoon money! If you haven't yetRecordfor your 100% free account today!
Get fit, look good and reach your wedding weight loss goals!