Wedding Weight Woes

What bride doesn�t want to look her best on her wedding day?

This is possibly the most important day of your life, the day that you will constantly look back on in memories and in photo�s and so its no surprise that most brides hit the gym and the diets in the months leading up to the day.

For Destination Brides, its no different, but add to the pressures of the big Wedding Dress Debut, the fact that you�ll probably be spending every day in a bikini before and after your wedding, it wouldn�t hurt to adopt some of the tips below and shape up for you big day.

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Start your planning early and don�t leave it until the last minute.
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Keep a food diary and log every, single morsel that enters your mouth. You�ll be amazed at how much you haven�t considered before and will start to cut down, so you don�t have to �write down�.
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Set long terms goals, wether it be 10 or 50 pounds before the wedding or firmer arms for a strapless dress and then break the long terms goal down into mini steps ie. 2 pounds in one month, one inch off bicep etc. Reward yourself at each mini-step achievement point with a massage, a pedicure, a pair of skinny jeans � whatever rocks your boat!
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For healthy weight loss aim to lose no more than two pounds per week � studies have shown that crash diets do make you lose the weight, but what you�ve lost is mainly water and lean muscle, meaning that you tend to gain the weight more quickly afterwards.
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Build muscle and burn calories. A body made of muscle will burn more calories than a body made up of fat.
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Eat smaller, healthier amounts, more frequently.
Aim to eat, on average, 4-5 times per day. Meals don�t have to be huge and can consist of � a banana, an apple, cottage cheese on crackers, or fish and salads. This will in turn increase your metabolic rate as your body sees you fuelling it, and not starving it of calories. A body that is starved, tends to slow down a metabolic rate in order to make the most use of calories it is fed.
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Eat breakfast and kick start your metabolism into working well throughout the day.
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Exercise regularly at least three times a week, for 20 minutes of cardio workout and 15 minutes of weight bearing exercise at the very least. Change your routine regularly to keep it fun and challenging.

With a bit of planning, a little hard work, and a dash of discipline, you'll be looking your best, feeling your best, and without doubt, the well deserved centre of attention on your wedding day.