Fitting into Your Wedding Gown

So you are getting married… as the Bride you may have concerns about being able to fit into your dress or being able to wear the dress style that you always fantasized about as a young girl. I have compiled some quick tricks to help you on your way.

Let’s start with the hard stuff, for most of us it is FOOD… for some of you ladies you will understand exactly what I mean, so let’s begin.

One simple rule to remember is if you love to eat go ahead and eat, however make your meals small and eat between 5-7 times a day…be sure to include dairies, proteins, fruit, vegetables, plenty of water, and most important a good source of fiber (see healthy snack ideas below). People may notice that you are always eating but will definitely notice the changes to your body. Remember that with all plans you will hit the wall, when you do, that is when you need to add more to your regimen. This is where your activities come into play.

I am not telling you to run out and join a gym or buy expensive exercise equipment, this is not really necessary. There are many things that you can do. The key thing that you need to remember is it is up to you to find the time for yourself and do it. Some suggestions include getting together with your Maid of Honor or other bridesmaids and walk together or go for a run with them. Sometimes it is necessary to have someone to help with motivation (as if on your wedding day being the center of attention isn’t enough motivation).

You are the only one that can make these changes possible never rely on fancy diets or exercise programs, just rely on your self (friends may stand you up so be prepared, your wedding is not as important to others as it is to you)

OK, here it is, don’t make elaborate plans for getting into shape. If you have a stair case at your home or apartment this can work beautifully in your favor, you now have a gym of sorts (below I will give you some exercise ideas incorporating the stairs). Your apartment is several floors up and you normally take the elevator (work place also) take the stairs instead, even if you have had a hard day, you will be able to relax later and know that you did something wonderful for yourself.

If you normally drive to work and it is reasonably close (2-3 miles) walk to work. Find things in your everyday life that you do to make things easier on yourself and find alternate ways to do them. Don’t use the laundry shoot, take your laundry down stairs. You mow the lawn, not on riding mower. When vacuuming keep body strait and tummy tight, this will help tighten and strengthen your core. Dance, dance, dance yes I said DANCE, dancing is a good way to work all of you body and trim up.

Here are some healthy snack choices; fruit or vegetables keep it light (no more than 3 oz per serving), if you are going to have snack crackers or chips (yes you can have some of these things… choose wisely as you can only have 1 oz, choose high fiber low fat), cheeses are also good snacks again only 1 oz, avoid candy but if you must have it remember to keep it simple if you have a 1 oz piece of chocolate do not have more later in the same day.

If you like wine or beer or other types of alcohol have one beer or 3 oz of wine, other types of alcohol keep it to 1 oz and remember that your mixer could count against you, moderation keep it to one drink. You may hear people tell you that you cannot drink alcohol and loose weight, I say remember not to have it every day but always remember keep it simple and have only one, and that because you are having the drink don’t have the treat(keep the balance). Remember that to deny yourself is your enemy.

Quick and simple stair exercises for complete body workout in 18 minutes, repeat 4 times a week or alternate days. This program was designed by Stair Master Linda Melone, a trainer in Coto de Caza, California. You should have stairs with at least 16 steps (the more the better), and 5 to 10 lb weights.

Begin with warm up, four minutes of stair climbing. Then complete one set of 12 reps of each strength move in the order given with 2 minute cardio break between exercises (try stair climbing suggestion or walking).

Lunge and Curl: Works biceps, butt and thighs. Stand facing stairs with weights in your hands, lunge forward, and place left foot one or two steps up so thigh is parallel to the ground, and curl weight toward shoulders. Push off left foot and return to start. Repeat on right foot for one rep. remember that all of the steps provided are in reps of 12. Cardio 2 min…

The Extender: Works shoulders, upper back, abs, butt, and calves. Stand on edge of step heels hanging off, with weight in hands. Rise onto balls of feet as you raise arms out to sides at shoulder level, slowly lower to start, repeat. Cardio 2 min…

Hip Hooray: Works hips, shoulders, triceps, back, abs, butt, thighs, and calves. Stand with left side near base of stairs, weight in your hands. Place left foot onto first step, knee bent, and raise arms out to shoulder level, elbows bent 90 degrees (think goal post) palms forward. Straighten left leg as you press arms overhead and lift right leg to the side, foot flexed. Release to goal post position, stepping right foot down, do reps, change sides and repeat. Cardio 2 min…

Staggered Plie':  Works shoulders, upper back, chest, butt and thighs.  Stand with left side to stairs holding one weight in both hands.  Place left foot on first step with soft knee, toes turned out.  Squat as you raise weight to chest level.  Lower arms and straighten legs, repeat reps on this side.  Switch sides and repeat reps.  Cardio 2 minutes...

Spider Woman:  Works shoulders, triceps, chest, abs, hips and butt.  Start in push up position with hands shoulder width apart on the first or second step and toes on the floor or landing hip width apart.  Bend elbows 90 degrees, lowering chest toward stair pause; then bring right knee toward right elbow as far as you can comfortably go, return to start position, repeat on other side.  Repeat reps.  Cardio 2 minutes...

Basking Beauty:  Works shoulders, triceps, chest, abs, butt and thighs.  Sit on edge of stair, hand at sides fingers forward, knees bent at 90 degrees feet flat.  Use arms to lift your seat off stair, lower body until elbows are bent 90 degrees.  Straighten arms as you lift hips toward the sky, creating a straight line from shoulders to knees.  Lower to bent elbow position and repeat reps.  Finish with Cardio 2 minutes...

I saw this in a magazine and had to share it.