The countdown begins for all of our spring/summer 2011 brides!
First on the list of to-do's for the 2011 brides:
Get back into the swing of things with a fresh, new you!
To many, it's a dirty word, but diet, diet, diet. Starting immediately will get you into a healthy lifestyle and will even improve your mood for these last few months leading up to the big day.
Top 5 ways to get in shape for your big day:
1. Make a plan and set goals:
Actually putting your goals in writing and in a visible place will get you more motivated. For example, putting your goal sheet on your vanity, refrigerator or near your computer will ensure that you'll stick to your goals.
2. Change your surroundings:
Be sure to consider your work environment when starting a work out regimen. Clean out all of the candy dishes and extra stash of snacks in your desk. Replacing them with fruit and nuts will keep you satisfied but will rid you of the sugary temptations. Oranges, apples and grapefruits will last the longest and the vibrant hues will even brighten up your office!
3. Get a workout buddy:
When enlisting a buddy, start with your sweetie. The two of you are in this together, and will be each others’ best allies. Even though they don’t exactly stress about their appearances-they are certainly concerned with looking great for the big day-just as you are. Make a commitment to eat right, and you’ll find that cooking as a team will bring you closer together as a couple.
In addition to cooking, make it a priority to make several trips to the gym together each week.
4. Mix it up:
Everyone knows that monotony will get you nowhere, especially when trying to get in shape! Be sure to include different activities in your workout plan. Make Monday your BIG workout day-lots and lots of cardio will help you rid yourself of some of the weekend fast food and margarita splurges. Tuesday- you should look for ‘video on demand’ workouts straight from your TV. You and your sweetie can do salsa dancing, yoga or pilates right in your living room! Wednesday-take the dog for a walk/run. Make the middle of the week your light workout day. It’s important that your body has a day to repair itself, so the middle of the week is a perfect time to repair and relax with a leisurely walk/run. You and your sweetie will have a nice opportunity to chat about your day and spend a little quality time together. Thursday- get back to the gym and sweat! Pull your hair back, get your tank top on and fill up you ipod with your favorite songs. Be sure to devote at least 45 minutes to a tough workout for Thursday. If you don’t feel that your heart rate is up, pick up the pace and get busy! Friday- The weekend is here, but you can’t lose focus. Before going out for dinner and drinks, make it a point to get on your workout gear and pull up and ‘video on demand’ workout at home. Just a 20 minute workout will keep you on track and focused on your goals. Saturday and Sunday- you can take a break, but be sure to stretch your muscles every morning and evening. Keeping your muscles limber will keep your body conditioned for the upcoming week of workouts. Believe it or not, stretching and light yoga will even keep your muscles tones and fit!
5. You are what you eat:
Keep away from the fast food temptations by arming yourself with snacks. When going to the grocery store, stock up on string cheese, grapes, apples, nuts and reduced fat wheat crackers. When leaving for work in the morning, make yourself a to-go bag filled with just enough snacks to keep you satisfied for the day. Your fast food temptations will diminish when armed with these nutritious goodies.
