As much as I’d like to claim the trophy at the end of a 26-mile marathon, I don’t really have the umph to get myself moving like that. If you’re the kind of bride who can wake up and run every morning, I tip my hat to you! That’s impressive, and you’re on the right track to a healthy lifestyle.
But if you’re like me, then running isn’t exactly fun, gyms are scary, and trying P90X is like signing up to be the subject of medieval torture.
For brides who want to enjoy their fitness programs as well as learn how to transform the idea of “diet” into healthy lifestyles, try these tips alongside your “get fit” plans as you prepare for your Las Vegas weddings!
1. Enroll in a gym class. Hate the gym? Then don’t go for its traditional techniques. Skip the walking machine, the elliptical, and the StairMaster. Instead enroll in a workout class to find a new hobby you’ll love. From Zumba to swimming to Balletone to kickboxing, today’s gyms have plenty of opportunities to get fit and get connected with fellow women who can encourage you as you go.
2. Dance the night away! Burn those calories, and dance to shake off the stress. Attend ballroom dancing classes, or hit the locals’ clubs with your fiancé. Just steer clear of tasty alcoholic drinks, or you’ll gain weight instead! Too embarrassed to dance in public? Try it at home. Crank up the stereo and let loose. Learn lessons in your living room through a DVD, or try fitness programs for your favorite game system, like Wii, Xbox Kinect, and more.
3. Eat those leafy greens. I know, I know, they taste bad. But re-train your taste buds. Once a week, slice vegetables and fruits, place them each in a Tupperware, and put them in the fridge. Then whenever you’re hungry, you can reach for the red bell peppers instead of the BBQ-flavored chips. It’s just as easy to munch, but it packs the power of a healthy crunch!
4. Dodge HFCS like the plague. Many convenience foods have a less-than-healthy dose of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Make a decision to remove this sweetening ingredient from your diet. Yes, reading ingredient labels to look for HFCS does take longer when you’re shopping, and you’ll feel a little crazy when you find out how many products include this ingredient. But stick to the outside perimeter of the grocery store, and you’ll dodge most HFCS processed food. Soon you’ll be consuming less fat and losing the pounds. Then when you replace your old HFCS foods with whole foods, you’ll be eating much healthier too!
5. Walk it out. In Las Vegas, we love to drive everywhere! With such a big city, I don’t blame us, brides. But while we probably can’t make it walking from home to the hair salon, we can start walking more by parking in the back of the parking lot. With this technique, you won’t have to worry about adding extra workout time into your day and you’ll increase that heart rate as you make the trek.
6. Find a partner. Let’s face it. Trying to get into shape is tough work, and it becomes even tougher without support. Instead of flying solo, invite a brave bridesmaid, loyal roommate, or your fiancé to join you for workouts, healthy eating, and grocery shopping trips. With their encouragement, you’ll make the right decisions, stay healthy, and most importantly stay happy!
7. Make “healthy” a lifestyle. As brides, we like to diet. But if we simply changed our lifestyles instead, it’d be a lot easier to keep off the pounds and we wouldn’t need to starve ourselves either. After all, you want to look beautiful, but you’ll also need energy and confidence to make it through your big day!
Brides, getting fit isn’t just about looking great. It’s about feeling great too. So make these tips into a lifestyle, and love how your body looks and feels from the inside out!
Author: Allyson Siwajian © 2012
Photographs: Forrest Gump film, Jamison Frady of Quiet Art Photography