I want to get fit for my wedding!
I’m sure that by now you’ve read about the various ways in which to lose weight for your big day, and to be honest with you, most of them seem to be running in circles around late-night cake tastings, frantic last-minute venue walkthroughs, and anxious discussions with more and more aggressive family members. I mean, we all know that the easiest way to get fit for your wedding is to lose loads of weight beforehand, but I also know that planning a wedding is hard work, and losing weight before your big day can be difficult.
But getting fit for your wedding doesn’t have to be all about exercise.
Rather, it’s a journey of discovery, of energy, of confidence and of peace. Empowering you to look and to feel your best on your wedding day, in all of your fabulous glory.
Start with Your Mindset, Not Just a Goal Weight
When we think of getting fit for our wedding day, we often instantly think of restrictive diets or grueling exercise routines. The latter causes us to lose energy and feel stress and anxiety. A grueling workout routine and restrictive diet during what is meant to be the happiest time of our lives could cause us so much stress and lead to us feeling tired and lethargic.
I assume not, because I often forget that energy is a more important indicator of health than our size. The real goal of getting fit for your wedding day is to have enough energy to make it through the day and to feel great about yourself.
If you shift your focus from trying to reach a certain weight by your wedding day to feeling energized, with better posture, less stress, and feeling stronger, then you’ll find that your new habits are far more manageable and a lot more fun.
Give Yourself a Realistic Timeline
It’s generally recommended that you start to get fit for your wedding around 6-8 months before your big day. This will give your body plenty of time to adapt to the demands of your workout, and help you to build tone and increase your stamina in time for your wedding.
What if you have less time?
8 weeks is all you need: Within two to three months of consistent workouts, you will notice remarkable changes in your body and overall health, such as increased strength, toned body, and increased energy and stamina.
Choose Workouts You Actually Enjoy
But ultimately, the best workout program is one that you enjoy, so give yourself some time to try out a few different types of movement.
- Strength Training: Excellent for building lean muscle, improving posture, and tone.
- Pilates or Yoga: Great for core stability, improving flexibility, and taking your mind off planning the wedding!
- Interval Training: Work out quickly and efficiently to improve your cardio in short sessions.
- Group Fitness: Great workout options if you are someone who enjoys high-energy, fun workout options in a setting with others.
Mix it Up to Stay Engaged in Your Fitness.
Equipping Yourself for Success: Gear Matters
Starting a new routine requires the right tools. So don’t be shy and treat yourself to some high-quality gear as it will have a big impact on your performance and your comfort during your sessions. It will also prevent injuries.
Choosing the Right Workout Shoes
Don’t wear old or wrong shoes. They can cause joint problems and foot fatigue. Even a few days of wearing old or wrong shoes can throw you off track for your new routine.
- For Running and Cardio workouts: Choose women’s athletic footwear with good shock absorption, solid heel cushioning, and ample toe room for natural foot swelling.
- For Strength Training and Weightlifting: Choose flat-soled, low-drop workout shoes to complete safe squats and lunges. Your heel will stay down, allowing you to complete powerful movements with maximum power.
- For Cross-Training of any type, such as Kickboxing, TRX, or HIIT workouts, focus on shoes that can support you during side-to-side movements to avoid ankle sprains and provide enough lateral stability.
Test running shoes late in the day when your feet are at their largest.
Selecting Tops, Shirts, and Apparel
There are so many factors that go into deciding what to wear for your workout. The temperature of where you are working out is a huge factor, and then there is the factor of how much you are going to be moving around and therefore going to be able to regulate your temperature.
- Moisture-Wicking Fabrics: Most running tops are now made from moisture-wicking synthetic fibers blended with natural fibers, or even 100% natural fibers that wick moisture. These can be better than traditional cotton running tops that trap sweat and can cause chafing.
- Fit and Mobility: Here’s how you can select your workout tops based on your workout. The tops for yoga and Pilates should be form-fitting as the material won’t fall over your face during stretches. The tops for intense cardio and strength training sessions should be breathable and slightly loose-fitting, such as T-shirts and tanks.
- Proper Support for Your Body: A Supportive, Well-Fitting Sports Bra: For women, it is very important to wear a supportive, well-fitting sports bra during physical activity. Look for a bra with different support levels. For example, there are high-impact support sports bras for running and low-impact support sports bras for yoga and stretching.
Nourish Your Body for Radiance
Here’s the bottom line: No amount of exercising can compensate for under-fueling of the body. If you are in training for your wedding day, you should focus on nutrient-rich foods in order to sustain your energy levels and give your skin the best possible chance to look healthy and vibrant.
- Prioritize Protein: The protein from fish, poultry, tofu, beans, and eggs will help rebuild your muscles after working them and also keep you full.
- Hydrate Constantly: I want to emphasize again how important water is for our energy, our digestion, and for healthy, clear skin. Drink a lot of water, and I would recommend drinking a lot of water during the day. On training days, I would recommend even more water.
- Healthy Fats for Beautiful Skin: Avocados, nuts, seeds and oils are all high in essential fatty acids that will keep your skin looking vibrant, healthy and wonderful.
Avoid restricted eating and aim for nutritious, balanced meals to keep you going throughout the day. Food is your fuel for your journey to strength and fitness.
Prioritize Rest and Recovery
Results are not achieved during physical activity. Rather, results occur after physical activity during the time when the body is recovering.
So give yourself permission to pause.
Your body repairs, recharges, and deals with stress during your rest time, including your sleep time at night. Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep every night and incorporate simple activities to aid in your recovery, such as stretching after your workout, foam rolling between your workouts, and even taking a day off from working out.
Celebrate Small Wins Along the Way
Celebrate those moments – they are part of your overall preparation and will give you the confidence and energy on your wedding day.
Now get out there and start moving!
Written by: Brittany Van Tassel
