Posted by
James Trenchard
Look great and feel great for your big day
To get into shape for your big day might be one of the hardest challenges you face, but rest assured, there are lots of great ideas to give you the most help possible. This article sets out to suggest the best ways to make sure you're happy with how you look for your wedding day.
There is no one-size-fits-all way of tackling wedding preparations with regards to your health, but these ideas can be used as a guide to demonstrate the kinds of things you can do. If you'd like to discuss any other plans for your wedding or stag/hen do, just give us a call and we'll be happy to help.
For now, stick your goggles to the screen and prepare to be fed some really tasty tips.
Exercise to get in to shape for your big day
To help to you to get in to shape for your big day, we've had a chat with James from Happy Factor Fitness which means that we've been able to include some great general advice on exercise and also dieting and the healthiest ways to handle these areas. James is a personal trainer and also runs hen party school sports days all over the UK for Essential Adventure.
Exercise will obviously help you to get in to shape for your big day, but this is a very broad area to use and there are so many different types of exercise to choose from. The best place to start is to work out what you like to do for exercise and make a plan. This will mean that you can plan your goals with plenty of time and make it easier to reach your targets. For instance, if it's weight loss you're aiming for, you want to give yourself a target to lose around 1lb a week as this is a healthy amount of weight to lose. Much more than this could have a negative impact on your body over a longer time period.
Tools like the NHS weight loss plan are great as they provide you with a wealth of information to keep you happy and healthy. Pre-made plans like the 'Couch To 5K' initiative are also fantastic as they build everything up at a pace that almost anyone will be able to maintain.
- Get fitter, feel great, do some high fives -
How to diet and get in to shape for your big day
A change in diet can be tough, there is no doubt about that, but if you really do want to get in to shape for your big day, it's one of the biggest tools if you pair it well with exercise. If you have a good balance of exercise and looking after your diet, you are likely to see and feel some very positive results in time for the wedding day.
When we say 'diet' we don't mean a fad but much more simply, we're just talking about thinking a bit more about what you eat. Having a balance of foods from all the different food groups in your diet will help you to stay fuller for longer without feeling the need to snack as much. If you do feel yourself yearning for a snack, try to pick up something healthy (like fruit or nuts) instead of biscuits/crisps etc. Even if it takes a few pieces of fruit to cure the hunger, it's going to be a healthier option than snacks which are high in fat and don't keep you full for as long.
Our last tip is to try and cook as many meals from fresh as possible. We appreciate that time-constraints don't always make it easy, but if you're truly looking to get in to shape for your big day, then you need to work it out. By cooking your own meals, you control exactly what you're eating and also it costs less, so it's a real win-win.
Ultimately, you have to find out what works for you as an individual and go with it.
- Keep it simple, keep it balanced -
Get in to shape for your big day - The Suits
A big part of the wedding day is looking sharp and you'll probably want to get in to shape for your big day, so that your suits look fantastic. Looking back at wedding photos should make you feel happy and if you feel great on the day, this will show in the photos.
We would advise not to get your suits sorted too far in advance, just in case you do shed some weight and you're left with something resembling a tent for your wedding day.
You can of course buy the suits outright and this will give you a greater range of what's available, but will generally be a bit more expensive than hire.
It's probably worth discussing your options with any best men and coming up with a plan of action.
- Aiming for a lower notch -
How to get in to shape for your big day for the wedding dress
You may have had a dress in mind since you were little, so you'll probably be keen to get in to shape for your big day and look as amazing as you always knew you would. Even if you've only recently seen 'the dress', making sure you look and feel amazing on your special day is almost certainly a big thing.
if you are planning on losing weight before your wedding day, there are a few different ways to handle buying the dress:
1 - Buy the dress in the size you want to be on your wedding day. A risky strategy, but one way to give yourself a real target to aim for. Be realistic with yourself though and make sure you're giving yourself enough time to lose and weight safely.
2 - Buy the dress for your current size and get it altered closer to the time. This will be a bit more expensive, but affords you a bit less 'pressure'. Just also be wary that a seamstress may have issues taking a dress in too much though.
3 - Get the dress in a size between your target size and your current size. A good alternative to the two points above.
You'll also need to think about the rest of your bridal party and their dresses too, so it's worth having a talk with any maids of honour and bridesmaids.
- Look the part in your dream dress -
Get in to shape for your big day with the wedding party
You're not alone in your plans to get in to shape for your big day. Everyone wants to look good in a wedding photo and in the wedding party will be the people who care about you the most. Make the most of these two points by getting people in the wedding party to help with your plans.
You could look at planning walks together, find a sport that everyone can take part in or even book an outdoor activity for everyone. You want to find something that everyone can enjoy and that way everyone can help everyone else. If you're all working together towards a common goal, it's a great motivator and will mean that you can all enjoy it, supporting everyone to get in to shape for your big day.
- Get everyone involved -
Choose stag weekend activities to get in to shape for your big day
The stag do can be part of the plan to get in to shape for your big day too. Choosing something like a canoeing and bushcraft trip is great to keep active. You won't find an all-you-can-eat buffet for miles and the survival skills you learn may come in useful once you're married, should you ever infer that your wife was wrong about something.
On a similar note, there are loads of places to go and experience an 'off grid stag do' experience, meaning less opportunities to fall off the wagon with fatty food and too much alcohol (small amounts can be waived for a stag do).
You don't have to go into survival mode though, there are plenty of active stag do ideas such as Zorb Football and Coasteering, which will keep you moving and help to burn off some of the night time activities.
Get in to shape for your big day with these hen weekend activities
Choosing sporty hen do ideas will help you to get in to shape for your big day, without compromising on the fun. A school sports day or bootcamp can be a load of fun and keeps you active. Another great and active hen party activity is an assault course, providing you with exercise whilst on your hen weekend. Hen weekend activities like dance classes are also lots of fun and give you an excuse to get all dressed up like your favourite pop icon.
Staying active on your hen weekend will mean that if you do have something a bit naughty, then it won't be too awful anyway.
- Keeeeep dancing -
Use teamwork as a tool to get in to shape for your big day
A great way for you to both stay on track and get in to shape for your big day is to work together with your partner. Look out for each other and help to keep each other honest. You're both aiming for a feel-good day and a celebration for both of you, so working on the same goal with start you off on a great path together from well before the actual wedding day.
You'll have a great idea of how to motivate your spouse-to-be and can work as one great team.
- Tut Tut! Help to keep each other ON the wagon -
A summary of how to get in to shape for your big day
Feeling and looking your best is really important for most people tying the knot, so we've got an essential list of ways you can get in to shape for your big day. Try to implement as many as possible and you will have a great chance of feeling great on your special day. Have a look below at our summary of useful tips to look tip-top for your wedding day:
- Have an exercise plan
- Eat a healthy balance of different foods, from all food groups
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid alcohol and fatty foods
- Don't buy/hire suits or dresses too far in advance if possible
- Ask the wedding party to support you
- Plan stag and hen activities which are active
- Work with your partner
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