
With wedding season in full swing, here are a few pointers for the Bride-to-be.
Looking your best for your wedding is every Bride’s dream. I normally get an influx of Brides-to-be at this time of the year for training for upcoming weddings.
There is one PROBLEM. It is usually all last minute and with unrealistic goals, e.g. losing 3 dress sizes in a month or something hectic along those lines. There is a huge danger in waiting to the last minute to tackle a very important fitness/body goal as such. Out of desperation the Brides-to-be turn to quick fixes when it comes to diet in order to change their bodies. More often than not, the goals are not reached, the body is strained and stressed unnecessarily and sometimes one may even get sick. Below are a few pointers for things to consider.
Change of Lifestyle – Change your mind-set on how you view the entire process. The ultimate goal is to look great not only for your wedding, but also for the honeymoon, future anniversaries and holidays that you will be celebrating with your spouse. This means a solid realistic plan is needed to induce change as well as to maintain the desired great-looking and healthy body.
Be realistic – Start early and have a realistic goal. A minimum of 12 weeks in training is a good timeline to drop a dress size or two for your special day. If the resources allow, you could start earlier than 12 weeks. One needs to understand that losing weight, building lean muscle or toning up is a process and requires time and consistency. The first thing I tell my clients is that, “There is No magic”. It is hard work over time that produces results.
Set Goals – It is always “Health First!” Speak to a fitness professional for guidance when setting goals. They should be able to talk to you about a healthy weight-loss plan within a reasonable time frame. The “quick, get thin fast, overnight with a Beyoncé Bum mind-set” is a recipe for disaster. It often involves under eating or starving oneself by drastically cutting out calories. Due to overly depleted glycogen and essential nutrients, your hormones can get messed up, which can induce hectic mood swings and a confused Groom wondering if he has made the right choice in you.
Enjoy the Process – Planning a wedding can be very stressful with so much to think about and to get done. Exercise will not only help you look great, but it will also help you to de-stress. Pick fun workouts; sign up your wedding party or Groom for a fun exercise class or program. This will no doubt be a great bonding experience.
Seek Professional Advice – Engage a fitness trainer or a nutritionist to guide you. At SweatNation Fitness, we have experience in helping Brides and Grooms get their nutrition and training going for their Big Day. When setting goals with my Brides-to-be, the focus is on dropping a dress size and never the kgs on the scale. The most common areas Brides want targeted are arms, shoulders, stomach, back and bum. We take a balanced approach when it comes to training. This ensures that all major muscle groups are worked every week to create muscle balance. If your wedding is coming up in December, now is the time to start. Get in touch with us at SweatNation Fitness for direction and training for your Big Day. Email [email protected]
Barbra Jambga is a Certified Fitness Professional (Diploma in Exercise Science -HFPA) with over 10 years of experience in the industry as an Advanced Personal Trainer, Sports Fitness Coach and Group Fitness Instructor. She is the owner and founder of SweatNationFitness, which is known for their Fitness Bootcamps and their exclusive and private Boutique Studio in Harare.