Getting in Shape for Your Big Day: Wedding Prep Fitness Tips

Posted January 7, 2013 in Fitness Tips, HIIT Routines No Comments »

How to Fit In Your Wedding Dress or Tux

Fitness Bride

Brides and grooms can be Swole too!

For most brides-to-be, a wedding qualifies as one of the most important events in life. And since the vast majority only plan to do it once, they understandably want the event to be perfect. It is for this reason that months of planning go into selecting the right venue, floral arrangements, catering service, seating charts, photographer, and so on. And of course, there is the dress to consider.

For every bride this garment will be a little different, reflecting her own personal style and sense of beauty and propriety. But one thing that many women struggle with is the ability to fit into their selected gown once their wedding day arrives.
Every bride wants to be beautiful and radiant on her special day, but the truth is that the planning process can be extremely stressful, leading to fatigue, depression, and weight gain. But for the woman determined to look her best on the big day, there are ways to ensure not only that the dress fits and flatters when floating down the aisle, but that the body underneath is in peak physical condition. And there are all kinds of tools and tricks to ensure this outcome, as well as several other reasons to address fitness before the wedding day arrives.

Plan Your Pre-Wedding Fitness Routine

Getting in shape really starts with having a solid plan in place. This includes both watching what you eat and taking the time to exercise. If you think you just can’t manage these tasks, consider how you’re getting everything done for your wedding.

If you can attend to minute details like selecting china and flatware and choosing flowers then you can certainly pay attention to what you’re putting in your mouth (and how much you’re eating). Scheduling in time for a workout is no different than making appointments with caterers, photographers, and the officiant for your wedding ceremony. Plus, you’ll be rewarded for you efforts in myriad ways, not just by losing weight and toning muscle, but also through the reduced stress and feelings of happiness and relaxation that result from adding exercise to your routine.

The best pre-wedding workout routines will include high intensity cardio and full body workouts. HIIT, or high intensity interval training, will give you the biggest bang for your time – way more than endurance cardio. Full body workouts also help you to fit more workout into your session.

By training every muscle group two or three days a week, you will be using training frequency to ensure that your metabolism stays high and that your muscle are stimulated as often as possible while still allowing for adequate recovery.

Spending a couple months in a Crossfit box will get you in shape quickly too. Crossfit costs a little more, and they usually ask you to coming in once a day for a the workout of the day, so it could potentially take up more of your time. But if you want to get in great shape in a month or two without having to really think about it, Crossfit could be a good solution.

You’re Not Afraid of Commitment, Are You?

In truth, getting fit for your wedding is really only hindered by your ability to commit to the task.

  • How important is it to you that your dress fits perfectly on your wedding day?
  • Do you want to get rid of the jelly roll around your midsection before you walk down the aisle?
  • How about the bat wings that are prominently displayed thanks to your selection of a strapless gown?

You are bound to be your own worst critic, so think about how you’ll feel years down the road when you see your wedding photos and know you could have done more to get in shape before the big day. This is not to say that you should stop eating or work yourself to death in pursuit of perfection, but it’s never too late to start developing healthy and sustainable habits where your diet and exercise are concerned so that you can look and feel great not only for your wedding day, but for the rest of your life.

Bring Your Wedding Party With You

If a lack of motivation and energy are holding you back, don’t hesitate to get a little help from your friends by bringing your bridesmaids on board. That black bridesmaid dress you selected won’t hide everything, so the ladies that are standing beside you on your big day may be keen to work in some physical fitness, as well.

Training with a workout partner could give you added incentive to hit the gym, if nothing else it will increase your accountability. Getting everyone on board for regular workouts can make the process a lot more fun, help to strengthen the bonds of friendship, and ensure that nobody has to let out their gown before the big day.

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