Ok, so he’s finally popped the big question (took long enough...) and you are set to be betrothed a scant year from now. Yikes! So much to do and so little time. One thing is for sure: you want to look great at your wedding and especially for the guests to whisper, as you walk down the aisle, how amazing you look! Well you can do it and the best thing to do is to start NOW. Here are some pointers on how best to arrive at your goal of wedding fabulous-ness without having one more thing to stress about (believe me, you’ll have plenty of other stuff to stress over):



Tip #1


Start NOW – Weddings are usually scheduled a year from the date of engagement, so what are you waiting for? Take the first step towards looking fabulous in that wedding gown NOW. Do not, I repeat, do NOT wait until the final 6 weeks before the big day. It will only add to the stress of the last minute things you have to do for the wedding that have yet to be done, and you are not giving your body ample time to change (in a healthy way).



Tip #2


Be Realistic – Let’s face it – most people are not going to look like Giselle Bundchen in her wedding gown (even a pregnant Giselle). Choose a bridal lengha style that you can realistically fit into when the big day arrives. Set a weight loss goal that is achievable and measurable. For example: I will lose 1.5 lbs per week for the next 6 weeks. That is realistic and achievable. Thinking that you can healthily lose 10lbs per week and keep it off isn’t realistic. (You’re not on “Biggest Loser”).  Once you reach your first goal, set another. Reach that? Set another. Keep this up until you are ready for game day!



Tip #3


Accentuate Your Assets – Once the bulk of your bodyfat is shed, its time to start focusing on the body parts that are going to be most noticeable on your wedding day.  Arms (triceps, biceps ), upper portion of chest (pectoralis major), shoulders (posterior, medial, and anterior deltoids), and upper back (upper/middle trapezius,  and rhomboids) are all muscles that have the most “face time” in sleeveless, or tank styles.



Tip #4


Lift Weights – 1lb weights do not apply! Lift weights heavier than you are accustomed to.  Listen carefully – you will not “bulk up” like a bodybuilder by lifting weights unless you a) eat like a bodybuilder (close to impossible – trust me), and/or b) use steroids (illegal and dumb). Lifting weights will increase your lean muscle mass which will increase your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate or how many calories your body burns at rest). Remember – it’s about calories in vs calories out. Every little bit helps! 



Tip #5 


Food Journaling  - The most important component of weight loss (well, fat loss, really) is caloric or nutrient intake. The problem I encounter with most clients, however, is that most dismiss journaling because they feel as though they already “eat great”. I can say that I have met ONE client in 10 years of training who actually ate as “great” as she said she did. What does that tell me? That most are deluded into thinking that the biggest problem concerning their body composition really isn’t a problem at all. If you own a store, you must consistently take inventory. Otherwise, you have no idea what is selling and what is collecting dust on the shelf or worse, being stolen by sticky fingered patrons. When it comes to changing your body composition, and thusly your caloric intake, you won’t know where to go unless you know where you are.  There are free sites that have inexhaustible databases of every food one could possibly imagine. Daily Plateis my personal favorite. Its free and easy. Sign up and let your computer start counting your calories for you. Take an honest look at what you are putting into your body. Chances are you will be surprised.



Good luck Maharanis and I know that you will look fabulous on your wedding day!

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Thanks Frankie for stopping by, and I can't wait to see you in the gym soon!