This is probably one of the top items that stresses out brides-to-be. Understandably, we all want to squeeze into a dress a few sizes smaller, but I have some thoughts about how we should approach taking care of our bodies in preparation for the big day. Brides, I would start this at least 6 months prior to the wedding, if not earlier.
1. Love Your Current Body
Remember that your significant other is marrying you for you. They already love you for who you are; anything you may improve is just extra! Also keep in mind that clothes are an adornment for the body and not the other way around. The style and fit of your wedding dress is supposed to complement your body and create optical illusions to enhance your body, so don’t worry so much if you have tried on a few dresses that you don’t like! Even if your body is exactly the way it is now (or even if you gain a few pounds), there will always be a dress that will flatter your body.
2. Assess Your Situation
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It’s no surprise that all plans begin with you knowing where you are in order to plan ahead. Are you already actively searching #fitspo on your Instagram and regularly hit the gym? Or do you find yourself more couch potato status? How balanced and healthy is your current diet?
I used Noom to take stock of my food consumption without being too stickler about calorie counting. It taught me how to eyeball amounts of food without being too technical (e.g., “a ping pong ball sized piece of cheese”) and showed me whether they were categorized as green, yellow, or red foods (like a stoplight). After about a week, I felt like I had a good idea of my eating habits. I then used it to set calorie goals, track my intake, and chart my weight loss progress.
3. Create SMART Goals
From your current situation, you will want to make long- and short-term goals that help keep you on track. The idea is to tweak and make small gradual changes into your routine to create healthy lifelong habits (You want this to last well beyond your wedding day, right?). Sometimes a goal weight will help, sometimes not. The key is to make sure you feel good about each of the small victories you can achieve.
For example:
Long-term goal: I will weigh ___ (lbs/kg) by ___ (date of last dress fitting, usually around 1-2 weeks before the wedding).
Then I will create some short term goals in order to accomplish the above. I personally would only choose 3 to start so as to not get overwhelmed. Incrementally add goals as you keep checking them off every few weeks. Here are some ideas:
- Short-term goal: For the next __ months, I will go to the gym __ times per week.
One of the biggest achievements is just showing up! I would say start with a number that is realistic and fits into your schedule. If you love taking classes, consider a subscription service like GuavaPass (available all over Asia) where you can try new activities (e.g. HIIT, barre, circuit training, Zumba) without needing to commit to a set schedule. Or if you like to go to a open gym/work out at home and set your own pace, my favorite exercise app is SworkIt.
It of course helps to have set sessions (e.g. 6-7pm every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday), but don’t beat yourself up if your work schedule doesn’t permit it. What matters is you reach this goal at the end of every week. As a person who did not have an exercise plan until my wedding, I found these two apps extremely helpful!
- Short-term goal: Starting now until the wedding date, I will eat __ home-cooked meals per week.
You will know exactly how much oil and salt you are (not) putting into your body compared to the mysterious ingredients you may be eating when dining out. It makes a world of a difference! Here are some ideas for meal prepping.) Saves time and money. Who doesn’t love that?
- Short-term goal: Starting now until the wedding date, I will eat __ pieces of fruit at _ _:_ _ / drink __ glasses of water each day.
The idea behind this is to help you create healthier snacking habits. Every time you feel a hunger pang or food craving, drink a whole glass of water and wait 30 minutes and see if you’re still hungry. If you are, then eating fruits that provide fiber and sugar will give your body and mind a boost until your next meal.
- Short-term goal: In the last week before the wedding, I will not add any extra salt into my foods, especially when I cook.
There are many documented benefits to reducing salt intake, including decreasing water retention and bloating, not to mention keeping many organs healthy and preventing more serious illnesses down the road. If you’re already sodium-conscious, good for you! For the majority of us, though, we can do our body some good by ingesting less salt.
- Short-term goal: Starting now until the wedding date, I will not add any sugar to my coffee.
Sugar is a doozy. We all love the way it works like crack on our brains, beckoning us for more of its high-inducing feelings. However, this one opponent needs to be seriously tackled in order to make headway in our health plan. Take a look at your current habits and find one specific, consistent occasion where you can omit sugar. For instance, swap the sweetened iced tea or soda you normally drink for some chilled green tea you make in the morning. This can begin the weaning process and jumpstart your independence from sugar.
4. Buddy Up
Find someone who can work out with you! My husband-then-fiancé and I would encourage one another to work out regularly and to eat healthily, and our gym sessions became one of my favorite memories of our wedding prep because the results were so tangible. Currently we still work out multiple times a week. I’m glad we started creating healthy habits together that have carried over into our married life.
5. Just Do It!
And don’t worry if you slip up! Just get back on the horse and keep going. We tend to think, “Oh I slipped up eating those three slabs of chocolate cake, what does it matter if I have one more?” or “I hurt my wrist lifting weights last time, maybe I should take a break.” It’s easy to make excuses, but you have the power to stop yourself in your tracks, exercise self-control, and push yourself forward. You make the best decisions for you.
6. Celebrate Your Progress!
No matter where you end up, you can take pride in the fact that you tried your best to incorporate healthy habits. It’s okay to treat yourself when you achieve your goals! Just make sure your rewards don’t include food. There are plenty of other alternatives. So enjoy your new healthy lifestyle, and love the way you look!
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. The steps and products here are found from web resources, research, and my own personal experiences which may not work for everyone. Please check with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen. Know your limits and listen to your body.
Lillian Louie Makeup 