One of our awesome clients owns Dress Your Fancy Bridal Boutique and she asked us to create a handout for brides-to-be for a bridal show last week. We thought this information would be valuable for you too! Even if you’re not a prospective bride (although we have successfully worked with several), you may have a certain date in mind that you’d like to get in better shape for! We often have clients who have upcoming weddings where they want to look great in their mother-of-the-bride/groom dress. Sometimes it’s “I want to look and feel amazing at my class reunion”, or a vacation, or something else time sensitive.
If you have a date in mind that you’d like to get into better shape for, this is for you! If you follow these super simple steps between now and your specific date, you will look and feel your best. Not only that, but these are great habits to develop for the long term!
1) Stay hydrated
The general rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, you should be drinking 100 oz. of water every single day. Staying hydrated will help you avoid unnecessary snacking and it will curb cravings (especially for sugar)!
2) Eat well balanced meals
DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF! You don’t need to feel deprived to get fit. WE PROMISE. Focus on your portion sizes and making sure you’re eating enough. Ensure that each meal has good protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fat to keep you energized and to help you avoid unnecessary snacking throughout the day.
3) Find an accountability buddy
It’s SO MUCH EASIER to hit your exercise goals when you have someone to hold you accountable! Find someone who is positive, encouraging, who won’t let you backslide, and will celebrate with you when you hit your goals! It could be a friend, a personal trainer, your future spouse, a family member or a colleague!
4) Get rid of your scale
This is backwards from how many of us are programmed to think, however, women naturally fluctuate with weight and, if you’re only focusing on a specific number, you will get discouraged. Instead, pay attention to your habits and the non-scale victories, such as how you feel, how your clothes fit, your energy levels, etc. The weight will come off in the long run anyway! Some weeks you may gain muscle but lose body fat. The number on the scale does not reflect that!
5) Find exercise you enjoy
People often ask us “what’s the best kind of exercise to do?” and we tell them “the one that you’ll actually do”!! Find something you enjoy and stick with that! Do you like yoga or lifting weights? Do those things then! Do you despise Zumba or running? Then don’t do Zumba and don’t run! Find something you enjoy and be consistent! Our advice is to make time in your schedule 2-4 times per week and stick to it.
If you do these things consistently, you will look and feel amazing by your upcoming “big day” (whatever that day is) and beyond.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!- Mandy Webb, KW Fitness Co-Owner