The moment any girl starts hearing wedding bells, it seems like there is a fluster of such as “I need to get in shape!” “I need to tone up!” “I need to be wedding skinny!” Maybe you need a little toning or maybe you need to lose a few pounds but it is not worth letting your journey to the alter be a miserable experience. I truly believe that with just a few lifestyle changes and a little variation in your everyday workout you will be in great shape by your big day! No need to starve or go on an extreme diet. You will just end up being hungry and cranky and we don’t want that, do we? If Mr. Man wanted to marry someone that looked like Mary Kate and Ashley then he wouldn’t have spent all of this time “wining and dining” you!
Try just a few simple changes in your diet. Be sure to get a heavy filling of protein and fiber within thirty minutes of waking up. This will not only kick start your circulatory system, get your brain functioning for those early morning commitments but also it will say “Good Morning!” to your metabolism so it can work hard for you all day long. It will also keep you fuller longer. Try to get a good serving of fruit in and lay off of any sugary drinks.
I can tell you exactly what to eat all day every day but the truth is, everyone is different. We all have different schedules and dietary needs so what may be good for some may not be good for others. Try to eat small portions but keep it up throughout the day. Don’t let yourself get to the point of starving because then all of a sudden that taco stand outside your window will get the best of you! If you deprive yourself you will just feel week and have food on your mind even more. Try to keep some hummus and carrots near your desk or have a hand full of almonds every couple of hours. Be sure to make sure you are getting all of your servings of fruits and veggies because your body needs them to function at its best!
The most important part of your diet? Water. Don’t drown yourself in it but try this trick: Take your body weight. Divide it in half. Add 10. That is how many ounces you should have of water everyday. This will brighten your skin, flush out toxins, and guess what? Break up fat cells! Why not replace all of those nasty sugary drinks with this “vital for survival” substance?
No two people love the same exact workouts. It doesn’t matter how you get your exercise, you just need to do it! Even if you can’t hit the gym for a barre class or some hot yoga, be sure that you get at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise everyday. We all have some time in the day where we can get our heart rates up for thirty minutes. You can wake up a few minutes earlier, take a spin around the park during lunch or skip a calorie consuming happy hour to get a little burn in- even if it’s just a walk! If you do happen to walk, make sure you are getting some great speed and not just a casual walk. You should be breathing deeply and sweating within the first few minutes. It doesn’t hurt to strap on a heart rate monitor to keep track of your beats and your calories! If you can get in a good workout at the gym be sure to not over (or under) extend yourself. You want to like working out and you also want it to make a difference. Try to get a real workout in at least four times a week.
Zach and Jody Gray photography
Remember what I said about not depriving yourself? Just because you are trying to take your hindquarters from pancake status to bootylicious doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy treats along the way. After all, you do have several parties, showers and luncheons in your honor! Don’t pass on the cake tastings and feel free to have a glass or two of champagne! Just don’t over indulge. Everything is good in moderation!
Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System
As women, we all have our own way of taking care of our skin. Miss Baker has already told us the value of a Clarisonic. I have been a loyal fan of the Clarisonic for quite some time and it is a treat for your skin! The device cleanses the skin 6X better than manual cleansing and oscillates at 300 movements per second to gently remove dirt and oil from the skin! Don’t forget to wash your face every night to avoid breakouts and wrinkles. Never go out in the sun with out a little SPF to protect from harmful rays. It is okay to want to look a little sun kissed in your dress but try to stay a natural shade of “tan” for you. Clarisonic also makes it extremely easy to apply self tanner with it’s PLUS Model with Body Brush. By exfoliating legs and arms with the Clarisonic Body Brush, self tanner can be applied more evenly leaving you with a flawless bronzed glow! You want to look like a classic bride when you look back on your pictures in 20 years, and not like Snookie! Hot showers and the ever-changing seasons do a number on your skin so remember to moisturize both day and night. It is important to be kind to your skin so it will be kind to you! {Remember: Your neck is an extension of your face, don’t leave it out of your exfoliating, cleansing and moisturizing routines!}
Get your hair ready for the big day by remembering to protect it with either a leave in conditioner or a heat protectant before you turn on the blow dryer and other styling tools. It is important to keep up a deep moisturizing regimen every week. I like to use coconut oil or almond oil for an hour once or twice a week. Moroccan Oil is another essential tool for keeping your hair shiny and healthy!
Stick with your new healthy routines even if you don’t notice overnight results. Your friends, family and co-workers will probably notice a difference before you do and their positive reactions will keep you going back for more! Don’t get discouraged.
Tune up, tone up, and treat yourself with good care to your whole body everyday- even if you don’t have a ring! xo Julia
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