| Spring or early summer is the most popular time for | | | | six days per week. Be sure to include both cardio and |
| weddings. But no matter when you're planning your | | | | resistance training so you'll get some muscle tone |
| wedding, the stress can be overwhelming! The | | | | while you're burning fat. |
| average cost of a wedding in the United States is | | | | Second, banish all high-fat junk food from the house. |
| over $22,000. About $7,630 of that is spent on the | | | | Be strong! You can do this! No Twinkies, no bacon, |
| wedding reception (source: American Wedding Study, | | | | no chocolate cream pie. Eat plenty of lean protein |
| 2002). From increasing costs to angry relatives to the | | | | (skinless chicken breast, fish, etc.) and absolutely pig |
| never-ending guest list, a wedding brings stress and | | | | out on fresh vegetables! Drink plenty of water, and in |
| frustration for the bride. | | | | all cases avoid the empty calories found in soda, |
| Unfortunately, we often resort to binge eating and | | | | alcohol and that sweet kids juice. |
| 'comfort foods' during times of stress, which of | | | | Finally, be wary of the weight-loss 'tricks' that you'll |
| course puts on the pounds and creates even more | | | | hear from your girlfriends. There is no magic pill that |
| stress! "I bought what size wedding dress?!?!?" | | | | will make you a size 6 by the wedding, so don't |
| Approximately 7 out of every 10 brides crash diet or | | | | experiment. Don't starve yourself because that will |
| starve prior to their wedding date (source: | | | | make you grumpy, make you retain fat, eliminate |
| fresnoweddings.net). Real health and fitness experts | | | | muscle tone, and set you up for failure. Don't listen to |
| will tell you that crash diets and starvation diets are | | | | the gossip about the newest 'cabbage diet' or |
| the worst thing we can do! "If you crash-diet, you | | | | 'grapefruit diet' or 'Hollywood diet'. Instead, stick with |
| run the risk of comprising your health ... so that your | | | | a balanced diet and exercise.....this is the only proven |
| hair, skin, nails don't look good for your big day or in | | | | way to lose fat and look your best. |
| the wedding pictures. If you want to lose weight | | | | Two more bits of advice for the bride: Eat breakfast |
| before your wedding, look for a balanced eating plan" | | | | the morning of your wedding day - 8 out of every |
| (source: Suzanne Henson, coordinator of the | | | | 10 brides don't eat breakfast (source: |
| University of Alabama-Birmingham's EatRight Weight | | | | fresnoweddings.net) which will only make you |
| Management Program). | | | | miserable and weak during the reception! Most |
| So what's a blushing bride to do if she has only six | | | | importantly, remember that he knew exactly what |
| weeks until her wedding, and the stress is building up | | | | you looked like when he proposed to you, and he still |
| faster than the potluck table at church? There is | | | | proposed! He loves you the way you are, and all |
| hope..... | | | | these fears about size and weight are unfounded |
| First of all, start exercising now. It's crunch time, and | | | | anyway! |
| while the old 30-minutes per day, 3 times per week | | | | Relax, enjoy yourself, and make the lifestyle changes |
| may work for the general public it's probably not | | | | that will bring results. Have a great wedding! |
| enough for the bride. Shoot for 30-minutes per day, | | | | |