Set a Weight Loss Goal and Change Your Diet
Many brides think they need to lose weight, but in fact most usually are wanting to turn fat into muscle and tone their bodies. You can determine whether you are overweight, just right, or underweight by calculating your Body Mass Index or BMI. This index compiles data from your weight and height to come up with an ideal weight range to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
The next step is to find out your daily caloric needs. You can check out Active.com to establish what your daily caloric needs are. Your calorie intake can be determined by calculating your height, weight, age, and level of activity. There are also calorie counting apps such as My Fitness Pal that will help you to track the caloric intake of your meals and match it to what your personal needs are.
Photo by Mary Jane at her blog, Live Love Fitness
Sometimes brides may think that they need to stop eating meals and replace them with weight loss shakes, or completely cut back their portions. This is a common misconception. A great way to track calories is to know the difference between Empty Calorie Foods and Nutrient Dense Foods. There are even foods called Zero Calorie or Negative Calorie Burning foods. You can eat as much zero calorie foods as you would like without having to worry about putting on the pounds.
Find a Place to Workout and Commit to a Workout Plan
From fitness facilities to your own personal gym at home, having a place to work out nearby will help you get into the habit and routine of working out. This will help you shed those pounds for you wedding day. The fitness industry is growing from large gyms that are a part of a chain such as Planet Fitness or Gold’s Gym to private gyms such as Cross Fit Facilities or the YMCA. If you are concerned about spending money on a gym membership while saving up money for your wedding, don’t sweat it. Gym memberships can range from $10.00 -$100 a month There also workout DVD’s that you can buy at your local convenience store, or videos that you can watch for free online. Websites like http://www.skinnymom.com and http://www.pinterest.com have a vast list of information for workout plans that you can customize to meet your needs. One things for sure, there is something for every bride.
Photo and Shirt by No Bull Woman Apparel
Drink Water
Did you know that 75% of Americans are regularly dehydrated? Water has many benefits for your body.
Here are some interesting facts about water from the University of Washington and http://www.getskinnybehappy.com:
- * A recent study by the University of Washington discovered that just 1 glass of water a day helped reduce hunger pains for 100% of dieters.
- * A person should consume 8 glasses of 8 ounces of water daily.
- * The average person loses 10 glass of water a day from normal human activity such as sweating, breathing, and using the bathroom.
- * When dehydrated, your body cannot get rid of toxins and there for stores them as fat cells in your body.
- * Drinking 2, 8 ounce glasses of water before each meal will help you to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight for at least one year.
Here are some more facts about water in this info graph below.
Stay Active
In today’s world, brides have a plethora of information available at their fingers tips to help them find ideas for living a healthy, active lifestyle. Staying active daily will be a great motivator to help you in your weight loss journey as your wedding day approaches. Try to brainstorm ideas of how to become more active in your daily activity. If you work an office job, instead of sitting at the desk all day, trying standing for 30 minutes and then switching to sitting for 30 minutes. You can switch on and off between the two. This will help your body adapt to more long term activity. If you need to answer emails, take phone calls, or grade papers try using a stationary bike, an elliptical, or walking on a treadmill at low speeds to burn calories while you work. Set a goal to go exploring in local state parks nearby, or join a walking group or couch to 5K program.
Photo by Erika Clarkson at her blog, Icelandic Fitness
Get Sleep
If you are a night owl, burning that midnight oil, make sure that you are getting your rest. The Sleep Foundation recommends that the average adult sleep 7 to 9 hours each day. There are many reasons for this, but when it comes to weight loss, getting sleep helps your muscles to grow and your body to burn calories. When you don’t get enough sleep, you are actually increasing your appetite and decreasing your desire for physical activity. Future brides that get enough sleep have the energy and stamina to keep up with the sometimes stressful demands of not only wedding planning, but also everyday life.
For more sleep tips for you wedding. Check out this article from Hello Magazine