The wedding day:  It’s the stuff dreams are made of, and every Williamsburg bride wants to look and feel her best on the big day.  With everything else that goes into planning a wedding in Williamsburg, it may seem impossible to consider adding an exercise program into the mix. Listed below, brides’-to-be get answers to some commonly asked fitness questions. How soon before my wedding day should I start a fitness program?

 
The amount of time you need really depends on how much weight you want to lose and how much toning you want to do.  If you want to drop 10 lbs., you need at least 5-10 weeks.  The goal is to lose body fat, not muscle tissue.  You will lose muscle with dieting alone and will end up looking flabby, not toned.  Not to mention you’ll eventually gain the weight back. 

How important is the role of exercise? There is no way to lose weight and get a toned body without exercise. Don’t even consider it.  The most effective way to lose weight, look toned in your wedding dress, and feel your best on your special day is to combine a healthy diet with strength and cardiovascular training. How much cardio and strength training should I do each week? If you are happy with your current weight and just want to tighten up your muscles, you should aim for thirty minutes of cardio 3-5 days per week.  If your goal is weight loss, you should complete at least an hour of cardio 6 days per week.

Strength training increases lean muscle mass and is critical for maintaining weight loss, not to mention you’ll look and feel great in your wedding dress and have the stamina to dance long into the night at your Williamsburg wedding reception.  You should shoot for 2-3 days per week of total body conditioning. 

How can I fit exercise into my schedule when I can barely find time for planning my wedding? It does seem like a daunting task to carve out an hour a day for exercise.  It’s important to keep the big picture in mind.  This is one of (if not the) most important days of your life.  You want to look and feel your best.  All eyes will be on you, and you want to feel confident and beautiful, knowing you took the proper steps to be a healthier you.   Start by scheduling exercise into your Palm Pilot.  Just like you schedule appointments to meet with your photographer, florist and caterer, do the same to make exercise a regular part of your wedding planning.

Try to pick a consistent time each day so exercise becomes a habit.  Record what you do and for how long, and how you felt during your session.  This will keep you accountable and on track.  Soon, you will start looking forward to your exercise sessions and will feel guilty if you miss a day.   
  
I feel overwhelmed with all the FAD diets on the market.  How do I choose the most appropriate diet for my body and my goals?

FAD diets are just that – a FAD.  They come and go and are just a way for the multi-billion dollar weight loss industry to make money off of consumers eager to get a quick fix.  Instead, make a lifestyle change by modifying your eating behaviors. 

First, determine your weaknesses.  Late night snacking, lack of portion control, skipping meals, and neglecting to plan meals are a few sure ways to sabotage your diet.  Second, create ways to combat your weakness.  You know yourself best.  If the stress of planning your wedding sends you jumping into a bag of Hershey’s Kisses, don’t keep them in the house.  Third, keep a dietary log.  Just like recording your exercise sessions keeps you accountable, recording your diet keeps you honest.  Last, don’t beat yourself up if you screw up!  We all make mistakes and bride’s-to-be are no exception.   Recognize pit falls and make a decision to overcome them...you'll be glad you did when you finally reach your honeymoon destination! 

Quick Tips: • Aim for an hour of exercise each day • Keep a dietary journal and exercise log • Combine exercise and dietary restrictions to reduce your total daily calories by 500kcal/day • Shoot for 1-2 lbs of weight loss/week • Perform total body strength training exercises 2-3 days/week • Allow 4-6 months to get into wedding day shape • Consult with a fitness professional to determine safe and appropriate exercises

Article by: Bridgit Kin-Charlton, Personal Trainer and Owner B-defined, Innovative Personal Training & Wellness 757-345-6801 4801 Courthouse Street, Suite 122 New Town www.b-defined.com