Preparation for the Big Day~ Lets Get Physical (Part 1)

In my last Preparation for the Big Day  post I talked about preparing for the emotional roller coaster that you will go on as you get through all the plans leading up to the day.

Something else that we prepare for in this process is our physical appearance. It is one day, but there are going to be a lot of pictures. Pictures that we pay to get taken, so why not make them great! Plus, my thought was that I never want to look back in 5-50 years and say "I should have lost that extra 5lbs".
Plus, why not start your new life together in good shape!

When we started this process it was slow. We lowered our take out orders, pizza, Chinese etc... We added more Salads. We started working out, a little. My husband to be decided to start seeing a personal trainer. I followed... Soon enough we were on a very strict diet and excercise routine (his is way more strict then mine)

Here are a few quick changes to your diet and routine that I would suggest. I recommend them because they have worked!
* Please note that I am NOT a nutitionist and these recommendations are just modifications of the 100 different diet books and articles that I have read. There is no medical credibility behind most of this, just personal experience*

EAT MORE OFTEN- BUT EAT LESS

I know... it sounds wierd. However, smaller meals more often are the way to go! Here is a sample of what I would eat:
Breakfast- half a whole wheat bagel or english muffin with cottage cheese OR 1 cup oatmeal OR 3 egg whites
Snack- Yogurt OR piece of fruit
Lunch- Salad with lots of veggies, chicken and low fat dressing  OR Tuna Salad with crackers
Snack- 1 ounce beef jerky and 1 cup pretzels OR String Cheese and 1 cup pretzels
Dinner- 1 piece of chicken on salad OR 1 piece chicken with cous cous  ( i also eat fish instead of chicken)

- once a week we allow ourselves a treat... mine is usually ice cream YUM


MOVE YOUR FEET

working out is more then just going to the gym and pumping iron. You can walk, jog or bike, you can take a boot camp class, you can do pilates or yoga. I feel like as long as you are moving in some way each day, you will see results.
My routine has been:
Monday- Jog in the AM
Tuesday- 30 minutes with my trainer in the AM  (this consists of mostly light cardio and weight training)
Wednesday- Walk or Jog in the AM or PM
Thursday- 30 Minutes with my trainer in the AM
Friday- Walk or Jog in the AM
Saturday- Boot Camp
Sunday- walking

DRINK WATER

Seriously, water has been huge in this process! Staying hydrated makes such a difference not only in how you feel but how you look. I now know when I feel thirst or hunger I also notice that my skin feels better when I am hydrated. We typically drink about 60 ounces of water a day or more.


These are just a few ways to make your body feel healthy for your wedding day. Part 2 of this post will be more on your look, face, hair and smile :)

- With the steps above I have lost about 10 lbs in total since I started. 5 of those in the last 2 weeks. I would say 5 more lbs and I will be at a perfect place (for me).