Look Great In Your Wedding Dress

Wedding Goddess Wisdom

I heard from a Las Vegas bride who is getting a little frantic about how she will look in her wedding dress next month when she strolls down the aisle here. She feels that she is packing a few pounds too many and that she may be bulging a bit from her strapless gown.

My advice? Just walking around the Las Vegas strip is great exercise! It requires an amazing amount of footwork and movement just to get from the entrance of a casino to a coffee shop within. Just crossing the street here is an aerobic workout! Avoid the people movers, and walk the stairs whenever possible. Just put on a comfy pair of sneakers and keep moving.

One bride I know goes to the Miracle Mile at the Aladdin every night and cruises the length of it more than once for an hour to get fit for her wedding. There are something like 170 stores to window shop in, lots of interesting things to see and even a mock thunder storm every hour. It's a fun place to walk through and you can do it over and over again. If your tootsies hurt after, you can get a reflexology foot rub from one of the massage therapists who offer massages all day long.

Make your work-out a Las Vegas experience! At the same time, avoid Las Vegas classics -- such as buffets with too much salty and greasy foods, and late nights with little sleep and cocktails. Get your beauty rest and try to eat nourishing foods as you count down to the Big Day.

For some extra hints, I sought the wisdom of Elissa Hyman, one of the New York's most popular personal trainers and fitness consultants. She's founder of BRIDAL BODY PERFECT for brides of all ages, shapes and sizes. Elissa generously offers these ten top tips for looking and feeling gorgeous in your wedding dress:

1. Processed foods are a no-no. They slow metabolism and should be avoided. No need to make weight loss more difficult.

2. Eat smaller portions. 1200 calories daily is ideal and nutritionally balanced is key.

3. Stall over-eating. Ask yourself, “Do I really want seconds?” Allow ten minutes to think it over. Guaranteed you will not be hungry since your body will by then register full.

4. Drink lots of water. We often think we are hungry when we are really thirsty.

5. Breakfast is important. It's a great metabolism booster and prevents cravings. A slice of toast and an egg white are perfect or cereal with skim milk.

6. Avoid alcohol. There is no nutritional value and there IS a high caloric cost. Save it for the wedding day.

7. Snacking is fine. Just make healthy choices such as fruit, energy bars, low fat yogurt or raw veggies.

8. Walk everywhere. Take stairs when you can. Just start moving and get active!

9. Plan to lose between 2 pounds a week. Doing 45 minutes of cardio 5 days a week will help you meet this goal. You can do it!

10. Consider a 4 day boot camp program. Weight training helps burn fat and calories due to the higher metabolic rate of muscles. Partake in an exercise program that targets areas that will be showing in your dress.

My feeling is that even if you start with one or two of these tips, it will help you move forward and feel better.

To Find Out More:
Elissa Hyman and BRIDAL BODY PERFECT
personalbestgym@yahoo.com
212 - 744 - 2378

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is an interfaith and non-denominational wedding officiant and columnist. She creates unique ceremonies for couples of all backgrounds and faiths, and is also widely recognized as a bridal stress expert. She is author of WEDDING GODDESS: A Divine Guide To Transforming Wedding Stress into Wedding Bliss (Perigee Books, May 2005). Visit Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway at WeddingGoddessWisdom.com.

Posted October 25, 2006 6:47 AM by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway | Permalink | Email This