How to get your mind and body wedding-ready

young woman showing earring

Summer is right around the corner, and to you, that means one thing: Your wedding is near. You’ve been planning this special day for months, finalizing all of the small details and making sure everyone is ready for the celebration. But there are a few things you’ve noticed that aren’t the way they should be – your stress levels, eating habits, and time dedicated to fitness. It’s understandable – you’ve had a lot of things on your mind. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect your body and well-being.

But don’t panic! It’s not too late to get yourself together. Take some time to focus on yourself and all of the pieces will fall together in no time.

Beat the stress
You’ve got a lot on your plate. Between saying yes to your dress, picking out your bridal party and choosing the perfect venue, your mind has been a bit preoccupied. And with only a few weeks left until the special day, you probably can’t help but worry if everything has been taken care of. But that’s not really doing your mind and body any good, according to Natural Society. Stress doesn’t only cause changes in your mood, it can also weaken your immune system. And what bride wants to be sick on her wedding day?

Meditation can help relieve stress.Meditation can help relieve stress.

Don’t let the anxiety get the best of you. Just learn how to control it and you’ll be well on your way to stress-free living. Can’t figure out how to combat the anxiousness? Try going for a walk, meditating, or turning off your phone every once in a while – this is a great way to disconnect from the millions of emails, texts and calls you’re getting about the wedding.

Hit the gym
If you want to be in great shape when you walk down the aisle, you need to put in the time and effort beforehand at the gym. Cardio is a must, but don’t stick to the routine you’re familiar with. Brides magazine suggested giving interval training a chance. Basically, instead of maintaining a steady pace on the treadmill, adjust the speed throughout your run. It’s a great way to boost your metabolism and fuel an intense calorie burn. Likewise, if the elliptical is your weapon of choice, just opt for more hills.

“Boxing is great for toning the arms, legs and core.”

Sure, you might’ve stopped going to the gym because you don’t have the time, but is that the only reason? It’s very easy to get bored with your workout routine, especially if you find yourself performing the same exercises every day. It’s time to change things up a bit. Personal trainer Justin Gelband told Brides that boxing is great for toning the arms, legs and core, so why not give it a shot?

Eat all day
Yes, you read that correctly. If you’ve been stressed because you don’t have time to do anything, the chances are slim that you’ve been eating a well-balanced diet. Not only are you opting for quick, convenient food choices instead of health ones, but you’re probably not eating enough throughout the day. In all reality, if you’re fueling your body with the right foods, you should be eating all day, according to Fitness magazine. It can help rev your metabolism, fight hunger and maintain the healthy weight you want for your wedding. So what do you need to do? It’s actually quite simple – just learn portion control. Instead of eating three large meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, eat five smaller meals throughout your day. Consider this example courtesy of Fitness mag:

7 a.m.: 3/4 cup of instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of honey, 2 ounces blueberries and 23 almonds. Wash it down with a glass of almond milk.

10 a.m.: A mix of 10 celery and carrot sticks, one apple and 2 tablespoons peanut butter. Finish with a cup of orange juice.

1 p.m.: Toast a whole wheat pita and spread with one tablespoon pesto. Add a 2-ounce grilled chicken breast, 3 grape tomatoes, mesclun greens and there you have it – a healthy personal pizza.

4 p.m.: Mix things up and try a finger food dinner. One ounce Brie cheese, one small bunch grapes, an ounce of walnuts and six whole wheat crackers.

7 p.m.: Grilled 3-ounce salmon fillet, 1/4 eggplant and a whole tomato. Just season to taste, grill and enjoy!

If you feel as though you need assistance getting your body ready for the wedding, consider a different approach. CoolSculpting® is an FDA-approved, non-invasive weight loss treatment that freezes and eliminates up to 20% of the treated fat cells. The results will come over the next three months, so you’ll want to plan ahead accordingly.

Interested in this treatment?  If you want to learn more about CoolSculpting® or current offers at Ideal Image, click here to request a free consultation.