For many people, a wedding is one of those events where photographs last forever.
The next time you drop in on married friends of any age, chances are very good you'll find a wedding photo in a prominent place. It's one of those days they want to remember forever.
With that in mind, it never hurts to look your best in those photos.
Like it or not, the pressure to be fit and beautiful falls more frequently on the bride-to-be, who only has about 1,000 other things to worry about as her wedding draw draws closer.
James Villepigue, a certified personal trainer and author, said there are ways women can squeeze in a weight-loss and fitness regimen even as they cope with the stress of planning one of the biggest days of their lives.
Even better, many of the ten suggestions he offers can help reduce the strain you might feel as you plan.
Make a vow to look great
It's your big day. You want to look your best. Every day leading up to the big day will be stressful in one way or another. Make a commitment to be healthy and fit on your wedding day. Adopt a plan of action that is easy-to-follow, sensible and allows for your busy schedule.Say "I do" to a reasonable weight-loss goal
Most weight-loss programs fail because we set our goals unrealistically. Safely, you should expect a weight loss of one to two pounds per week. So a goal of 16 pounds of weight lost in eight weeks is appropriate.
Anything more and you are setting yourself up for frustration and failure.
Avoid get-thin-quick products
If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Fad diets and"fat burning" diet pills can be dangerous to your health.
Electronic abdominal stimulators and other home exercise inventions that promise results without effort are just marketing gimmicks. Save your money for your honeymoon.
Practice walking down the aisle
Choose to be active every day. As little as 15 minutesof walking will burn excess calories. What's more, thattime is for you. Use it to relax meditate and escapethe stresses of these final days.
Hit the weights, not the wall
Include at least two to three days per week of light weight training with dumbbells. Choose eight to 10 exercises and do at least eight to 12 repetitions per exercise. One set is enough, especially if time is precious.
The best exercises include biceps curls, triceps extensions, lateral raises, rows, lunges, squats, crunches and hyperextensions.Can the soda and save the calories
Sugar-rich soda adds useless calories to your diet.Just drinking water rather than soda can reduce yourcalories by as much as 300 to 500 per day. That's a pound of fat weight per week that you can lose effortlessly.
Eat often to stay energized
Plan to eat at least five times a day to stay energized (three meals and two snacks). Fill your home with healthy foods, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure you don't skip breakfast -- it's one of the most important meals of the day.
Follow the food pyramid for balance and variety. Avoid excess calories from junk foods like chips, donuts and sweets.
Stretch to de-stress
Gentle stretching of your muscles is a great way to combat wedding stress. Spend 10 minutes in the morning attending to easy stretching of the major muscles. Take a yoga class once or twice a week to learn the basics. Invite your maid-of-honor along, too. An exercise partner will help you stay on track.
Get mom (and dad) involved
Share your commitment to health with your mom and dad. It is a time of change and stress for them as well. They, too, can benefit from being more active and eating sensibly. Why not take them with you on your walks? Spend that time with them wisely. It is a precious gift.
Do it for the health of your marriage
Bring your commitment into your marriage by encouraging your husband-to-be to share in your efforts to maintain a healthy weight and be active. The health benefits are enormous: increased longevity, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced risk of diabetes, and reduced risk of cancer, just to name a few.
You can look ahead to a vital, active and healthy partnership in the years to come.
Villepigue's "Body Sculpting Bible for Women" (Hatherleigh Press, $17.95) is available at most bookstores.
