You’re getting married! Congratulations! By now you have thought about the ceremony, the reception, the caterer and most importantly: your dress. It’s important for you to feel and look your best on your wedding day. Getting into shape means starting weeks before the big day. Once you have chosen your dress, make a date with a personal trainer or since you’ll be strapped for time – an online personal trainer to get you into buff bride shape.
Dress designs fall into several categories each exposing your body in different ways. There are the sleeveless ballgowns that hide lower body flaws but really show off your shoulders and arms. There is the mermaid style that hugs the body and demands a toned butt and hips. Whatever your style, there are workout routines that target the specific areas your dress reveals.
This is not to say that spot toning works. It doesn’t. You can’t just tone that one little trouble spot on your outer hips. Butt, hamstrings and inner thighs go along for the ride and get toned in the process. An added bonus!
You can, however, throw in some extra exercises that target certain areas. Keeping the focus on what body parts your wedding dress reveals will help you and your trainer choose the appropriate exercises.
For a dress that is strapless, the upper body is what is immediately visible. Shoulders, neck, chest and arms are there for all to see. Some examples of appropriate free weight exercises for a more toned upper body might be:
• Shoulder press
• Lateral raises
• Bicep curls
• Tricep kickbacks
You might also try chest press and flys using a stability ball for a weight bench. This will work your core, butt and hamstrings as well as your chest. Finish off with a chest stretch in a doorway and some good hamstring stretches.
If your wedding gown is a mermaid style with a form fitting look then adding in some extra butt and hip exercises will make you feel ready to slip on your dress with confidence.
Try this:
Lie down on your side with your legs straight under you and ankles stacked on top of each other. Slowly lift top leg in parallel just above hip height, hold for moment, slowly lower down without putting the leg all the way down. Repeat 15 – 20 times.
This exercise works the outer hip and gluteal area. Now, if you feel you need more resistance and a greater challenge, add small ankle weights, one or two pounds at the most, and repeat the above exercise.
Now exercise alone is not the answer to permanent changes to your body. What you are eating and more importantly, how much you are eating, is always the other side of the coin. You really cannot have solid weight loss with lasting results without combining diet and exercise. Burn more calories than you take in. It’s that simple. At the end of the week, you must create a deficit of calories in order to get results.
What’s the best way to do this? You got it: diet and exercise and whole lot of hard work! So get moving! Your wedding date is fast approaching and you know you want to look and feel your best in your gorgeous wedding gown.
By: Susanna Marchesa
