(ARA) - One of the most important moments in a woman’s life is her
wedding day. For some, however, the months and weeks leading up to the
Big Day can be the most stressful. Many brides work especially hard in
the weeks leading up to event to get in shape and to finalize every last
detail.
The term “Bridezilla” is not used without reason. For any woman,
worrying about cakes, seating charts, family members, guests, gifts, and
looking gorgeous in that perfect dress can be too much to handle. That
is why starting a workout routine today can prevent stress for the mind
and body tomorrow.
“Exercise is a great stress reliever!” says Jeff Zwiefel, senior vice
president, Life Time Fitness, a national operator of sports,
professional fitness and family recreation centers. “Whether you run,
hit the gym, partake in yoga or aerobics you are generating
stress-busting endorphins which can help to put stressful situations
back into perspective.”
Here are some tips for the bride-to-be to keep a healthy mind and
body while preparing for the big day:
Get organized! Map out a schedule of every event, including showers,
parties, beauty appointments, when to pay caterers, DJs, party
suppliers, reception halls and more. Strategize early how to fit in
consistent workouts during the months leading up to the big day. Better
still, including the wedding party in your routine would be a great way
to bond and relieve stress about the fine details. Sometimes it is
easier to work out with a friend. You can motivate and push each other,
especially if there is a deadline.
Pay attention to nutrition! When some women feel stressed they
overeat or stop eating altogether. Especially with all the fad-diets
that are out there today, it is important to maintain consistency in
eating habits. Eating many small meals a day is often more effective in
health and weight loss than eating three large ones. A healthy diet
includes proteins such as lean meats, fish, egg whites, and dairy.
Carbohydrates are not always bad, ladies! The good ones include
whole-wheat breads and pasta, wild rice, and multi-grain cereals. And do
not forget to include five servings a day of fruits and vegetables.
These aspects of a healthy diet will increase energy for everyday
workouts.
Get in shape! All eyes will be on the bride when she walks down the
aisle. Not only does she want to look great, but she wants to feel great
when carrying around that heavy dress as well. For these reasons, brides
cram to get into shape in the weeks before the wedding.
Get plenty of rest! Although easier said than done, sleep does
wonders for high stress levels. Increased amounts of physical activity
will help you sleep better, so it is important to remember that those
two elements of a healthy mind and body go hand-in-hand. The stressful,
last-minute details might be more manageable with a good amount of sleep
each night.
Pamper yourself! Many brides work hard on their bodies and forget
about keeping their minds in shape. Take time out for yourself to step
away from the planning, to sit back and relax. After an intense workout,
what better way to wind down than through one of the spa services
provided at the Life Time Fitness LifeSpa? Get your hair or nails done,
get a relaxing massage, or spend a few minutes in a whirlpool or sauna.
Relaxation is the key to keeping a positive attitude and managing the
stress of planning a wedding.
Try to keep a positive attitude about every detail of your Big Day.
Most of your guests will only see the finished product anyway! Enjoy
every aspect of planning your wedding, because it is your special day.
Remember that putting in the effort to establish a permanent routine for
the health of your mind and body today will provide benefits for a
lifetime.
For more information about Life Time Fitness centers, programs, and
services visit www.lifetimefitness.com, or call (800) 430-5433. Courtesy of ARA Content
