How To Lose Weight Before Your Big Day – Do’s & Dont’s

 Everyone wants to look and feel their best on their wedding day. But with all the craziness and stress that surrounds wedding planning, it can be extremely challenging to eat healthy and get to the gym on a consistent basis. If your goal is weight loss, however, that’s exactly what you’ll have to do. Ready for the good news? If you follow these basic steps, achieving your weight loss goal is easier than you think.
I’ve had the pleasure of helping brides prepare for their wedding day for over 16 years. I know what works and what doesn’t. While it can be really tempting to follow a fad diet, this is not the time to mess with your health and risk another diet that just doesn’t work. Instead, follow these tried-and-true steps to achieve healthy weight loss that lasts.
Don’t: Wait until the last minute to start.
Do: Give yourself as much time as possible.
This is my most important piece of advice. You want to feel good about yourself going into your wedding, and that starts the day you begin working out and eating healthy. It will not only create the biggest transformation, but it will also make you feel better throughout the entire process.
Don’t: Wing it.
Do: Set goals and create a plan.
Set a specific weight loss goal you plan to achieve a few weeks before your wedding day. That way, you’ll reach your desired weight before your final dress fitting.
Next, make sure you always plan and prepare your meals in advance. Having healthy food readily available makes it significantly easier to stay on track. As they say, if you fail to plan, then plan on failing.
Don’t: Crash diet.
Do: Focus on your health.
As you begin this journey, remember to focus on health first, and the results you want will come. I’ve seen a number of brides try crash diets and various other unhealthy techniques, and it never ends well. You want to be physically and mentally healthy going into your special day.
Don’t: Get caught up in the pressure.
Do: Remind yourself to enjoy the process.
I know all this wedding stuff can feel very serious and daunting, but don’t forget to have some fun along the way. Stop and smell the roses. Enjoy the special moments. You only get married a few times in your life, so enjoy the process. Just kidding — but you get the point right?
Don’t: Overcomplicate things.
Do: Stick to the basic rules of weight loss.
I know there are much sexier ways to talk about weight loss, but in reality, weight loss is a simple calculation: calories in versus calories out. If you consume less calories than you’re expending, you will lose weight. Aim to reduce your portion sizes by approximately 30% to 50%.
For example, instead of eating an entire burger and fries, split it with your fiancé. Portion control is the most important variable of weight loss. Eating mostly whole (real) foods will give you the nutrients you need and reduce the amount of calories you consume overall.
Don’t: Eliminate entire food groups.
Do: Balance your macronutrients.
Macronutrients are your proteins, carbs and fats. In general, a well balanced diet consists of about 45% to 65% carbohydrates, 10% to 35% protein, and 20% to 35% fats. The last few weeks before the wedding, you can transition to a low-carb diet to drop excess water weight quickly. I’ve seen brides drop well over 10 lbs in one week this way. Just keep in mind that the weight loss is mostly water weight, and you’ll put it on as soon as you have carbs again — so don’t freak out when that happens.
Don’t: Waste time in the gym because you feel lost or bored.
Do: Choose a workout you enjoy, and choose it with intention.
If you choose a workout you enjoy, you’re much more likely to stick with it. Just make sure your workout gets your heart rate up and challenges you. Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and Cardio Kickboxing are all great exercise options. I suggest getting at least three, and preferably five, vigorous workouts of some kind each week.
If you want to build muscle and create shape, then you absolutely need to add weight training to your routine. Still include cardio of some kind, to boost heart health and burn calories. Additionally, train each muscle group at least once, and preferably twice, a week by lifting weights.
The last thing you want is to be unhappy with how you look and feel on your wedding day. Follow the advice above, and you will look stunning on your special day. I promise you won’t regret it!

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