How to Get in Wedding Shape: 5 Best Practices

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With the holidays right around the corner, you probably aren’t thinking about cutting back for the big day—especially if you have lots of time to prepare!

Good news: your partner already thinks you are beautiful. So the best way to prep for your wedding day is to simply be the healthiest version of yourself.

If you’re like most of us and want to improve in some area, it’s easier (and safer) to change your habits over the span of a few months than, say, two frantic weeks before your wedding.

Here are five easy ways to commit to great health. Make this winter your best ever!

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Eat Healthy

Getting healthy for your wedding should be a lifestyle choice (not a crash diet). You don’t have to cut out pumpkin spice lattes or skip holiday cookies, but do focus on incorporating more healthy foods. Make it easier by stocking nutritious substitutes for empty-calorie snacks.

Dark leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and seasonal fruits add valuable micronutrients to your diet. Avoid white carbs that have been stripped of their nutrition, and instead opt for whole grains. Choose protein sources that are low in saturated fat, and take vitamins to bolster your immune system. Sugar can boost your mood, but keep splurges reasonable. If you’re feeling down, learn to reward yourself with something other than food.

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Exercise

For that beautiful bridal glow, lead an active lifestyle. The recommended amount of exercise is at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days out of the week. It’s best to switch up your routine to keep things interesting. You can try a new sport or revive something you enjoyed in the past: swimming, yoga, cycling, stretching, and walking are all low-impact activities. Interested in a high-intensity sport like running or kick boxing? Consult a doctor before you begin.

Build up your distance and time safely, until the exercise is a habit. If you don’t have a lot of time during the day, you can even split your workout into smaller 10 or 20 minute segments. Add weight training or Pilates to build muscle tone. Every little bit counts!

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Sleep

This one doesn’t take months to practice, but you should be mindful of your sleep schedule as the wedding approaches. According to researchers, adequate sleep is essential to health and wellness. Lack of sleep contributes to a depressed immune system, attention lapses, irritability, poor memory and judgment, and even anxiety!

Avoid staying up late on your computer/phone, texting vendors at every hour of the day, and putting off DIY favors until the last minute. (Seriously, that project is going to take twice as long as you think it will.) Plan ahead and delegate so you can rest easy. Yes, you can use makeup to hide the bags under your eyes, but why bother? Get your full 7–9 hours of recommended sleep.

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Drink Water

Dehydration makes you crabby and forgetful—not to mention hungry. To avoid all that unpleasantness, be sure that you are drinking enough. Plain water is usually the best, and you can also get fluids through fruits and vegetables. Lemon water adds vitamin C to your diet, which is great for your skin. In addition, lemons are antibacterial, reduce inflammation, and aid digestion.

Caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee are ok in moderate amounts; they provide some antioxidants but flush nutrients from your system. Be aware that alcohol is also a major diuretic, depleting your body of water—it also floods your liver with toxins. So be smart and drink clean, especially the month before your wedding.

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De-Stress

Did you know that stress makes you gain weight? It also lowers your immune system and puts you at risk for long-term health issues. Planning a wedding is no easy task, so give yourself a break! Delegate tasks that you don’t absolutely need to handle; ask for help from your MOH and groom. This applies to implementing a healthier lifestyle, too—when you’re trying to change a habit, a support system helps a ton! Take breaks from wedding planning, and do things that you enjoy.

Above all, keep things in perspective. You don’t need to be perfect; this is about improving your health and feeling great. Marrying the person you love is what truly makes your wedding beautiful.

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What are your best tips for getting in wedding-worthy shape? Share your ideas!