Food For The Bride To Be

Weddings are happy, joyous and momentous occasions that require some preparation from every bride and groom. The wedding is just the beginning of the many changes that you and your new spouse will be making. There are changes that are physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It makes sense to bring yourself to the peak of health in order to be able to handle all these adjustments easily.

Aside from exercise and proper sleep, ones diet can go a long way to helping get ourselves in the best possible physical health. When we are getting the proper nutrition our body will have more energy. The food we eat can also help us avoid getting sick and yes, even help us lose weight.

Here is a list of food that any bride (and groom) may find useful in keeping their body in optimum condition:

• Apples - The saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away is very true. Apples are a great source of fiber which are important in keeping your body lean and clean. They also provide you with anti-oxidants which your body needs to prevent cell and tissue damage.
• Nuts are great to nibble on and great for adding flavor and texture to your meals. You can be totally nutty about nuts because they are cholesterol free and contain vitamins and mineral. Almonds, macadamias, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecan nuts, walnuts and yes, peanuts are generally low in sodium (salt) which is a good thing.
• Greens are a must have in every meal you eat. If you aren’t used to it yet you probably feel like someone is handing you rabbit food. The simple truth is that the body processes vegetables more easily than it processes meat. Freshly picked vegetables give you vitamins and minerals and at the same time are less fattening than meat or bread, or pasta. Eating more greens can help you slim down without making you feel starved. Just think of it as eating an appetizer at every meal. Once you get used to it you’ll wonder why you didn’t eat it more often.
• Lean meat is the best kind to have if you are going to eat meat. They contain less fat than other parts of their source which means your body ends up with less cholesterol and fat as well.
• Red Rice is the best if you want to eat rice. This organic rice has more fiber and is easily digested. One very useful thing about this rice is that you don’t need to eat a lot of it to feel full. It is heavy in the tummy which is excellent for avoiding over eating.
• Fish is definitely a good item to have in your daily meal plan. Fish meat is much lighter than beef or pork and is very tasty. It provides a healthy alternative to your regular steak dinner. Fish and shellfish are also a good source of calcium. Omega3 is found in tuna and is excellent for the heart.
• Water is a must for the body! The body requires at least 8 glasses a day in order to be able to properly cleanse its systems. Drinking less than that means that your body doesn’t have enough to wash the toxins out of your kidneys or to cool the body with when it is hot. Drinking more water is also a great way to help slim down since we often mistake thirst for hunger. You’ll find that you’ll be less hungry if you just drink 8 glasses a day regularly.

Six Steps To The Wedding Body You Want

Okay, brides and grooms, it is time to get in shape. The time to start improving one’s figure for optimum fitness begins the moment you say yes to getting married. The sooner you get started, the better your results can be - and with less difficulty too.

Getting in the shape you want starts with a major act of will. You have to decide what kind of changes you want. None of the lackluster “I wish I was” ideas. You need to have steely resolve that you are going to make it happen, doing everything you should, and everything you can to achieve your dream body. This is often not easy for most people simply because they are easily tempted and easily distracted.

If you are serious about getting your body in better shape, here are some things that you should do for yourself. These steps make your transformation more than just a one time thing. It can keep you in shape for the rest of your life - if you let it.

The first thing you need to do is find yourself a coach. Most people insist that they can do it on their own but the truth is, left to our own devices we get lazy and find hundreds of excuses not to do what you know you need to, if you really want to slim down. Coaching is effective because you have someone who is an expert in their field showing you the proper techniques to help you achieve your goal. He or she can help you tailor a system that will suit you perfectly. Some gyms employ not just an exercise trainor, they’ll also have nutritionists to help you with your diet. They’ll be there to make sure that you have the full guidance you need, when you need it the most.

You also need to have a very clear reason to change your shape. Simply saying I want to look great isn’t enough. If your reasons are clear, you won’t be tempted as much because you know exactly what is on the line. For example, it could be because you want your wedding pictures to show a slim and fit bride without camera tricks. It can be because you want to be able to fit into a bikini during your honeymoon without any unsightly rolls of fat. It might be because some old friends are coming to your wedding and you want them to see that you haven’t let yourself go in spite of the fact that you are no longer teenagers.

Visualization is an important technique that you can use to make your goal happen. In your mind, see yourself with the body you want. You are walking down the aisle in your beautiful dress and your groom is amazed at your radiance. He easily sweeps you off your feet when the time comes to carry you over the threshhold. Some people draw themselves wearing their dream outfit so that they can see for themselves that it is achievable.

You have to choose a method that you will know will work for you. For example, choosing to go on the Atkins diet or South Beach diet can feel like torture for those who love to eat carbohydrates. Some never make it past the first week because they can’t stand being without their comfort foods. If you can’t give up the food, then find a workout that you do like and will achieve your results. If you don’t want to lift weights, go ahead and attend dance classes instead. The method you should use is the one that you will stick to and you know for a fact definitely achieves results.

A habit isn’t formed overnight. This is true of exercise and food as well. If you really want results, commit to 21 sessions of exercise and 21 days of your new diet. You’ll find it gets easier. On the 21st day, commit to another hundred even if that goes beyond your wedding. You’ll be amazed at how automatic it will be to practice good eating habits and exercise, even if you are on your honeymoon already because of it.

Once you’ve made up your mind, don’t wait. Take action immediately. The best time to start is when you are all fired up and momentum will do the rest.

Wedding Tip: Keep Away From The Scissors

Generally speaking, women express themselves through their hair. The way that a lady fixes her hair shows what kind of mood she wants to set or how she feels about herself. Some choose a short, no mess cut - and usually these ladies are pretty straightforward in most of their decision making. Others opt for a longer but still wash and wear style - these are usually busy ladies who like looking glamorous but don’t have much time to waste on primping. Then there are those to whom long hair is a must for both versatility and style - these are for the ladies who feel that looking great is never a bother and adapting is as important as breathing. All are great looks.

Have you ever noticed though that the hair is often reflective of ones moods? When you are having a tough day, do you sometimes find that your hair is a bit more unruly than usual? It can often seem like you have a bad hair day on the days when things just aren’t going your way. The most common reaction if the woman gets really frustrated - chop off all the locks! Poor, poor tresses will now lie on the salon floor.

Now, that would be ok if the style that comes out is a major improvement. Here’s a dilemma though…you’re wedding is just a few weeks away! Your gown was designed with your previous style in mind. All you can do is find a good stylist who can help you make the most of your new look.

Hopefully though, you are reading this with your wedding months away and this scene can be averted. First off, don’t let your temper get the best of your hair. Rather than going for the scissors, ask for a hot oil or hair spa treatment instead. These are both soothing for you and reconditioning for your locks.

Next, the moment that you have made up your mind to get married, make sure that you have a great hairstylist and stick to just him or her. Ensure that they know about your wedding - naturally one assumes that they will be making your wedding do for you. This will help minimize any damage should you get into a snit and take it out on your poor tresses. Your stylist can either prevent you from chopping off any necessary lengths or can make sure the style will still go well with your wedding look - and still sooth your mood.

If you’ve already gone and done the deed, well, if you have time, your hair will grow back. If the wedding is too close by, there are always hair extensions and wigs. It is amazing how quickly these hair pieces can transform your look with a few well placed weaves. Again, it is best placed by an expert since you don’t want any bits and pieces falling out during the wedding ceremony or reception.

Don’t forget: On a bad hair or bad mood day, keep away from the scissors and talk to the stylist you trust. That will help keep your gorgeous locks safe until the wedding.

Cosmetic Surgery Before Your Wedding

It is amazing how many men and women want to have plastic surgery nowadays. Just a couple of years ago, the mere thought of anyone cutting the skin would be enough to make anyone run screaming in the opposite direction. Now brides and grooms actually welcome it with open arms.

The thought of having oneself tucked, trimmed or enhanced is more common place now. There are now many good surgeons who really can do the job well. It is less scary since quite a number of your friends have already had some sort of augmentation done.

One thing to keep in mind is that most cosmetic surgery takes time to do and time to recover from as well. The best places will tell you that you have to get yourself in shape before having anything done since this is still surgery and you want to be in the best physical condition in order to recover more quickly - and get the most of the surgery as well.

If you are really set on having plastic surgery help to enhance your features for the wedding, take time to ask around first. Don’t jump at the first clinic that you hear of. Even some sort of promotion or discount is no reason to just put yourself under their knife.

It will stand you in good stead to do extensive research before actually having any work done. Ask your family and friends who they would recommend. It is best to ask someone whose enhancements you admire. Ask them about the experience. This will help you prepare for your own surgery.

Think hard about what you want done. Is it possible to achieve the change you want without surgery? Can you reshape your body with simple exercise instead? You may end up happier and spend less by simply disciplining your mind and body to exercise and diet properly.

If you really feel that surgery must be done, give yourself at least 6 months before the wedding to do it. Keep in mind that it isn’t usually as simple as going in for a morning cup of tea and going home in the evening as if nothing happened. Some need a day, others need weeks to get over the enhancement. You may even need to have make more than one visit in cases where the change you want to make is extensive.

Keep in mind also that it is possible for the surgery to go wrong. While many developments in technology have made the process safer, it is still not a hundred percent safe. Some people have had their faces and bodies ruined by botched cosmetic surgery from which there is no recovery. That is definitely not something you want when you are about to get married.

Long and short: be very sure that cosmetic surgery is really something that you want to do before your wedding. It is not easy and there is some pain involved. Besides, your fiance/e fell in love with you before you were enhanced. Is the change really necessary?

Getting Slim the SMART way

You wake up, you look in the mirror and you decide that you are not content with the shape you see in the mirror. It isn’t that you are obese at all. You aren’t really fat but you would like to have a sexier, shapelier figure on your wedding day.

You tell yourself firmly that today, you will work on having a better figure. Then you walk into the kitchen and grab a soda and some chips. Hold it right there! That’s what is keeping your figure the way it is.

If you are truly serious about reshaping your form, you need to start eating smart. You can’t just go off and eat anything you crave. This impulsive eating is going to keep you from becoming slimmer.

You need to make your goal very clear to yourself. It isn’t enough to say, “oh I want to be slimmer for my wedding”. That’s like saying, “I wish I was thin”. We all know that that doesn’t work. You need to make your goal SMART.

S-specific

Decide what exactly you want to happen. How many pounds do you aim to lose? How many inches do you want to lose and in what areas? Knowing these numbers makes it easier for you to visualize what you want to look like on your wedding day. It can make a big difference in achieving your goal.

M-measurable

How do you know if you actually are accomplishing your goal? The only way to know is if you are able to measure it. It would be ridiculous to say simply buy a dress too small for you and keep trying the dress on everyday until you fit into it. True, you will at least be able to determine that you did slim down but it’s an erratic process.

It would be far easier to use a weighing scale and a tape measure. They will not lie to you. You’ll be able to see for yourself every week what kind of progress you are making.

A-achievable

If your wedding is only a week away, don’t set a goal to go from a size 15 to a size 2 in the time remaining. You are setting your self up for failure and ill health. Achievable means you have to work with what your body can truly do.

Unless you will spend the next few months living in a “Biggest Loser” farm, you will have many concerns to distract you from your goal. You have to decide, given your schedule, eating habits and current form what figure can you realistically achieve - in terms of both weight and inches.

R-realistic

If in order to achieve your specified goal means you will only eat one small meal a day and spend 5 hours in the gym, you might not be able to stay committed to your target. It is just too unrealistic. You will be too hungry and tired.

Aiming to lose two to three pounds a week is realistic but will still call for some effort on your part. If you want to lose more, you will need to make a bigger commitment in terms of time to exercise and eating habits. It will be a change of lifestyle. Take a good look and decide can you truly commit to doing this everyday?

T-time bounded

This is the simplest part because the deadline is quite clear: your wedding day. The question you have to ask yourself to set your goal is how much weight or inches can you lose between now and your wedding day?

For example, assuming that you aim to lose 2 pounds a week and your wedding is 6 months away, you can lose a whopping 48 pounds.

Target weight or inches to lose per week
X Number of weeks to the wedding
_______________________________________
Goal: Target weight or inches lost by the big day

You can do this easily if you just stay focused. You’ll be very pleased with yourself when your wedding comes around.

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