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Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day. Selecting a dress that will
make you look and feel great is an important first step. But what happens when you
look in the mirror and notice trouble spots like saggy arms or unsightly folds in
your back? When this happens it’s not uncommon for brides to try quick-fix
diets to help them get in shape. Unfortunately, many dieting brides make fitness
mistakes that not only prevent them from reaching their goals but also cause unnecessary
stress and sometimes even illness. Those are two things no bride needs! Here
are five of the most common diet mistakes as well as some tips to help you avoid
them.
Too much, too late.
One of the most important things to remember if you are trying to lose weight is
to start early. For example, don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before
the big day. The key is to plan ahead so that you can lose the weight (or just tone
up) gradually. So if you’re dream-wedding day includes you being in great
shape, then include fitness as a “to-do” on your overall wedding checklist.
That way it will be a priority in your wedding planning.
Skipping Meals
It’s not uncommon to get caught up in your planning and then realize at 9
p.m. (as your head begins to ache) that you haven’t eaten a thing all day.
While it may not be an uncommon scenario, it is unavoidable. Not only is skipping
meals unhealthy, it can lead to binge eating.
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Setting unachievable goals.
Many women get engaged and begin imagining themselves drastically thinner or more
sculpted. Be realistic with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your
life, then it is probably unrealistic to think you can magically transform just
because you are getting married. And, do you really want to look so different on
your wedding day that most people (including your fiancé) hardly recognize
you?
Radical diets or fitness programs.
Brides typically are short on time and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try
unhealthy fitness programs or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted by diets
that promise quick, drastic results with little effort from you. You should avoid
any programs that suggest taking “diet” pills or eating unbalanced meals
(like eating only cabbage soup for a week). And, don’t be lured into trying
dangerous things, like laxatives.
Not exercising.
It’s very easy for brides to say “I don’t have time to exercise”
or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet and exercise should always
go hand in hand. Consider them to be like yin and yang. Without activity your body
can’t burn as many calories. If you are very short on time, try to exercise
in small 10-minute bursts throughout the day. And, keep in mind that little things
help too, like taking the stairs or parking at the outer edge of the mall parking
lot. Plus, if you are tired from all of your planning, exercise will help give you
back some energy.
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