Articles

How to be a Healthier, Slimmer, and Happier Bride

By Marisa Ramsier
www.fitfiance.com

You are so busy with wedding details and appointments. Not to mention you have a job and you have stressful deadlines to meet. Each day is packed with errands to run, phone calls to return and, oh yeah a workout and you did not even think to bring your healthy snacks with you.

To help make your day easier and less stressful I have outlined some tips and secrets just for you. With this information you should find your day more organized and less hectic and you should find yourself feeling healthier and looking slimmer. Enjoy!

Set daily goals. Make a list of what needs to be done the night before, be sure to include your workout and your nutrition goals. Click Goal Example to see one I have created for you.
Schedule in your workout. Just like any other appointment schedule in your workout. Would you miss your hair appointment, dinner with the girls or a special event with your soon to be hubby? NO!!! Then don't miss your workout! Once you make a habit of working out it becomes like brushing your teeth. You would never think of forgetting to brush your teeth each day! You owe it to yourself and your body is craving it!
Plan your meals the night before. Take 3 minutes before you go to bed to plan out what you will eat the next day. Write it down in your planner, put it in your Blackberry, or put it on a sticky note on the fridge where you will see it. If you usually pack your food for the day, do that the night before. As you are cleaning up the kitchen after dinner make your breakfast, snacks and lunch for the following day. In the morning all you have to do is grab your little cooler and you are off!
Manage stress from pressure situations. A lot of women respond to stress by eating. Some continue eating after the stressful periods are over, mostly out of habit. To achieve a balanced diet you need to have a balanced life. Take 3-5 minutes when you are feeling so overwhelmed and out of balance. Get up walk around, step outside for some fresh air, or sit quietly and take 5-10 deep breaths. Do anything that will ease your mind for a few moments. This will help to balance you out again before you move forward in your daily activities.
Trade in your caffeine. Ditch the coffee and switch to tea. Caffeine may give you the get up and go for the morning but after a few hours you crash and burn. This leaves you wanting another cup for more energy to finish your day. Coffee is a dehydrator so if anything it may inhibit your weight loss. Tea is filled with antioxidants and phytochemicals that help to boost your immune system and inhibit certain cancers. You may have to wean yourself from 3 cups down to one and before you know it you might be in line at your favorite coffee shop ordering your new favorite decaffeinated tea.
Switch up your foods. Eating "closer to the earth" is a great way to get the processed foods out of your diet. Below are a few suggestions to help you make better nutritional choices.

Switch from iceberg lettuce to romaine lettuce
Switch from white rice to brown rice (not instant)
Switch from white and wheat bread to whole-grain bread
Switch from deli processed meats to skinless chicken breasts, chicken in a can, egg whites, tofu or tuna fish
Switch from soda to water
Switch from sugar cereals to whole wheat cereals made with bran or old fashioned oats
Switch from cows milk to soymilk
Switch from ice cream to frozen sorbet
Switch from artificial sweetener to stevia (www.stevia.net)

Upgrade your cardio. If you are stuck in a rut of doing the stepper for 40 minutes everyday- step it up a notch. Cross train by using other equipment such as, riding the bike, power walking on the treadmill with various inclines or go hiking outdoors. If you want to increase your time do more than one machine. For example do 20 minutes for a treadmill run, 20 minutes on the bike, 20 minutes on the EFX. The time will fly by and you will feel awesome when your workout is finished!
Join the circuit. Do you only have 20 minutes to get a quick weight workout in? Try this: go through a circuit- pick one exercise for each body part, do one set of each exercise without taking a break until you are finished with the circuit of exercises (chest, back, triceps, biceps, legs, shoulders, and abs). Complete the circuit 2-3 times depending on how much time you have.
Water.. Enough said! You should have a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Have one in your purse, in your car, in your gym bag and always order water when out at a restaurant. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
Order off the menu. If you can't find anything on the menu that fits your healthy eating style create something of your own. If you see a chicken breast sandwich and you can't find a salad without all the extra calorie laden toppings create your own salad. Order a chicken breast with a salad topped with lots of vegetables with vinegar and lemon on the side. The result- a fun dinner with friends or hubby to be without having to compromise your healthy eating habits. Be creative!

These are just some helpful tips to get you feeling better about yourself. As you go through your day stay positive and take one day at a time. Your hard work will pay off and before you know it you will be walking down the aisle!