10 Tips for Walking down the Aisle in Top Shape

By Diana Bocco

Getting in shape for a wedding should begin as soon as the wedding date has been set. “My recommendation for brides is to make it a part of the wedding planning,” says exercise physiologist Heather Nettle. “Just as you would schedule appointments with photographers, caterers, and [dressmakers], make sure each week includes at least one fitness appointment with yourself.”

Here are nine other tips for making the most of your prewedding workout:

MAKE IT CLEAR. Fitness personality Rocco Castellano emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals. When setting goals, remember to make them specific: “I will lose fifteen pounds of fat or three inches off my waist for my wedding.” It’s okay to set big goals—don’t sell yourself short—but also remember to set realistic deadlines—losing one or two pounds per week is a good start.

INCLUDE THE GROOM. Not only will you be toning up and looking great together, but it’s also an excellent way to spend quality time together and bond. Nettle suggests taking ballroom dancing or salsa dancing lessons together. It allows for fun for the two of you in an otherwise hectic time, not to mention giving yourselves something to show off on the Big Day.

STICK TO THE WEDDING THEME. Find a special class geared specifically toward the event: bridal or bride/groom boot camps, butts and guts, specific arms-only classes, abs classes, and so on. Group exercise classes are a great way to focus on what you need while making the most of a 60-minute exercise session.

CONCENTRATE ON YOUR UPPER BODY. A variety of bicep, triceps, and shoulder exercises will help arms look great in a sleeveless wedding dress. Shapely biceps are a symbol of fitness and strength. In combination with the triceps, they give your arms an eye-catching appearance and make you look great in any sleeveless outfit.

BE REALISTIC AND EFFICIENT. “The time before a wedding is hectic enough without taking on a really time-consuming or intimidating new exercise program,” says Ben Roman, part of the sports medicine team at Columbia University Medical Center Eastside. “Shared fun activities like a bike ride can let both the bride and groom get healthy and blow off stress together.”

EAT WELL. “One of the most important things is to eat regular, well-balanced meals,” says Karen Lush, a corporate dietitian and program development manager for Jenny Craig, Inc. “Skipping breakfast on the way to a fitting, for example, may seem like an easy way to cut calories, but it may actually set you up for overeating at lunch or dinner.”

REACH OUT. Having a workout/healthy-eating buddy can also help you stay motivated. Lush also advises future brides to go over the latest wedding plans with their fiancés during an evening walk, and discuss flower arrangements with their bridesmaids during a round of golf. Of course, if you don’t play golf, there’s always biking or walking.

FOCUS ON CARDIO EXERCISE. This will help you eliminate stress, burn fat, and increase your energy level. Toning arms and trimming around the midsection can be accomplished most quickly by doing cardio five times a week for thirty minutes or more in your target heart rate (60 to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate, which is calculated by subtracting your age from 220).

Finally, remember that brides come in different shapes and sizes. You can’t change your genetics. ”Keep an open mind and work with your body type when choosing a gown,” says Holli Ehrlich, founder of the Wedding Workout network. Do not focus on the dress-size number. The more confident you feel in you gown, the more beautiful you will look.”