When it comes to wedding prep, most brides feel like starting a bridal fitness routine is just part of the experience. In fact, 80% of brides buy a dress one or two sizes too small in hopes they’ll fit into it come wedding day. They say to themselves that this will force them to work out and eat right, but that’s backwards. Here at Hourglass Bride, we know your Bridal Fitness Routine Starts Before the First Sit-Up or Juice Cleanse. That way, you’re not giving up on your workouts but adding to your lifestyle.
What you do to prepare yourself is what matters most. Get yourself into the right headspace. Not the headspace that you have to spend hours in the gym and do crash diets to achieve your goals. No, that can set anyone up for failure. We want you to imagine that you’ve already achieved all your dreams. That you’re the best version of yourself. That who you are right now is radiant and confident. Then, create your daily routine to prove exactly that.
Define Your Why in Your Bridal Fitness Journey
The most important thing to do before you even hop on a scale and take your “before pics” is to ask yourself why. Is it to:
- Feel confident walking down the aisle?
- Reduce stress and anxiety?
- Sleep better and have more energy?
- Strengthen your body for a honeymoon adventure?
- Look better than your sister did at her wedding? (We listen, and we don’t judge.)
Whatever your reason is, make sure it’s a good one. Make sure it will get you moving on the days you’re not feeling as motivated. It should help you get up early to get that workout in before work. It should be powerful enough to help you make better choices at the grocery store or your favorite restaurants. Your why will guide you on your journey and is the best personal trainer to help motivate you.
Hydration & Your Bridal Fitness Routine
Everyone says it. You’ve heard it a million times. Drink more water. Well, here’s an Hourglass Bride secret no other fitness trainer will tell you. Water will not help you lose weight. In fact, water weight is a thing. However, water does other things better than anything else. It helps support clearer skin, it flushes toxins, it helps digestion, and more importantly, it gives your body what it needs to perform, mind, body, and soul. If you’re not hydrated, all the workouts in the world won’t be enough. Your body will crash out. Worse, you could get injured trying to push your body more than it can go. Even mild dehydration can make you sluggish and not allow you to really utilize your exercises. Remember, half your body weight in ounces a day.
Create a Gentle Bridal Fitness Routine
Have you ever started a fitness routine or diet? You were really excited at first. You wanted to jump in headfirst. So you scheduled yourself a two-hour workout a day. You limited your calories to the lowest amount that can keep your body alive. Then, you gave up three weeks into it? Yeah, that’s called burnout, and we want to avoid that for you.
Start slow.
- 3-4 workouts a week of 20-30 minute sessions
- Start tracking your schedule.
- Start counting your calories. Not limiting them.
Soon, you’ll be ready to increase your workout sessions to an hour and build up to your two-hour workout routine once it becomes part of your schedule.
Speaking of schedules, make one. Track what time you’re already doing things. What time do you work? How long is the commute? How long do you have to cook dinner? What time do you fall asleep? Track your progress and see where there is time to workout in your day. Even if you have to wake up a little earlier or start with maybe a 10-minute workout at first, just check your schedule. You’ll see that maybe you’re taking an extra ten minutes cooking dinner that you can shave off meal prepping. Maybe what you thought was only 20 minutes of TV was more like an hour. Account for every moment so you can slowly transition those moments to help create that version of you we all know you are.
This trick with the schedule also works wonders for nutrition. You may not know how many calories you eat each day. For the longest time I thought bagels were healthy choices for me. Until I learned my bagel had almost 600 calories in it. Now a banana smoothie has half that and tastes just as good. Learn what you’re doing so you can adjust in the future.
Get Your Mind In The Game
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see pride? Do you see power? Or are you telling yourself lies about yourself and your body? Be kind to yourself. Say to yourself what you would say if you were your best friend. You can be honest; you can laugh at yourself. But remember, this is progress, not perfection. At Hourglass Bride, we blend mindfulness and movement because bridal fitness is about becoming your most loving, radiant self, not someone else entirely.
Choose Your Support System
You’re not doing this alone. It’s a wedding; you have a built-in partner right there. The couples whoho work out for each other will do anything for each other. That being said, maybe one of you is more inspired than the other. Or possibly, your maid of honor wants to look and feel good too? Or you want to find a way to connect with your new mother-in-law. Whoever you choose to share your journey with, make sure they are in it to win it.
So find your partner, drink your water, set your why, and start your playlist. Take a deep breath, and let’s begin your wellness journey with the Hourglass Bride.
When you’re ready, our 90-Day Program can help you reach all your wellness goals with fitness, nutrition, and Nicole Brandon to help guide you through the process.
