TIP TUESDAY: Shaping Up For The Big Day!

The stress of planning a wedding can take its toll on anyone.  Usually this will lead to poor eating habits, followed by weight gain.  The last thing you want is to not be able to fit into your dress or tux.  For the bride, this totally throws a wrench in your schedule, since it normally takes several months to order a dress.  I have seen this happen and the bride had to order a much larger size dress!  Obviously, this is something we all want to avoid, but you can take the steps to prevent that.

Suzanne Ko, meditating, a way to de-stress (Photo by Matthew Raney Photography)

Here are some tips to help you look and feel good for your BIG DAY!

1.  First, make time in your schedule to just relax.  This can be anything from getting a massage to taking a yoga class.  Stress is the number one factor cause for illness and weight gain.  During times of stress, our body’s sympathetic nervous system activates, creating a “fight or flight” response.  In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system is the brake for the sympathetic nervous system.  By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, we allow our body to relax.

2.  Second, make time to eat – the right way.  This means eating whole food, not processed food.  Certain foods also will cause an inflammatory response in your body, causing various symptoms.  Even if you do not have time to cook, planning your meals for the week will prevent you from making poor food choices.  Eating late will also cause weight gain, as food eaten late at night will sit in the stomach undigested for hours.

3.  Third, get SLEEP!  Sleep is a vital part of keeping fit.  Being sleep deprived can lead to weight gain, as well as prevent the the body from managing stress and processing carbohydrates.  Learning to shut the brain off before bed, by turning off all electronics will also help to improve your sleep.

4.  Lastly, exercise is a huge stress reliever, as well as a way to get healthy.  Whether it is taking a class or working with a personal trainer, any form of exercise will help burn off calories and stress.  If you have not worked out before, do not wait until a month before the wedding.  Start your exercise program early on.  Working out with your partner is also a great way to spend time together, doing something fun outside of wedding planning!

Ready to get fit?  Learn more about SKo-Fit or call for an appointment at (773) 415-3881.  Follow me on twitter and facebook.