How to Get Fit and Fab for Your Wedding Without Joining a Gym

Picture courtesy Blisstree.com

What bride doesn't want to look good on her wedding day? I kind of wish I knew then what I know now about exercise, feeling good, and how stress can take its toll on your looks as much as it does on the way you feel inside. I like to think that my looks and health have improved since the day we tied the knot, with a toddler running around, and me sleep deprived and running on empty!

Here are some suggestions I can offer for the busy bride who doesn't feel like forking up a gym membership because she's saving some bank for the big day:

Start doing yoga. I can't say enough about the way that yoga has made a positive impact on my appearance and my health. Yoga, when done correctly, lowers cortisol levels and reduces food cravings. Yoga breathing techniques heal the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn delivers benefits to the endocrine and immune systems. Yoga stretches release muscle tension which helps the body heal faster. It also tones and elongates the muscles, making them stronger and also giving you a more lean and feminine appearance.

Yoga expands and strengthens the lungs when you practice deep breathing. It makes you more aware of bodily sensations, like when your stomach has had enough food (it needs a lot less than you might think!). Finally, yoga helps you sleep better at night, ensuring that you will know how to get yourself in a relaxed state as your wedding day approaches.

Even if your wedding isn't for another full year, start practicing yoga now. There are plenty of websites where you can learn more, Youtube videos to teach you the correct postures and breathing, and a whole lot more information available. 
Below find the book that changed my life and taught me everything I know about learning yoga at home:
 
Take up running. You don't have to run for miles and miles to get a more fit physique. If you're already doing the aforementioned yoga at least 3 times a week, you can run for about a half-hour for about 2 days a week. Running not only strengthens the legs, but it releases muscle tension via the pounding feet. I don't have a scientific explanation for this, but I've watched fitness videos of people destressing their muscles by shaking them out, and running seems to be a good way to rhythmically shake your stress away in somewhat controlled, well-paced movements.

Where to run if you don't have a gym membership? The park, the neighborhood, the high school athletic field, the local bike and jogging path. Pounding your feet on the pavement is a great way to improve your stamina, get heart-healthy, and of course burn calories which is ideal for looking trim and fitting into that gorgeous wedding gown. Sunshine and fresh air have their positive effects as well!

When you're finished taking your jog, don't forget to stretch after. You can use the same moves that you do in your yoga routine, such as downward-facing dog, the hamstring stretch and forward fold. Just be sure to do your post-cardio yoga in the same order that you would if you were doing in a class or on a video. The asanas all flow together to target specific muscle groups while ensuring that you keep your body in balance. For example, follow camel pose with child's pose to keep the spine properly aligned.

In addition to jogging and yoga, there are some good weight loss tricks that don't *really* involve dieting or calorie counting. Try drinking green tea several times a day. Start your morning with a glass of water that includes a Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. When done habitually, this cleansing drink can assist with weight management by improving digestion of fats and sugar.

The Europeans seem to have a good thing going with their "eat the biggest meal in the middle of the day, and end with a light dinner." (Not sure if they still do this in Europe, but I've tried it at home and I sleep way better on a light evening meal, not to mention it can help me shed extra pounds when I need to.)

If you do feel snacky, try a handful of nuts, cup of yogurt, or piece of fruit with a bit of cheese, to sustain you between meals. Avoid snacks that are high in sugar or corn syrup. Choose healthy fats such as those from nuts, seeds, coconut oil, and salmon. Check out the below book, "The Complete Mediterranean Diet," for more ideas on how to eat for optimum health!



May these "no gym" fitness tricks help you get the bod you're hoping for in time for your beautiful wedding day!