You’ve said yes to the dress, found the venue and band, settled on a caterer, ordered the flowers and sent the invitations. Now what? It’s time to work on self-care. To look and feel your best on your special day, you don’t just need to fit into your dress, but you also want to have the energy to smile, greet, dance, eat and, most of all, enjoy your family, friends and new husband or wife. That means it’s “preseason” for paying attention to your food, fluid, rest, stress and fitness. Here’s your game plan for becoming the most fabulous you:
Something Old
Think about how you’ve eaten when you felt your best. Maybe it was when you were consistent with how many meals you ate each day, ate lots of fruits and vegetables or guzzled plenty of fluids. Consider why and how those good habits stuck then, and how you can incorporate them into your daily routine again now.
[See: 8 Morning and Nighttime Rituals Health Pros Swear By.]
For example, you may remember that you scheduled your meals to promote consistency, carried a water bottle with you everywhere, slept with an eye mask or otherwise optimized your sleeping schedule or quarters. Perhaps you avoided alcohol by planning booze-free activities, measured healthy portions to curb overeating or restricting, and set your alarm at work to prompt you to frequently stand up and walk around.
Something New
Walking down the aisle likely means doing something you’ve never done before, and certainly means something you don’t plan on doing again. That day, then, may require an eating and exercise strategy that’s different from any other day.
For example, to have the stamina and strength to get through the day, you may want to eat protein that’s evenly-distributed. Plan to eat eggs, Greek yogurt, turkey sausage, cottage cheese, veggie sausage, fish or a protein shake for breakfast; not just a pastry and coffee. Add chicken, tuna, tofu or beans to your lunch salad, and make sure that dinner includes about a hand-sized amount of protein.
Complement this protein intake with some strength training with weights, machines or your own body weight (pushups or pullups) to get your blood flowing before you say, “I do.”
[See: 9 Ways to Add Fitness to Your Wedding.]
Something Borrowed
Now is also the “preseason” of the rest of your life with your soon-to-be spouse. As part of your commitment to love, honor and obey one another, you may want to add ” stay healthy, play together and eat well” to your vows. Get started early by borrowing some of your favorite recipes growing up — such as Grandma’s meatloaf, a hearty bean soup or wonderful homemade bread — to your cooking repertoire. Not only will you get to incorporate your partner into your family traditions, but you may also cut calories (and food costs) by taking the time to prepare food at home.
Speaking of trying to trim extraneous expenses, consider borrowing a friend or family member’s exercise equipment or gym pass, or an old coffeemaker that will help you cut back on your daily latte investment. Borrowing your mom’s crockpot, too, could help make low-effort, low-cost meals a reality.
Something Blue
Make an effort to get outside more. Taking advantage of fresh air and blue skies is a mood-booster and weight-reducer. While you’re at it, why not put blue (or purple) on your plate or in your glass? Add blueberries, blackberries or black raspberries to Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, sprinkle them on a salad or stir them in oatmeal or a smoothie. Get to know shredded purple cabbage, which looks beautiful and tastes delicious in a salad or a fish taco. Snack on frozen purple grapes for a tasty treat, but not a calorie defeat. Blue may be calming, so even using a beautiful blue glass, plate or bowl for your favorite smoothie or salad can help you de-stress.
[See: 11 Simple, Proven Ways to Optimize Your Mental Health.]
Take the time to prepare and practice self-care by being aware of your sleep, your fitness and what is on your plate to bring the happiest and healthiest you to your wedded state. Congratulations!
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