This Sunday, many us will be glued to our TVs watching celebrities wave, wink, cry and make fashion statements during the Academy Awards. Many of them, of course, have followed a game plan for looking and feeling their best as they stroll down the red carpet. While most of us will never take that stroll, we might have other events in our lives that feel just as important. A wedding, perhaps?
Let’s be honest, though: For many celebs and brides-to-be, the game plan is to lose weight. If that’s your goal too, I suggest starting many months before the big day. Otherwise, you’re stuck crash dieting or trying some other celebrity-endorsed crazy diet like the baby food diet that I can’t support. But, if your goal is simply to feel your best, I suggest trying these six tips 10 days before the big event:
[See: 8 Food Trends Nutrition Experts Pray Will Never Return.]
1. Reduce sodium; reduce bloat.
In order for your dress (or tux) to feel just right, you definitely don’t want to be feeling bloated. Try to avoid any highly-salted foods, since sodium makes the body retain water. Your best bet here is to read labels closely on any packaged goods and choose ones with less than 150 milligrams of sodium per serving. Be especially cautious when dining out, since almost all restaurants use more salt than you might use when cooking at home. Consider skipping Japanese, Thai or Chinese cuisine, since many of their dishes are notorious for high sodium content.
2. Amp up your fruit and veggie intake.
The more fruits and veggies you consume, the less junk food you’ll have room for. Focus on making sure half of every meal’s plate is filled with veggies, and make fruit your dessert. Even though I am a die-hard sandwich lover, I might even suggest salads for lunch packed with raw veggies and a moderate portion (3 to 4 ounces) of fish or skinless poultry. The antioxidants from the fruits and veggies may also give your immune system a boost, which can decrease your chances of catching a last-minute cold.
3. Drink plenty of water.
Drink water, and then drink some more. Sixty percent of your body is composed of water, and there is nothing that makes it happier than staying hydrated. And the more hydrated you are, the more likely your skin will glow, and who doesn’t want that? If you don’t love the taste of water, add fresh fruit slices to flavor it. I wouldn’t suggest sparkling water, though, only because some people complain that the bubbles give them gas.
[See: The Best Foods for Your Skin.]
4. Save the champagne (or cocktails) for the big day.
As a martini lover, this advice makes me sad, but it’s important because alcohol tends to lower our inhibitions, making us more likely to overeat. Late-night pizza and French fries sound familiar? Also, alcohol may interfere with your sleep, which is so important for looking and feeling your best. See next tip.
5. Get plenty of sleep.
When you are tired, your food choices may suffer, you may not have the energy to exercise and your immune system may get compromised — the last things you want right now. So, try to disconnect from all media earlier than usual and get yourself to bed. Ideally, aim for eight hours of sleep. If you find it hard to relax and fall asleep, try taking a hot bath before bed, rubbing lavender oil on your temples or using a white noise sound machine.
[See: 10 Ways to Get Better Sleep (and Maybe Cure Your Insomnia).]
6. Work those muscles (safely).
Last but not least, get some exercise. I don’t know about you, but I feel most on my game when my yoga practice is consistent. Whether your exercise of choice is spinning, barre, weightlifting, running or walking, make sure you aim for at least six out of 10 days of exercise. But, please don’t overdo it, and make sure you aren’t trying anything new. The last thing you want is to injure yourself and not be able to physically walk down your “red carpet.”
More from U.S. News
Celebrity Weight Loss: Tales of the Scales
9 Ways to Add Fitness to Your Wedding
The 10 Best Diets for Fast Weight Loss
Get Your Body Red-Carpet Ready in 10 Days or Less originally appeared on usnews.com
