Even the most healthy bride-to-be is likely to fall off the wagon over the festive season, and what with mince pies, chocolates and mulled wine in every shop window, it’s pretty hard not to! Don’t beat yourself up though – here are seven easy steps to help you drop the extra Christmas pounds and start feeling healthy again.
1. Don’t go on any faddy diets
This is important. After weeks of indulgence, your body is not going to respond well to suddenly being deprived, and it’s not likely to be too good for your mental state either. Ignore anything with the word ‘detox’ plastered on it, don’t go on a juice fast, and instead focus on eating unprocessed, fresh foods.
2. Make one healthy change a week
If you’re starting completely from scratch, then this is a great way to foster healthy eating habits. If you try and cut everything out all at once, then you’re much more likely to fall off the wagon and give up. Instead, cut something like fizzy drinks or pre-packaged sandwiches once a week – the slow and steady approach is much more doable.
3. Cut back on the booze
If you’re not already taking part in dry January, consider it! Alcohol is high in sugars, meaning it’s also high in calories – there’s no point having a salad for dinner every night if you’re washing it down with a glass of wine! If you don’t fancy going teetotal, try limiting your drinking to weekends only, and try sticking to vodka with soda water for a low-calorie tipple.
4. Work out every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes
A short workout is better than no workout at all! If you’re pressed for time, try taking a brisk walk in your lunch break, or try a quick 15-minute yoga routine with the help of a Youtube video. If you have a gym membership, start by scheduling in 30 minute workouts – the prospect of hours of cardio can be enough to put anyone off!
5. Exercise with a friend
Plenty of people will be looking to get healthier in January, so why not find yourself a gym buddy? Exercising with a friend or colleague will mean you’re much likelier to stick to scheduled plans, and you’re less likely to get bored. If your bridesmaids want to drop a few pounds before the big day, why not all sign up to a class together?
6. Change up your routine
To ensure you don’t get bored of your exercise routine, make sure you mix things up! Instead of running every night, why not add in a visit to your local swimming pool, trying Zumba or lifting weights at the gym? This is a great chance to learn something new, and January is a brilliant time to do it as instructors and teachers will be able to walk newbies through the skills.
7. Focus on how you feel
Regardless of whether or not you’ve bought your wedding dress, don’t beat yourself up over measurements, or obsess over the scales. Instead, focus on how your clothes look on your body, or how much better you feel. You’ll look gorgeous on your big day whether or not you lose weight, so instead concentrate on your energy levels and increased fitness.
