The Fit Bride

Shape - Up:  The 6-month fitness plan

It is ENGAGEMENT season!!!  Did you know that December is the most popular month to get engaged and, about, 70% of brides want to lose weight before their wedding? Good news!! Starting this month, I will be working with a fitness expert to help you all get fit in 6 months. Keep watching for more information and make sure to share this with your friends!! You don't need to be getting married to get fit!

We will be including healthy recipes, nutrition tips, excersise routines (I might even get my guru to show us how to do them!!), and a whole lot more to help you get ready for that gorgeous dress!  Make sure to share this information with your bridesmaids and make it a group activity ~ or a challenge...

Here are a few tips for you to get started:

1. Write down your current weight and your goal weight.  Keep an excersise diary and watch your progression.  Don't weigh yourself daily, but do start our plan with weight and measurements.  Do these things monthly and always in the morning, around the same time for accuracy.

2. Start out doing a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio, three times a week.  This could include jogging, walking, running, swimming, elliptical (my personal favorite), biking...you get the idea.

3. By week two you should increase your cardio activity to a minimum of 30 minutes. 

4. Your foods should contain high fiber and low calories.  Make sure to check lables and watch serving sizes!!  This is a great time to start using fresh vegetables in your cooking.  Spinach (fresh, not frozen...only because it's much yummier), kales and broccoli are great!  Fruit is very important too.  A wonderful afternoon snack, if you need a little energy boost...a green apple with peanut butter.  Pass on the snickers.

tip:  if you have a sweet tooth and are craving a candy bar, eat a banana.  The sugars in the banana take care of the craving.

5. Try to avoid any high calorie, greasy, processed, fast-foods or deep fried foods.  Since it is hard to quit cold-turkey give yourself one cheat meal per week, just don't overdo it!  Have a slice of pizza, a monster salad (no iceburg lettuce please.  Use romaine, red-leaf, spinach and load on veggies - not the salad dressing) and a beer for dinner.  This sort of "cheat" meal will curb your carb and greasy food craving but will also supply you with the fibers and healthy nutritional needs.

6. Cut soda!  Water is best, but if you can't stand drinking 8 glasses of water a day, Crystal Light is a great thing to add.  Alcohol is another biggie!  Did you know a wine cooler has anywhere between 180 - 250 calories per serving (depending on the brand and flavor).  YIKES!

7. Don't overdo the excersising.  This can do more harm than good.  If it's been a while, ease into it.  Start with walking or swimming...don't just get out there and run 10 miles!  Join a walking, running or biking group.  If you are doing things with people that will be expecting to see you, you're more likely to show up and stick with it.

Go to this website and find out your weight vs. weight loss calorie count.  You can get calorie information on foods and drinks here and become part of a "community".  I use this!!

http://caloriecount.about.com

And, finally, a DELICIOUS recipe from one of my favorite food sites!  I think I know what I'm making for dinner tonight.  White Bean Chili - YUM!!!  This recipe forgoes the fat from the beef and is packed with healthy fibers.  Enjoy!

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/white-bean-chili-recipe2/index.html

I said this before, but make sure to share this information with your friends.  Let's all work together to make this year the healthiest yet!  If you have questions or want certain information, let us know. 

Happy 2012 everyone!!!