| During wedding planning, make sure you give yourself | | | | Cool-downs, consisting of slow walking and stretching |
| time to stretch, tone and exercise, so that you stay | | | | for durations of 5-7 minutes, are performed after |
| healthy, relaxed and have all the energy you need for | | | | aerobic exercises. The purpose of cool-downs is to |
| the wedding process. This will also set a foundation | | | | gradually return your heart rate and blood pressure to |
| and a pattern that you can continue through your | | | | resting or pre-exercise levels. |
| wedding, honeymoon and beyond for a general | | | | Fitness and exercise program: |
| healthy lifestyle. Bridal jitters, stress and overwhelm | | | | Investing 30 minutes a day in aerobic exercise - such |
| can also be helped by exercising and stretching on a | | | | as walking, bicycling or swimming - can help you lose |
| daily basis. | | | | the weight you want to lose for your wedding. During |
| Physiology changes psychology. What does that | | | | aerobic exercise, you repeatedly move large muscles |
| mean? | | | | in your arms, legs and hips. You'll breathe faster and |
| If you are worried and your mind is racing a million | | | | more deeply. This maximizes the amount of oxygen in |
| miles a minute thinking about your wedding plans, | | | | your blood. Your heart will beat faster, which increases |
| sometimes changing your position of your body and | | | | blood flow to your muscles. |
| adding movement can relieve your anxiety and stress. | | | | This in combination with healthy eating and sometimes |
| Stress Release movement: | | | | reduced eating is what helps you lose weight. |
| Here are some tips on stretching. It's a good idea to | | | | **Consult your physician, whenever starting on a |
| stretch every day. Perhaps there are some beneficial | | | | fitness or diet program. Start slowly and build up. |
| stretching exercises you may enjoy. Make it fun! You | | | | Other aerobic options:o Dancingo Tenniso Aerobic |
| may even want to do it with your fiancé | | | | gym classeso Runningo Walkingo Bike ridingo |
| sometime! Warm up first! Enlist a friend. It doesn't | | | | Swimming |
| matter how you do it, just do it! | | | | There are so many more. Choose one that resonates |
| You should begin and end each exercise program with | | | | with you and makes you feel good. |
| some stretching exercises. Stretching makes you feel | | | | Toning: |
| good and warms the body for more strenuous | | | | Toning firms up your body and can help in spot |
| exercise. Warm-ups, with stretching and flexibility | | | | reducing problem areas. Toning can help give you that |
| exercises can be done a minimum of 5-7 minutes | | | | healthy look that you want as you walk down the aisle. |
| before aerobic exercises. The purpose of warm-ups | | | | Here are some toning aids: |
| are to: keep muscles supple, increase the range of | | | | Resistance ropes |
| motion of joints, enhance flexibility, improve coordination, | | | | Weights |
| increase body temperature and heart rate, increase | | | | Exercise balls |
| blood flow to muscles and prevent injuries. | | | | Yoga and Pilates are also very beneficial and very |
| The right way to stretch is to do it slowly in a relaxed | | | | good for your physical and mental wellbeing. There are |
| form. Do not bounce. This can actually cause you to | | | | so many options for keeping fit these days including |
| pull the muscle that you are trying to stretch. Don't | | | | DVD's, TV and books. |
| overstretch. Back off if the stretch feels painful. | | | | Make exercise part of your wedding planning process |
| Hold the stretch for a minimum of 15 seconds each, | | | | and it will pay off when you walk down the aisle with |
| without bouncing. Breathe slowly and naturally. Do not | | | | energy and effervescence radiating your inner and |
| hold your breath while stretching. Relax the stretch. | | | | outer beauty! |
| Stretch one or two more times with each stretch... | | | | |