| Give
Yourself a Relaxing, Rejuvenating Gift
(ARA)
- Your wedding should be one of the happiest days of your
life. Unfortunately, the weeks and months leading up to
the big day can instead be some of the most stressful –
there are endless details to take care of, friends, relatives
and vendors to deal with and of course, the perfect dress
to find.
 Taking
care of yourself, both physically and mentally, is key.
Here are five tips to help you make it to the big day healthy
and happy.
1. Pay attention to nutrition
"People
react to stress in many different ways," notes Jeff
Zwiefel, a vice president at Life Time Fitness, a national
healthy way of life company. "Some people stop eating,
while some binge on junk food. But good nutrition is important,
especially during hectic times."
Zwiefel
recommends that instead of a big breakfast, lunch and dinner,
people eat several small balanced meals (optimally four)
and a couple of small snacks throughout the day.
Good
sources of protein include lean meats, fish, egg whites,
dairy products, beans and rice. Complex carbohydrates include
whole-wheat bread, wild rice, whole-wheat pasta, multigrain
cereal and potatoes. You should also aim to eat five servings
of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Keep in mind
that they also make great snacks. You may also want to consider
high quality, proven nutritional supplements to make sure
your body has the fuel it needs.
2. Look good, feel good
At
your wedding, all eyes are on you, so of course you want
to look your best. If you want to lose a few pounds or just
get in great shape, but feel like you're running out of
time, check out Bridal Boot Camp at Life Time Fitness. Led
by a certified personal trainer, this intensive class meets
five days a week for four weeks, allowing you to stay focused
and meet your goals. Bridal Boot Camp will help you achieve
the results you're after, and make sure you look great on
your big day.
The
stress-busting endorphins generated by vigorous physical
activity are a great side benefit as your wedding draws
near and last-minute details start to pile up. "Exercise
is a great stress reliever. Whether you get out and go for
a run, hit the gym for an aerobics class or take the dog
for a walk, physical activity can help put things back in
perspective," says Zwiefel.
Life
Time Fitness trainers recommend that people who are serious
about shedding the pounds and keeping them off participate
in aerobic training exercise regimens a minimum of three
times per week for at least 30 minutes at a time. Aerobic
exercises include walking, biking, jogging, swimming, aerobic
classes and dancing. You should also include resistance-training
exercises, such as weight lifting, at least twice a week
for a minimum of 30 minutes per session.
3. Take a break
Sure,
you have a million and one things to get done, but you need
to take time to relax. "It's important to take time
for yourself," says Brandon Adams, director of Life
Time Fitness' LifeSpa, which offers hair, nail and skin
care services, and therapeutic massage.
Adams
recommends a massage as the perfect antidote to wedding
stress. "All LifeSpas offer a variety of massages,"
he notes. "You can select a full body massage, or one
that targets a specific area such as your back or feet.
Aromatherapy can be incorporated to promote relaxation and
rejuvenation," he adds. If you're unsure which massage
is right for you, consult a massage therapist.
4. Get plenty of rest
You'll
be better able to deal with any wedding complications if
you aren't sleep deprived. The amount of sleep you need
varies from person to person, but make sure you're getting
enough to function at full capacity during the day. Make
an effort to incorporate physical activity into your day
to promote a good night's sleep.
5. Above all, keep your sense
of humor
It
is inevitable that you'll encounter some bumps along the
road to your wedding day. The important thing is how you
react to them – they can ruin your day (or your week),
or you can take them in stride and move on. A sense of humor
may be your most important tool as you plan your wedding.
For
more information on fitness, spa and nutrition centers,
products and services, available at Life Time Fitness, visit
www.Lifetimefitness.com
or call (952) 947-0000.
Courtesy
of ARA Content
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