Bridal Bouquet: Operation Buff Bride
Just as important as getting the right wedding dress is getting the right body for that dress. You can unveil a trimmer, toner you on the Big Day with a little help from an exercise pro.
No more excuses! Your wedding is approaching and you want to look your best—not just to make your groom proud, but also to feel good about yourself. “The only thing you have control over in your life is your body,” says Donna Travers, personal trainer at the Event Center at Yolanda’s in Waltham, which offers a “bridal boot camp.”
“Anyone under the age of 70 can strengthen up their body within six weeks,” says Travers, who thinks weight and resistance training are more important than cardio for getting toned for your wedding. She also encourages brides to “steal your time to work out.” Park your car at the far end of the lot, take the stairs, and flex and release your abs while sitting in traffic. Here, we got the skinny—pun intended—on how to get a wedding-dress-ready figure.
Slim Down, Tone Up
Whether your wedding is 12 months or 12 weeks away, Travers recommends the following one-hour workout, three days a week.
•DO 15-20 MINUTES CARDIO
Tip: Choose something you enjoy, and avoid boredom by switching it up. Running, swimming, biking or hiking are just a few pulse-raising options.
•DO 15 PUSH-UPS
Tip: If you’re new to push-ups, start out on your knees and work up to your toes.
•DO 100 CRUNCHES
25 straight crunches (feet on floor, knees bent), 50 bicycles (alternating legs) and 25 crunches with feet raised.
•DO 2 SETS OF 10 OVERHEAD FRENCH PRESSES WITH 5-POUND WEIGHTS IN HAND
Start with arms raised straight above your head, rotate them inward and press weights together. Lower weights back so that arms are in a 90-degree angle. Return to top.
•DO 12-15 LATERAL AND 12-15 SIDE ARM RAISES
Start with 3- to 5-pound weights and work up.
Complete muscle-toning squats while resting 5-pound weights on each shoulder. With feet separated and toes pointing outward, sit into a squatting position 10-20 times. Afterward, remain lowered and rock 10-20 times from side to side using lower-body muscles. Return to standing position and repeat.
•COOL DOWN AND STRETCH