About 30 Day Wedding Diets
Many brides want to lose weight before their wedding so that they'll feel healthy and look good for the big day. But many put it off until the last minute, then turn to 30-day diets in order to shed pounds fast. If you've shirked your fitness routine but still want to get in shape for your walk down the aisle, learn the basics of these short-term wedding diets. Does this Spark an idea?
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Warning
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Never starve yourself in order to achieve weight loss, and never exercise more than your body can handle. Weight loss should always be gradual, healthy and moderate. Restricting your calorie intake too severely can damage your body, leave you prone to illness and infection and can even hinder weight loss, as your body may fear starving to death and begin hording calories. Overexercising can lead to a weakening of the body's immune system and even injury, which could sabotage your wedding plans. Also, learn about any diet you're considering before you try it. Ask about it on message boards (try TheKnot.com's message boards) to make sure you're not getting scammed. There are plenty of marketing scams out there aimed at brides-to-be.
Types
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There are several different types of weight loss strategies for 30-day wedding diets. One of the most common is known as "bridal boot camp." This is an intense 30-day workout program in which brides-to-be commit to an enforced routine of both cardio workout and strength training and are guided in their training by an instructor (often known as a "drill sergeant"). Detoxification is also a popular 30-day weight loss program for brides. Often called "detox," this program involves cleansing your system of potential toxins and allowing your body to rid itself of chemicals that might be slowing it down. There are many different detox programs and products available at local health food stores and drug stores. A third type of weight loss strategy is a self-designed diet plan that combines healthy eating with plenty of exercise and good health habits. This kind of diet involves getting at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise at least three times per week, following a diet involving plenty of fruits and vegetables and following healthy strategies for weight loss, such as drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep.
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Considerations
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To decide which diet strategy might be right for you, consider how much time and attention you have to give over the course of these 30 days. Boot camp programs often require a commitment to be at a certain gym for a certain amount of time several days per week. If your job requires you to be flexible with your time, or if your work schedule varies widely from week to week, this program might not be for you. Consider also whether you're looking for toning in a certain area. If you don't want to lose a whole lot of weight but you'd like to toning in your back area (for example, if you're wearing a backless dress), your midsection (if you're wearing a sheath), or your arms (for a strapless gown), consider tailoring your DYI program to incorporate more focus on your problem areas.
Effects
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Don't expect miracles--- real, permanent weight loss takes a long time to achieve, and you're not going to transform into a supermodel in only 30 days. But if you follow a 30-day diet faithfully and responsibly, you should see some nice results on your wedding day. Following any 30-day diet should leave you with more energy in your daily life and should give you a general sense of well-being. You may see moderate weight loss (between 5 to 15 lbs) and may see a firming of any focus areas on which you choose to concentrate. You may also see an improvement in other aspects of your health, including clearer skin and healthier hair.
Misconceptions
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A major misconception about 30-day wedding diets is that they can be used in a pinch to fit into a much smaller wedding dress than a bride really needs. Many brides purchase dresses a size or two smaller than the size they usually wear, planning to lose enough weight to be able to fit into the dress by the time they get married. However, this plan often backfires because many brides don't set realistic weight loss goals and don't give themselves enough time to lose the weight. You should always buy a dress that you could wear if you didn't lose any weight, even if you plan on dropping a dress size later. Here's why. It's always easier and cheaper to have the dress hemmed and taken in if you DO lose the weight than to buy a whole new dress because you cant fit into the first one. Another misconception is that the lost weight will come off and stay off for good. Remember, permanent weight loss is dependent on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, so if you want to keep those pounds off after the wedding, you'll need to continue practicing healthy eating habits and exercising often.
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