The Skinny on Buffing Up
By Christina Breda Antoniades
What are most brides thinking about the morning they tie the knot? Looking their best in front of their fiancé, family and friends — and that unforgiving camera, of course. But whipping your body into shape takes time and effort and many brides have no idea where to start. Sue Fleming, certified personal trainer and author of Buff Brides (Villard, 2002), answers some frequently asked questions about how to shed pounds and look your best on your wedding day.
Q: Help! I've been meaning to start an exercise regimen for months but I keep putting it off. Now the wedding is two months away and I'm starting to panic. How long do I need to get in shape before the big day?
A: I tell everyone that you have to give yourself at least three months, and preferably six months to get fit. Either way, I don't advocate losing anything more than a pound to a pound-and-a-half a week. So, if you have two months before your wedding you can expect to safely lose 10 to 12 pounds. In your case, even though you feel like you've procrastinated, it's great that you're starting now. Don't be so hard on yourself — you still have time to make a difference. One word of caution: If you're looking for huge weight loss — say you want to lose 10 pounds in the first week — you should reconsider. You have to understand that rapid weight loss is not healthy and those pounds, if you can lose them, are not going to stay off.
Q: I want to lose weight but I'm not sure what works best. Should I focus more on dieting or more on working out? Or are both equally important?
A: They're both important. Actually, you should aim for a balance of cardiovascular workouts, strength training and making good eating choices. I know it sounds basic, but I'm not sure people understand that's what really works best.
Q: Planning my wedding takes up every free minute I have. How much of a time commitment do I have to make to slim down?
A: I think you need to expect to spend one hour, four days a week. Of course, if you're starting six months before your wedding you will probably need to spend less time than if you started three months in advance. I've developed a 24-week program and a 12-week "crash course" to help brides who start a little later. The good news is that even if you only have a few months you don't have to spend two or three hours in a gym every day to improve the way you look.
