Planning your wedding day will prove to be a time full of pure excitement and joy.  Then again, you can’t have the ying without the yang, and at times you will feel like the whole process is testing your sanity.  While stress is inevitable when arranging the big day, there are ways of keeping your best self so by the time you’re walking down that aisle, you look and feel 100%.  Here are our tips for being a healthy, happy and fit bride.

H E A L T H Y

Don’t deprive or starve yourself

When worrying about having to fit into the perfect dress, crash diets a couple months before the wedding are a lot of brides’ go-to.  Here’s the thing, though – they don’t work.  Sure, maybe you drop some pounds for the big day, but following your wedding you’re bound to relapse and relapse badly.  Plus the stress that crash diets put on you only exacerbates the stress you are already feeling those months before your wedding.  Save yourself the headaches and commit yourself to a healthy lifestyle instead.  No crazy diets or starving yourself.  Eat until your full, give your body the daily nutrients it needs, and let yourself have that piece of cheesecake with dinner every once in a while.  You’ve earned it!

Eat healthy fats

“Healthy fats” seems to be the buzz phrase nowadays, which may make you feel like it’s simply a trend.  On the contrary, there is a great amount of evidence that shows the positive effect healthy fats have on your body.  Who doesn't need an extra boost for a healthy metabolism, protection for the organs, and vital nutrients? Not to mention, they’re ridiculously tasty!  Try to incorporate these into your diet – olive oil, coconut oil, avocados, fish, and more.

Drink water

Everyone says this all the time, but it can’t be discounted.  Besides all the many benefits you’ve heard a hundred times before, water can even help with hunger.  While water does not curb hunger as was believed for a long time, it may feel like your body is hungry, when it’ really just thirsty.  The feelings of hunger and thirst are quite the same, so the next time you feel hungry only an hour after you had a meal, try drinking some water instead and see if the feeling subsides.

Survive the holidays

You will likely go through a lot of holidays while engaged.  Everyone will be inviting the soon-to-be newlyweds to their party, which means you will have a lot of unhealthy food mine fields to get through.  Our advice - eat a healthy meal before you go so you’re not ravenous by the time you get to the party and bring healthy things you want to eat.  Offer to bring a vegetable try and fill it with interesting foods, like jicama and asparagus tips with a side of homemade hummus.  It is sure to be a hit at the party, and you’ll be less inclined to eat ten cookies in one sitting.

H A P P Y

Be mindful

During wedding planning, it’s important to be mindful of how you are feeling.  Try keeping a journal of your thoughts.   Write down how things make you feel , whether good or bad. Keep in mind how the wedding planning process is influencing your emotions.   Are there things you’ve loved doing or maybe don’t feel as great about?  Can you ask someone for help?  There are so many health benefits to paying attention to what your feelings are trying to tell you, so stay mindful.

Live in Gratitude

We feel so strongly about this one, that we wrote a whole blog on it, which you can read here.  There is so much to be grateful for when you become engaged and on the way to your wedding – your fiancé, family, friends, and getting to spend this wonderful day with all the people you truly love.  The power of recognizing when you feel grateful has now been well-researched.  Again, keep a journal of things that make you feel grateful while going through this process.  It will keep you focused on the good and keep your relationships with your loved ones healthy and strong.

Meditate

Thousands upon thousands of years of the practice of meditation has proven its worth in mental health.  It reduces stress, fosters clear thinking, and makes us more empathetic and compassionate.  Check out Headspace for guided meditations that can help you through the process.  Start with just five minutes a day and work your way up if you can.  If five minutes is all you have, that’s fine, too!  Even a small amount of consistent meditation can have a huge impact on your well-being and keep you sane during wedding planning.

F I T

Skip the gym

It’s no secret that gyms are a burden on your wallet, and while planning your wedding, you might not be rolling in cash.  Skip the gym all together and seek out at-home workouts instead.  There are so many free resources for at-home workouts including videos, plans, and tips from professional trainers.  Feeling like your workouts aren’t tough enough?  Add some resistance bands to your routine.  You can find great deals for them on Amazon and they really ramp up tired, old workouts.

Find something you love to do

If you hate sit-ups and your workout routine is 90% sit-ups, you’re not going to do it.  It’s just human nature.  Find something that challenges you, but is still something you love, like basketball, kickboxing, or dancing.  Whatever gets you moving and doesn’t bore you will be something you stick with.  The best part, though?  It’s guaranteed stress relief, which will be super important during wedding planning.

Try yoga

Don’t have something you know you love to do?  Try yoga!  Anyone from beginners to experts can get into it, and the mental and physical wellness it provides is unquestionable.  The other great thing is yoga’s popularity has only been getting stronger, so finding a local yoga teacher near you should be easy.

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Photos by Punta Cana Photographer