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While we’re on the subject of things to do before you get into a bikini for 14 days straight…
When I opened up my Google homepage this morning, my heart flip-flopped (and not in a good way–more like when you’re on the diving board in your swimming lesson in 5th grade and your whole class, including that boy with the spiky hair that you secretly have a crush on, is watching, and you take a deep breath and fumble oh-so-ungraciously and SMACK! do a belly-flop into the pool).
Because my wedding countdown widget says there are only NINETY DAYS until our wedding.
GAHHHH…
I think all brides can relate when I say that getting past the 100 day mark is a wake-up call.
But I’m thinking destination brides may have it worse than everyone else.
Because–are you ready for this, ladies and gentlemen–there IS trade-off to having a destination wedding, and it just walked up and smacked me in the face.
Not only does this DW bride have a list as long as her arm of wedding-related things to do in the days leading up to d-day… but she has only NINETY DAYS to get a BIKINI-WORTHY BUFF BRIDE BOD!
Ok, so maybe not that ripped. More like:
I just love this photo, she looks magnificent. Source
Seriously, how DEDICATED is this bride? She looks awesome! Source
Other than looking at pictures of other buff brides (what? procrastinating? no I’m not, it’s research) I haven’t done ANYTHING thus far… and I don’t know even where to start! I’m in panic mode!! (Wait, do you burn more calories when you’re in panic mode? Maybe this is a good thing… hmmm…)
My goal is not to lose weight, but rather, to make a trade–some jiggle for some jiggy-wid-it*, if you will. Read: I need to get toned. Everywhere. Immediately.
I found this book online called Fit To Be Bride which looks intriguing - it has exercises inside which are geared toward specific body types and I do love me a manual - but I’m not sure what the timeline is and, more importantly, since I really have no experience whatsoever with fitness exercises beyond my junior high gym class, I’m not sure I’m ready for it.
So I’m putting the call out to all the buff brides out there: What on earth should I do?
Here are some necessary details: I work full-time in an office; I am not a morning person (though could possibly be motivated by abs of steel to change my ways); I am not/never will be a runner; I like structure; I am ok with repetition; I need to see some sort of results pretty quickly or else I lose interest (instant gratification, anyone?); I feel better about physical torture if there are other people getting tortured along with me.
What do you think? Can you suggest something I can do to get buff in 90 days?
*My sincere apologies, I do not know WHAT came over me there. I wrote ‘jiggle’ and Will Smith promptly appeared in my mind and refused to leave, resulting in this lame wordplay. Yes, lame. I’ll try not to let it happen again. No promises, though.
I can’t wait to hear the responses. Your necessary details are the same as mine. I sit in an office 9 hours a day, I HATE running (was a swimmer growing up, but I don’t have access to a pool these days), lets just say I hate cardio all together. I do enjoy weight lifting though. I specifically need work in the abs/love handles section of my bod. Suggestions anyone?! Ohhh and I’m a foodie. Not junkie foodie, I just love food in general.
I think I’m pretty similar. Two things I do enjoy:
1) Rollerblading around the Seawall. Being a big circle, you can’t give up halfway and you’re forced to keep going. Plus, the scenery is gorg!
2) Yoga night with gfs. We do a yoga DVD at someone’s place, and then we gossip or watch trashy shows like The Bachelor after 
hehe.
Try “The Firm” videos. My mom swears by them, and even gave me a few of hers when I mentioned I wanted to “tone up” for the wedding (I have yet to try them, lol!). They promise visible results in ten workouts- not too shabby!
It won’t necessarily make you buff or even make you tone up (only diet and exercise can do that!), but if you want to smooth out, I swear by Fat Girl Slim. I used it for about…3 weeks? twice a day before my boudoir photos. Every time I use it I notice a difference.
I count calories. how does that get me in the gym? B/c i think.. .if i get on that tread mill for 300 calories, i can eat this X… i love food. I can’t run for the life of me. I’m in an office 11-13 hrs a day and cardio is not fun. But you can’t start to burn fat without cardio… 5 weeks on a 1200-1500 cal diet (with 3-5x week cardio) i lost 13 lbs… now i’m at a plateau, but i’ve also been less restrictive with my diet, and exercising inconsistently… but counting my calories got me to the gym…
I’d suggest doing a fitness bootcamp. They’re not as scary as it sounds. The cost can be a little high, but it’s the fastest way to get into great shape (as long as you keep to a healthy nutritional diet). Plus, it really keeps you in check. The one i did in SF (Bootcamp SF) was really good. I kept a food log and for 6 weeks, 4 days a week for an hour a day, I saw amazing results!
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=433
is a great website with 10 work-outs made for bikini worthy bod in a short amount of time.
Also, if you need group participation I would check out the website thedailyplate.com you can track food/calories on there, but in your case I would most def. join some of the support groups, especially the ones made for daily excercise accountability. There support groups are AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING and really will be of assistance.
Good luck and remember either way, if you were jiggly or jiggy-worth you are still going to look stunning and your personality is to boot, so no worries. You’re going to be a stunning bride…so don’t stress either way!
You can work certain areas, like arms and abs, but the best route is overall cardio if you want to drop pounds. I have had good sucess with a combo of yoga, weight training, running and not eating anything yummy for months.
I did a bridal bootcamp! The Healthy Bride is a seattle based bootcamp but there is probably something similar near you. I had been working out with a trainer but didnt see real results until I did the bootcamp twice a week. I even did pushups on the dancefoor in my wedding dress to show off my new arm muscles
This may be cost-prohibitive, but working with a personal trainer is great. You can basically tell them everything you told us, and they’ll design a program. Plus, the fact that you have an appt (and will lose money by not showing for it) is a great motivator. I’m still rotten about going to the gym, but I NEVER miss a trainer appointment.
@Nstar: I learned how to rollerblade last summer so I suck but I’d totally do it if I didn’t have to do it alone. 
@Anne: I do have some videos laying around (including Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease Collection) but I’m not a good self-motivator so videos haven’t worked so far.
@Wanderus: @Clarita: Bootcamp! Now THERE’s something I should look into! Anyone know of a good one in Vancouver? (that’s not at 5 am? ugh)
@Melissa: Good idea, but do you have to work out at the gym by yourself between appointments?
@mrs gb 2.0: Hi GB 2.0!!!! Yep, I tried that but I kept forgetting to do it. It’s that self-motivation thing again…
Two words: Turbo Jam!!!
Oh my gosh! DO IT! It’s fun, exciting, and there are tons of different workouts so you’ll never be bored.
It is all about keeping you interested and excited to work out and Shalene is the least annoying “instructor” I have ever worked out to. There is an ab work out, a sculpting work out, a 20 min work out, a couple longer ones … order the whole package I think it’s about $70.
http://www.beachbody.com I promise it’s worth it! Make sure you do measurements of everything (thighs, waist, arms) and you can tell the difference almost immediately!
If you’re not looking to lose weight (or inches? is your dress already fitted?), then some moderate cardio (focus on working hard and getting your heartrate high for 20-30 min. rather than going at it slow and steady for longer periods) will help you shed fat, and weight training will help you build muscle that will show up once that little layer of fat is gone!! You can even do cardio and weights on the same day if you only have 3-4 days a week you can get to the gym. That’s the minimum if you really want to see results. 90 days is plenty to see some!
I second the ladies above about meeting a trainer to set up a program. There are also online trainers out there that are a lot less expensive if you can force yourself to get to the gym– I can highly recommend mine, who has set up an online community where you get lots of different workout schedules to choose from depending on what your goals are, a place to ask questions and ask for support when you don’t feel like going to the gym, etc. It’s http://phit-n-phat.com/ (and no, I don’t work there, I just love the program!!).
get a gym membership with your soon-to-be hubby. we did it, and although he’s doing it more often and i’ve been somewhat inconsistent, it’s fun and it’s been working! I’m on a toning mission and trust me: when you think about a hot honeymoon body, that’ll get you motivated! running isnt as bad as you think, but if you hate it, i would go to a gym class. Im a la fitness member and they have GREAT classes. (spinning, abs, kickboxing)
also, the best thing to do is weight lift. not too high weight but more repetition: 3 sets of 15. squats are perfect for all over legs.. the lower you go- the more you work out your booty and dumbells are great for arms and upper body.
you can do it! 90 days is a LONG time and if you stay consistent and go at least 3 days a week… you’ll see results soon! (oh, i work 9-5 too, and i try to go for an hour after work. Sometimes it’s hard, but it’s doable.)
good luck!
Autumn is right. 90 days is plenty of time for some toning!
I, like you HATE running, and think that an hour before 8am should be abolished.
IF you have a small group of friends to keep you accountable, gym buddies or home video workout buddies can be great.
If not, check into a personal trainer. It doesnt have to be as expensive as they seem! After Christmas, I went to the one my gym had one staff, once a week for an hour… and then repeated that same workout 2 or 3 times throughout that week. (For anyone who goes this route - DEMAND that you meet with the trainer on Monday or Tues! The mental “just do it” high from a workout WEARS off and if there is a weekend between - forget it!) I did that for 6 weeks (at $30 per session) and lost 10lbs.
Also, check into a college in your area. If they have a health and leisure major - they have student personal trainers… and they rock too. I just finished up a Fit in 5 boocamp (not scary at all - actually alot of fun) that was run by a student at UWF. Lost 4 and 1/2 inches… and forgot to eat well while doing it! I actually became fast friends with the other people in the class so it was fun, friendly, and a butt kicking workout that I enjoyed going to…. at 8am! =)
Try the Shape Total Body Wedding Workout-it’s 9 easy exercises and you will see results in one week. I do this three times a week and it works fabulously!
Hate running, like structure, like working out with people? It sounds like you should try a spin class! Personally I like elliptical machines - they work your arms a little bit and for some reason I just enjoy them more than running.
Weight lifting — esp. b/c you dislike running, and given your firm-up goals. You don’t even have to join a gym, if you’re willing to buy a couple of 5-lb. and 10-lb. dumbbells . . . .
You’ll see results quickly enough — like two weeks after 3X/week — to be motivated enough to keep going, I think!
You clearly don’t need to shed much fat - I think you want to do a weight routine of some sort to get the tone and boost your metabolism as a nice side benefit. Here is what I did to get ready for my wedding:
1) Lift weights, big weights. Not girl 3-5 pound weights. As much as you can do 3 sets of 8-10 reps of. I did an intense weight lifting routine with my now husband before our wedding and honestly, I have never been happier with how I looked. I was freaked out about getting bulky, apparently it is really really hard for a girl to get bulky.
Its good to have a routine and split up your body parts into days. I did 3 days: legs/shoulders, biceps/back and triceps/chest -a total of 5-6 exercises each day. I was surprised how much I liked it and you increase weights as you can hit the sets/reps target.
A workout buddy and/or trainer is a great asset. If you do weights make sure you learn proper form and have someone design a good mix of exercises for you. Compound exercises like squats (with a big old bar of weight on your shoulders) are amazing for your body.
2) I supplemented the weights with in a bit of cardio, but much less than I used to do, and Pilates classes (on the tower) to help with that long/lean look.
I have never felt so strong, so in shape and so confident. Sadly the will power to go at night after work (usually around 8:30) is much harder when you aren’t as worried about so many people looking at you and the honeymoon to follow!!
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Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican Republic Age in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications Manager Fiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing Director Engagement Date: October 6, 2007 Wedding Date: November, 2008 Blogging Since: July 17, 2008 Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta Cana About Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
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