Wedding Blog
In the interest of looking my best for the wedding, as well as for everyday health in general, I’ve been more conscious of my daily routine. There are a few things that I would like to concentrate on in the spirit of staying healthy and toning up.
The #1 area I am toning? Arms. I was a competitive swimmer, and looking back at pictures from then? WOW. My arms were sculpted. Not bulky, as I have very long arms, but seriously toned. While my gym has a 50m pool, chlorine does NOT agree with my dry skin in these bitter Chicago winters. The 100 Push-Up Challenge seems to be pretty popular around here (and is great for those who don’t belong to a gym). I, however, can only do 6 “real” push-ups. I’ve been doing a minimum of 40 “girlie” push-ups after every cardio workout (30 minutes on the elliptical), so am readying myself for the real challenge. I have another easy triceps toning exercise that doesn’t require going to the gym. I use 5-pound weights, but if you don’t have these, pick up a bottle of wine! No, not to drink your sorrows away—it’s the perfect shape to fit in your hand and is a great weight for toning! 
After having trouble trying to explain the steps, I found these great instructions:
1. Pick up a dumbbell with your right hand.
2. Lean forward, keeping your back flat, and rest your left hand on a bench (or coffee table, at home!).
3. With your palm facing in toward your side, bend your right elbow until your upper arm is parallel to the floor.
4. Extend your arm behind you, keeping your upper arm and shoulder immobile, your elbow close to your body, and your abs engaged.
5. Return your arm to its bent position.
6. Repeat. When you’ve done a set, switch to the other arm.
DIET:
A healthy diet is important to everyone, but can be especially beneficial for stressed brides-to-be. Proper nutrition keeps your energy level high and muscles maintained. Fad diets, fasting, diet pills, etc. can be dangerous and pointless, as it isn’t logical that you can maintain that weight post-wedding. I feel it’s best to come up with a healthy, EASY plan that can fit into your everyday lifestyle. For example, if you are a carb-whore (such as I), cutting out carbs is the silliest thing you can do! You’ll only want them more. Everything in moderation, right? (Moderation, heh. 100 calorie snack packs are great… until you eat all 6 of them. In one sitting. Not that I’ve done that or anything!)
Most people do not get their daily recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals. I started taking a daily Women’s Multivitamin and noticed a big difference after a week, namely in the strength of my nails. So, I assume these outward effects are reflected internally as well, right?
My last bit of advice? Water. H2O. L’eau. Agua. However you say it, DRINK IT.
What steps are you taking to tone up - for wedding and everyday - your life?
A lot of my information is credited to online excerpts from Cynthia Conde, author of “Bridal Bootcamp: Look Fabulous on your Big Day”.
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I just started reading a really intriguing book, but I’m only going to allow myself to continue it while doing cardio (elliptical and bike) at the gym. I’m hoping that does the trick to getting me up at the crack of dawn (the only time I can fit a workout in!).
How many reps of the tricep exercise do you do? I usually do the “pony-tail” tricep exercise (you lift the weight from behind your head to above your head - the weight should brush your pony tail 
) with 20 reps, then do some sit ups and bicep curls and other stuff I don’t know the names for, and that whole routine I do 2-3 x’s each morning.
You may want to rethink the 100 pushups challenge. I started 4 weeks ago with six real pushups and just yesterday I had to do a total of 113. Never in a million years would I have thought that was possible!
@Miss Rye Bread: I do 3 sets of 10 reps for each arm! The pony-tail exercise you’re talking about really hurts my shoulders, so I can’t do that one!
@gji7: WHAT!? No way…that is awesome!
i love these tips!
i find that when i miss one cardio workout, its not that big of a deal, but once i miss three or four in a row- ITS SUCH A BIG DEAL. Not just for weight loss, but for my mood, and my energy.
You reminded me I need to start taking my vitamins again (they got packed during a move, and i am embarassed to say I never started taking them again when i unpacked- eek! )
I’m a def. snacker, so this month I’m trying to devote my snacking to a healthier motion. Preporation is the key. Having a bag of something good for me in my purse is helping me avoid the dreaded vending machine at work (honestly- WHY dont they put apples or somethign in there?)… and im trying to keep easy good snacks on hand to grab and go.
Next plan is i’m cutting out fast food which I’ve come quite accustom to when im on the run. little changes every few weeks to a healthier me- for sure.
I definitely need to work on my toning. Thanks for posting this!
I love that tricep toning exercise! It makes me feel good. And don’t feel bad about the push ups. I attempted, but it got to hard for me and I just gave up on it :$
Great tips! And I looove that arm exercise. I’m working on toning up as well, and I’m finding that I’m really looking forward to my workouts. Yay for progress!
I’ve been running and trying really hard not to eat all the reduced fat oreos (that’s such an oxymoron!!)
Great tips on the muscle workouts and vitamins!
I totally suck at push ups, and my arms are my target area! :/ I do the exercise above, and the version that you do with both arms above your head. We can do it!
Thanks for the inspiration!
@gji7: Holy moly! I might have to try this!
I love your tips! I’ve been drinking at least a liter of water a day, cut off sodas and candy, no eating after 8pm (except water), and a fitness video a day!
i ditto gji7’s suggestion on re-thinking about the 100 push-ups challenge. i started out 4 weeks ago only being able to do 15 real ones… and just yesterday did a total of 107! it really works!
I, too, am trying to target my arms. I found a workout on Shape.com that was a 14-day arm toning routine that seems to be working, despite my lack of consistency. I’ve also been planning on trying the 100 pushup challenge, but I’ve been weary of the routine. After reading the comments, I’m definitely going to start!
My trainer has me do those same arm toning exercises and I love them!
i am definitely going to try those arm exercises since that is the one area I must tone before the wedding. thanks!
@gji7: holy crap, that kick ass!
i didn’t diet or exercised more than i normally would before the wedding, i just showed up flapping my bat wings, hahaha.
I’ve been eating healthier. A couple of days ago I started Jillian Michaels’ infamous Shred workout. Every muscle in my body is sore. I can’t believe how out of shape I’ve allowed myself to get!! Thanks for the tips, Quiche!!
Miss Glitter you and I are in the same boat. I also just started Jillian Michael’s Shred Workout. I am super sore too! I am sure it will all be worth it!
Thanks Miss Quiche! I need to remember to eat my vitamins.
Great description and pictures of the exercise. For more of a challenge, you might want to try leaning on an exercise ball instead of a bench – this way you are also working your core muscles by balancing the ball.
I was “lucky” that I was already in an established gym/workout routine for years before getting married so I just carried on with my cardio and free-weight routines. I do giant sets (10 reps of each exercise before repeating two times for a total of 3 sets) and I start off my sets with 10 pushups to utilize all the major muscles.
I always find working out relaxes and destresses me, especially with the wedding planning – all my focus was on making sure I was doing the exercises right and keeping balance (the wedding stuff got shoved to the back of my brain) for the hour-1.5 hours that I was at the gym.
I’m working on fixing my intake of food first before I work on working out to tone up. I still have over 16 months before our day, so I figure all the working out isn’t going to make much of a difference if I don’t change my eating habits first!
My fiance and I are getting into shape together! We go to the gym together after work everyday (almost) and we’re following the P90X workouts. They’re super intense but I’m seeing great results. Combined with my nannying job lugging around a 22 lb. baby… my arms are definitely going to be toned on the wedding day.
I totally recommend the P90X program if you aren’t afraid of a big challenge and have at least an hour a day to devote to your fitness. Guys love it. My soldier fiance especially loves that I’m doing it with him.
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Mrs. Quiche, Chicago/Montego Bay
Age and Occupation: 28, Interior Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 42, Telecom Guru
Engagement Date: July 2, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: Coyaba Resort, Montego Bay
About Me: I love Chicago and can’t imagine living anywhere else (Well, except Paris. Or anywhere in France, for that matter!). I’m a full-time worker, part-time student, soon-to-be-step-mom, indie music lovin’, architecture and design fanatic, macaroni and cheese addict, vegetarian, Francophile, Ohio State football obsessed, wedding planning girl. Mr. Quiche and I are “Partners-in-Crime” and cannot wait to celebrate our marriage surrounded by our family and closest friends. I plan on DIYing my little heart out (or as much as a suitcase to Jamaica will hold).
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