Healthy Eating for Busy People - Dietriffic.comHealthy Eating Advice from a Professional

Overpriced caterers, fussy photographers, and pushy future in-laws - the bliss of planning the perfect wedding day!

There’s no doubt about it, planning a wedding isn’t always easy, and for many the stress can overcome even the most genteel of women!

For some brides-to-be the desire to drop a few pounds leads into very drastic weight loss methods.

It’s even been suggested that the resulting extreme hunger could be the cause of such rampant bad tempers.

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How to successfully reach your wedding day as fab and dignified as ever!

#1 Do you view weight loss as a temporary fix?

Rather than focusing on slimming down just for your wedding day, think of it more as the incentive towards a new, healthier way of life.

Safe weight loss is around 1-2 pounds per week. Try making a few small changes in your diet to create a 250-500 calorie deficit, and then exercise for 30 minutes or more each day.

#2 Regular meals

Skipping meals may seem like an easy way to cut calories, but it’s more likely to be having the opposite effect, setting you up for overeating, and weight gain.

Remember, that quick weight loss is usually temporary, and it tends to be much easier to regain weight if your initial loss was too fast.

Eat healthy foods

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Have you made any changes to your eating plan? Or, is it still creamy coffees and donuts all round?

#3 Make time for breakfast

A quickly prepared breakfast will fuel you right through to lunch. If you’ve got a busy day ahead shopping, planning and organising choose a high fibre cereal, such as porridge, or wholegrain bread, with fresh fruit, and low fat yoghurt, or milk.

Check out 25 Breakfast Ideas for the Bleary Eyed for more quick and easy suggestions.

#4 Balanced mealtimes

Eating regularly will ensure that your body has a steady energy supply, helping to maintain your blood glucose levels, which in turn will help control feelings of stress.

• Choose high fibre carbohydrates at each meal - this will provide the fuel your body needs, and also provide a source of B vitamins, which are beneficial for nerve and brain cells.
• Eat plenty of brightly coloured fruits and vegetables - they contain essential antioxidant vitamins, and other nutrients, which help to counter free radical damage, thought to be heightened during times of stress; they also help to maintain radiant looking skin, hair and nails.

If cooking’s not your forte get a little practise in before you say “I do” with these simple 25 Minimalistic Meals: 5 Ingredients or less.

#5 Bring healthy snacks with you

If you’re out and about making wedding preparations it’s a good idea to bring healthy snacks from home to eat on-the-go.

Take a look at Healthy Snack Ideas for a more suggestions.

#6 Be cautious about drinks

If you drink alcohol, it’s wise to cut down to prevent those extra calories mounting up. Also, if you regularly consume soft drinks and other high sugar beverages, can you reduce the quantity? These drinks are unnecessary, unhealthy, and they add way too many calories.

A better alternative would be water or herbal teas, which have the added benefit of helping to improve the complexion. Aim for 6-8 glasses each day.

#7 Get enough sleep

With all the preparation and planning of a wedding many brides-to-be experience lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a big contributor to how you feel, and react, and it can also have detrimental effects of your overall health.

• Try to create a regular schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including weekends.
• Get optimum sleep every night – an average of 8 hours is recommended.
• Aim for sleep in one continuous block, if possible. This way your body receives better mental recovery, as it is allowed to reach a deeper sleep cycle.

How to deal with stress

If things do get out of control, close your eyes and remember exactly why you’re planning this day!

#8 Breathe deeply

If you find yourself in stressful situations deep breathing can help ease tension, and cause you to feel more relaxed almost instantly.

Try closing your eyes and inhale slowly through your nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly. Visualizing a relaxing scene, such as watching a beautiful sunset, or walking on the beach, can also add to the feeling of calm.

#9 Exercise often

If stress is getting too much for you, take time out to go for a walk or bike ride. Regular exercise is very effective in helping to manage stress by releasing endorphins which elevate mood.

Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes, five days per week. You should try to incorporate cardio, stretching, and weights into your exercise routine for maximum benefit. Check out A Bit by Bit Approach to Exercise.

#10 Smile…even if you don’t mean it!

Smiling instantly gives you a lift, making you feel more relaxed and happy, and helping to relieve some of the stressful tension.

Remember, getting married is supposed to be a happy event, don’t allow the stresses of planning prevent you from having an amazing time!

When you make it through into marital bliss think about setting one or two small goals to help maintain this new healthy lifestyle, rather than lapsing back into old ways again.

My wedding day!

Okay, so maybe it’s not relevant, but I had to put this in! This was our wedding day, 24th May 2005, which is coming up to three years this Saturday.

It was a very happy day for us!

So, now it’s time for you to fess up - were you a bridezilla? Maybe you’ve witnessed one in action? Please leave a comment and give us all a bit of a giggle!!

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You may also like to read the following:

• Disorder of the Day
• Does Exercise Lead to Overeating?
• Create your own Weight loss Accountability!