Health & Beauty

Bridal Beauty Alert
Tips for Hair Care - Star-Quality Hair

By Celebrity Hair Care Guru, Chaz Dean

Beautiful hair is a requirement for your wedding. The good news is that with the right planning your hair will look great for your wedding, and the rest of your life. Sound impossible? Well its not. Just follow these 8 simple rules and you'll look great and you'll feel great about the way you look.

Rule number 1:

Do not do anything drastic the week of your wedding like dying your hair a new color or trying a brand new cut and style. Rushed decisions are rarely good ones especially when you are already nervous and excited. Plus, you will need more than a couple of days to correct a disaster. Your wedding pictures are something you should love and cherish not hide because your hair looked bad!

Rule number 2:

Do plan early! The week you choose your wedding gown is the best time to start planning you hairstyle. Your 1st step is to have someone take a picture of you in the gown. If you're having your gown made just slip into a similar one so you have a visual representation of its style and fit. Look at the pictures and decide what style or image you want to convey i.e. Renaissance romantic, Hollywood glamour, modern and edgy etc. Then decide which hair style best captures that look. Take the time to thumb through magazines and get a feel for what other people are doing. Once you've settled on 2-4 hair styles take the pictures to your stylist and discuss which would best suit your hair type. Then try a couple. Have someone at the salon take a picture of you in each of the styles. You will know the right style when you see it!

If you are having an out of town wedding, you should take pictures of your finished style as well as pictures of the styling process like curling, teasing and blow drying. This way your new hairstylist will see exactly what you want your hair to look like, and know what they need to do to get it there

Rule number 3:

If you are going to experiment with color do it at the same time you decide on the style of your hair. The right highlights, low lights or 3-4 color hair weaves can look spectacular and really light up a face. The wrong color can be a disaster. Finding out what works and what doesn't early, gives you plenty of time to correct the color and even try another option without damaging your hair! Make sure that you have your stylist use a low volume, low amonia product. At Chaz Dean Studios we only use Majirel by Loreal to insure the best color and protect the hair from damage.

Rule number 4:

Drink plenty of water and load up on vitamins. Within 6-8 weeks you will see a wonderful change in your hair! The big bonus is that you will feel great and your skin will look and feel softer and more supple. Water also helps wash away toxins produced by stress that can rob you of energy and leave your hair and skin looking dry and dull. I recommend 8 ounces of water every hour throughout the day. The most important vitamins to add to your diet are zinc (found in beans), vitamin A (found in dark green vegetables) and (B6 found in eggs.) If you have dry thinning hair some herbalists also recommend black-current oil (try 500 milligrams twice a day.) For a fast fix you can also purchase quality hair and skin vitamins from any good vitamin or organic grocery store.

Rule number 5:

Don't over cleanse you hair! Yes I know it sounds dramatic but its true. Most commercial shampoos and have harsh detergents that strip your hair leaving it dull and lifeless. The commercial conditioners that stop the frizzes end up robbing your hair of volume. We haven't used shampoo at Chaz Dean studios for over 8 years and all my clients' look great. We use Wen, a cleansing conditioner with Rosemary, Mint and eucalyptus. Since it doesn't have any detergents it doesn't lather, or leave a residue. You just get clean gorgeous hair. It also deep conditions, nourishes the scalp and actually helps your hair grow faster, feel thicker, have more volume.

Rule number 6:

Do any maintenance color or retouching 2-3 weeks before your wedding day. This will leave you plenty of time to counteract any extra dryness or damage. As before, I highly recommend using Majirel by Loreal to insure the best color and minimize damage.

Rule number 7:

Deep condition your hair one week before your wedding. You can use Wen or an herbal based deep conditioning treatment. This treatment will revitalize your hair leaving it vibrant, shiny, full of volume, and luxuriously soft. Simply massage the product into your hair, cover with a plastic shower cap and sit under a dryer for one hour. If you don't own a dryer, just leave the product in for an additional hour or so. Do not deep condition your hair the day before your wedding. The deep conditioning will make it hard for your hair to hold any style or curl for any extended time. I also recommend doing this treatment every 4-6 weeks as part of your regular hair maintenance routine.

Rule number 8:

Use your hair cleansing product the day before not the day of your wedding. This is especially important for women with straight, fine or thin hair. This will insure that neither you nor your hairstylist will have to deal with fly away ends hours before your wedding. Your hair will also be easier to style and be able to hold a style longer. However, if you have incredibly thick and curly hair like my client Julianna Margulies, I recommend that you do condition the day before and the day of your wedding!

Remember, you are beautiful and this is your special day. Be prepared for a ton of compliments, and enjoy your gorgeous hair!

By celebrity hair specialist Chaz Dean
ewonderfullife.com

Bridal Beauty Alert - 4 step plan for a better body

You've just set your wedding date, and are planning a sexy and romantic honeymoon when you suddenly catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and panic; "I have to lose 10 lbs. immediately!" Well fear not. You can get in shape and you can do it in time for your wedding as long as you get started early, according to Noah Blakey, LA's #1 Personal Fitness trainer.

Blakey, who creates individualized fitness programs for over 100 clients ranging in age from 18-83,says keeping to the fundamentals is the key to getting and staying in great shape. " I am a big believer in simplicity says Blakey, " being consistent in your eating and workout habits guarantees success. Anyone can lose 10 pounds in 1 or 2 weeks. However that same person can put it all back on just as quickly. I have seen it a thousand times."

So how do you get the weight off in time for my wedding and keep it off? According to Blakey it's easy as long as you follow this 4 part plan.

1) Blakey recommends joining a support-oriented weight lose program like Weight Watchers especially if you want to lose 15 or more pounds. According Blakey, having support when you are trying to lose weight and get into a new fitness routine is a key to success. Changing old eating habits without the proper positive support can be tough. Being around people who are successfully losing weight and getting fit is inspiring, and nurturing. It also makes the weight loss process easier and more fun. While Blakey recommends Weight Watchers because it offers a variety of balanced menu options and supplies you with a support group, he says that weight lose programs sponsored by local religious and civic groups as well as fitness classes like yoga can also be great support vehicles.

2) Join a gym. Whether you want to lose 5 or 50 pounds, to get in shape and be healthier you have to exercise regularly! To get noticeable results faster, Blakey recommends hiring a personal fitness trainer. You should work with trainer one day per week on weight training and do a cardiovascular workout 5 days per week. A good trainer will be able to access your fitness level and determine how much time you should spend working out and what you should do during that period of time. If you haven't exercised consistently for a while, Blakey recommends beginning slowly by spending 20 to 30 minutes walking on the treadmill, and then increasing the amount of time and your pace gradually every week. This type of work out will actually leave you feeling energized, and that newly found energy will inspire you to go back to the gym and work out again. Pushing yourself to hard in the beginning can actually sabotage your weight-loss plan by leaving you sore and exhausted.

3) Set realistic goals! Optimally you should give yourself 6 months to a year to lose weight and get in shape. Long range planning actually nets you lasting and better than expected results, by taking the pressure off you at a time when you are already feeling pressured. Plus, it gives you and your body time to adjust to a different and healthier way of life. The last thing you need when you are planning a wedding is added anxiety about your weight! According to Blakey, if you remain consistent in your eating and exercise habits, you may actually see changes in your body within 90 days! Another big bonus is that exercising regularly will actually reduce your stress levels and boost your mood.

4) Avoid sugar and flour. According to Blakey these ingredients combined with lack of exercise are the leading culprits in America's battle of the bulge. Hidden sugars in many dairy products and processed foods can undermine the most well meaning diet, and the sodium in these products can lead to water retention and bloating! To dodge any possible diet snafus, Blakey recommends reading the labels on all foods before you buy or eat them, and sticking with basic whole foods, like leafy green salads vegetables, fish and meats. You will not only feel better but also look better!

By fitness specialist Noah Blakey
ewonderfullife.com

Noah Blakey is LA's #1 Fitness Trainer at California's #1 Gym, Gold's Hollywood. Blakey has over a decade of Fitness Training experience and works with 100 clients, privately and at Gold's, creating individualized programs that insure success.

Bridal Beauty Alert
Tips for perfect wedding day skin

Everyone wants to look exceptionally beautiful on their wedding day including the groom. Unfortunately getting ready for that big day can be stressful and can take a toll on even the most beautiful complexion. The good news is that there are simple things you can do for yourself before the wedding that will help relax you and make your skin look great. Here are a couple of the most frequently asked questions.

Should I do anything special with my skin before my wedding?

Your skin should definitely look healthy for your wedding day. This is a time to look radiant, not made-up. I suggest starting one week prior to the wedding with a daily routine of cleanse, scrub, tone, and moisturize. Use a cleanser that is not drying so you won't create any excessive lines or patchiness. Use a scrub with micro action to exfoliate dead skin layers and reveal new healthy skin. Nonalcoholic toners are best during this routine so you don't over strip the already exfoliated skin. A moisturizer that is light should be applied morning and night. When the day arrives, you will notice that your make up glides on easily and promotes a healthy glow.

Is it safe to use acids on my face?

There are several types of acids, glycolic, salicylic, fruits, aha, etc. Acids while in a high percentage, say 35%, will cause the top most layers of the skin to "burn" away within minutes. This process needs to be administered my a licensed professional. Acids with a lower percentage around 5% are intended for home use and can be already included in some skincare products such as moisturizers or serums. These products are a good source of continual gentle exfoliation and reveal beautiful new skin within days.

Is there any help for over dry skin?

Yes, Most skincare products containing hyaluronic acid will give immediate smoothness and moisture to rough dry skin surfaces and significantly improve skin appearance. Hyaluronic acid actually absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and binds it together on your skin. Essentially greaseless, the natural acid will also plump up lines and wrinkles.

By celebrity skin specialist Larry Costa
ewonderfullife.com

Larry Costa has been cited as an expert in the field of health and beauty in countless magazine, TV appearances, and newspapers, including Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, New York Magazine and The New York Times. Long recognized as the premiere massage therapist to the stars, he was named the "Best Massage Therapist in NYC" by Vogue Magazine. Larry first began creating his skincare line at the young age of 16 while working on his family farm in Florida. He then began acting on the TV show Miami Vice, where he sold his skincare to the cast. And crew. Larry now has a large celebrity following including Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Uma Thurman, Liv Tyler, Frederique, K.D. Lang, Donatella Versace, Gweneth Paltrow, Billy Zane, Melanie Griffith, Kelly Klein, N-Dea Davenport, and Don Johnson.

Wedding Day Makeup

It's your wedding day! Along with the beautiful gown, flowers, and cake, you want everything to look perfect. Your makeup is an important part of your overall look, however, it should enhance you, not make you feel like you're wearing a mask! Since you'll be photographed and/or videotaped, the camera lights are a specific concern. These lights tend to make the skin look paler and shinier than it really is, so makeup helps compensate for this. Here are some tips:

• Use an oil-free foundation (unless your skin is very dry) that is as close to your own skin tone as possible. Test by applying a bit to the jaw area, then look outside in natural sunlight to see if the color blends in. Foundation coverage ranges from sheer to heavy; buy according to how even- toned your bare skin is.
• Undereye concealer covers undereye circles, blemishes, etc. It should be a shade lighter than your foundation.
• Powder- this is important! Set your foundation with a loose translucent powder. Then, have an oil-free pressed powder compact with you for touching up a shiny nose, forehead, etc.
• Eyes- you can't go wrong with soft earth-tone eyeshadows. Use a light, off-white shade to highlight the browbone, and perhaps a taupe or peach on the lid. Blend well! Stay away from frosted eyeshadows as they don't always photograph well. Use a black, waterproof mascara on the top lashes, and a waterproof pencil to line the top lid. Try navy, charcoal, or dark brown for lining. If needed, fill in the brows with pencil or powder in a shade that is lighter than the hair (it blends in easier). Be careful not to over-do the brows.
• Blush lightly with a powder or creme blush blended into the apple of the cheeks. Just smile, you can't miss them!
• Lipstick should not be too dark or bright, but should be in the same color family as the blush, whether rosy or peachy. Stay away from drab browns, they're too dulling when you're wearing white. For lip color that lasts, try a lip pencil in a matching shade, fill in the lips, then apply lipstick over it. You can also find "indelible" lipsticks that
  stay on and on-- just make sure you really like the color before applying it! Finish with a drop of lip gloss in the center of the bottom lip for added fullness and shine.

Your lipstick and pressed powder are the two items you'll want to have with you for the day. Remember to occasionally check for shine on the skin or faded lipstick, especially when you know that photos are about
to be taken.

If you feel uncertain over how to apply your makeup, or just want to be pampered on your special day, you may want to hire a professional makeup artist. You can find one on the internet, in the phone book, a favorite cosmetic counter, newspaper, or ask a friend whose wedding makeup you admired. Here's a hint: look at the makeup artist to see how she wears her own makeup. Ask the makeup artist about her experience, and schedule a consultation with her so you'll see how you'll look ahead of time. Makeup artist fees will vary according to experience.

Whether you apply the makeup yourself or not, if done with care, you'll look and feel wonderful. The mementos of the day, your photos, will reflect the beautiful, radiant bride you've always dreamed of being.

Michelle Cutler - Make-Up Artist

Brightening Your Smile

The bright smile of a bride should be the centerpiece of a wonderful wedding day. So much time goes into planning this special day that tuning-up your smile tends to be left off the list. Looking your best, especially when second chances aren't an option, is extremely key. Your wedding day photos will tell your blissful story for a lifetime.

Many brides spend their wedding budget on the fanciest dress and the finest photographer and videographer in town but don't consider brightening their smiles because they feel it's "not cost effective". Because they are on a budget, a pleasing smile doesn't seem to be important…until it's too late. One bride I know could not wait to come home from her honeymoon to view her wedding proofs. As she sorted through the 200+ photos taken that day, she was amazed how the photographer had captured several key moments in such vivid details. She was saddened that many of the pictures she liked with her smiling accentuated her only true fault: her crooked, yellow teeth. She was upset that the truly beautiful day was ruined by her smile. She never wanted to show the album to anyone.

One investment that will make your day and provide many years of dividends, is a smile makeover. One advantage of a smile makeover is that the bride gets to take it with her after the ceremony. It doesn't take months of planning and savings, and last just 5 hours. Depending on your budget and time frame, there are several types of smile makeovers available with three being the most popular: teeth whitening (bleaching) and reshaping, orthodontics (braces) and veneering (porcelain orthodontics).

If your timing is short or you are on a fixed budget, teeth whitening and reshaping incurs the least outlay of funds. In my practice I provide whitening by laser. The laser offers you instant gratification (less than 30 minutes), in conjunction with minor teeth reshaping, for the most affordable smile opportunity. The total procedure is quick (less than one hour), pain-free and requires no recovery time or reappointments. You leave the dentists office whiter, brighter and happier making a total investment of less than $1500.00.

Orthodontics (teeth straightening) is a great investment now because we have Invisalign (removable clear positioners). Invisalign is a series of clear, nearly undetectable positioners (aligners) worn full time, day and night. Each set is worn about two weeks for a total average treatment time of 12 months. Because the aligners are removable, they are convenient and comfortable and afford you the ability to eat your favorite foods and brush and floss your teeth when you please. Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign depending on your dental situation. If your time frame is less than 12 months this may not be for you. Normal fees are usually less than $5000.00 depending on the degree of difficulty. One additional benefit with Invisalign, you can bleach your teeth simultaneously (placing gel in your aligners), finishing with a whiter as well as a straighter smile.

Veneering is a superb procedure for those requiring or seeking an advanced treatment option. Depending on the position of your teeth and the broadness of your smile, the outer surface of each front tooth (usually up to10 upper and 10 lower) is reduced and the arches (upper or lower) contoured to ideal form. This may require shaping more off one tooth and less off another. An impression is taken then an ideal temporary, fashioned to your liking, is made and cemented securely in place. In about two weeks, the temporary is removed and a thin layer of glazed porcelain is permanently bonded to each tooth to create a dazzling knock-out smile. This process takes only two visits and affords you with the smile of your dreams. Fees for this procedure will be $700.00 to $2000.00 per tooth depending on the number of teeth involved and the expertise of the clinician placing the veneers. Veneering represents the greatest investment for a bride but it provides a dazzling smile for a lifetime.

A brilliant, pleasing, healthier smile is essential for a bride or groom to finalize the picture perfect wedding day. If you need a second opinion, ask your photographer. Smile with confidence and enjoy your day.

By Glenn A. MacFarlane, D.M.D., P.A.
DocSmile@aol.com

Wedding hair tips to make your day beautiful!

Bridal hair specialist and author of The Business of Bridal Beauty, as well as creator of www.weddinghair.com, Gretchen Maurer has some excellent tips to offer. She is also a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Bridal hairstyles need to reflect the brides' personality and personal style. The "natural" days are finally ending as today's bride looks for "more" from her wedding day salon services. More fun, more beauty, and more individuality are what brides are in search of. Theme weddings, museum receptions, and creative personal touches help originate a "signature touch" for the couples' big day.

Long Hair

If your hair is long and you wear it pulled back most of the time than an elegant Updo would be just the look. Incorporate a detail from your gown into your hair design. Details such as braiding or twisting of fabric can be duplicated into the hairstyle. Or look to the texture of the dress. A soft wispy hairstyle complements a full-skirted tulle gown. A smooth gown of a heavy weight fabric is complemented by a smooth, shiny hairstyle of knots or rolls. Do you wear your long hair down most of the time? Then try wearing some of it up away from your face and leave the rest to cascade around your shoulders. Let few tendrils escape to float around your face, they can be curled or left natural. Having it all down is just too casual for the big day.

Tip: Natural curls? Enhance them and work with them; keep your look soft. Straight hair? Don’t expect a set to last all day, wear it up. If the curls are pinned in place there will be less worry.

Medium Hair

If your hair is medium in length it can be curled and worn with a sparkly headband or tiara to dress it up. Or simply tuck some hair behind your ears and use one of the very popular decorative hair clips to hold it back. With the help of a talented stylist, your hair can also be worn up.

Tip: If your dream is to wear it up and you have a few months grow it out, go for it. Medium hair is versatile, try a few looks with your stylist at least a few months ahead of time. This helps to chart out the growing process.

Short Hair

Believe me there is lots that can be done! Dust off your curling iron and give your hair some fullness in the crown area and back. Don't curl the front, it won't look like you. Flatter fronts are in right now so sweep the hair off to the side and save the curls for the back area. Today's "curls" are for creating texture. Many hair products on the market are designed for "texturizing the hair" not necessarily for hold.

Tip: Don't touch the curls while they are warm, it will loosen them up too much. Once cooled run your finger through your hair with some hair wax and pinch and place the "texture" where you want it! Don't brush them out it will look too poufy, frizzy, and (Horror!) dated!! Top your do with a tiara or a few hair clips and you are ready to go!

Headpieces
Here is the best advice!

• Pick out your wedding gown first
• Decide on your hairstyle second
• Choose the headpiece and veil third

I have actually tore apart a headpiece on the brides wedding day and redesigned it because it did not go with the hairstyle she wanted. The best way of course is to have a couple of trial run appointments at the hair salon prior to the big day. This way an exchange can be made for a different style headpiece if necessary. Don’t feel pressured into purchasing a headpiece because it "matches your dress". Instead look for a detail from the gown you would like to enhance and find a headpiece that complements. It may be pearls, a flower detail, or the trim. Or match the flowers in your bouquet.

Petite? If you are finding that the headpieces seem to big, look at what is offered for first communion headpieces and ask the bridal salon to add a longer veil.

Second marriage? Having a veil is fine if you want one, but you may want to skip the blusher. A beautiful tiara is perfect or ornament your hairstyle. Try a hat, they are coming back!

New Trend!! Ornament your hairstyle! Look in the bridal section of the craft store for fun finds! There are also many beautiful decorative hair sticks, barrettes and bobby pins to add to your hairstyle! Simply attach a comb with netting to cascade down the back of the hairstyle, i.e. (easily removable at the reception.)

By Gretchen Maurer
www.weddinghair.com

Top Bridal Fitness Questions (and their answers)

As a Personal Trainer for brides-to-be, I often get asked the same wedding fitness questions over and over again. Brides (and grooms) usually are looking for simple and easy ways to get in better shape for their special day.

While there aren’t any quick-fix overnight shape-up plans, armed with the right knowledge and techniques anyone can improve their appearance in time for their wedding day. Here are the most common questions along with answers to help you get more fit in time for your nuptials.

My wedding is next month, how can I drop 20 pounds?
Bottom line – you really can’t. This answer doesn’t get a lot of cheers, but it’s the realistic truth. In a month’s time the most you typically can expect to lose is about 8 pounds. If you try unhealthy, starvation-type diets you might be able to lose more than that. But, the truth is that those extra pounds probably won’t make you look a whole lot better. That’s because if you lose that much weight in such a short period of time then you just lose water and muscle weight primarily – not fat! You’d be better off losing the 8 pounds in a healthy way that includes increasing muscle mass and decreasing fat. This type of weight loss will actually improve your appearance. Plus, with the drastic 20-pound loss, you are putting yourself at risk for illness not to mention making yourself look sickly for your precious wedding photographs.

With all the wedding planning, I don’t have a single minute to workout. What can I do?
While wedding planning can make anyone’s life a little crazy, it’s important not to lose sight of the importance of regular exercise. Decreasing your usual weekly fitness regimen is fine, but don’t completely forgo it. Try to fit in even just 20 minutes three times per week. And, don’t feel limited to traditional workouts. You can incorporate your wedding planning and workouts together. For example, enroll your fiancé and yourself in weekly dance lessons. You’ll wow your reception guests with your dance steps plus benefit from the exercise you get during each lesson.

How can I get my upper body more defined looking for my wedding day?
You can’t spot reduce. So, if you have a lot of fat in that area, you will first need to reduce it. In basic terms, this is done by burning more calories than you consume. So, you need to participate in a healthy fitness program that includes cardio, strength training, flexibility and good nutrition. Once you have decreased the fat, then you can concentrate on strengthening the muscle groups in your upper body. You can do this with dumbbells, resistance bands or weight machines. Choose 1-2 exercises for each major muscle group and perform 8-12 reps and repeat with 1-2 sets. With a good, targeted strength program you could even see results within four weeks.

I really want to get in-shape for my wedding, but I just don’t have any willpower. How can I make myself exercise?
Find a program or a workout-buddy that will help provide you with motivation, encouragement and accountability. Your fiancé is a great first choice. But, you could also enlist the help of a member of the bridal party or your mother. Another great option is working with a fitness professional. The fitness pro can create an individual program for you or one designed for you and your workout-buddy. Plus, being accountable to a stranger can be much more motivating. After all, your buddy may fear offending you when remarking about a missed workout session.

Our honeymoon is at a beach. How can I get firmer abs and butt for my swimsuit?
As mentioned above, you can’t spot reduce and you need to take a comprehensive approach to shaping-up. With that said, be sure to include exercises that strengthen and tone those particular areas. For a very challenging abdominal workout, try exercises with a stability ball. There are also many great leg/butt exercises that you can do with the ball. But, plain-old squats and lunges are also effective.

For a comprehensive customized bridal workout program, visit WorkoutsForYou.com.

Written by Lynn Bode, owner of WorkoutsForYou.com.

WorkoutsForYou.com helps brides get fit for their wedding day through affordable online exercise programs that fit into their busy schedules. Programs are completely personalized to each individual.

How to Look Great on Your Wedding Day

5 Steps to a Fit Wedding Day

Your boyfriend finally pops the question and now, with the possession of that rock on your finger, you’ve been catapulted to the status of fiancé. All of a sudden, your head is flooded by a swelling sea of questions. The first one that usually rears its ugly head is; we’ve set the date for the special day, but I feel as big as a house and how is my dress going to fit? People that I haven’t seen in ten years will come to the wedding, am I going to have to wear a black dress now in some lame attempt to make me look thinner?

I’ll let you drive yourself crazy with these questions for a few moments longer, and then slap you out of your hysteria. While you may not really look like a duplex, every bride to be feels that they are fat and would love to look more beautiful on their big day. So, I’ve come up with the 5 most important things you need to do in order to lose fat and be more fit in time for your walk down the aisle.

1. Create a plan- Not a plan as big as your wedding; you’re not planning a workout for 400 people... just you. In your plan, figure out a REAL schedule, not a wishful thinking, I hope I can, if I juggle this or get my mother in law to do that, schedule. A real “I will workout Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 pm” schedule. Then figure out where; at home, a gym or a friend’s house (or if the weather is cooperative; the park). When that’s done, pick a non-family member to workout with you, to keep you accountable. This should take all of 15 minutes, so don’t put it off because you think doilies under the centerpieces really matter, they don’t.
2. Set Goals – Goals are things you shoot for, they are not fantasies. Four important things to keep in mind when setting goals are; Make the goals specific, “Not, I want to lose weight for my wedding” but “I will lose 15 pounds of fat or 3 inches in my waist for my wedding.” Make sure it is possible to measure your goals, either by yourself, or by a fitness professional. Set big goals. Don’t sell yourself short. You can achieve anything you set out to do. Have realistic deadlines. If you think “I can lose 30 pounds in 30 days” you’re dead wrong. 1-2 pounds a week is a good start.
3. Write down your food intake – Keeping a journal of what you eat throughout the day is the best way to keep yourself accountable. Most individuals who keep food diaries are likelier to eat healthier and stay the course, than those that don’t. If you need a food journal I’ll send you one for free, just logon to www.askrocco.com and click on Free Food Journal. Consider this a gift from us for your wedding day.
4. Commit to exercise 3 hours a week- I don’t care if it is three days for 1 hour per day, or 6 days for 30 minutes, that’s for you to decide (remember create a realistic plan). A routine that incorporates resistance training and aerobic exercise will create a symmetrical look for your body. Don’t just try to work on your trouble spots, because you will wind up looking out of balance due to overcompensation.
5. Exercise with intensity – As with any exercise plan you need to workout, and not just show up. If you can walk or run and hold a conversation with your friend, you’re not working out hard enough. If you’re waiting more than 15 seconds between sets, you’re not working out hard enough. The last 5 repetitions of each set are supposed to burn, and you should need to ask your partner for some help. The higher the intensity, the quicker the results, and the shorter the workouts will have to be…efficiency at its best!

Understanding these simple principles will not only get you in shape for your big day, but keep you fit for the rest of your life. Good luck and look great on your honeymoon.

Wedding Makeup Secrets