Once the wedding date gets fixed, brides-to-be start looking for the perfect wedding attire. Salon trips become part of their routine as well. Brides want to look and feel their best on their D-day, and for some losing a few pounds is one part of it. Wedding weight loss is a thing for many brides, and there are many weight loss exercises out there that can help you shed the extra kilos. If dropping pounds is your fitness goal, start preparing a weight-loss workout plan well before your wedding day.

The ideal time to start working out depends on several factors such as your fitness level, goals, and the wedding date. However, a general recommendation is to start early to allow for gradual and sustainable progress, says fitness expert Abhi Singh Thakur.

Weight loss exercises for brides-to-be

There are many exercises that you can add to your fitness routine. Here are some of the most effective exercises –

1. Running

Begin with a warm-up such as light jogging or brisk walking for about 10 minutes. Then start running at a comfortable pace, focusing on proper form and breathing. Gradually increase your speed or include intervals (alternating between periods of higher intensity and recovery) to add variety and intensity to this cardiovascular exercise.

2. Squats

To do this strength training exercise, stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Then lower your body by bending your knees and hips, as if you are sitting on a chair. While doing so, keep your back straight, and ensure your knees do not extend beyond your toes. Then push through your heels to go back to the starting position. Begin with bodyweight squats and gradually add resistance as you become more comfortable.

3. Burpees

Begin in a standing position then drop into a squat position, placing your hands on the ground. Kick your feet back so that you can do a plank position, and then a push-up. Jump and get back into a squat position then explosively jump up from the squat position, reaching your arms overhead. Land softly and quickly go into the next repetition.

Also Read: 5 different ways to do burpees and drop several kilos in less than a month

4. Plank

Place your forearms on the ground, with your elbows right below your shoulders. Right from your head to heels, your body needs to be in a straight line. Hold the plank position for as long as possible, aiming for 60 seconds to failure, says Thakur. Focus on keeping your back straight and avoiding sagging or lifting your hips.

5. Yoga

Yoga is a practice that many prefer to do, as it has many health benefits, including weight loss. You can do yoga poses such as downward dog, warrior poses and child’s pose. Follow a routine that includes both strength-building and flexibility-enhancing poses. Pay attention to breathing and mindfulness during the practice to reduce stress.

While running and burpees provide cardiovascular benefits, squats contribute to muscle building and metabolism boost, plank enhances core strength, and yoga addresses flexibility and stress reduction.

What to keep in mind while planning a wedding weight loss plan?

Don’t just wake up one day and stop eating your favourite foods to lose weight. There are a few points to keep in mind before coming up with a weight loss plan –

1. Timing matters

Starting a weight loss workout plan at least three to six months before the wedding provides a reasonable timeframe for seeing positive changes without resorting to extreme or crash diets.

2. Mind your fitness level

If you haven’t If your fitness level is low, you may need more time to adapt to a regular exercise routine. Starting early allows for a progressive and manageable increase in workout intensity, the expert tells Health Shots.

3. Avoid stress

Stress is inevitable when you have so much to look forward to at the wedding! Starting early helps to avoid the stress and pressure of trying to achieve rapid results in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

4. Consultation with professionals

If possible, consult with fitness trainers, nutritionists or healthcare professionals. They can help to create a personalised plan for you.

5. Establishing healthy habits

Starting early allows you to establish healthy habits, both in terms of exercise and nutrition. Developing a sustainable lifestyle, rather than focusing solely on the wedding date is key.

Remember to set achievable weight loss goals, focus on a sustainable diet, stay busy doing daily activities beyond formal workouts and ensure enough quality sleep each night.