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Wedding Progress: Food
Bridal Fitness Progress, Plans, Updates, Food… Progress update time! It has been almost 3 weeks since I started referring to myself as a “Bride to Be.” It’s still a little weird, it still doesn’t quite feel real, and I’m still as motivated as ever to get into amazing shape – both physically and mentally. I think everything will start to feel “real” once I put down that first deposit on a venue…
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SHREDDING for the Wedding
SHREDDING for the Wedding
Yep – Planning a Wedding & Documenting my Fitness I will do whatever it takes. I know what I want, I know what I want to be, and I am ready for what it will take to get there. I have waited long enough. It’s time to take my goal, break it down, make a plan and stick to it! If you’ve followed me over the years, you know that this last one has been a monster for me. I haven’t seen much in the…
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TAB Fitness: Jump Start Your Workout with a Challenge!
It’s that time of year where holiday parties, family get-togethers and encouragement to indulge in calorie heavy adult beverages like coquito, hot buttered rum and egg nog can do a number on your figure. But if you’re a bride to be, you need to stay focused on the prize - looking fab in your gown! Before you decide to become a hermit and live on kale chips, tofu and lime infused water for the next two weeks, how about you incorporate a quick and easy workout into your daily schedule?
This is usually the time of year when people slack on their fitness plans and then remember them for the month of January before abandoning them again (yes I’m looking at you New Years resolution people who crowd the gyms and don’t come back after January 31st)! Skip buying an expensive gym membership or equipment that’ll collect dust, and consider taking up a workout challenge!
I’ve done these several times in the past but the overall goals are always the same. Done in the comfort of your home (or office), these month long workouts are generally meant to take no more than 5 to 15 minutes of your time depending on how in depth they are. Because they’re designed to gradually increase from easy to intense prolonged activity on specific muscle groups, you’ll see definite results by the end of the challenge.
Although I am a fan of going to the gym as a way to destress, I do love the challenges because they work - as long as you stay on schedule. Featured above is one of my favorite challenges - the Plank Challenge. I’m a huge fan of this particular workout because it works multiple muscle groups (arms, legs & abs) and even when you reach day 30, it still won’t take more than 5 minutes of your day.
What better way to make sure you don’t derail your wedding day dreams than by joining me on the Plank Challenge?! It’s been about a month since I’ve been inside a gym and I need to get back in shape! Follow along with my progress by following my hashtag #TABFitnessPlankChallenge on Instagram and Twitter!
TAB Fitness: The 30 Day Plank Challenge!
If you've been a longtime TAB follower, you know I'm a big fan of fitness challenges. I've done the 30 Day Squat Challenge, 30 Day Arm Challenge and 30 Day Abs Challenge. They're great ways to kick start a workout routine. And they're perfect for busy people since you don't need equipment and they take less than 30 minutes to do at home. In other words, you have no excuse to not exercise!
Since it's that time of year for resolutions - and I can already see resolution based membership waning at my gym - here's a way to make sure you keep your resolution to workout more. And remember...as a bride to be, you don't have the luxury to opt out of the gym. Why? Because nothing is worse than wedding pictures that make you cringe for reasons other than fashion choices and hairstyles.
Above is the 30 Day Plank Challenge. I love the plank. It's a brutal yet effective exercise that works your core as well as your arms and legs all at once. Much like other challenges, you start out small with a 20 second plank, and then slowly work your way up to a 300 second (5 minute) plank by the end of the month. Every 6th day is a rest day.
If you're unfamiliar with planks, here's a tutorial on Youtube for how to do a plank!
Image Credit: 30 Day Fitness Challenges
TAB Fitness: The 30 Day Plank Challenge
It's unofficially the last day of summer but that doesn't mean it's time to let those workout routines lapse since cool weather & more covered clothing are in our near futures! I'm rebooting the TAB Fitness series with an easy 30 day challenge that will literally take you less than 5 minutes a day to complete in the comfort of your own home.
Ladies & gents...say hello to the 30 Day Plank Challenge. The plank is a deceptively simple exercise that works your core while also sculpting your arms and upper legs. The challenge starts off with a 20 second plank and gradually works you up to a full on 5 minute plank by the last day. The genius aspect of this exercise is that you don't need any equipment and you can do it in the comfort of your home. And since it literally takes very little time to do, everyone can find the time to fit in this workout!
I am in love with the plank as you definitely start to see results once you pass the 1 minute mark. And couples, this is something you can do as a team to get ready for your wedding day! So, tomorrow (September 2nd) I'm starting my 30 Day Plank Challenge and I'll keep you posted on the results! For a video tutorial on how to do a plank click here.
Photo Credit: 30 Day Fitness Challenges (@30dayfitness)
Coming later this month…
The Anti Bridezilla has teamed up with New York Health & Racquet Club to bring you a first hand account of their new and popular workout classes called “Fit to Say I DO”. Fit to Say I DO is a 10 week, 20 session class that utilizes the barre method to whip brides-to-be into shape!
The first installment of this special TAB Fitness series kicks off next weekend right after Valentine’s Day!
Stay tuned!
Editor's Note: NYHRC has postponed this class until March, so our "Fit to Say I DO" TAB Fitness segment will begin then! ^_^
TAB Fitness: Don't Get Gym-timidated!
Starting a fitness routine is a big undertaking. No matter how many times fitness gurus and infomercials try to claim that working out is "as easy as 1-2-3", the truth is, it's not. Working out takes dedication, and a willingness to get your butt in gear and go to the gym immediately following yet another Nor'easter Snowpocalypse! And considering how much mental dedication a serious fitness routine requires, it's essential to not let yourself get "gym-timidated" with what you see in real life or social media!
1. You don't need to be able to bench press 250lbs!
No really, you don't. You're trying to look good in your wedding dress, not enter for the next Ms. Hard Body competition. Although it's fantastic to push yourself to be able to lift the next level of weights, don't feel pressured to lift more than you're physically able to do. Unless you're desperate to spend your engagement period permanently sore and icing your muscles, it's not necessary to over do it!
2. All body types are not equal.
When you go on Instagram and Pinterest, it's easy to be swayed as you look at people posing showing off their ultimate "tickets to the gun show". And if you let it, it can make you feel inadequate. You've been working out for a bit - why aren't your "guns" popping?! Take a breath! Everyone's body type is different. Some people only need to hit the gym a few times to start to see results. Others may have to really stick to a serious regimen that includes a dietary and exercise overhaul. Wherever you fall in this scenario, embrace your body for what it is and focus on your goals. If all you do is compare yourself to others, you'll quit before you even start!
3. Don't get gym-timidated!
This is probably more relevant to women who have gym memberships. But, whether you belong to an all female gym or a coed one, it's easy to be scared away from weight machines or the free weights by obnoxious gym members. You know who I'm referencing! The people who feel the need to grunt loudly as they lift an excessive amount of weights, make laps (slowly walking) around the gym to show off their buff bodies, or the worst offense of all - sitting at a machine or weights stand while they don't really use them. Kudos to them that they're putting in the effort on some level, but it's also distracting, irritating and annoying. When you encounter these people, don't shy away from a machine or stand of free weights because they happen to be near. Turn your music up, wipe down that machine and zone them out!
4. Don't feel compelled to be a Chatty Cathy at the gym
Just because someone wants to chat you up, doesn't mean you have to hold a convo. For a lot of people (myself included) gym time equals "me time". It's the hour or so in my day that is all about me, my KPop Pandora station while I lift, and practicing my Japanese on the treadmill. I don't like to be bothered by people when I'm at the gym unless they're asking me if they can use the machine immediately after me. I'm not there to meet a man, I'm not there to make new besties...I'm there to get my butt in shape. Seriously, don't be guilted into holding a convo with someone if it's not what you want to do.
5. Don't be afraid of weights!
I often times see women doing the bare minimum level of weights on the machines or lifting not even a total of 5lbs with free weights. And usually the excuse is "I don't want to get too big". There's a certain amount of truth regarding lifting so much that you enter "hard body" territory. But lifting 10lbs on the ab crunch machine when you can clearly do 40lbs or lifting two 2lb weights when you do arm extensions is hardly going to get you a washboard set of abs or Michelle Obama worthy arms. If you're not feeling a real burn...you're not really working your body towards its maximum potential.
TAB Fitness: Tweaking Your Workout
With the new year a mere days away, the fitness fever bug is starting to bite plenty of people. The holidays can be an unforgiving time of year where you're expected to look your best in figure hugging dresses while being ironically surrounded by plenty of "bad for you" foods. It's enough to make the average woman go crazy. Now, imagine that you have a Spring wedding coming up, and only a few months to get body ready for your big day. Talk about pressure!
As a Spring bride with a wedding only three and a half months away, I can definitely say that the pressure is now on for me to get 100% into shape! Now, if you follow The Anti Bridezilla, you know that we launched a fitness segment over the summer that focused on toning and sculpting a few core areas of the body (abs, arms, glutes and legs) through a series of monthly challenges. And although these are great general starters, what's most important is to keep your dress style in mind along with your existing workload when planning your exercise.
1. Not all dress shapes require the same attention for all areas of your body.
Empire dresses and ball gowns give you the benefit of the doubt from the waist down. So, all you have to focus on is toning your arms and back to create a svelte image. Meanwhile, sheath, mermaid, and trumpet style dresses require that you continue to focus on all of the core areas.
2. Reassess your workout routine once you pick up your dress from the bridal salon.
This is regarding when you first pick up you dress from the salon - NOT after you've had it altered. There's a big difference between trying on the sample version of a dress (that was most likely not your size) versus the dress you purchased in your actual size. A perfect example: I finally picked up my wedding dress (pre-alterations) earlier this month and quite frankly, it fit like a glove. With the exception of some much needed length alterations so I'm not tripping down the aisle, the actual fit is 98% perfect. What did this mean for my workout routine? It meant that I had to scrap my plans for doing another Squat Challenge. I know for a fact that my first squat challenge this Summer definitely added inches to my behind (which made me happy!). There's no way I'd fit in my dress if I attempted another Squat Challenge!
3. Set realistic goals!
Once you get down to within four months of your wedding, it's time to get real with your fitness goals and expectations. There's already enough stress piling on your right now as your big day approaches. Don't make it worse by trying to convince yourself that you'll lose 20 pounds in two months or that you'll suddenly sprout an elusive six pack set of abs two weeks before your wedding. Can it be done? Yes. But if you haven't had that kind of dedication prior to now, it's safe to say you won't have it in the 12th hour either.
4. Create a routine that you can actually follow!
Much like #3, don't commit to spending three hours a day (everyday) in the gym if your existing workload doesn't allow for it. Fitness should be fun, and time at the gym should really be viewed as an opportunity for you to recenter yourself and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the day. Maybe you only have time for 45 minutes, three times a week. There's no shame in that! As long as you're consistent with your goals, you'll still see results.
