Work Out and Tone-Up Before Your Wedding

Weddings can put a lot of pressure on a girl’s self image – on top of being center stage, you then have photos of the night framed and immortalized in your parents’ living room.

By Megan Foley

Weddings can put a lot of pressure on a girl’s self image – on top of being center stage, you then have photos of the night framed and immortalized in your parents’ living room. So while you refuse to be the bride who hides weights in her bouquet to make her arms look extra toned down the aisle, you sometimes do wonder if your tummy could be tighter.

The truth is, you’re going to look beautiful no matter how many miles you run. But if you want more assurance, if you’re set on turning that ounce of flab to flawless fab, we’re here to help.

Work it out

The following is a workout designed by a professional fitness trainer to streamline and tone your overall shape. Three days a week begin with a brief cardio warm-up and follow with this routine. Do each exercise twice, alternating with the one listed below it. (For example, do a set of pushups, a set of lateral raises, then another set of each.)

Space this workout with recovery days; during off days, focus on lengthier cardio (30-40 minutes). And always remember to stretch!

Materials needed:

Exercise ball
Set of light weights (3-5 lb)
Set of heavy weights (8-10 lbs)
Bosu ball

Exercise name: Pushups on ball

Target: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps

Directions: With your stomach on the ball, walk your hands out until only your legs are supported by the ball. The further out your hands, the harder the exercise. 20 reps

Exercise name: Lateral raises

Target: Shoulders, Neck

Directions: Hold light weights at your sides. With elbows slightly bent, raise your arms until elbows are shoulder height. For a core/balance workout, stand on one leg (switch legs for second set.) 20 reps

Exercise name: Bicep curls on ball

Target: Biceps, Back, Glutes

Directions: With heavy weights, lean your stomach on the ball so your chest is lifted and your legs are spread behind you. Rest your elbows on the ball and extend your forearms in front of you. While squeezing your glutes, curl the dumbbells up to your shoulders. 30 reps

Exercise name: Overhead tricep press on ball

Target: Triceps, Hamstrings, Abs

Directions: With light weights, sit on the ball and slide forward until only upper back/neck are supported. (Keep hips raised so that torso and thighs form a straight line). Extend arms behind your head (upper arms touch ears) and bend elbows to a 90 degree angle. Extend arms until straight, release. 30 reps

Exercise name: Side plank with rotation

Target: Side Abs

Directions: Lying on your side, stack your right foot on your left. Raise your body off the floor into a straight line by leaning on your left forearm/elbow and lifting your hips. Place your right hand behind your head so your right elbow points up. Slowly rotate forward until your right elbow touches the floor. Rotate back. 20 reps each side

Exercise name: Pass the ball

Target: Abs

Directions: Lying on your back, squeeze the ball between your ankles. Pass the ball into your hands by raising your legs and crunching forward. Bring the ball back with straight arms as you lay down. Continue passing ball back and forth, 30 reps

Exercise name: Hamstrings on ball

Target: Hamstrings, Glutes

Directions: Lying on your back, place your heels/lower calves on the top of the ball. Lift your hips off the floor and in a controlled motion, roll the ball into you and back out. 30 reps

Exercise name: Reverse lunge on bosu

Target: Glutes, Hamstrings, Quadriceps

Directions: Stand with both feet on bosu. Take a large step back; lower yourself until your hip is just below your forward knee. From there, use forward leg to lift you back up. 20 reps each leg

It’s ok if you can’t finish all the reps in a set at first; scale back and add more as you’re able. Likewise, if the routine seems less challenging to you, step it up! Add more reps or more weight. Allow yourself the flexibility to be yourself even if you have a target weight or size in mind. In the end, it’s about finding the right balance for you – and that goes for the rest of your wedding planning, too!