Planning for your wedding is one of the most exciting things you’ve ever done. Ever since posting that first picture of your engagement ring on Instagram and Facebook, it’s been a wild ride. Meetings with wedding planners, cake tastings, deciding what musicians you want to play–there’s so much to decide. And whether you are looking for a long plus size wedding dress or a minidress with petite sizing, it’s still something else to worry about (both the design and the cost).
All these decisions mean that even though you’re excited, you’re also busy and stressed. And what happens when we’re busy and stressed? Well, usually we start developing some pretty unhealthy habits, whether it’s drinking a little too much at the end of each day or taking out our stress on our friends and endangering our emotional health. That’s why it’s important to stay healthy during the year before your wedding. It’s more than just about fitting into your wedding dress after a crazy year. It’s about practicing all the right habits, so you feel great on your big day and at the beginning of the rest of your life!
Hydrate enough
When you’re busy, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. If you’re always going from one appointment to another, and drinking margaritas with your friends to celebrate your upcoming wedding instead of drinking something a little less alcoholic, it can be easy to forget to drink some water. If you need to, keep track of how much you hydrate with an app like Daily Water, which has a 5-star rating for both Android and iPhone users. Some of us are just that busy. Otherwise, always carry a water bottle around with you, and at home, drink water instead of other beverages whenever you’re having a meal.
Another great way to stay hydrated and healthy? Go to the gym! Working up a sweat is great for you anyway, and by filling up a huge water bottle before your spin class or weekend hike, you’ll be motivated to drink water while also feeling fabulous.
Eat at home–and plan meals
Speaking of meals–it’s also easy to eat poorly when you’re busy. That’s why it’s so important to eat at home and plan your meals. If you don’t have a lot of time, cook in bulk once or twice a week, focusing on cooking meals that are high in protein and include lots of greens. Generally, avoid simple carbs and unnecessary sugars: your wedding cake will have plenty of that to go around. When it comes to eating on the go, bring what you can with you to the office and keep it in the freezer or fridge. Additionally, don’t forget to bring protein bars with you so you can have a quick snack on the go when you’re hungry.
Considering that commercial weight loss programs totaled about $3.03 billion in 2017, this can be an easy way for you to curb your weight gain while curbing how much money you spend on it, too.
Drink less
Even though hydrating is generally a good idea, drinking too much alcohol is not. In addition to being generally bad for you, drinking has additional negative effects for anyone getting married. It’s easy to put on weight with the empty calories in alcohol, which will affect not only your wedding bod but how puffy your face looks in pictures on your big day. Additionally, alcohol is a depressant, which means you can end up feeling depressed–especially if you’re using it to self-medicate at the end of a busy day.
In the UK, between 2016 and 2017, there were 337,000 alcohol consumption-related admissions. The fact is, alcohol is a drug, and it’s best consumed in moderation. So wait until your big day to drink champagne with your friends instead of drinking a glass whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning.
Focus on your emotional health
Finally, you need to make sure you’re thinking about your emotional health. Too often, we think about our physical health and schedule time for the gym or calorie count to our heart’s content without taking even a minute to think about how we’re feeling. This is dangerous, especially in high-stress situations. Stress is unpleasant, and the last thing you want is a huge fight with your maid of honor or fiancé.
Think about your stressors, and learn how to face them. Consider taking up meditation, and if your anxiety, stress, or depression become too much, think about seeing a therapist to deal with what you’re going through. 39 percent of adults in the US were more depressed in 2018 than 2017, so remember that you’re not alone.
These are some of the best ways to stay healthy during the year leading up to your wedding. What other strategies do you think would work?