It’s your big day, probably the biggest of your life, so you want to look and feel your absolutely amazing best. But does that mean you need to lose weight? Thinking about the dress, the photos, the honeymoon…the idea has probably crossed your mind once or twice! In this post we share some tips you might find helpful.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself

Buying a dress that’s one size too small then going on some kind of crash fad diet, popping weight loss pills or taking up an extreme exercise regime is a recipe for stress, tears and disaster! The smart approach is to be sensible and realistic. If you want to shed some pounds plan well ahead and make sustainable changes to your regular diet and fitness routine. Not only is this more likely to work but it makes it much more likely that you’ll stay healthy, fit and svelte as you celebrate your first, second and subsequent anniversaries.

We’re not saying this is going to be easy (especially with everything else you have got going on in the run up to the wedding) but it’s not impossible. You just have to pick a plan that’s realistic and commit to it. You just have to choose to stay in control, one day at a time, no matter what life and wedding planners may throw at you.

Focus on a balanced diet. Plan your meals, and shopping, around low-calorie foods that fill you up without making you fat. This is easier than it may sound, and certainly not rocket science. Stock up on plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, lean meat and fish, but cut out foods and drinks that are high in fat and sugar. Starving yourself is not the answer – it just leads to cravings. Eat plenty…but just make sure it’s good stuff!

Make sure to eat breakfast. This may sound counter intuitive but there are research studies that show people who skip breakfast tend to eat more calories by the end of the day. A healthy breakfast gets your metabolism off to a good start - which means you'll be more likely to make healthy choices throughout the day.

Exercise really helps. What you eat is only one part of the equation that determines whether you'll lose or gain weight. Fitness is equally important. It’s easy to let your workouts go by the wayside as you get wrapped up in the preparations. Don’t! If anything, you should be trying to work out more than before if you really want to drop a few pounds.

Get support. Staying strong and accountable is tough if you don't have anyone else cheering you on. The best way to get support is to tell someone - anyone - about your weight and fitness goals and ask for their support. If you feel too uncomfortable sharing those details with someone you know you can enrol with a local Weight Watchers or Slimming World group. It’s a great way to connect with people who have similar goals and get tips, motivation and your own personal cheerleading squad.

Limit your alcohol intake. Most alcoholic drinks are high in calories – so they can undo all the good work by eating sensibly and exercising regularly. What’s more, they lower inhibitions, making it more likely that you’ll give in to temptation and overindulge.

Carry emergency snacks. You are going to be doing a lot of running around and this can make it hard to stick to your healthy eating plan – you are bound to get hunger pangs and the temptation to grab a bag of crisps, a chocolate bar or a Danish pastry may just become too great! Stash some healthy and portable foods in your car, purse, and desk drawer to help satisfy your cravings and save you from snacking on the wrong foods.

Drink plenty of water. Recent studies report that those who keep well hydrated levels topped up end up eating fewer total calories. Dehydration, surprisingly, can actually encourage your body to retain water. What’s more, drinking water before a meal can make you feel full, so you eat less.

Food for thought. The team at Clevedon Hall are not nutritionists and wellness specialists but we are experts at taking the stress out of wedding planning – and losing weight is even harder when you are feeling wound up, run down and over stretched. Getting yourself in shape for your big day will be easier with our help!