Location, bridesmaids, flowers and a dress. Food, guest numbers, live music and a few hard to handle relatives. Just a small selection of pre-wedding issues to deal with. It’s not surprising however that at the top of the list of stresses for many brides can be their waist size and fitting into that delightfully draped, sparkling dress ready for future hubby can cause more than a few beauty tears.

But it’s hardly surprising. Looking your best on the big day is an important part of the preparation and with a bit of forward planning you can implement some important changes to your lifestyle that will give you more energy for the preparation stages, reduce your overall stress levels and ultimately have that dress fitting you like you’ve always dreamed of.

To begin with it’s important to set aside at least a few hours a week for exercise, be it in and around your home or at your local gym. Taking this time aside in your week will give you a little more time to switch off from those towering preparations. Then, after working up a good sweat and fresh from a good training session you’ll be able to throw even more energy into further planning. During and after exercise your body produces endorphins. These feel good anti-stress hormones will give you a natural training ‘high’, so the more you can jog, swim, cycle or use your gym’s cardiovascular equipment the better! If your self-esteem is low then chances are you don’t feel great about your body so by implementing a regular exercise programme you’ll start feeling sexier, slimmer and more confident about your wedding day in no time. Remember that when emotions flare with your partner it’s sometimes a good idea to step away, re-evaluate the situation and return with a fresh outlook. Use this time and either go to the gym or perform some stress-reducing exercise. Not only will this put a smile back on your face but it will increase your sex drive.

Building in a structured weight training programme to your plan is also essential to the perfect look but don’t worry about bulging arms and legs. Training with weights correctly will tone and strengthen all of those areas you want and leave the fat nowhere to be seen. A mix of cardio and weights is the way forward as well as core strengthening for a firmer tummy and strong back. Be sure to get some professional advice before training as will better your results and give you injury free workouts.

Planning Your Food

A big problem that future brides can encounter is with food. What with all the rushing around, a lot of the time is spent on the move and as a result you’ll find yourself snacking on unhealthy foods on the move. Ultimately this will have an effect on your waist line, energy levels and moods. The secret on eliminating these enemies is to prepare your food. My Lunch Box Diet is quite simple and works by packing foods from three different groups into a plastic container every day. This along with some healthy snacks such as nuts and fruit will provide you with bucket loads of energy and you’ll be even more ready for your exercise sessions. Unfortunately convenience food snacking does force your body to have slumps during the day so eat regularly with wholesome fresh foods and you’ll be fit to take on the world. Be sure to never skip breakfast and eat evening meals that are low carbohydrate based (pastas, bread, rice etc). You need these foods as an energy source, so if you’re non-active in the evening this will end up sitting around your stomach. Fresh vegetables and meat will fill you up and leave you feeling less bloated. Never eat until you’re full, only until you’re satisfied.

Finally, don’t put exercise and healthy nutritional practises off for a second as once implemented they’ll do wonders for your confidence, mood, energy and this will make you shine even more on your big day. Plan and prepare and make it a priority and everything else will flow nicely behind. Trust me!

Simon Lovell runs personal training company The Heat. For an exclusive pre-wedding training programme leading up to your big day call Simon on 07786 175 118. For the Lunch Box Diet plan and more information check out his web site at www.theheatfitness.co.uk or emal simon@theheatfitness.co.uk. He also offers online personal trainer where programmes are sent to clients animated to their inbox based on their specific needs. Check out Simon's online PT section at www.fitnessgenerator.com/theheat

Top Tip 1) Join forces with one of your bridesmaids or partner to be and start a new regime. You could start a running route at the start of each week and build up your distance gradually. Alternatively book in with a personal trainer and have them develop an exclusive pre-wedding plan ready for your big day!

Top Tip 2) Avoid radical diets and leaving it too late. Plan your structured weight loss plan and don’t compromise your health for a slender figure. Setting aside a few hours a week for exercise and eating healthy, small regular meals will do the trick.

Top Tip 3) Exercise plays a massive role in reducing stress so think of the long term benefits during your preparation period and build it into your overall plan for a happy, smiling, stress free bride. When you’re feeling worked up, work out!