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How to get in shape for your wedding - without losing your mind...

How to get in shape for your wedding - without losing your mind...


Izzy Turner-Hicks
Izzy Turner-Hicks Updated:
8th of March 2023

It’s an unfortunate truth that brides often feel under immense pressure to lose weight or drastically change their looks before the big day, which leads to unnecessary stress and unhealthy yo-yo-dieting in the lead up to the wedding. Even if you do want to slim down or tone up before the big day, doing this healthily and in a safe time frame is key to staying sane during your engagement. Here are our top tips for healthy and happy wedding body prep…

Be realistic, and plan in advance

These two go hand in hand. If you’re carrying a few extra pounds than you would be usually, or you’re a little more out of shape, then it makes perfect sense to want to be at your best for your wedding day. However, you shouldn’t strive to completely transform the look of your body, or get down to a target weight that you haven’t been since you were a teenager - all this does is set unrealistic goals for yourself, and then you’ll feel angry and upset when you can’t achieve them. If you want to do some body prep before the wedding, then give yourself as much time as possible so you can make small, healthy changes and don’t end up starving yourself on a crash diet or exhausting yourself at the gym.

Exercise for fun

Wedding planning is exhausting enough without wearing yourself by spending hours at the gym. If you’re already a gym bunny, then that’s great, and you can just up your routine or join a new class. However, if you usually hate exercise, then now’s not the time to plough money into an expensive new gym membership.

Instead, why not start taking a dance class with your fiance? You’ll learn some moves for your first dance and drop the pounds at the same time! Alternatively, try something like yoga or pilates, which focuses on the mind as much as the body and can help you settle nervous energy. Even walking outside can be beneficial, as exercise is proven to help stress - just make sure you’re doing it to feel healthier and happier, not to squeeze into a wedding dress. Speaking of which...

Buy a dress you feel happy in

Whatever you do, don’t buy a wedding dress that you don’t 100% love with the aim of slimming into it. If you don’t love the way you look in it on the first try, then chances are you’re not going to love it when it comes to the fitting - and by that point, it will be too late. Instead, buy a dress that you love the look of now, and then any slimming down or toning up you do between now and then will be a nice bonus when it comes to the fitting.

Avoid short-term fixes

Sadly, some companies will prey on brides who feel under pressure to lose weight by selling them quick fixes and detoxes. Don’t fall for these scams and miracle diets, as they’re often too good to be true, and will leave you feeling unhealthy, unhappy and out of pocket. Making healthy lifestyle changes and losing a maximum of 2lb a week is the best way to slim down - after all, weight that comes off slowly is more likely to stay off.

If you're looking for a personal trainer or fitness expert to help you in your wedding fitness journey, take a look at our Fitness and Weight Loss section!

Let's get to the gym...
Izzy Turner-Hicks

About the author


Izzy Turner-Hicks

Izzy has been writing about weddings for nearly 10 years, she is an expert in all things bridal. She is an expert when it comes to preparing for your wedding health and fitness regime.

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