I am so excited to introduce to you this post written by Lauren Smith, registered dietitian at The Sorority Nutritionist. She shared her best tips for creating a meal plan leading up to your wedding that saves on calories, BUT is still safe and completely doable. 

 

If you’re looking for more, make sure to set up a consultation with Lauren or another dietitian. You can even save some money by using the coupon code she generously shared with us at the bottom! 

 

Congratulations on getting engaged! This is such an exciting time in your life, and before you know it, your wedding will be around the corner. Nowadays, there is so much pressure for brides to look “perfect” on their wedding day by dropping pounds and toning up. For some, this means following extremely rigid and low calorie diets, and for others this means new workout programs and two-a-days.

 

Time and time again, I see brides try detox powders, juice cleanses and various crash diets that restrict entire food groups leading up to their big day. What isn’t talked about are the negative consequences to this fad dieting, such as reduced energy, nutritional deficiencies, and most notably… rebound weight gain!

 

What if I told you that brides I work with become leaner, healthier, and more energized all through a few easy dietary changes? Well… it’s your lucky day! Here are my 5 secret tips for making your wedding nutrition plan safe, sustainable, and successful:

 

Start Early

Waiting to begin a lifestyle change program till the last minute is the #1 mistake brides make before their big day. The earlier you commit yourself to changing, the more time you will have to figure out what nutrition and exercise plan works for your body. Plus, more time means less pressure… and added stress is the last thing you need during this exciting time in your life!

 

Set realistic goals

Setting goals is arguably one of the most important (and often skipped) tactic for achieving anything. However, not all goals are created equal. Aim to make your goals action-oriented and worded to describe specifically what you hope to achieve. For example, do you want to lose weight? Instead, try rewording your goal to “I want to lose 10 pounds by my Wedding Day” to provide more detail and urgency to achieve it!

 

 

Eat every 3-4 hours

To lose weight you have to take in less than what you expand. For many brides, this means skipping meals and snacks to reduce caloric intake. While this sounds like a great idea, it actually results in lowering your metabolism and losing your lean physique… not to mention CRAVINGS and BINGING! If you eat too restrictive your body will try to conserve all the energy it has. Instead, don’t be afraid to eat! Aim to eat whole & nutritious foods every 3-4 hours to allow your body to efficiently run!

 

Always include protein

So many women enter my office afraid of protein and weight lifting in fear that it will make them bulky. Well, this statement is 100% false! Protein is really important for preserving and building a lean female physique… so aim to eat high quality sources at each meal and snack you have throughout the day. This includes greek yogurt, a handful of nuts, and hard-boiled eggs. Plus, it will help keep you feel and prevent unwanted cravings!

 

Avoid alcohol

Offering little to no nutritional value, alcohol can be a major setback to your bridal slim down goals. With the events and parties leading up to your big day – plus the friends and family members that may also be getting married around the same time as you – I completely understand how alcohol is sometimes unavoidable! That being said, choose low sugar beverages like a vodka and soda with lime to save some of the unwanted calories!

 

 

Last but not least, you’re probably wondering ​what you should be eating?​ I​nstead of focusing on creating complicated recipes with ingredients that aren’t always in your kitchen cabinets, consider what you need for a balanced plate instead. As a general guideline, make sure you load half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, 3-4 ounces of your plate with lean proteins like chicken and fish, and 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of fibrous carbohydrates like whole grain rice, sweet potato or quinoa. By focusing on general food groups… you can make any meal balanced with what you have available!

 

With the stress of engagement parties, pre-wedding celebrations and of course your bachelorette party… Lauren understands first hand how stressful it can be preparing for your big day as a new bride-to-be herself! If you want to lose weight without stressing about what to eat 24/7 so you can have more time to enjoy your pre-wedding festivities and feel confident as you walk down the aisle, apply for Lauren’s 1:1 Slim Down Program today. If you’re a good fit for the program, the next step is to set up a FREE 30 minute discovery call with Lauren to discuss your goals and how her coaching program can get you there! Click here to apply!