Exercise should be part of a daily routine, but life gets in the way all too often. Use your upcoming wedding day as motivation to get fit and healthy.
There are lots of areas you can focus on such as cardio, muscle building and toning. The important thing is not the exercise regime itself, but just beginning - and you can figure out what types of exercise work for you along the way.
Toning arms is a great place to start, as these are on show in almost all wedding dresses. To make sure your arms are looking toned and terrific, invest in a set of light dumbbells – between 2-5kg – and get lifting!
Bicep curls
An effective exercise is the basic bicep curl. Stand with your feet apart, holding the weights, and put your arms down by your side. Lift the weights while contracting your biceps and keeping the upper arms still. Try sets of 20 to start and as you get stronger, add in a rep or two.
Lateral Raises
Start in a standing position, with your feet shoulder width apart, dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your legs. Raise both arms directly out to the sides (in line with your shoulders), then lower them. Try to maintain control and do not rush the raises. These can be done to the side or to the front by raising both arms upwards, opposite your sternum.
Bicep and Arm Circles
Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, with a dumbbell in each hand, elbows bent and palms up. While keeping your back straight, squat and circle your left hand up and in toward your shoulder in a circular motion, as if gesturing at someone to move toward you then reverse to lower hand. Do 16 reps, then switch to the right side and repeat.
Tricep Dips
Sit on a sturdy chair, supporting yourself with your hands on the seat, slide your feet and hips forward until your buttocks are off the chair. Bend your elbows, lower your buttocks toward the floor. then straighten your arms and return to the position. Do at least 10 to 20 of these.
Tricep Swings
This is a great one for getting rid of those difficult “bat wings”. Lie on your back, with your feet flat, and your knees bent with a dumbbell in each hand. Stretch out your arms straight behind your head with the dumbbells in hand, keeping them a few inches off floor. Keeping arms straight, raise your left arm over chest while the right arm stays overhead. Lower arms and repeat. Do 15 reps with the left arm and switch sides. Aim for two or three sets.
Get-Up Plank
This strengthens the back and the shoulders. Begin in a modified side-plank position with legs stacked and knees bent. With your right elbow bent and the weight resting against your forearm, hold a kettlebell or a water bottle in your right hand. Lift your hips upwards so your body is straight from your knees to your shoulders, pressing the kettlebell/water bottle up to the ceiling. Do three sets on each side.
The best part of these exercises is that you can do them all in 5-10 minutes while you’re watching your favourite TV show or waiting for your dinner to cook.
Remember: take it easy and start small. The last thing you want is an injury before your big day.
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