So, your big day is approaching. The flowers are sorted, the cake arranged, settings finalised, dress in final stages, the groom and groomsmen organised, bridesmaids perfected and everything is travelling on schedule. There is just one thing that has been forgotten…it’s YOU.
In amongst the hustle, bustle, stress, tears, tantrums, laughs and general hysteria, you have neglected yourself. Sleepless nights and endless appointments have you in a state of less than optimal condition. Your skin has erupted, your eyes have gathered a nice black panda-style shadow and your weight has suffered with the “busy-ness” of needing to be everywhere, whilst still working and keeping house.
At a time when you most want to look your best, you are possibly the most neglected and wrung out. Argh! What to do?! How can you turn this around in such little time and get primed, primped and perfectly glowing for the big day?
Never fear. I have a last minute Bridal Blitz Plan here for you that if you hucker-in and really give it your best, you will be at your most stunning and shining self on the day you want to remember forever.
Please bear in mind that I am NOT a fan of diets, quick fix approaches, or one size fits all answers. The best advice can only ever be given when I work one on one with someone, as I take time to do very thorough assessments of a person’s unique situation, lifestyle, background, preferences and more.
This here is simply a general guide that when applied by the majority will yield fabulous results. Remember though, you are unique and should always check in with yourself and possibly other health practitioners before taking on any ideas related to your health and well being.
Ok, with that said, what are the sure-fire ESSENTIAL elements to bringing out your most stunning bridal self?
1) Worship water
If you are not drinking 2.5-3 litres per day, you are not drinking enough. Water is essential for good energy levels, clear thinking, rational decision making, keeping cool, calm and collected and keeping skin in a truly beautiful state. Without enough you will definitely feel lethargic, stressed, bloated, frumpy, and your skin will be screaming for attention. Love your cells with water, and they will love you back with a beautiful body.
Note too that coffee, other caffeinated beverages such as “energy drinks” and cola, alcohol and black teas are potent “dehydrators” and for every 1 of these you enjoy, you will need 1-3 glasses of water to put back what you take out (yes ON TOP of the 2.5-3 litres). Best bet is to limit these types of drinks to 1-2 maximum per day.
2) Veg it up
Salad veggies or “veggie” veggies, it doesn’t matter. Make these your friend, in fact your best friend. Get creative too. Sure vegies can be bland, boring and unpalatable, but who is that up to? Just as yellow, red and blue can make for a boring artists palate, and lead to the creation of a less than appealing painting, so too can it create an amazing work of art, skillfully and masterfully put together using inspiration, passion and zeal.
The same applies to veggies and salad – they can be as boring and bland or mouth-wateringly exciting as you dare to make them. At the end of the day, it’s in your hands.
Start to look at veggies differently and ponder, “How can I make these super yummy? How can I learn to look these youth and health inducing beauties?” Get inspired. Go for colour in your day and be adventurous. Never tried balsamic roasted eggplant? You haven’t lived.
My partner used to “despise” a whole array of veggies including the eloquent eggplant, sweet potato, squash, zucchini, avocado and capsicum. Today these very veggies are amongst his favourite and I cannot go through a week without him begging me to make my signature Crispy Skinned Salmon and Balsamic Roasted Veggie dish. How things can change.
The truth is, we TRAIN OUR TASTEBUDS. In short, what we eat we like. You can train yourself to love anything – it’s just a matter of finding an appealing in-road. Maybe mustard, vinegar, herbs, spices and salsa can make veggies more palatable to you?
Explore different ideas. Get online and get excited. Ultimately the goal is that AT LEAST 50% of your lunches and dinners are made up of “no added fat” veggies and salad. Think raw, steamed, dry-roasted, sauteed (in vinegars or juices), BBQ’d or grilled. There are so many options. Mix and match and indulge your senses in a variety of textures, flavours and colours.
3) Fats matter
Ok, so whilst there is no need to become a “fat fanatic”- there is no fun being in that camp as I can tell you from years of experience – it certainly does pay to know your stuff when it comes to fats.
Take the example of 3 squares of chocolate. Being a predominantly “fat-based” food, these 3 teeny squares contain 600kJ – the same as 2 large cups of berries. Furthermore, if you eat only 3 squares of choccie once, twice or 3 times a week, you can be looking at an extra 1-2.5kg of body fat, if not burned off. That’s not to say you can never eat chocolate, but what it does demonstrate is how our “little habits” can add up and with simply a little awareness, we can make small changes that make a big impact overtime.
Just imagine this equation in reverse. 3 less squares of chocolate, one to three times a week can effortlessly lead to a reduction of 1-2.5kg of body weight. And you could still enjoy a nice cup of berries instead, taking in only half the calories, and also feeding your skin and body loads of anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing phyto-chemicals. Nice.
In relation to fats, the way our body processes those from different sources does vary. For example, the fat from an avocado goes through a different digestion pathway – ultimately leading to the nourishment of cell membranes and other areas in our body where essential fatty acids are required – to the fat from a mars bar. Digestion of “saturated fats” found in foods like chocolate bars follows a different digestive process that can lead to the accumulation of fat in our arteries, surrounding other vital organs and cellulite. Not fun.
So whilst ALL fats contain the SAME number of calories per gram (so any fats in excess will ultimately lead to excess calories taken in and thus weight gain), it is much more likely that our body will use “essential” fats in ways that are nourishing and helpful to the body leading to beautiful skin, smooth and fluid joints, good moods and great energy.
So, from here on in, make a commitment to know what you are eating and what it contains, so that you can make the choices that will love you and your body. Say no to added fats and oils and opt for low fat or fat-free cooking methods, dressings, meats, dairy foods and snacks. A small handful of nuts daily, a few weekly serves of oily fish (such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and ocean trout), a quarter of an avocado in salads and a teaspoon of olive oil when cooking are all that is needed for truly magnificent insides that reflects on the outside.
Avoid the artery clogging and cellulite contributing fats found in full fat dairy, fat on and in meat, skin on chicken, processed and fried take-away foods, biscuits, pastries and cakes, as well as butter, chips, choccie bars and other convenience snacks.
Following these above tips, you will already be positively glowing but here are a few additional pointers to add to the mix:
– Get active!
Get your blood pumping for 30-90 minutes a day to see and feel the benefits that activating muscles, circulating oxygen and removing toxins can achieve. Do anything you enjoy. Dance, skip, play squash or tennis, jog, join a spin or circuit class, walk, surf, skateboard, stand on your head, jump trampoline. As with ALL areas related to health and fitness, it is important to use your creativity to find something fun that you enoy.
–Limit your coffee intake to 1 or 2 daily to allow the benefits of your water to work its magic. Also, it is an idea to watch your alcohol intake and stick to enjoying 1-2 a week. Caffeine and alcohol are potent diuretics that will keep you looking drier than a prune and really not assist in the “gorgeously glowing” effect we are after. Additionally, alcohol packs almost as many calories per gram as fat, so can really un-do your good work all week, in a few hours.
–Go for fruit and veggies as snacks– these are brilliant energy boosters and full of the vitamins, minerals and phyto-chemicals that will have you cruising through your afternoons loaded with energy and looking more vibrant than you could ever imagine. Stone fruits, pears, apples, bananas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrot and capsicum sticks all make fab on-the-run snacks. Add a serve of protein in the arvo and discover energy like you’ve never known. That small handful of nuts, a tub of low fat yoghurt, a few turkey slices, a tin of low-fat flavoured tuna, a mini tin of baked beans or chickpeas, the possibilities are endless. Golden rule: BE CREATIVE.
-Finally, go for the rule of 10 and 15 when it comes to packaged foods. Learn to ignore the front of packages, which really is nothing more than “billboard” advertising space, and turn over to the back to reveal the truth. Look for the NIP (Nutrition Information Panel), and scan the ‘per 100g’ column for the total amount of fats and sugars. When it comes to fat, go for under 10g per 100g, and for sugars, choose products with less than 15g per 100g. There are exceptions, this is a general rule.
To get more specific, you need to know the source of fat or sugar, which can be discovered in the “Ingredients list”. Everything here is listed in descending order of weight. So what is listed first is present in the greatest amount, and that which is listed last, the least amount. One good example is nuts. If you look at the NIP, they will contain above 50g per 100g of fat. Does this mean don’t eat them? No. What it means is have a portion controlled amount (I recommend 30g a day for essential fats, protein and fibre), and make sure you select raw and unsalted varieties. Therefore you know the fat in these babies is nothing more than that cell-loving type, rather than added “hydrogenated” or processed types.
Looking and feeling your best should be fun, simple and inspiring. Not boring, drab, difficult and reeking of deprivation.
Nourish your cells, nurture your soul and cheers to the most beautiful bride you’ve ever seen.
BridgetJane
Food Body Lifestyle Guru
Writer, Speaker, Consultant
Bridget@newleafnutrition.com.au
0421 332 243
