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It's
the one day in your life when excuses for not looking your best
just won't cut the mustard. You need a plan to ensure you're looking
great. So, we've answered some of your most common questions about
grooming the groom, to make sure the bride isn't let down by your
appearance…
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'I
got engaged two years ago and have been trying to shed a surplus
stone ever since, in preparation for the big day. The only problem
is that I've put on weight rather than lost it! My wedding is only
six months away, but if I keep on going like this I'll never be
able to get into my dress. What can I do?'
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OThe trick to losing weight and keeping it off is to take it slowly
and sensibly. Overly restrictive diets are pretty impossible to
stick to, and tend to result in one thing - a downward spiral of
bingeing and guilt. And if, by some enormous effort, you do manage
to stick to your regime, these diets can leave you looking tired
and gaunt - not the look you want for your wedding day.
Don't
panic, though. You still have six months to go - so time is on your
side. Follow our guidelines and, without counting a calorie or weighing
a single morsel that passes your lips, watch the pounds drop off…
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 Eat more fruit and
vegetables.
Fill up on high-fibre carbohydrates. They're low fat, but will help
you to feel fuller for longer. Because these foods are processed
by the body at a slow, steady pace, they help to keep hunger pangs
at bay. Good high-fibre carbohydrate foods include wholegrain rice,
pasta and bread, oats, vegetables, pulses (lentils and beans) and
fruit.
Eat some high-protein
foods such as meat and poultry. Grill or roast rather than fry.
Always trim off any visible fat and remove the skin from chicken
and turkey.
Eat some fat, but
especially the polyunsaturated kind found in seeds and fish.
Drink plenty of
water - up to eight glasses a day.
Eat regularly -
up to five times a day. Don't allow more than three hours to elapse
between meals or snacks. Eating little and often will help to stave
off the hunger pangs and keep your blood sugar levels even, helping
you to avoid cravings.
Eat when you're
hungry. If you don't, your body thinks it's being starved and starts
burning vital muscle for energy rather than excess fat.
Eat slowly and stop
when you're full. You don't have to clear your plate.
Eat a little of
what you fancy. You can eat chocolate in moderation: as long as
you can control the urge to binge, it won't hamper your weight loss.
Drink alcohol in
moderation. If you want a drink, have a glass with your evening
meal, but don't store up your daily allowance for a weekend blow
out - it'll do you more harm than good.
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Eat when you're not
hungry. Most of us have got into the habit of eating for reasons
other than hunger, when we're bored or angry, say. Whenever you
feel hungry ask yourself: 'Am I really hungry or is it something
else?' If it's a comfort you're after, do something else: have a
bath, phone a friend, double check your wedding plans.
Expect a huge change
in your weight overnight. Aim to lose 1-2lbs per week.
Weigh yourself every
day as you'll only be measuring changes in your body water. A weekly
weigh in, at the same time of day, will give you a far more accurate
record of your progress.
Be fooled by low-fat
food claims. Some foods may claim that they're low fat, even when
the fat content could still be contributing up to 40 per cent of
the calories. What's more, fat-free foods often need something else
to replace the flavour - usually sugar!
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Get more exercise.
Just 20 minutes of aerobic activity releases hormones called endorphins
that help to improve your mood. The Health Education Authority actually
recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day to stay healthy. However,
you don't have to join a gym to work out. Brisk walking will do
the trick - it actually burns more calories than low-impact aerobics.
All you need to do is invest in a pair of good trainers. One way
to tot up your 30 minutes of activity is to get off the bus a few
stops early, take a walk in your lunch break or walk to work instead
of driving. Plan your walks so that you cover flat, uphill and downhill
terrain. Start out at a gentle pace and gradually build up. Try
to alter the speed and intensity of your walks; do a slow ramble
one day and a short, fast walk the next.
If you find yourself
feeling low or your resolve slipping, raise your eyes to the sky
- it's impossible not to feel your spirits rise!
Remember that you'll
get more of what you focus on. So spend some time each day picturing
yourself as you would like to be - slim and gorgeous in your wedding
dress…
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