The dreary winter months are a fantastic time to cozy up by the fire with hot cocoa and a good book, but probably not the best time to stay motivated for that spring wedding you have been waiting for!
Spring weddings are a blessing and a curse. The blessings bring gorgeous flowers, sunshine, and fresh air! While the curses include early morning workouts in the pitch dark, tempting cookies and treats at every corner of your home, and cozy sweaters that can easily hide the dreaded holiday weight gain! However, you can stay motivated and fit through the holidays for your spring dream wedding, while also enjoying yourself and time with family and friends.
Here are my top tips and tricks when trying to stay on track for your spring wedding during the cold months of winter!
Start this journey early! Do not stress yourself out by trying to lose 15 lbs. the week before your big day! Especially going into the holiday season, you want to be able to take your time and make mistakes, while still moving towards your fitness and health goals for your big! Start this lifestyle change as early as possible! This will give you more time to learn along the way and have a few cookie slip-ups because come on, it’s the holidays!
If you have an early morning workout regime, set your thermostat on a timer, so when your alarm goes off in the morning your house will already be nice and toasty! This will help you get out of bed and ditch the habit of staying under the warm covers for an extra 30 minutes hiding from the cold, outside world!
Keep cookies, pastries, chips, and treats out of your direct line of vision. Don’t put your favorite cheesecake you bought for your aunt’s this weekend on the middle shelf of your fridge right at eye level! That will only make you crave and want these foods more! Keep them at the back of a pantry or even in a special drawer you never open. The less you allow yourself to be constantly tempted by these sweet treats, the better!
Don’t wake up tomorrow and say, “Okay, I need to drop 30 lbs.” That is so overwhelming and it can seem even unattainable at times! Instead, start slow and steady with mini goals. Make a goal to lose 3 lbs, then 4 lbs, possibly make a mini goal each week to lose 1 lb per week! Mini goals could also be to do yoga three times this week or eat a green vegetable every night for dinner. This will help you mentally stay motivated, as well as you will feel proud of yourself each time you hit a mini goal along your health journey!
If you know there is a Christmas party this Friday for the office, maybe try to not eat so much sugar that week. Or maybe try to move an extra 30 minutes Monday-Friday. Scheduling your treats will help you not be caught off guard in cookie chaos, but also it will allow you to enjoy your special nights because you prepared for them and you are able to reward yourself for the hard work you did the week leading up to it!
No one ever said you had to go to the gym to lose weight! You can find tons of workouts online for free that will really get your heart pumping and your body sweating! If you just cannot face the cold winter air in the morning, establish a gym area in your own home! This can also be a great tool for people who want to save money by not purchasing a gym membership or for people who need to workout at crazy/differing times of the day to fit it into their schedules! Sadly, this tip leaves no room for excusing though;)
Instead of grandma giving you cookies each year around the holidays, maybe instead she can make a fruit arrangement for you! Or create a super yummy, but healthy alternative to your favorite Christmas bread or cookie! By letting others know your goals and intentions, it will not only help keep you accountable but hopefully, others will try to support your on your spring wedding goals throughout the holiday season!
In the end, your wedding will be a success and you will be a gorgeous, loved bride no matter if you lose the 20 lbs you intended to drop or not! Remember that your wedding is so much more than the number on your scale! You are beautiful now and you will be beautiful on your big day! Enjoy the holidays, try to make healthy changes where you can, work hard to stay consistent, but also have fun and enjoy the winter time with family members and friends…. and of course, once in a while, eat a cookie or three:)
Comment below and let me know if these tips helped prepare you for your special day throughout the holidays!
