A new year’s resolution is one thing, but a 2015 wedding is the best weight-loss motivation out there! Are you already sweating for the wedding, or do you need some motivation to get to the gym? It’s time to stop saying, “I’ll start tomorrow.” With these must-have tips and our ultimate wedding workout playlist, you’ll be looking and feeling your best by the big day. Get reading, get moving, and get to that goal!

25 Tracks for your Wedding Workout Playlist

1. “Love Never Felt So Good” by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake

 

2. “Come Get It Bae” by Pharrell Williams

 

3. “Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera

 

4. “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé

 

5. “Geronimo” by Sheppard

 

6. “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled

 

7. “Domino” by Jessie J

 

8. “GDFR” by Flo Rida

 

9. “We Found Love” by Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

 

10. “Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)” by A.R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls

 

11. “Sugar” by Maroon 5

 

12. “I Bet My Life” by Imagine Dragons

 

13. “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding

 

14. “All of Me (Tiësto Remix)” by John Legend

 

15. “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé feat. JAY Z

 

16. “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

 

17. “Chandelier” by Sia

 

18. “Sledgehammer” by Fifth Harmony

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19. “It Was Always You” by Maroon 5

 

20. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

 

21. “Toxic” by Britney Spears

 

22. “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake

 

23. “Drunk in Love” by Beyoncé feat. JAY Z

 

24. “My Boo” by Usher & Alicia Keys

 

25. “Marry You” by Bruno Mars

20 Tips to Get You Moving

Now that you have your wedding workout playlist, it’s time to get movin’. Need a push? Here are my tips to help you lose weight before the big day.

Photos by Erin Johnson Photography

1. Start as soon as possible.

Don’t wait until the month before your wedding to lose the weight, or you’ll end up crash-dieting which is not OK. As soon as you set the date, start planning your new diet and gym schedule. Allowing yourself to ease into it will help your body and mindset.

2. Be realistic—set short-term goals.

“I want to lose 50lbs before my wedding”—I admire your gusto, but take it easy! If you set goals like this, you’re putting far too much pressure on yourself. Simply getting to the gym a few days a week can be your first goal. Maybe stop drinking soda the next week or cut back on processed foods. These small battles are easier to conquer, and they all lead to winning the war.

3. Stay on schedule.

Instead of saying, “I’ll workout three times this week,” say you’ll go on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—then stick to it. Making the gym a permanent part of your schedule will make everything easier. It’s hard to make excuses when something becomes a routine.

4. Find a partner.

I’m sure one of your bridesmaids wouldn’t mind toning up for the big day! Or maybe your groom wants to shed a few pounds before his tux fitting? Having someone who will push you to go (and vice versa) will be a huge motivation.

5. Keep a journal.

When I’m trying to lose weight, I often write down everything I eat and keep track of my gym visits. You don’t realize how much you snack until you have to track every bite. Writing down what you lift or your running times will also help you continue to push yourself. Tip: Download an app like My Fitness Pal! That way you can have your calorie and workout history in the palm of your hand.

6. Buy cute clothes.

Laugh all you want, but it works for me! When I go to the gym in a cute tank or colorful yoga pants, I feel better and work harder.

7. Take breaks from the gym.

No, I’m not telling you to quit working out for a week. I’m encouraging you to get creative! When I get bored at the gym, I spice things up by running outside, playing tennis, or even taking long walks with my dog. Whether it’s yoga in the park or group Zumba classes, find something fun and active.

8. Listen to your body.

Your body will tell you when it’s tired, so listen. If you’re sore, walk on the treadmill or do some stretching. If you’re feeling exhausted during the day, eat more protein or bring an extra healthy snack to work.

9. Have healthy snacks on-hand.

Eating small, healthy snacks throughout the day will help your metabolism and keep your energy levels up! It’s hard to workout after a long day at the office, but nourishing yourself beforehand may be the motivation you need. A few healthy snacks to consider:

• Greek yogurt
• String cheese
• Trail mix (no m&m’s)
• Apple and peanut butter
• Hard-boiled egg
• Veggies and hummus

10. Tone strategically.

Remember those small goals I talked about? This trick can be applied to what you tone, too. If you’re wearing an open-back dress, focus on those muscles first. It may be your arms, legs, or that booty—just take it one step at a time.

11. Get some sleep.

Turn off Netflix and go to bed! Women in their 20’s and 30’s need 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

12. Make the right diet changes.

Crash-dieting is not OK. Small, smart changes to your diet will make a huge difference. Cut back on processed foods, sodium, and excess sugar. Eat breakfast every day. Don’t eat out every night of the week. Pack a healthy lunch for work. These changes are easier to make and will have much healthier effects.

13. Don’t skip meals.

Skipping a meal does nothing good for your body. It slows your metabolism, drains your energy, and does nothing for long-term weight-loss goals. This is not a healthy method, especially the week of your wedding. So many brides cut back dramatically right before the event, and it does nothing but increase stress-levels and steal energy you desperately need.

14. Take your vitamins.

A multivitamin will give you your daily dose of the most important nutrients. Vitamin D can help you absorb calcium during those winter months when the sun is lacking. For beautiful skin and hair (must-haves for brides) consider taking fish oil supplements.

15. Carbs are our friends.

You don’t have to stop eating bread—I know, it’s so good! Instead, avoid the color white and stick to whole grains in smaller quantities. Carbs give you the energy you need to workout and plan a wedding. They also keep your metabolism moving.

16. Don’t smother your veggies.

You can’t eat too many veggies, but drowning them in butter and oil will defeat the purpose. Keep that buttery-goodness under control.

17. Remember portion control.

Americans love large portions. Cutting back on portion size alone, without changing what you eat, will make a difference when you step on the scale. Pay attention to the serving size on nutritional labels! I also recommend drinking one full glass of water before every meal to feel full quicker.

18. Don’t drink your calories.

There are so many calories in soda, juice, and especially alcohol. Replace these sugary beverages with sparkling water or tea! If you’re going to drink, avoid mixed cocktails with all the syrup and switch to a vodka-soda or a glass of red wine.

19. Water, water, and more water.

I don’t need to go in-depth since you hear this almost every day, but I must point out that water is essential to weight-loss. You need to drink water all day long, especially before meals.

20. Treat yourself.

No, not with cake. If you achieve one of your goals or beat your fastest time, treat yourself with a manicure or a new pair of yoga pants! Give yourself some incentive.

Everything in moderation.

I’m never going to be one of those girls who loves to workout, eat salads, and juice. I’ve accepted that I love food! The key to a happy and healthy life is moderation. Workout a few days a week for 45 minutes, avoid unhealthy foods when you can, and treat yourself every once in a while with ice cream or chocolate. Figure out a schedule you can maintain, find a fun workout, and be conscious of what you eat. Take care of yourself, and you will see results. And no matter what you think or what that scale tells you, you will be a beautiful bride. Now, get movin’! You may also like...

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