These secrets aren't really secrets. In fact, they are incredibly easy to implement. Some areas in your life just need some tiny tweaks, and this article is about the three things you can do starting TODAY that will set you on the path of becoming a sexy Superbride for life.
As much as we'd love to make big drastic improvements in our lives, in reality small steps work just as well. They are definitely more sustainable and work with where you are today. Considering that you have so much to deal with planning for your wedding, I'm guessing that you don't want to make any huge changes in your day to day life, but you want great results to your health and well-being (don't we all?).
These three little changes that will help you be an even more beautiful, sexy bride for your wedding and beyond, and best of all - they are virtually no-cost.
1. Get More Sleep
More and more these days, I hear about how sleep makes all the difference to your health. I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago, but it's a great reminder. First JJ Virgin, then Dr Oz (Oprah's favourite TV doctor), and now even the Huffington Post all extoll the benefits of sleep on beauty, mood, libido (hence sexy Superbride) and yes - even our ability to lose weight.
The great thing is that it's FREE and it works better than any expensive skin cream.
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and it definitely affects your sleep. I remember those midnight conversations in bed.. "did you remember to call the florist?...." or staying up to all hours fiddling with spreadsheets. I gather that there's not much passion happening, let alone a good night's sleep.
However, you don't want to walk down the aisle with bags under your eyes and spend your whole honeymoon catching up on sleep (you have MUCH better things to do).
But, I hear you ask - how can I possibly get more sleep - there are only so many hours in the day Denise!
I hear you - I really do. But remember, you asked for the things you could do to get the most bang for your buck and if you want to be a healthy, sexy and happy bride, looking glowing on your wedding day with a Superbride body to die for - then you must get more sleep!
How much sleep? Well, that depends on so many factors. Some people need more than others, you might start needing less as your diet becomes healthier. It also depends on the time of year, I find I need more sleep in winter.
However, you will probably know how much sleep you need. Are you staying up all night on the computer? Needing a sugar hit mid afternoon? Pressing snooze five times before you can drag yourself out of bed? Start by going to bed 15 minutes earlier and see how you feel. Increase it by another 15 minutes until you get your optimal level.
Here are some quick tips to get more out of your sleep:
- Cut back on caffeine, energy drinks or sugary desserts late at night so you can relax quicker and get to sleep sooner.
- Oprah does the "no food after 6pm" rule - not even a grape she says. Heavy cooked meals late at night will keep you up with indigestion, but I find that a raw salad or juice is fine until quite late, without disturbing my sleep too much.
- My new thing - separate quilts in winter! This saves me lots of waking up during the night wresting the quilt from Mark.
- Do you need a bedroom makeover? Maybe new sheets for the bed, decluttering your room or taking out distracting electronic gadgets.
2. Have More Fun
My original title of this tip was "have more sex", but actually I just want to have more fun in all areas of my life - the bedroom included. This includes seeing my girlfriends more, getting off the computer on the weekends, and getting more fresh air. Laugh more. I've also found that when I'm happier, it's easier for me to be healthier. When I'm down, it's easy to justify pigging out.
How much fun are you having in your life right now? What's fun for you? What makes the time fly? What have you neglected in your life because you're "getting married" and are too busy. Life is meant to be fun, but I'm sure sometimes you feel like life is just one wedding chore after another.
How about you commit to spending at least one night that's completely wedding free. Ban all talk about caterers, honeymoon, travel, flowers and everything else for one whole night a week. You could even make it fun by imposing a fine - you'll have to contribute a coin every time you mention the wedding on that night, or you could turn up the heat by getting one minute of massage every time you or your partner slips up. See, you could have more fun in the bedroom that way too!
I'd also suggest seeing your girlfriends and not talking about the wedding all the time. I'm sure we've all been guilty of monopolising conversation with tirades about the mother-in-law, or the cost of flowers, but it can get boring for your girlfriends. Make a real effort to ask them about their own lives and have some fun having a night off from being The Bride, or worse - the BRIDEZILLA!
Another great tip is to turn off the TV. Too much time is sucked away by staring at crappy TV shows. I should know - I used to be so addicted to TV, I would watch literally whatever was on, and would stay awake for hours just to watch the end of a bad movie that I had already seen. When we stopped watching TV, suddenly we had so much more time - to read, to chill out, to cook dinner together. It's really great for our couple time and we can still watch the odd favourite show, but it's not on all the time like it used to be. (In fact, we gave away our TV, but I don't expect you to do that!)
Go on, book something now in the diary that will be just for fun. Go out and do one of your favourite hobbies, meet up with a friend, or go see a silly movie.
3. Eat More Plants
Ah, one of my most favourite topics, and I'm not alone. Doctors, scientists and dieticians are all talking about how eating more plant-based food can help you lose weight naturally; have better skin, brighter eyes and stronger nails; help with fertility issues, improve your mood and outlook on life, again improve your sex drive, and even help you to avoid lifestyle diseases such as cancer, diabetes and problems related to obesity.
I certainly don't eat 100% raw food all the time, but I try to get in as much real food as possible and I feel so much better for it. It was the cornerstone for me to lose weight for my wedding, and it was a big reason why I had so much energy on honeymoon and was able to pack in so much adventure and yes, passion!
The antithesis of plant food is all that horrible fake processed stuff that masquerades as food. Don't be fooled. If it comes in a tin, a packet, has an extremely long shelf life or has 30 unpronounceable ingredients, then it's not really food. It will make you feel tired, sick, give you allergies, give you bad skin, brittle nails, a low sex drive and maybe even turn you into a cranky moody bitch - the complete opposite of the sexy Superbride.
Plant based food is truly the best food on the planet, and includes salads, vegetables, fruit, sprouts and seeds. There is so much variety, you can never really try everything and the great thing is that virtually every restaurant in the world has salad and vegetables on the menu. You can get fresh fruit very cheaply anywhere too, and it makes a quick and convenient snack.
Consider swapping just one junk meal with a healthy one, or if you are a carnivore, try Meatless Monday, which will cut down your meat consumption enough to see a small difference. Start with one dairy-free day and see how you feel. The easiest way to get in plant food is to have a salad with every meal, and to try out juices and smoothies to pack all much goodness in as possible.
So ladies, what's it worth to you to be a sexy Superbride? I hope you have fun implementing these 3 secrets - they really are easy and will make a huge difference to your health this year, in the lead-up to your wedding and if you stick with them - will continue to serve you for the rest of your life being a sexy Superwife!
© Denise Duffield-Thomas
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Great inspiring article Denise!
Posted by: Meaghan | February 2010 at 02:46 AM