Every bride wants to look her best for her big day.
Here are some great workout moves to do to get you in perfect shape.
1.
For a sleek, smooth torso try these moves:
·
The Twist
a. Stand
with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. Imagine holding a ball
in between your thighs. Squeeze your thigh muscles, then pull in your belly and
tuck it under your pelvis (so you're in a slight sitting position). Lace your
fingers together and place your hands behind your head.
b. Keeping
your chest high, slowly twist from side to side without moving your lower body,
so that your upper body turns from facing left to facing right. Keep it slow --
you won't get the full benefit if you're relying on momentum. Repeat 40 times.
Yep, you heard us right -- 40!
·
Standing Side Crunch
a. Stand
in the same position as you did for the twist, with your abs tucked in and your
toes facing front (but drop the imaginary ball!).
b. Lift
your left knee toward your left arm bringing your elbow down to meet it. Hold,
then return to the starting position. Repeat it on the right and do a total of
20 repetitions on each side.
2.
To firm up that all-important rear view try
these upper- and lower-back workouts
·
One-Arm Row
a. Stand
with your left side next to the front of a bench (or a coffee table, or a
couch). Place your left foot and left hand on the bench, bending your right
knee. Keeping your torso parallel to the ground, grasp a dumbbell with your
right hand. Let your arm hang straight down with your palm facing your thigh.
b. Slowly
pull the dumbbell up and back until it's in line with your hip. You should feel
a muscle contraction in your upper back (that means it's working!). Repeat 10
times, then switch sides.
·
Pullover
a. Lie
on the floor with your knees bent, hip-width apart, and feet planted. Grab a
dumbbell with each hand and extend your arms up over your body, so that your
arms make a 90-degree angle with your torso.
b. Keeping
your elbows slightly bent, slowly lower the dumbbell back behind your head as
far as you can; you should feel a stretch in your back muscles. Next, lift the
dumbbell back into the starting position above your body, squeezing your back muscles
as you go up. Do 10 repetitions per set.
3.
If you want toned triceps and biceps, try these
moves.
·
Bicep Curls
a. Standing
with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent, pull your tummy in and
tuck your pelvis under. Hold a heavier pair of dumbbells down at your sides
with your palms facing front.
b. Keeping
your elbows at your sides, slowly curl the dumbbells toward your shoulders.
Reverse direction and lower the dumbbells into starting position -- avoid
locking your elbows. Do 10 repetitions per set. Slow and steady wins the race
here -- you'll get a bigger benefit from the exercise if you use concentrated,
controlled movements. If you feel like you're whipping the weights around to
get them up, your dumbbells are too heavy. Downgrade to a smaller weight so you
can move more comfortably.
·
Tricep Dips
a. Sit
normally on a sturdy, non wheeled chair. Place your hands on the front edge of
the seat (fingertips facing front) and your feet on the floor, hip-width apart
and a little bit ahead of you. Slowly slide your bottom off the seat of the
chair, keeping your hands where there are.
b. Keeping
your arms close to your body, bend your elbows until your upper arms are
parallel to the floor, allowing your rear end to descend past the edge of the
chair. Using your arms to lift you, reverse direction and push yourself back up
to the point at which your arms are straight. Work up to 15 dips per set.
Working out and eating right go hand in hand when trying
to look your best. Make sure you also follow the below steps to get the
maximum benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
1.
Get plenty of sleep.
2.
Make sure that you're feeding your whole body -- mind, spirit, and soul
3.
Drink plenty of water.
4.
Do things that you enjoy with your body -- walk, bike, dance, make love,
hang with friends.
5.
Happily and guiltlessly indulge now and then.
