Photo courtesy of Ryan Vance (to make her dance)
Almost every bride I’ve known has put herself on some sort of special eating regimen in preparation for the big day. Though weight loss is often the goal, it is certainly not the only reason both brides and grooms should eat well on their path to the altar.
As a longtime foodist, I was not even remotely concerned about fitting into my dress. It fit beautifully, and I expect it will fit this time next year as well.
My biggest concern leading up to the big day was stress management. I almost never get sick, but with the pressure of a book launch and impending nuptials it has been harder than normal to get a restful night’s sleep. The last thing I wanted was to come down with the flu or some other bug from all the stress and travel.
Over the past couple of months I’ve been more focused than usual on making sure I get enough nutrients, particularly those that fuel immunity and ease stress. I’ve been eating extra greens and fruit (phytonutrients and vitamin C), and drinking more green juice than normal to keep me healthy. I’ve made sure to have plenty of fish each week (omega-3 fatty acids), as well as pastured meats and poultry (B vitamins) to manage stress.
The only foods I’ve been more actively avoiding are sugar and dairy. Sugar exacerbates stress in the body, and dairy (especially the industrial varieties filled with artificial hormones) is notorious for causing acne breakouts. This worked, and I’m thrilled I made it through the ceremony blemish-free.
Just as important, I was extra careful to make sure my workouts continued to be a priority each day. Few things relieve stress and help me sleep as well as exercise, and this daily ritual has helped keep me sane more than anything else.
Despite these efforts, I was under enough stress that my appetite wasn’t its normal, healthy self. I noticed a few weeks before the wedding that I had lost more weight than I was comfortable with, so made an extra effort to eat more regularly and consume enough calories to keep me at my optimal weight. It didn’t take much, and I’m glad I was able to catch this quickly and adjust my behavior accordingly.
Amazingly, just over a week before the wedding I was overcome by a sense of calm. After one of the many inevitable disasters that came up as the wedding approached, I realized that none of the things I was worried about really mattered. The day would come, the guests would arrive, Kevin and I would be there and the wedding would happen. Those were the important things that would happen regardless, and I could choose whether or not I wanted to stress about the details. I decided not to, and it was completely liberating.
Great health and glowing skin are what make any bride or groom look their best on their big day. If you have a wedding coming up eat well, don’t worry, and remember to slow down and take it all in. Everything will be fine, just don’t forget to enjoy it.
How did you stay healthy for your wedding day?