My Not So Much Bridal Boot Camp

Several years ago, when finishing up my work out at the gym I remember seeing/scoffing at a flyer for “Bridal Boot

Drink of choice, 1 gallon daily - if you need the caffiene, coffee with skim milk or diet coke. Been trying more tea lately.

Camp”. 2 classes per week for 6 weeks, brides can get in “wedding day” shape for a fee on top of their monthly membership fee. Granted I was not wedding minded at the time, but now being on the other side of the fence with 113 days away from our wedding I still think it’s unnecessary and such a trend. From my years of training (lifting onto martial arts) and progressing through lifestyle changes, I’m coming from a different perspective with a different motivation/purpose. My motivation is not a dress and my purpose is not to stress myself to look good for just one day. I joke sometimes when offered dessert or a drink; “No thank you, I have a wedding dress to fit into” seems to be an acceptable ‘pass’ on eating junk food as if I should eating this way. I don’t deprive myself of food, I’m saving myself from garbage building up in my body.

In a way I can say that I have a tangible bridal boot camp – it was in an old grimey boxing gym in the heart of New Brunswick. Though it wasn’t the safest neighborhood to be at, it was a place where you can smell the years of sweat and tears of skilled fighters. That’s what I think about when I hear the word boot camp – not an air conditioned gym with hardwood floors, lights, mirrors and meatheads. Training in muay thai for the past two years has offered so much more than I expected and in some cases wanted. I love it. Granted, I’m not training in the art so that I can fit my wedding dress but it’s doing a great job in keeping my body in shape even after my sweet attack episodes. Plus hitting pads is a great stress reliever from all the wedding details or any stressors in that matter – to each his own. Evidence of my “boot camp” rigor is on my Khun Kru’s Facebook, where I’m all rosy cheeked looking constipated while doing drills but enjoying the torture me and my classmates love.

Loving these Pilates flat stretch bands for its versaility and portability. Recommended for "wedding dress arms".

After 5 years of cross training and strength development, my best advice for brides to get in shape is to 1.) Start early – right after the engagement or even before it – some of you know that it’s going to happen,  2.) Find something that you have fun with – helps with motivation and at least tolerable even on the toughest days, 3.) Commit – if you’re going to commit yourself to another person for the rest of your life, making a commitment to yourself for a healthy body to live longer shouldn’t be difficult and 4.) Be true to your purpose in training – whatever your reason is for exercise, including for it to be short term, at least know what you’re doing it for. I’ve experience many episodes of complete frustration and self-disappointment and realized that it wasn’t because of my inability but from disregarding my training goals. Going through this as a lifestyle change was hard but to hit this wall hard when “cramming” and stressing for a wedding can be brutal and self-defeating. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone – it sucks.

Meal of choice: veggies and more veggies with fruit and lean protein. The staple of fitness meals.

My Bridal Boot Camp is in my mind- the key is to approach exercise for its benefits aside from physical attributes. As abride, regular exercise helps you to relieve wedding planning stress (and daily stressors), release toxins from your body, gives you “me” time, increases your metabolism and energy to stay up for your very special but LONG day and this is very important ladies, builds up your stamina for “after wedding day” activities *wink*.

Do this - indulge, just not too often. Chinatown Ice Cream Factory is where it's at. The taro always gets me. (image from Littleviews.com)