photo credit: Pavel Danilyuk
Weddings are highly focused on aesthetics, from the venue decor, cake design, and the bridal gown, as everything needs to be visually appealing. While couples ensure that everything looks great, it’s also important that they feel their best, in addition to looking their best on their special day. To reduce the stress of planning and improve the quality of time spent together while preparing for the big day, engaging in a joint exercise routine is a great way to achieve that by integrating your fitness routine timeline with your wedding timeline. As you might plan to open a joint bank account before the wedding to manage expenses or schedule a final fitting of your wedding attire a month before the wedding, adding fitness goals to the wedding timeline can help achieve them faster.
Couples’ Exercise Routine
Before starting any fitness routines as a bride and groom, it’s important to create a timeline of the goals you want to achieve. Wedding planning keeps couples busy, so it is essential to set aside time to work out together by creating a fitness routine timeline in conjunction to the wedding timeline.
While a morning fitness routine might seem more appealing than an evening one, it’s important to find a time that works for both of you, as this will help keep you accountable and on track. Committing to an exercise time and routine will help you achieve the desired results.
Develop a workout schedule that reflects how often you wish to exercise and the objectives you aim to reach. For example, if the bride is aiming for weight loss and the groom is interested in increasing muscle strength, design a regimen that includes exercises targeting both of these goals.
There are various workout options available today. While going to the gym is still one of the most common and effective ways to reach your fitness goals, it’s also beneficial to try different exercises that target flexibility, strength, endurance, and fat burning. If you prefer more intense workouts while your partner prefers exercises focused on increasing flexibility, you can create a fitness routine that incorporates both types of exercises at different times.
For example, you can engage in strength training and endurance exercises three times a week. If you’re new to strength training, it’s important to use sturdy racks and rigs to prevent accidents. On other days, you can focus on cardio by running, swimming, rope jumping, or cycling.
photo credit: Kampus Production
Stress Relief
Wedding planning and preparation can be extremely stressful and time-consuming. That’s why if you’re preparing for the big day with your partner by following a fitness routine, incorporating exercises and workouts that focus on your physical as well as mental health can help relieve stress by giving you an outlet to manage your stress in a productive manner. Yoga can be a great way to relieve stress while strengthening your body as it enhances the body’s ability to balance itself and become flexible. Alternatively, activities such as tai chi and boxing can also help relieve stress by turning your worries of the day into focused energy, leading to feel grounded while your muscles relax post-workout. Moving your body through any form of exercise has been shown to reduce stress which can be good for you as you prepare for your big day together.
Nutrition
A successful fitness routine relies on regular exercise, but your diet also plays a crucial role in achieving your health goals efficiently and sustainably. A balanced diet rich in protein can accelerate your fitness progress. If you and your partner are working toward better health, you can start eating healthier together and hold each other accountable.
Begin by incorporating more whole foods into your diet and reducing sugar intake will not only help you get in shape but also maintain good skincare before the big day. The key is to add more whole foods to your diet rather than eliminating anything from your regular meals. This will help you develop the habit of mindful eating, leading to overall health improvement. Try to cook at home instead of opting for takeout as much as possible. Additionally, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and drinking before you feel thirsty, especially if you’re exercising daily or in hot weather.
photo credit: Jane Trang Doan
Celebrating Milestones
Finally, celebrating fitness milestones is extremely important if you want to stick to a fitness routine with your partner. Keep each other accountable, try not to skip workouts, and switch up your workout routine if one partner is having a hard time or if you’ve become bored. Most importantly, be present and motivate each other to do better. Think of this fitness routine as a challenge that you’re facing as a team before your big day and give it your all.
As bride or groom, you must take care of yourself and each other before the big day, as the preparation and planning for the wedding can be overwhelming. Following a fitness routine with your partner has the ability to enhance intimacy in your relationship and help you regulate emotions and health before you say, “I DO”. The tips given above are a good starting point for your fitness journey. Feel free to customize your routine according to your preferences and enjoy quality time with your partner before the big day.
