Shredding For the Wedding 5/7/16

I shredded for the wedding!

I am now a married woman. We had a wonderful wedding last week that was filled with love and fun- lots of fun. The stress of the wedding planning was finally released and it was a joyous time. Leading up to the event, other than the usual wedding stress of how things were going to flow and getting all the decoration details in order, I, just like many other brides, had the thought in the back of my head - the worry about how my dress would fit the day of.

Maintaining my figure and staying toned is pretty much always my goal. This was the same goal I had for the dress. So in order to keep me focused on this goal, I had to think of a different- more specific one, that would force me to stay in a weekly routine. 
Take note, even if your goal is different from mine like weight loss, you need to find a more specific one to help you stay on track with fitness.

My more specific goal:
For about a year now I have been talking about training for and running a full marathon. I have done several half marathons, but never the full 26.2 miles. And with the wedding, I found that it was the perfect opportunity to get myself on a more strict workout regimen- so I signed up!!!!
(The wedding was May 7th but the race is in June, so my training has still continued, even after the I do's.)
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As soon as I signed up for the marathon, I sat down and wrote out my 4 month training program for both me and my now husband (of course I dragged him into it! Workout buddies make everything fun :-D ).

Flexing for the wedding

Vogue. I was feeling myself

The workout regimen is extremely important in helping with anyone's fitness goals, but nutrition is also a key factor. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables on a regular basis, and I get my protein from legumes, meat, and some dairy products. I continued with my normal routine. I did try to stay away from the processed foods as much as I could.

My Training Regimen

3 days a week we work on resistance training. 3  days a week we focus on cardio, one of those cardio days of course is our long run. For me I chose to do 1 other short run in the week and then focused on the elliptical, stationary bike, or rowing machine because I didn't want to risk my patella tendinitis flaring up- I had a wedding to look good for (I also could not/cannot risk missing a long run), and 1 day a week I rest.

Month 1
 of ​resistance training

Basic strength training 
Examples:
back squat, weighted lunges, chest flys, reverse flows, bench press, side lunges, weighted planks, weighted sit ups, hyperextension, bent over row, overhead press, pull ups, tricep dips, weighted bridges, deadlifts, etc. 

Month 2
 of ​resistance training

Power and plyo training
Examples:
kb swings, bb clean squat and press, burpees, box jumps, lateral box jumps, power push-ups, plank walks, sprinter crunches, squat jumps, single leg squat jumps, bb landmine exercises, db snatch, sled push,  etc.

Month 3 and 4
 of ​resistance training

Endurance, balance, and mobility 
Examples:
HIIT (cardio along with the resistance training for cv endurance as well as muscular endurance), pistol squats on bosu, flexibility lunge and twist, side step up and leg abduct, side plank and leg abduct, balance planks, pushup on balance ball etc.

Setting and Having Goals

Having the goal of maintaining or even losing weight is a great goal to have, but it is very broad. Having a more focused and specific goal can help you stay focused, and can help reduce stress so you aren't jumping on the scale every single day.  You want to feel great, be happy, and enjoy your workout programs. 

Specific goals can be anything from:

• Making sure you are coming to the gym 1 extra day in the week
• Finishing a triathlon/5k/obstacle race/ half marathon or full marathon
• Completing a full mile run
• Being able to do a full push up or pull up
• Getting to a certain number in push-ups and pull ups
• etc.

Your goals are for you. They are YOUR Personal fitness goals. Focus on what you need and want and you will get results.

Pick any goal that is reachable for you to help keep you on track for the big day. But don't just stop at the wedding. Continue with the fitness lifestyle after the vows and maintain your happiness, healthiness, and fitness.

The day of the wedding I felt amazing. Might I say I looked great (toot toot), I felt confident, and I enjoyed my night (I want to relive it all over again). My training kept me focused, and I reached my wedding goal. But now my training still continues and my next goal is to finish my first full marathon in June, and I am still extremely focused.

Goals are easy to achieve when you have a drive, a push, and a focus. So set them. Results will come in time- but the goals will get you to those results you want.

Thanks for reading everyone! I have to go train for my marathon now :-D
Cheers!