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First things first, the most basic and important beauty rules for all brides-to-be are to eat right and exercise. If you're not used to eating healthy food, just follow these eight easy steps to start a healthy routine.
1. Start your day with lemon water
A cup of hot lemon water will help your body detoxify and improve your digestion. On top of that, it will aid the body in burning more fat, so try drinking water and lemon as soon as you wake up. For more digestive-cleansing benefits, go for hot water.
2. Grab a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast
A bowl of whole grains in the morning is proven to help you detoxify by keeping your gut happy. If you're tired of having plain oatmeal, try adding fruits, milk, and chocolate.
3. Consider asparagus as another healthy breakfast option
Asparagus contains both prebiotics and probiotics. It will keep your digestive tract healthy and working properly. Also, asparagus is full of de-bloating fiber that will help flatten your belly. You can get creative by adding a poached egg and a whole grain toast for a filling and flavorful breakfast.
4. Don't snack, drink juice
Healthy juices are perfect for detoxification. Drinking a green juice or smoothie can help you get the nutrients you need in addition to your daily meals.
5. Get your daily dose of green tea
Green tea is high in antioxidants. It can fight diseases and aid your liver. On top of that, a cup of green tea will help your body detoxify. You can reach out to Skinnysip Tea to try their teatox blend which not only helps you to lose weight, but is also filled with antioxidants and can help boost your metabolism.
6. No junk foods allowed
Junk food is filled with sugar and fat; it's the fast ticket to weight gain, irritability, and low energy levels. Cut out gluten, refined sugars, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol at least two or three months before your wedding.
7. Keep things fresh
Get as close to nature as you can. Although you've stayed away from junk food, there are still some seemingly healthy, but highly processed, food out there. Consume all-natural whole foods instead. Fresh, organic produce and pasture-raised lean proteins will help you maintain energy levels, aid healthy sleeping habits, and provide necessary fuel for all your pre-wedding workouts.
8. Drink plenty of water
Experts recommend at least three liters of water per day, but to make it more appealing, trick yourself by drinking fruit-infused water. Choose fruits like citruses, melons, berries, and other fruits with higher water content for hydration and antioxidants that help repair damaged skin.
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Six vitamins for every bride-to-be
Consuming additional vitamins and supplements can give you a little extra nudge leading up to the big day. Here are the best vitamins and minerals that will help you get your glow on, eliminate stress, and boost your energy to enjoy the happy day.
1. For glowing skin
Vitamin E can help you feel healthier and give you glowing skin and eyes. It's also good for your immune system.
2. For shiny hair
Try consuming Biotin, which can help with hair, nails, and also skin, all in one swoop.
3. For minimizing stress and boosting energy
B is for bridal bliss. Taking a vitamin B complex vitamin reduces stress and anxiety, and increases energy.
4. For regulating hormones
Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D are great for you. They combat dry and brittle hair, hair loss, as well as dry and flaky scalp. They can also reduce PMS symptoms.
5. For getting quality sleep
Melatonin will help you recover from jet lag after your honeymoon ends. Other than that, magnesium helps to regulate sleep cycles, supports muscle and nervous system functions, and calms the body for a good night's rest.
6. For improving digestion
Prebiotic fiber and probiotics are important for digestive health, experts say. Probiotics contain healthy bacteria that eliminate bad bacteria in your gut, while prebiotic fiber is food for probiotics that will help them stick around longer. Prebiotic fiber can be found in fruits and vegetables.
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Seven super foods to eat before the wedding
You need to remember that true health starts from the food you eat every day. If you still want to enjoy your current meal size, try changing what you eat. Instead of doing a crazy exhausting diet, why don't you nourish your body with these all-natural super foods?
1. Drink plenty of water
Researchers have shown that our body contains mostly water. It is suggested that you avoid sweet drinks, like sweet bottled juices and sodas. Try to drink a glass of water before every meal. This way, you will consume less calories because you feel fuller at the beginning of your meal. Drinking plenty of clean filtered water will also make your skin healthy, flawless, and hydrated.
2. Smarty nuts
Make your own package of healthy snacks. Focus on healthy fats and low-carb dishes like nuts. You can choose a mix of walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and raisins to enhance the flavors. Put them in small packages for you to easily bring everywhere.
3. Don't toss away your crunchy snacks
Are you a fan of salty, crispy snacks like chips? Substitute them with healthier crunchy snacks like seaweed or baked vegetable chips. Seaweed has been proven to reduce the amount of fat absorbed in our bodies, and it's a good source of fiber too. For baked veggie chips, zucchini is a popular choice. Another option is popcorn, but you need to avoid adding butter, toffee, or any other calorific ingredients.
4. Pump up your omega-3 fatty acid intake
This organic nutrient is known for its usefulness in moisturizing the skin, clearing dull skin, redness, and inflammation. Salmon and flax seed are good sources of omega-3 fatty acid. But you have to remember, avoid deep fried salmon and choose baked salmon or salmon soup instead.
5. Fruit addict
Rather than consume artificial sweetener, why don't you consume natural sweetener from fruits? It tastes good and at the same time, it helps to nourish your skin. Fruits like berries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, which will brighten your skin, fight free radicals, and also increase your antibody. You should also consume mango as this fruit will help you clear up dull skin.
6. Don't skip breakfast
Breakfast can help control your calorie intake during lunch. For a healthy and filling option, try oatmeal. You can combine it with banana, honey, or low-fat yogurt to make it taste less plain. Oatmeal is known as a great way to keep you energized for hours, and also it helps your body to absorb less fat.
7. Spice things up a bit
If you have good tolerance for spicy food, here's some good news for you. Adding a reasonable amount of chili pepper to your dinner will do you no harm. Instead, it will help you burn more calories. But you definitely shouldn't do it if your stomach is easily upset by spicy food.
Seven pre-wedding juice detox recipes
While eating a balanced diet will already do wonders, a little nudge from healthy juices will boost the results. Here are the simple pre-wedding juice detox recipes that will help you feel a lot healthier. The best part is, you can make these at home!
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The dos and don'ts of healthy eating
Do: Start as early as possible
As soon as the engagement euphoria wears off, start your wedding planning and diet planning. When you start early, you have plenty of time to set a healthy and achievable weight goal.
Don't: Put things off until the last week
Many couples decide to get in shape on the last week before the wedding. If you start-off with the wrong timing, the chances of you getting in shape successfully and healthily will decrease.
Do: Set realistic expectations
Expectation management is important. The most realistic expectation is to lose a kilogram per week. So again, if you really want to lose a lot of weight, you should start early.
Don't: Set an unrealistic and unhealthy expectation
Some people set an unrealistic expectations like losing 20 kilos in six weeks. It's unhealthy; and it will mess up the metabolism that would need years to fix.
Do: Count calories
Be patient. Counting calories can be a lot of work, but if done correctly, the numbers will guarantee success. It's very simple: work out how many calories your body needs to function, how many calories are burned through exercise, and how many calories you consume.
Don't: Jump into fad diets
Most people cannot stick to diets because they want immediate results. The latest crash diets might sound tempting, but they are very unhealthy and ineffective.
Do: Reward yourself in particular intervals
You'll need plenty of support to stay on track, especially from yourself. Reward your good habits. For example, if you've eaten healthily for four straight seeks, treat yourself with new clothes or a massage. This way, you'll stay motivated!
Don't: Stress about cheat meals
Having an unplanned cheat meal doesn't mean the end of the world. Just make sure that you don't continue cheating for the rest of the week. Be kind to yourself, you'll get there!
Do: Get toned
A toned physique will make you look and feel much better. Try to focus on how your own body changes rather than follow what the scales say.
Don't: Try to get skinny
There's a thing called "skinny fat", and it's not very attractive. Embrace your natural figure and enhance it instead. So keep working out, and avoid fad dieting!