4 Reasons You Should Not Crash Diet Before your Wedding
Kamala Somasundaram
July 12, 2019
Kamala Somasundaram
July 12, 2019
Planning a wedding is hard work and following a wedding diet is even harder, especially for a bride-to-be whose to-do list includes losing weight for the big day. Which is why instead of exercising and clean eating, many women crash diet to quickly get in shape. What they don’t realise is that extreme weight loss methods are harmful for your health and rarely successful in the long run.
A crash diet is a method used by people to lose weight really quickly in a short time span by drastically reducing calorie intake. It can involve replacing meals with light soups and vegetables or fruits and fruit juices. Skipping meals or simply starving through the day are other crash diet options.
While daily intake requirements differ from person to person, the minimum requirement for any adult would be between 1200-1500 calories per day. People who crash diet usually survive on 600-800 calories hoping to lose weight.
Every woman wants to look her best on her wedding day but few brides-to-be stop to consider how to get trim and toned the healthy way. Since they don’t know better, they think the only way to lose weight is to stop eating. In the days leading up to their wedding, many women skip dinner or indulge in just fruits, soup, or small portion of rice or chapatti. But by starving themselves, they’re actually jeopardising their wedding day. Here’s why:
If you starve yourself, your hormone levels will dip. Poor nutrition can also lead to a host of other deficiencies including iron, Vitamin B-complex and B-12, all of which impact your immunity and leave you vulnerable at a time when you need to be healthy and strong.
If you’re constantly hungry, your energy levels will be low. Plus, since you’re barely eating, your blood sugar is likely to be low and that, coupled with hormone imbalance, can leave you feeling moody and anxious.
Severely restricting fat and carb intake can result in tired and baggy eyes. Also, starving the hair follicles of the vitamins, minerals and amino acids they need in order to grow can leave your tresses looking limp.
When you’re not consuming enough calories, your body has no source of fuel so it will start breaking down muscle tissue for energy. The loss of muscle – instead of fat – will lower your metabolic rate over time. When you go back to normal eating, your body will put on weight very quickly and your low metabolic rate may cause you to gain even more weight than before.
Remember, there are no quick-fix solutions to getting in shape. Realistically, you can target losing 2-4 kg a month, so plan backward to your wedding day. If you want to lose about 5-6 kg before your wedding, start three months in advance and focus on healthy eating, exercise and certain lifestyle changes.
Some pointers to keep in mind include:
Protein can help boost both your energy levels and metabolism. It also helps curb hunger as it takes longer to digest and uses more calories in the process. Eating protein can keep stomach bloating at bay, helping you stay trim.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Going fat free can cause your complexion to dry up, so choose healthy fats, such as nuts, seeds and olive oil.
Vitamin A, C and E are considered good skin vitamins, so be sure to include plenty of leafy greens, nuts, oranges and broccoli in your diet.
Many women think dieting is all it takes to lose weight, but exercising is equally important. Walking won’t be enough if you want to achieve a toned body. You’ll need a plan that incorporates cardio exercises and functional training.
To avoid dehydration, remove toxins and improve your complexion.
I’ve often had to advise clients to increase their food intake to ensure they meet their 1200-1500 daily calorie requirement. Portion control for unhealthy food – like sweets that are usually distributed at an auspicious time – is essential.
Most brides are determined to lose weight before their wedding, but lose steam soon after. Unfortunately, that’s one of the reasons women put on weight after marriage. To stay in shape as you embark on a new chapter in your life, you need to stick to a balanced diet and disciplined exercise program after you’ve reached your goal.
Want to lose weight before your wedding? Our experts can help you do it the healthy way
Very good article . Kamala you are a genius .