10 hours to go for the big fat Indian wedding that you just have to attend? If you’re struggling to feel great in that figure-hugging Anarkali or slim-fit sherwani, we’ve got help.
Five Healthify Me experts give you last-minute healthy tips that will help you avoid the bloated feeling and help you put your best foot forward as you head out of the door.
Alpa Momaya, Nutritionist
A common cause of bloating is dehydration. It may seem strange that lack of water can cause bloating, but the body tends to hold onto whatever water it can when it is starved of fluids. Ensure that you drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush out your system. Don’t forget to have a glass of warm water with lemon before and after the party to help your body naturally get rid of salty and oily food that’s a given at any party.
Sreemanth Desai, Fitness Expert
Try to eat something small and simple such as a salad before you head for the party. This way, you will be able to make better decisions about what to eat at the wedding. If you arrive at a party starving, everything looks and smells delicious, leaving you vulnerable to unhealthy choices. This is a good habit to avoid junk food.
Roshini Gilbert, Fitness Trainer
I suggest you work out for a minimum of 45 minutes before you head out for the high-calorie dinner. This will keep your body in a high-calorie burn mode and help it touch all the yummy food and drinks that you are bound to consume. Stick to high protein choices when faced with a plethora of food. Healthy food habits will pay in the long run. And don’t forget to stay on your toes and dance the night away!
Pragya Bhatt, Yoga Instructor
You can’t deflate in 5 minutes but you can be more accepting of yourself so that you can be the life of the party regardless of your size. I suggest a meditation session before heading out to get in a Zen state of mind.
Saravanan Hariram, Fitness trainer
Do strength training before you go to the wedding reception. Drink a glass of warm water or lemon water before you start feasting on protein-rich foods along with salads. Keep sipping on water – aim for 150-200ml of water for every 20 minutes of dancing.
Enjoy the wedding. And may it be a happily ever after!
Written by Roshini Gilbert
After a diligent workout plan helped her lose 30kg of post-pregnancy weight, chartered accountant Roshini Gilbert was inspired enough to go from tallying numbers to training others. A freelance personal trainer today, Roshini has been certified by the American Council on Exercises (ACE) for functional fitness and specialises in post-natal weight loss, exercises for low back pain, arthritis and osteoporosis. She also has REHAB Trainer certification from Australia for rehabilitative exercises and has trained with reputed sports physiotherapist Ulrik Larsen in corrective exercises and injury management. In HealthifyMe, Roshini has found a collaborator with a common cause – making people fit to live life to the fullest. Her assessment of how fit you are is based on three broad guidelines — stamina, body age (a person who looks way older than his age can’t be deemed healthy) and lifestyle (beware, those with bad eating habits and sedentary behaviour). Prepare yourself mentally first and then your body will follow, she says, of the opinion that if you want to change something about yourself then you need to challenge yourself to do it. Are you up for it?
