Top Ten Wedding Day Dos

Vera Wang, leading fashion and bridal couture designer, released her Top Ten Wedding Day Dos which we would like to share with you.

What works fashion wise for that trek down the aisle?

"1. Feeling comfortable in your appearance is incredibly important. If you feel comfortable with the way you look, you will radiate the most confidence."

Brittany Baldwin married Mitchell Clough
at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.
Their Real Wedding features in The Bride's Gown Look Book.
She radiates confidence on her special day!

"2. Determine what kind of wedding you are having. The volume, silhouette, proportions, amount of adornment, tailoring and other elements of the dress should have a lot to do with not only where you have your wedding, but what time of day it is being held and what the temperature is. The dress is not only about how it looks on your body."

Lou Fitzhardinge & Paul McDougall
A Real Wedding in The Brides Gown
Lou is dressed beautifully for a wonderful cold Autumn wedding.

"3. It's really important to see the whole look - the dress, the headpiece, the size of the bouquet and the shoes. I would go so far as to include the makeup. A lot of girls put a tremendous amount of effort into the dress, but they don't give a lot of thought to the headpiece, tiara, barrettes or other accessories. Very often they are an afterthought."

Kimberley & Daniel Tuillo featured as a Real Wedding
in our Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine.
Great hair do, tiara, matching earrings and complimentary makeup!

"4. Go easy on the bouquet. Bouquets that are too large or too loud will detract from the dress."

Katie and Matt - The Secret Garden
Such an intricate dress of beauty subtly complimented by the bouquet!

"5. Hem lengths are very key. You have to make sure you don't see the shoes. The dress should definitely be floating above in the front. If it is too long in front, it's treacherous. In order to make a wedding a success, the bride should not have to lift the dress. Someone tripped in my most recent show. It can be a particularly long walk down the aisle."

Natasha and Paul Cooper featured
as a Real Wedding in our The Brides Gown Look Book.
Natasha negotiated the stairs out of the church with no trouble at all !

"6.  Makeup is another thing to think about. I'm not crazy about strong red lipstick with a white dress. If you never wear blue eyeshadow or purple eyeshadow or glitter, why wear it on your wedding day? You want to avoid any makeup that makes you look disguised or that makes you no longer look like yourself. That is huge. It should be the same with the hair. Sometimes stylists can get too elaborate with hair styles and colours. Wearing hair accessories and bobby pins are very much about editing."

Hannah and Rhys Clark featured as a Real Wedding
 in The Brides Gown Look Book
Her makeup is professionally applied and accentuates her natural beauty!

"7.  I have to say I prefer a shoe on the quieter side whether it is a fashion shoe (though it doesn't have to be) or something with a bit of a wedding feeling. I like a shoe with a tapered toe box. I'm not someone who is into a full-on Swarovski-covered glittery shoe. I don't think you want that much attention. A little kitten heel is nice if you are marrying someone shorter than you, or a platform if you are marrying someone taller."

Amy and James Tracy-Inglis are featured
in our Autumn 2012, Issue 20 digital magazine
Amy's shoes are from Kurt Geiger 

"8.  It is just as important to have black-and-white photography done as it is to have colour. Black and white is chic and timeless."

Leonie and Chris Davenport featured as a
Real Wedding in our Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine
Black and white is chic and timeless!

"9.  Step into your dress whether it is large or narrow. There are things no one can compensate for. I once had a bride get red lipstick on the front of her dress when she pulled it on over her head. Keep anyone with colourful drinks, beverages or makeup away from you."

May and Adrian Wong featured as a Real Wedding in our
Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine
May is carefully helped into her gown by her bridesmaid so as to not
disturb the gorgeous hair do.

"10.  Savour the moment. There's a tendency when people get married to rush down the aisle as soon as the ceremony has ended. I'm not sure if it's relief or what. But you have to remember the guests have spent most of the time looking at your back during the service. So much work goes into planning. Take your time when walking back down the aisle. Let them see the dress."

Amy and James Tracy-Inglis are featured
in our Autumn 2012, Issue 20 digital magazine
Gradually and happily walking down the aisle after a beautiful ceremony!

Great advice! Thanks Vera!



Vera Wang

Bibilography:
1: Studio Sixty Photography & Todd Hunter McGraw
3: Jennifer Oliphant Photography www.jenniferoliphant.com
4: http://www.styleandbride.com/2012/02/katie-and-matt-the-secret-garden/
5. Ryan Heywood www.ryanheywood.com
6: Ryan Ahern www.ahern.com.au
7 & 10: Popcorn Photography http://www.popcornphotography.com.au
8: Tim Coulson Photography  www.timcoulson.com
9: Pobke Photography  http://www.pobkephotography.com

Aphrodisiac Valentine Day Dinner!

Valentines Day is here and you know you want to do something special but you're just not quite sure what!

We've put together some wonderful ideas for you to really strut your talents to your man.

Any meal you make should include a good dose of aphrodisiacs to help the evening along...

Entree - Goats Cheese and Fig SaladSalade Chevre Figue

Did you know that an open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act.

This entree takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare! 

• 4 figs
• 4 cups mixed baby greens
• 4 ounces creamy goat cheese, or you could use feta cheese as well
• 8 walnuts chopped or 4 tablespoons of pine nuts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or champagne vinegar works well)
• salt and pepper

Wash the figs. For an attractive presentation, cut the fig in four without cutting through the stem, and allow the fruit to fan open.

Garnish four salad plates with the greens and the figs. Place one ounce of cheese alongside the fig, and sprinkle with walnuts.

Prepare a vinaigrette with the olive oil, walnut oil, vinegar and salt and pepper. Pour on top and serve.

Mains - Crispy Barramundi with Basil & Lemon Sauce

Did you know that Basil is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

The ground seeds of various plants in the brassica family were believed to increase virility. In the case of broccoli its more likely a myth created to get people to eat this bitter vegetable.

Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene.

Ingredients:

Barramundi fillets

Crumb Topping:

• 2 cups dried bread crumbs
• ¼ t old bay seasoning
• ¼ t garlic
• ¼ t onion powder
• Pinch thyme leaves
• The zest of ½ a lemon

Lemon Butter Basil Sauce:

• 2 cups butter
• 4 T fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup white wine
• Handful of minced fresh basil

Preparation

1. Brush fillets with extra virgin olive oil then coat them with crumb mixture.
2. Bake fillets at 375 degrees until they flake easily with a fork about 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and drizzle lemon butter sauce over fish and serve immediately.

Salad - Rocket, Radish and Avocado Salad

Rocket seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta. Today we taken the rocket leaves and created a salad with nuts and avocado for that extra aphrodisiac oomph!

The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl which translated means "testicle tree". The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture.

Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times.

Mustard is also believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire!!

Ingredients: 

1/3 cup caster sugar                            

2 tbsp water

1/2 cup walnuts

1 large avocado

3 tbsp lemon juice

100 g baby rocket

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

6 radishes, washed and thinly sliced                       

1. Line a baking tray with foil and lightly oil it. Place sugar into a non-stick frying pan with water. Stir over low heat to dissolve the sugar then increase the heat to medium and bring to the boil. Boil for 5-7 mins until mixture starts to become golden and syrupy. Add walnuts (or exchange for Pine Nuts to add that bit "extra" to the evening!) and cook further 2-3 mins stirring often until the sugar mixture is caramel coloured, toffee-like and coats the walnuts/pine nuts. Turn out onto the oiled foil and leave walnuts to cool.
2. Cut the avocado in half lengthways and remove the stone and skin. Cut into thick slices then into pieces. Toss with only 1 tbsp of the lemon juice. Combine rocket, avocado and radishes in a serving bowl.
3. Combine oil, mustard and remaining lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat. Roughly chop the walnuts and sprinkle over the salad. Serve immediately.

                                     

Dessert - Chocolate Tart with Coffee

Berries are the perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. "Both invite love and are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples" Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.

The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two.

Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little demitasse cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".

Ingredients

• 125g chilled butter
• 1 cup (150g) plain flour
• 1/3 cup (60g) icing sugar mixture
• 1/4 cup (30g) almond meal
• 1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder
• 1 egg yolk
• Raspberries, to serve
• Thin cream, to serve

• Chocolate custard filling

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 tbs custard powder
• 2 tbs caster sugar
• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 300ml thin cream
• 1 cup (250ml) milk

Method

1. Place the butter, flour, icing sugar, almond meal and cocoa powder in the bowl of a food processor and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and process until mixture just comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until almost smooth. Shape into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
2. Preheat oven to 200°C. Roll pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 4mm-thick disc. Line the base and side of a 23cm (base measurement) round, fluted tart tin with removable base. Use a sharp knife to trim the edges. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes to rest.
3. Place the tart tin on an oven tray. Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with rice or beans. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the rice or beans and bake for a further 5 minutes or until pastry is just cooked through. Reduce oven temperature to 160°C.
4. Meanwhile, to make the filling, combine the yolks, custard powder and sugar in a saucepan. Add the chocolate, cream and milk and place over low heat. Cook, occasionally whisking with a balloon whisk, for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
5. Pour the chocolate custard mixture into the pastry case. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until custard is just set. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely. Place in the fridge to chill.
6. Place on a serving plate. Top with raspberries and serve with thin cream.

Serve with a lovely cup of coffee!!

Have a great evening!!!

Bibilography:
http://www.easy-french-food.com/fresh-fig-recipes.html
http://www.thebetterfish.com/recipes/view/crispy-barramundi-with-lemon-basil-sauce
http://recipes.coles.com.au/recipes/84/rocket-radish-avocado-salad/
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/22174/chocolate+tart
http://nittanyinspirations.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/valentines-day-table.html



Wedding Style Guide Autumn 2012 Issue 20

Wedding Style Guide International is proud to release the Autumn 2012 Issue 20 full of inspirational wedding ideas, styling, DIY and Real Weddings.

You can view on your iPad and iPhone too!
In response to you, our readers, we have taken the Wedding Style Guide International Magazine completely online which gives you instant access to all the content you love.

Here is a FREE preview. Please visit our website to purchase the full 236 pages of Wedding Inspiration!

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”   Lao Tzu

We have taken the first step and we THANK YOU for helping us walk!

Are you prepared to break with tradition for your wedding?

It is your wedding! Or is it? Sometimes it can feel like everyone but you has a say about what is going to happen on your day.

                “You can’t do that! That is not what a wedding is about!”
                “You have to do it this way. We’ve always done that in our family!”
                “Where did you think that idea up from?”
                “Our family always does it this way!”

Parents of many brides and grooms want to put their five cents worth into the planning of your wedding. Family and friends may mean well with their ideas and contributions of “ideal” wedding plans but this can lead to arguments and upset.

Renaissance Wedding

At the beginning of all the planning you had a picture of how you saw the day falling into place. You want your wedding to be different. Perhaps a unique theme, change the vows, sing modern songs or have a complete break from traditional wedding music. You and your partner have been to plenty of other weddings and you don’t want to have just another beautiful but traditional wedding day.

This decision leads you into unchartered water. How will your family and friends react to your  idea? They know you are rule breakers with modern views and all you want is a day that reflects who you are as a couple.

Gothic Wedding Theme

Gothic Wedding Cake

In ancient times the bride was given to the groom’s family! The white dress signified virginity, the cake was a symbol of fertility and the bridesmaids dressed like the bride to confuse evil spirits ! The groom stood on the right of the bride so he could use his right hand to grab his sword to fend off enemies who wanted to steal his bride!

Western Wedding

Then in Victorian times we introduced bouquets of flowers for the bride. The bouquet was made from scented flowers or herbs to held to hide the smell  of an unclean society or to ward off all those evil spirits!

We carry on these traditions, mostly without even knowing why. We aren’t tied to these traditions for any of these old reasons anymore but so it continues!  Our parents did it so their expectations are that you should have a great church wedding, white dress and wonderful sit down dinner!

Western Wedding Cake

These days you can have many different themes that can be amazing fun for you and your guests. Just maybe not considered to be a great idea by your parents! Remember that it is your party and it is your wedding day. This is a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. Share with your grandchildren and demonstrates your personality to them and everyone on the day.

You can have fun being different! Be prepared for some arguments but don’t let it stop you being quirky and different! Go for it and make your day extra special!

Extreme Weddings @ Ayers Rock, Central Australia

Perfect Bridal Gowns from Down Under

In our recent online Look Book, The Brides Gown, we had pleasure in featuring the latest couture from Karen Willis Holmes, based here in Sydney.
It is great to have such talent on our doorstep! To see her passion and focus on creating the perfect gown for each bride. Just gorgeous!
As one of Australia's leading couture and ready to wear bridal gown designers, Karen creates inspired wedding dresses with a contemporary classic style.
The video below shows you the work and love involved in each gown, to demonstrate how special each gown is to her.
This is Karen’s story told in her own words.



Enjoy! If you want to see more of her talents then you can purchase The Bride's Gown Look Book from our website!

Click here to see The Brides Gown

The Tradition of a Trousseau

The tradition of a trousseau is age-old, when a woman began sewing clothes at an early age in anticipation of her marriage. 
The word ‘trousseau’ comes from the French word ‘trousse’ meaning ‘little bundle’. 

While the concept of a trousseau is no longer practical, the idea of shopping for your wedding night and honeymoon is still enduring and relevant. The implication is timeless! New clothes for a new life!

Depending on where your honeymoon is, you might be packing bikinis for the beach or evening dresses for a European escape. Combine fabrics – cashmere, cotton, silk and lace – to create versatility.

Neutral-toned
Pashmina Shawl

For any trousseau and any destination, a few pieces are essential; a lightweight cotton robe, a cashmere twin set, a little black dress with high-heels and a neutral-toned pashmina shawl and black leggings for comfort ease and practicality.


A trousseau encompasses the going away outfit, honeymoon attire and those special pieces of lingerie you may have purchased for your wedding. 


Although it’s unseen by most, your lingerie is actually a very significant part of your trousseau, and should be carefully chosen.

Lingere Shower Invitation
www.polkadotdesign.com

You may like to hold a “Lingerie Party” or “Lingerie Shower” with your friends in the lead up to your wedding. Many Lingerie companies will come to you with a full range and create an evening of entertainment for you and your friends. This can be a fun way to browse lingerie and ensure correct sizing. In most cases the Lingerie company will give the host free goods in return for holding the party!

Have your lingerie fitted
by an expert

Working with experienced Lingerie fitters (plus your friend’s input) can ensure that you find the right lingerie for you. Lingerie can flatter your figure or give you a cleavage that suits your wedding gown, smooth your stomach, back or hips.



It is important to take into account if the lingerie can be seen through your wedding gown as some fabrics can be clingy so something plain but made of silky fabric is a good choice. You should take colour into consideration as well. Neutral colours like apricot or flesh coloured lingerie are less obtrusive under a white wedding gown.

Choose the right bra for your gown!

Depending on the bodice of your wedding gown your choice of bra will be important as you do not want to be adjusting straps all day. Strapped or strapless it is a good idea to wear the bra for a day prior to your wedding to make sure you are comfortable. Taking it to all your fittings can also ensure you have the right lingerie for the day. Most Lingerie fitters are experienced with advising you on the right style for your dress.
 

Another part of your trousseau is the Going Away Outfit. Choose an outfit that looks glamorous and can be worn again, plus matches jewellery and accessories that you may already have. You won’t be able to wear your wedding dress again but your Going Away Outfit can be a reminder of the special day for months or years to come. 

Pre Fall 2012 Collection
www.oscardelarenta.com

Purchasing your Going Away Outfit is a great opportunity to buy something from a designer range such as Oscar De La Renta. Check out all the great outfits from him in his Pre Fall 2012 Collection below:

Vera Wang Behind the Scenes 2012 Fall Collection

Vera Wang presents in this video her inspiration for the 2012 Fall Bridal Collection.

Her inspiration came from fashion, witches and covens and she tried to present a totally different perspective to normal bridal fashions by creating a sense of mystery and beauty using underwear colours of nude and black.

Really unique and potentially unusual designs!

Let us know what you think!
Comment here or on our Facebook.

Beauty and the Bride

As we all know your wedding day is one of the biggest day of a womans life, with so much planning all going in to just one day the pressure is on to look good!

So here a few little beauty tips, to help you look and feel great on your special day.

With all the planning that is involved things can get hectic and stressful, one thing that can really suffer under those conditions is your skin. From your skin feeling tired and dull to even worse breakouts, but never fear ladies help is at hand. Treating yourself to a couple of facials before your big day will ensure that not only your skin will look good but will clear away any stress and give you a bit of time to relax.

One of my favourite facials which will guarantee a youthful, radiant glow is Guinot's Beaute Neuve.

It combines a double peeling action using AHAs and a unique vitamin C mask especially for that healthy glow. Guinot is a french skincare brand which is always at the forefront with the latest in technology and is widely used in Europe, it is slowly creeping in to Australia and we are more than happy to start using these fabulous products.

Schedule facials into your wedding plan!

We've got the skin covered now on to the make up!

Remember you are going to be the centre of attention and in lots of pictures so its important to make sure make up is well applied, will last all day and most of all suits you.

Most brides opt for the natural look, but this doesn't have to mean hardly any make up. It is very important to have a trial make up done before hand.

Have this done when your going to be out and about and having pictures taken, something like a birthday is an ideal event.

This is good as you want to get peoples reaction and not only that but seeing yourself in the pictures afterwards will give you a clear indication on whether you like it or not.

At least then if you feel there is to much or to little make up applied there is plenty of time to make changes.

A good make up artist can do up to 20+ weddings a year and are very experienced so you'll always be in safe hands!

Take pictures along of any make up that you have seen and liked to help give an idea when trialing a make up artist!

Then last but not least, the hands!

As you will be aware of, from being engaged, one of the first questions is ''Show me the ring?!'' and what is the ring attached to? One of your fingers!

So make sure that you have a manicure before the big day as you will have another ring and no doubt everyone will want to see that too!

If your nails are in a little bit of need, more than just a manicure, there is a wide range of nail enhancements around to polish up those nails and make them look great so there are no excuses.

Book yourself in today!

Ask your Beauty professional for help and advice!

Stephanie Powell
Senior Beauty Therapist

Unveiled: 200 Years of Wedding Fashion

From the Victoria and Albert Museum
 London

Presented at The Museum

of New Zealand,

 Te Papa Tongarewa

Te Papa is situated in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand

Romance

Glamour

Extravagance

Dita Von Teese on her wedding day, 2005. Dress by Vivienne Westwood, hat by Stephen Jones. Photograph by and courtesy of Odessy Barbu.

On Now until 22 April 2012
Admission charges apply

If you are in New Zealand or visiting New Zealand before 22nd April 2012 taking a visit to this exhibition is well worth the effort.

Experience the evocative world of weddings through this extraordinary collection of wedding attire from the 19th century to today. See outfits inspired by tradition, practicality, fashion, fantasy – and, of course, love.

Wedding dress and coat designed by John Bates for his Jean Varon label, London, 1966. Cotton gabardine trimmed with silvered PVC. Worn by Marit Allen for her marriage to Sandy Lieberson in London on 10 June 1966. ©Victoria and Albert Museum

Embroidered silk satin wedding dress by Norman Hartnell, London, 1933. Commissioned by Margaret Whigham for her marriage to Charles Sweeny on 21 February 1933. Given and worn by Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Highlights include celebrity gowns by stellar international designers such as Norman Hartnell, Vivienne Westwood, and Christian Lacroix. Also on show are special commissions by New Zealand designers WORLD, Lindah Lepou, and Jane Yeh.

How is it that the traditional western European white wedding dress has become the garment of choice for brides in many countries and cultures? And what do wedding dress styles say about the social and economic conditions of their day? You'll learn some of the answers from this magnificent display.

Embroidered silk wedding dress by Christian Lacroix, Paris, Autumn/Winter 1992-93 Haute Couture. Given by Christian Lacroix. Photograph by Guy Marineau © 1992

Silk brocade shoes purchased from Peter Robinson, London, 1914. Worn by Phyllis Blaiberg for her marriage to Bertie Mayer Stone at the Bayswater Synagogue, London on 9 September 1914. Given by Mrs B. Rackow ©Victoria and Albert Museum / V&A Images

Francis Hooper, Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, and Benny Castles discuss their inspiration for the outfits that appear in Unveiled. Plus, we peek backstage as the dress is prepared for its debut at New Zealand Fashion Week. 

More pictures, videos of interviews with designers, recordings by the curator of the museum and much more is available on their website. Even if you can't make it to Wellington to see this exhibition it is definitely worth a visit to their website:

http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/WeddingDress/Pages/default.aspx

Fit Healthy and Fantastic!

Looking for that healthy and fit look for your wedding day that will have all eyes on you?

An early focus on increasing fitness or beginning your path to a realistic and sustainable weight management plan can optimize your health and ensure you are looking fit, healthy and glowing on your wedding day.

Developing a good fitness level does not start or stop at the gym door, it involves being more active.

In general such as climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator, moving around instead of sitting still, sitting up instead of lying down as well as showing some excitement and enthusiasm instead of boredom. Every mile starts with a step.

Now that we got our first step right, lets move on to the next one. This preferably involves a personal health assessment with your naturopath or doctor, then a visit to your personal trainer for an exercise plan & goal setting session. A personalized approach rather than a generic one is most likely to bring successful outcome.  A lifestyle counselor or life coach can also be of help with goal setting and positive reinforcement. 

If you think you can achieve your goal using those ‘fancy’ starvation diets as a way to control your weight, think again. People who diet without exercising often gain weight with time. Although your weight may initially drop while ‘dieting’, such weight loss consists mostly of water and muscle. When the weight returns, it comes back as fat.

The right way to avoid gaining weight over time is to increase your metabolism by exercising regularly. When you exercise especially during long low impact sustained activities such as walking, your body creates a fat-breaking enzyme called “hormone sensitive lipase”.

Studies have revealed that this fat breaking enzyme is active for up to twelve hours from the moment it has been triggered. The same enzyme is also involved in cleaning all blood vessels of fatty plaques and deposits. So, no amount or type of dieting will produce all the positive results you are looking for, unless you exercise.

Start a fitness & diet journal to keep track of your food intake and exercise schedule.

Do not skip meals - skipping meals lowers your metabolism, decreasing energy, slowing weight loss and also decreasing your ability to use food to your advantage, you may even gain weight by skipping meals. Regularity is the key here, your body likes rhythm.

Make food fun and exciting; eat fresh, small regular meals. Breakfast on sensational ‘energy smoothies’ with fresh fruits or ½ cup of porridge.  After breakfast give your self an half an hour break than head to the gym or local park for a high energy/power or tone/muscle focused workout, start your day with power!

Lunch on salads, fruits or soups, eat fresh cheese or nuts for protein, try to avoid breads and pastries, for beverages use water (your body is 75% water), fresh juices and supplementation. Seek support for your weight management journey, whenever needed use your team of professionals - no need to ‘go it alone'.

Late afternoon or evening, go for a walk or jog, attend a class or visit your personal trainer before preparing a healthy dinner with plenty of fresh vegetables.  Dinner is a great chance to share achievements of the day with a friend or chronicle them in your fitness journal.

Regular exercise will not only have you looking good at your wedding today but it will have reaching effects right through your life as it will prevent

·               Obesity          

·               Mental IIlness                      

·               Breast Cancer                                 

·               Injury

·               Cardiovascular Disease

·               Colon Cancer

·               Osteoporosis

·               Early Death

Daily group classes can fast track results - Utilize a combination of aerobic, resistance & yoga exercise.

Flexibility training (stretching) helps balance muscle groups that might be overused during exercise or physical activity or as a result of bad posture. Flexibility is a joint's ability to move through a full range of motion, include cardio-aerobic workouts, martial arts for increased coordination, power & stamina.

Resistance based exercise (weights)  for toning and strengthening tired muscles – suitable for all levels of fitness and strength.

Make sure you have a rest day each week for your body to recover and power through the following days….

The motto is flexibility, agility, strength and balance.

Fun and active outings and exercises like bike rides and walks at the beach, decrease boredom and time available for snacking or grazing during the day.

At the completion of your pre-wedding program, you will benefit from the increased energy & have the skills & motivation to keep moving forwards towards your long term Health & Fitness goals & stay looking Fit, Health & Fantastic into the future.

When it comes to good health and weight loss, exercise and diet are inter-related:

More muscle = more active metabolism.

Higher metabolic rate reduces the chance of weight gain.
Exercising without maintaining a balanced diet is no more beneficial than dieting while remaining inactive.

 

Gregory Damaskos is a Naturopath, Analytical Counselor, Public Speaker, Health Educator and a Writer for several national and international publications.  He has appeared on TV and radio programs on health matters and is the Director of Authenticity Health & Wellness Retreat, Port Elliot SA.  His work is based on the merits of Nature Cure (Naturopathy) Yoga, Philosophy and Psychotherapy , with food, life style and a state of emotional and mental well-being the main means by which he aims to balance and restore the natural functions of the body mind and spirit.

Gregory would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just send your question to us at info@styleguide.com.au