Written with love, by Jaime Innis
With every wedding comes SO much excitement and so much energy. The part that we often forget is that is causes stress. The honeymoon is SO needed and so rejuvenating to have immediately after the wedding. My husband and I went to Greece and London for 12 days and needed those twelve days for some recuperation after seven months of planning a wedding, having a wedding, and then being married.
The first thing I told Steve (my husband) when we arrived in London was that I was not going to hold back. This is the ONLY honeymoon I will ever be able to have and I'm going to indulge guilt-free. For the seven months of my engagement leading up to my wedding, I did a monthly 3 day cleanse (www.facebook.com/coachjaimeglonek for more info). I didn't eat carbohydrates past 6pm, I drank a gallon of water a day, I lifted HEAVY 2-3x per week, taught Turbo Kick 2x per week, and gave myself one good day of rest. I took care of my body and worked hard to fit into my perfect wedding dress with SCULPTED shoulders. Looking back on pictures, my body was in its peak.
Fast forward to AFTER the honeymoon. I had planned on 3-4 days of taking it easy expecting to be jet-lagged. What I did NOT expect was to have such a hard time getting back on track after indulging for two weeks straight. My sleeping habits were off, my sugar cravings were at an all time HIGH, and I was incredibly lethargic.
Let me remind you, I have no regret or guilt for allowing myself to enjoy the honeymoon of our dreams. We wined and dined and enjoyed lots of CARBS and RED WINE.
BUT... I knew it was going to be a gradual process to get back to where I was on my wedding day. I asked my husband for support and he agreed to help us BOTH get back on track.
How did we get back on track?
1. We stopped going out to eat
Eating out puts such a damper on our waistlines. Even if I opt for the "healthier" options, it is still likely to be cooked differently than how I cook things. It will more likely be higher sodium, higher fat, and more sugar. When we go out to eat we almost always order wine and that alone will increase your sugar cravings, negatively affect your sleeping patterns, and leave you feeling dehydrated.
2. Meal prep and grocery shop WEEKLY, if not twice a week.
This means lots of veggies, fruits, lean proteins, and complex carbs. This also means chopping up and washing ALL fruits and veggies before placing them in the fridge. This allows me to make up less of an excuse when there is "nothing to eat" when in reality, all of the prep work is done for me. It also saves a ton of time. I leave the veggies, fruits, and lean proteins in the FRONT of the fridge so that they are the first things I see upon opening the fridge.
3. Get back on my workout routine.
Yes, Steve and I were VERY active on our honeymoon. We did not lift weights once, and had lost the strength we had built up. I needed to remind myself to start slow with this process to avoid any injury.
4. Water intake .
I got back to drinking at least half of my body weight in ounces each day - I aim for 1 gallon per day. The more hydrated you are, the less likely you are to crave junk food. This also helps to make you sleep better, your skin clearer, and your hair shinier. All great benefits! Lately, I have been starting my day off with 10 ounces of water before I do anything else.
I hope this tips help you get back on track after your wedding or after ANY slump in your health and fitness. Please know that this is a LIFESTYLE and we all deserve to enjoy the things we love...in moderation. If you are lost or need some extra motivation, I would love to chat - It's what I do :) XO
