Bridal At-Home Thanksgiving Workout // The Glider Workout

Written with love, by Jennifer Dene

Hi lovely brides!

Can you believe that we are only five days away from Thanksgiving? I’ve felt that 2015 has flown by and I’m sure that you can relate – wedding planning has a way of speeding up time!

Last week I gave you some easy swaps to make your Thanksgiving meal as nutritious as it is delicious. Let’s add the final piece to the holiday-health puzzle with a Thanksgiving Day workout.

This cardio workout can take as little as 7 minutes if you only do one round (although I recommend 3 - 4) and will make you break a nice sweat without having to face the cold and crowds at the annual Turkey Trot!

A Quick Note About This Workout:

●     You need a pair of gliders OR two paper plates
●     It’s really important to keep your abdominals pulled in to protect your back
●     You can go faster or more slowly than I am in the video
●     Aim for 3 rounds, but add a bonus 4th if you’re feeling it!

How To Do This Workout:

●     20 mountain climbers
●     10 alternating half jacks
●     20 standing skater glides right leg
●     20 standing skater glides left leg
●     20 jackrabbits
●     40 alternating standing skater glides
●     10 glider lunges right leg
●     10 glider lunges left leg
●     10 x reverse tucks
●     10 x reverse jacks
●     10 x alternating oblique tucks

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jennifer Dene XO

4 Healthy Swaps For Your Thanksgiving Table

Written with love, by Jennifer Dene

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about easy nutrition swaps that lighten up your bridal kitchen. Today I’ll share with you how to use similar tricks to makeover your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes!

The holidays are a bit stressful for everyone, but add the pressure of planning a wedding — and trying to stick with your healthy routine — and they can become totally overwhelming. These easy modifications allow you to enjoy all of the flavors of your favorite holiday recipes, without feeling worried that you might derail your clean eating routine. Plus, with food as nutritious and delicious as this you will actually feel ready to face your fiance’s family and all of their “well-meaning” wedding questions!

Mac & Cheese Makeover

1.    Choose your favorite mac and cheese recipe.

2.    Swap the white pasta for wholegrain, spelt or brown rice pasta.

3.    Buy the best quality, organic cheese that you can.

4.    Add some finely chopped or grated vegetables for a filling fiber and nutrition hit.

Creamy Mashed Potato Makeover

1.    Choose your favorite mashed potato recipe.

2.    Buy organic potatoes as conventional potatoes have more pesticides by weight than any other produce.

3.    Wash the potatoes well but leave the skin on as this is where a lot of the nutrients and fiber are contained.

4.    Buy the best quality, organic cream/milk/butter that you can.

5.    Swap 1/3 – 1/2 the dairy liquid for low sodium chicken or vegetable broth.

Green Bean Casserole Makeover

(Serves 4)
Keep this side dish light and bright, and use the cream where it really counts— I’m looking at you mashed potato!

Ingredients

1 pound trimmed green beans

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon each salt and pepper

2 tablespoons flaked almonds

Directions

1.    Fill a pan with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil

2.    Add the beans and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, beans should remain bright green with a snap to them

3.    Drain beans and transfer to a serving dish

4.    Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper

5.    Sprinkle with flaked almonds and serve

Sweet Potato Casserole Makeover

(serves 4)
Swap the calorie laden casserole for jacket-baked sweet potatoes that pack a flavor and nutritional punch.

Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup pecans, finely grated

1/2 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

1.    Preheat oven to 400ºF

2.    Halve sweet potatoes lengthways, without cutting all the way through (they should open like a pocket)

3.    Add 1/2 tablespoon butter to the center of each sweet potato

4.    Combine grated pecans, sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ginger in a small bowl. Divide this spice mix evenly between the potatoes, on top of the butter

5.    Close the two potato halves and wrap each sweet potato in foil like a burrito

6.    Bake for 30 - 40 minutes or until soft

3 Non-Weight Loss Reasons Why Brides Should Exercise (plus an at-home workout video)

Written with love, by Jennifer Dene

We received a comment on social media recently about the negative connotations of #sheddingforthewedding and you know what? I couldn’t agree more. The stereotype, or expectation, of being a certain “wedding weight” is unfair and ridiculous, and it has to stop.

Today I’ll tell you the reasons why I want to exercise everyday, and help you set your own pre-wedding fitness goals that have nothing to do with weight loss. Then I’ll give you a fun workout that you can do at home.

But first, let me remind you that you are already a beautiful bride, with a beautiful body. Together we can create a new culture of brides who love their bodies, love their engagement experience and are able to find and maintain a healthy lifestyle leading up to their wedding day (and for life happily ever after).

OK, let’s dive in!

Three Reasons Why I’m Motivated To Workout Everyday

It Clears My Head

I may no longer be a busy bride, but I am a busy newlywed.

This year alone I’ve had three international trips, moved across the country and started my own business. Plus there are the logistics of organizing everyday life – keeping up with friends, tidying the house, spending quality time with family, remembering birthdays… you know how it is.

I’ve come to realize that there isn’t much space for “me time” in the 9 – 5 (or 6am – 6pm as it often seems to be), so that’s what my workout becomes. This half hour is an opportunity to clear my head of its never ending to-do list, and simply focus on my body and my breath.

 It Helps My Skin

I had a lot of skin trouble growing up, but these days I hardly ever see a spot. Why? I credit my clear skin to these three things:

1.    Minimizing sugar consumption

2.    Finding Paula’s Choice

3.    Having a good sweat each day

Working out boosts circulation, which helps to keep your skin healthy and vibrant. As heart rate increases blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells — it’s like getting the benefits of a facial from the inside out.

It’s An Opportunity To Be Social

Most of my friends are also very active people, so weekend catch-ups might revolve around hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding or attending yoga classes.

Especially now that my husband and I live in Los Angeles, it’s not uncommon for visiting friends to want to hike Runyon Canyon, or bike ride from Venice to Malibu.

Not only does this leave me feeling better (and wealthier) than a long night spent drinking cocktails, I find that conversation flows with ease when our hands and feet are busy doing something else.

Organizing an active social event with your bridesmaids would be a fun and relaxed way for everyone to get to know each other!

A Note On Rest Days

Did I really just say that I’m motivated to workout everyday? Yep! It’s rare that I would have a day when I literally didn’t do anything active, it just doesn’t make me feel good. But that doesn’t mean I’m doing high intensity training everyday either. My body gets plenty of rest because I diversify my workouts. Some days I simply take a walk or do a stretch class.

So, if you struggle with the desire to exercise regularly, perhaps start by re-framing what a “workout” should look like. For me, it’s simply anything that gets my body moving and blood flowing.

Your Challenge

This week I encourage you to establish three, non-weight loss reasons why it would benefit you to exercise regularly in the lead up to your wedding.

I’d love to hear your reasons in the comments below!

Your Workout

Now that you’re feeling motivated to work out, it’s time to get this show on the road!

This week I have a simple at-home circuit that doesn’t require any equipment. The moves are simple, but don’t let that fool you. By moving quickly from one exercise to the next you are getting a cardio boost alongside the benefits of strength training.

1.    Start with a 5 minute walk around the neighborhood to warm up

2.    Next, set your timer for 6 minutes and repeat as many repetitions of the circuit as you can

3.    Rest for 60 seconds and repeat a total of three or four rounds

The Moves

5 pushups

10 situps

15 tricep dips

20 squats

30 lunges

40 butt kicks

50 high knees

Video Tutorial

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Disclaimer: Exercise is not without its risks and this this or any other exercise program may result in injury. As with any exercise program, if at any point during your workout you begin to feel faint, dizzy or have physical discomfort you should stop immediately and consult a medical professional. Always consult your physician or health care provider before beginning any nutrition or exercise program. If you choose to use this information without the prior consent of your physician, you are agreeing to accept full responsibility for your decisions.