The Buff Bride's Handbook: Get in Shape for Your Wedding Day

Getting Started

Ready, set...skinny? Hold on, lady. Rather than using the time leading up to your big day to whittle yourself down to some magic number, take this time to become your healthiest you. In the same way a new year can mark a fresh start, so too can this emerging stage of your relationship. Consider your engagement to be a commitment to yourself -- and let that set the tone for the rest of your marriage.

"It's imperative that a bride spend at least a little time educating herself on weight loss and fitness," says Bode. You don't necessarily have to hit the books and research -- though meeting with a nutritionist or trainer can offer a solid indication of how you might start your regimen -- but do simply get familiar with the basics. Bode advises focusing on what she says are the "four critical principles": cardiovascular exercise, good nutrition, strength training, and stretching. "All four components are necessary to reach your goals in a healthy way," she says.