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Ask Melissa: FIT Holiday Guide

Melissa & the FIT gals are here to help you stress less this season with our ultimate guide to getting through the holiday festivities while staying FIT & FABULOUS! Follow our favorite tips to stay on track while not missing out on any holiday cheer! 

Tip #1: Avoid the BLOAT!  Our solution is to kick-out all artificial sugars, excess sodium from processed & frozen foods, and stop drinking too much water or caffeine WHILE you are eating.  TIP: drink water BETWEEN meals and fill up on high fiber green salads with extra virgin olive oil and apple cider vinegar to avoid bloating. 

Tip #2: Visualize your goals.  Keep a picture of your dress on hand or has the background on your phone as a reminder to pass on that second glass of wine or another bite of holiday cookies! 

Tip #3: Plan time for exercise.  Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and offset increased holiday eating.  If you know you have a holiday party on Friday, get in at least 30 minutes of cardio four to five times that week. Plan a healthy running date with your sweetie or a friend, or use your lunch break to burn off calories. Either way kick it up during the holidays instead of pushing it off until the new year! 

Tip #4: Ditch the Guilt.  Just because there are tons of holiday treats and yummy snacks in the office doesn’t mean you have to indulge.  We get it--- sometimes it’s hard to say “NO!” when you keep thinking “I want it, I want it, I want it.”  For me, it’s dark chocolate, so pick your vice and then move on!  Another TIP: Plan ahead and bring healthy snack options: raw almonds, raw veggies, fruit, or greek yogurt to help curb those sugar cravings! 

Tip #5: Survive the Holiday Dinner Party.  The worst thing is going to a holiday party hungry, because you will most likely indulge in festive cocktails and the cheese platter!  TIP: Eat before you go!  You will be less tempted if you are not hungry.  Don't expect to be served a well balanced meal, because you may be met with fried appetizers and holiday treats.  If you eat a big salad with protein before you go, you won't overdo it and be able to enjoy showing off your slim new party dress! 

Tip #6: Detox, RETOX!  We get it--- sometimes girls just wanna have fun!  If you over indulge on your night out, start fresh the next morning with a juice.  For a nutrient dense anti-inflammatory drink full of vitamins A, C, and K that will give you digestion aid from any late night carbs, try our favorite morning pick me up: Ginger Kale Juice (ginger, cucumber, kale, lemon, and mint)! 

Tip #7: Healthy Hostess.  Offer to throw your own fabulous party!  This allows you to be in control of healthy options.  For starters, try our White Bean Hummus Dip or our festive Kale Margarita! Let yourself have fun and enjoy the party knowing that you can still dress to impress while sipping on your low cal cocktail :) 

Tip #8: The Gift that keeps on Giving.  Who wants to show up to a party empty handed?  You know the wine and desserts are always plentiful,so bring your own healthy dish as an appetizer.  It will be a thoughtful gift and a way to ensure a healthy option for you to eat!  A favorite recipe for a healthy appetizer is a Mushroom and Farro Salad.  Delish! 

For more tips and recipes, be sure to follow us on our blog the FIT life.

Also checkout Melissa's FitTrition Holiday Workout video to get Toned Abs!

Happy Holidays! 

Love,

Melissa and the FIT team

PS: Don't forget about the 20% discount for all Hitched brides on any package until Dec 31st, 2012!

Hitched Gals Featured in MSW!

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend! We were full of smiles because the new issue of Martha Stewart Weddings hit newsstands, and Hitched owners Carin and Julia were featured in the fashion & beauty advice section! We are huge fans of Martha Stewart Weddings and their entire team of fabulously talented wedding gurus, so we couldn't have been more honored to have graced the pages.

We hope you'll all grab the issue, as it is full of all sorts of bridal fashion & style tips, DIY projects, and inspirational eye candy. Thanks so much to the team at MSW for allowing us to be a part of such a fun issue!

[Photos courtesy Martha Stewart Weddings]

More Pre-Wedding Nutrition From Fitness Together

For Web Surfing Wednesday this week, we wanted to share some more advice from our friends Stacy and Matt from Fitness Together -- nutrition tips to help you get in awesome shape before the big day [or anytime, really!].

 

Thanks so much to our friends at Fitness Together for sharing such valuable video tips with us! If you have specific fitness or nutrition questions or would like more information on personal training before your wedding [or to otherwise jumpstart your health regimen], check out their website and contact them for more info!

Pre-Wedding Nutrition Guide [Part III]

The folks at Fitness Together are back today for the third and final installment of their series for our readers on how to get to your most healthy, fit, and fabulous self in the months leading up to your wedding day!

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Phase Three: Parties and Pj’s – One Month to Go

With the big day just weeks way, there’s bound to be lots of parties on your calendar. Don’t let the fun nights out spoil your new healthy living habits you’ve worked so hard!

1. Steer clear of the hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.
2. Avoid caffeine and and stay hydrated!
3. Don't forget to sleep!

As delicious as those appetizers are, they’re high in calories and so small that you’ll lose count of how many crab balls you’ve eaten all too quickly. Instead of picking at the buffet all night, make yourself one plate and eat slowly.

Cocktails, even the fruity ones, are extremely high in sugar. Drinking a couple of those will only result in a next day hung-over, tired, and bloated version of yourself. Instead, go for drinks with less sugar, like wine, and limit yourself to 1-2 drinks on your nights out.

All your running around and last minute planning will no doubt have you reaching for a latte. Caffeine, though, is bad for your complexion and dehydrates the body. Instead, keep your energy up with fresh fruit and water.

Hydration isn’t just about drinking water. Keep your sodium intake down and increase your potassium intake. Coconut water, bananas, and avocados all help you stay hydrated.

While you’ll be ohh so tempted to stay up late sorting out party favors and your guest list, you need seven to eight hours of sleep each night to feel your best during the day. Sleep keeps your brain active and your skin fresh. You’ll also be much less tempted to break down and reach for fatty, unhealthy snacks when you aren’t sleep deprived.

So there you have it! Your three-month pre-wedding plan to looking fabulous! Stick to it and we guarantee you’ll walk down the aisle looking and feeling amazing!

Congratulations!

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A huge thanks to Matt and his team at Fitness Together for sharing these awesome tips with us over the last few days! We hope you've all enjoyed it and that you'll share the results of your pre-wedding nutrition and fitness plan with us.

[Photo Credits: 1 & 2]

Pre-Wedding Nutrition Guide [Part II]

We've got trainer Matt McKinnis, owner and trainer at the Georgetown, Scotts Circle, and Alexandria Fitness Together studios, back with us today for another guest blog post! He’s worked with countless brides-to-be on slimming down and getting fit before making their way down the aisle. Welcome back, Matt!

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Phase Two: Trainers and Treadmills – Two Months to Go

Yesterday we talked mostly about nutrition. A good place to start is to look at your current eating habits. Do you have a weak spot for dessert? Get takeout three times a week? Grab a bagel and latte every morning? Eating can become so habit-forming that you may not even realize the empty calories you consume day to day.

Beginning a food log is a great way to be super honest with yourself about what you consume. Record everything you eat and drink each day and look for unhealthy habits you can nix! Make sure every meal you consume at this point is 100% nutritious. It’s now time to cut out the heavy carbs like pasta and rice. Avoid foods high in sodium as well, most likely all processed foods. Oils and heavy creams should be avoided too as they pack in hundreds of unneeded calories.

Think about “eating clean” – go for fresh, organic fruits and vegetables instead of pre-packaged meals.

After getting accustomed to healthy eating for the last month, now it’s time to focus on exercise.

Meet with a trainer and put together a fitness regimen designed for you – and stick to it! The key with getting in shape or dropping weight before your wedding is designing a customized routine that works for you.

At Fitness Together, trainers work one-on-one or in small groups with clients to ensure amazing, individualized results. Training with someone will keep you motivated and wanting to go back!

Working out regularly is great for your body as well as your stress level. Release that pre-wedding stress by jumping on the treadmill and allowing your mind to wander away from seating charts and floral arrangements.

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Thanks again to Matt for all the valuable tips! Yes, getting in your best shape is a tough challenge, but it's a great way to boost your energy and confidence and look killer in all those wedding photos.

[Photo Source]

Fitness Together 3-Month Pre-Wedding Nutrition Guide

We've got another guest blog series coming to you from our friends over at Fitness Together! Here are some tips for becoming your absolute healthiest self in the last few months before your big day. Stay tuned for Part II and Part III!

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Phase One: Looking Long-Term – Three Months to Go

With twelve weeks before the wedding, the most important thing you can do is concentrate on forming good, healthy habits.

1. Substitute bad carbohydrates with good carbohydrates.

What’s the difference between a side salad and a side of french fries? Good carbs vs. bad carbs. Good carbs are full of fiber while bad carbs are usually processed and striped of natural benefits. Fiber is great for your body and as an added bonus, it makes you feel full – less temptation to reach for dessert!

Some good carbs are:

-Fruits, vegetables

-Whole grains

-Beans, nuts, seeds

A general rule with grain-based foods is the “whiter” the food, the lower the fiber and the worse it is for you. Start substituting refined white grains for whole-grains when eating pastas, breads, cereal, and rice.

2. Start consuming 5-6 small meals a day instead of 2-3 big meals.

Eating frequent small meals charges your metabolism and keeps it constantly working. This in turn boosts your energy and makes you feel great!

consider cutting these dishes 'til the honeymoon!

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Thanks so much to Matt and the Fitness Together team for helping our couples-to-be [and let's face it-- the Hitched gals, too!] get on the right track with health and fitness! Stay tuned for more over the next few days.