Looking Good in that Dress

13 June 2006

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Feeling Beautiful is probably one of the best things about your wedding day (after realising that you're going to spend the rest of your life with your beloved) But if your dress choice is about to be sacrificed to your worst feature, why not see if these workouts can fix it?

Although you can't choose where you lose weight from, if you follow a good weight loss plan, you can tone up various areas of your body so that those lovely, toned muscles show through nicely. It may take a few of months of hard work for the results to show, but it will be worth it.

Mermaid and sheath Dresses
These dresses show off your figure to the fullest. If you dream of a glamourous wedding, with it's theme in the world of those old, romantic, black and white movies, then this is the dress for you.

But if you're less than confident about your hips, then this dress could be the ultimate torture device.
To lessen the pain of thinking your hips look terrible, try these excercises:

Resistence band Leg Lift
Begin by lying on your back, with an excercise band wrapped around your feet. (ok, that's the easy bit over)
Slowly, lift both your legs about 2' off the floor and hold there.
Keep your legs straight and push againt the resistance band, until your legs are as far apart as they will go, then slowly, out your feet back together again.
Repeat 15 times, rest then do it 15 more times.

Twisting
Standing with your feet shoulder width apart, place your hands on the back of your head. Pull your tummy in and tuck in your butt.
Slowly, twist your upper body around, as far as you can, without turning your hips. Twist back the other way, as far as you can and return to center.
Repeat 40 times

Upper Leg Presses
Start by lying on your side, with your back relatively straight and your head resting on one hand. Place the other hand on the floor in front of you, and bend your bottom leg a little, for balance.
Place your top knee on the ground in front of you, at about waist height.
Slowly, and smoothly, straighten thais leg and push it upwards, until you're in the classic "leg lifts" pose.
Bring it back down slowly, until your knee is a little way off the floor, and repeat.
Try 2 sets of 15, to start with.

If you're not into the old fashioned "sweat your butt off" workouts, more fun ways to tone the waist, hips and thigs, include Hula Hooping, Jive dancing, and cycling.

Strapless, off the shoulder, and spaghetti straps
These all show off your arms, shoulders and upper back, so you'll want them to be looking their best for the big day.

Chair Dips
Push your chair back from your desk a little. A little further. Ok. that should do it.
Take hold of the edges of the seat, and lift your butt up, and forwards until it's hovering over the floor.
Using your arms, slowly lower yourself down until your elbows are at roughly a 90° angle.
Push yourself back up again, until your arms are almost straight.
Repeat 15 times, rest and do another set.

Dumbell Curls
if you don't have dumbells, use bottles or water, or canned food (still in the can, obviously)
Take a dumbell in each hand and stand with you feet shouder width apart.
Slowly bend one elbow, until your fist is almost touching your shoulder. Then slowly lower it back down.
Repeat on the other side.
Try 2 sets of 15 reps with each arm.

Flying
Start by lying with your stomach on an excercise ball, and your toes touching the floor.
Take a weight in each hand, and, keeping your elbows bent, slightly, raise your arms up so that they're paralell with the ground
Gently lower then back to the floor, and repeat.
Try 2 sets of 10.

As always, these articles are here to provide a starting point, and some inspiration. If you have trouble with your health, or are worried about starting any excercise program, consult your Doctor, who will be able to advise you on the best way forward.