A healthy, beautiful body for your wedding and honeymoon

We asked UK fitness and diet experts to answer your questions on achieving a brilliant, healthy body for your big day and the beach.

Q. What kind of diet should I be eating?

A. According to nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston (www.optimumnutritionists.com) swapping animal fat, cholesterol-rich meat and dairy for a rainbow of fruit and vegetables gives your body a boost. ‘The fibre, extra vitamins and minerals help stimulate your metabolism and immune system,’ she says. ‘Green vegetables - full of minerals including magnesium – also help you to feel relaxed.’

Q. I want a sleeveless wedding dress. What can I do about my bingo wings?

A. Janey Holliday, director of Fit for a Princess (www.fitforaprincess.co.uk) says that women naturally store fat in their triceps. To deal with bingo wings Janey recommends doing simple arm exercises using a Dyna Band (an elastic exercise accessory providing resistance): ‘Just 10 minutes every other day makes a difference.’

Q. Is there a positive nutritional strategy I can use to lose weight?

A. ‘Protein is useful,’ explains Yvonne. ‘It makes you feel full and balances blood sugar levels to reduce cravings. Rather than adding all your protein into one big, evening meal, eat three meals and two snacks a day including some protein with each – such as seeds, beans, pulses and tofu - for steady energy release.’

Q. Do I need expensive gadgets to get fit?

A. Janey says that one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise is walking. She advises pulling your abs in tightly, taking long strides and swinging your arms. Listening to music helps set your pace and for extra motivation, try a charity challenge like the Moonwalk (www.walkthewalk.org).

Q. I suffer from bloating. Is there anything I can do about it before my wedding?

A. ‘Wheat is a common cause of bloating,’ says Ailsa Higgins, a nutritionist at Champneys Tring (www.champneys.com). ‘Try swapping bread, pasta and biscuits for oat-based cereals, grains like quinoa and brown rice. Salt also encourages water retention so avoid crisps and processed foods, and choose chicken, fish and eggs rather than harder-to-digest red meat.’

Q. If I try to get in shape on my own, will I lack motivation?

A. If you can’t afford a personal trainer, Yvonne advises teaming up with a friend so you’re accountable to someone other than yourself: ‘The prospect of sharing your success - and failures – with a friend makes it easier to stick to your goal.’

Q. I’ve chosen a backless wedding dress – how can I look flawless in it?

A. ‘You never see a boxer with a flabby back,’ says Janey. ‘Boxing is fantastic for shaping the shoulders and toning your back, as well as helping your arms look great.’ If you can’t afford one-to-one boxing training, try a local boxercise class (www.boxercise.co.uk) or add shadow boxing moves (punching into the air) to your daily workout.

Q. We’re having a beach-based honeymoon and I’d love to look good in my bikini…

A. ‘Start body-brushing daily a few months before your honeymoon,’ says Jane Quenault, Champneys trainer. ‘It helps to increase circulation, so your skin looks glowing and healthy, as well as removing dead cells which make skin look dull and dry. Body-brushing is also great for improving the appearance of cellulite, so you’ll look fantastic in that honeymoon bikini.’

Q. Are there any cosmetic products that really make a difference?

A. ‘Epsom, or magnesium, salts can be added to a bath and absorbed into your body through the skin, helping muscles recover after exercise and reducing water retention and bloating,’ Janey explains. ‘They also calm your adrenals and nervous system, which is particularly useful for a busy bride-to-be.’ You can buy Epsom salts at most local chemists.

Q. I always lose patience with exercise and diet regimes. How can I keep going until my wedding?

A. Alongside the long term aim of achieving a brilliant wedding and honeymoon body, try setting smaller goals along the way to keep your momentum going. ‘Many people become frustrated when they don’t see immediate results,’ says Jai Street, director of Affordable Gym Hire (www.affordablegymhire.co.uk). ‘But with hard work and commitment you will see a change.’