Getting in shape for your wedding can be a real pain in the butt (no pun intended), but the results are almost always worth the effort! Fitness expert and recent destination wedding bride, Anna Victoria, was kind enough to share some of her advice for how soon-to-be brides can be successful and time efficient with their fitness. Anna is the founder of Four Week to Fit and the Fit Body Guides. For more information on her and how she can help you shed those pesky pounds before W-Day, visit annavictoria.com or follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Q. For those who brides who typically don’t work out, how should they get started with the slim down to the wedding?

A. My biggest recommendation is to begin to follow a program, like my Fit Body Guides, as soon as possible. It will remove all the guesswork and any doubt you have and tell you exactly what to do. The two types of plans you should look for in general are a meal plan and a workout plan that are designed to be used together for the best results.

Q. What’s your top calorie burning workout brides-to-be can do?

A. My top calorie burning workouts for brides-to-be would be a high intensity, strength training circuit workout. Since the bride-to-be will be busy planning a wedding, she likely doesn’t have time to spend hours in a gym and that’s okay! Some of the most effective workouts are actually shorter (around 30 minutes), but really high intensity workouts with a strength training base. These will give you the most bang for your buck or for your time at least.

Q. Your recommendation for some of the best group workouts to get the entire bridal party in shape for the wedding?

A. Since I live in Rome (where my fiancé is from) I haven’t been able to experience any group workouts that would be commonly found all over the United States – I can’t wait to come home to visit and try some! So my recommendation is to have your bridesmaids join you on the same meal plan and workout plan that you’re following. That way it’s not just one class you’re doing together, but the entire journey. This will allow you to hold each other accountable and support each other. It’s a win-win!

Q. What’s your honest opinion on the latest fad of Fit Tea or detox teas that are sweeping the market?  Do they work and what are other healthy alternatives? 

A. I recently did a YouTube video dedicated to this topic since it’s a common question and I say – save your money. Detox teas are essentially laxative teas. They do nothing in the way of actual fat loss, only water weight loss. Any results you get from detox teas are temporary and, I’m not saying they’re bad products, but if abused, they can be potentially damaging. What I am saying is they won’t help you actually lose fat or permanent weight and many advertising companies (especially on Instagram) try to pass them off as weight loss products. That person you see in the before and after picture actually did way more to achieve those results than just drink a “detox” tea.

Q. What is the best advice you can give to brides-to-be that have about 8-10 months to slim down for the wedding?

A. 8-10 months is more than enough time to make huge changes in your body. As I mentioned earlier, start following a program that will tell you exactly what to do and will continually challenge your body. It may seem like a lot of work in the beginning, but it’s really just about getting in a new routine and, once you do, you will wonder why you didn’t start earlier!

Q. What is some exercise advice you can give to brides who are looking to keep off the pounds after the wedding?

A. Continue to follow a program like when you were preparing for the wedding, but make sure it challenges you. Often times after being in an exercising routine for a while, people get comfortable and just go through the motions. If you want to get the most amazing results (which you can), following a program will help you continually change your workouts and give you a set goal. Going to the gym without a set goal or workout in mind may leave you unsure of what to do and not making the most of your time.

Make sure it is a plan that changes your workouts every 4-6 weeks so you are continually challenging your body and you don’t hit a plateau. A plateau is when you stop getting results even if you’re exercising since your body has adapted.

Additionally, remember that it’s okay to enjoy yourself – go on your honeymoon, relax and eat what you like! When you get back, try to practice an 80/20 approach where 80% of the time you eat healthy and 20% of the time you can indulge. That way you get the best of both worlds. Life should be enjoyed and not be about eating perfectly and exercising all the time.