Looking to lose weight and get fit before your big day? Try one of these regimes or diets to make sure you look and feel your best
Fitness regimes
Power Plate »
Power Plate equipment (right) is the crème de la crème of vibration devices and Glasgow’s Gallery And The City is home to these machines that transmit waves of energy throughout the body, activating muscle contractions between 25 and 50 times per second that can enhance overall performance and muscle tone in sessions as short as 15 minutes a day, three times a week. Although, don’t be fooled by those who think it’s all about just holding a pose and letting the machine shake all the excess flab away, as it’s not. Try to think of you and the Power Plate as a team, and with expert coaches – including studio owner and ex-Gladiator Ali Paton – to guide you through a series of exercises and moves designed to target your troubled areas, you will be fit as a fiddle and toned to perfection in time for your trip down the aisle. 0141 221 0916, www.powergallery.co.ukGyrokinesis and gyrotonics at The Movement Studio »
Gyrotonics and gyrokinesis (below left) are a family of exercise systems developed by Julio Horvath, a former ballet dancer and gymnast. He devised this unique regime to help those with sports injuries but the exercises can be implemented by anyone with great benefits. Gyrotonic training is done on a specially designed piece of equipment that encourages natural, fluid movement of the joints to straighten the back and open up the chest. Through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises, you can feel your spine lengthen and your posture improve. 0141 586 7199, www.themovementstudio.co.ukTrapeze class at Aerial Edge »
Trapeze might not be the most straightforward way of getting into shape but it’s definitely one of the most fun and effective. At Aerial Edge’s beginner classes, you can do half an hour of conditioning to strengthen and tone your muscles from head to toe before getting on the trapeze. Then you get an hour on the trapeze itself learning how to sit, stand and twist in ways you never thought possible. Working on the trapeze makes you exert every muscle without realising it, as you’ll be too busy holding on for dear life; and while it may be frustrating at first, you will be amazed by what you can do and how your body has changed in only a few weeks. www.aerialedge.co.uk
Military Boot Camp »
Alba West’s military boot camp (above right) is an intensive, hardcore weekend that is guaranteed to make a difference. This all-female programme is run by personal trainer Zander Urquhart and troop leader Cammy MacLeod who will run you through a series of real military fitness training and exercises, including yoga, boxercise, kettle bells, mountain biking and an assault course. The fitness regime is complemented by team building exercises and nutritional advice, and supported by a three-month web plan. While the classes are tough, the emphasis is on fun and teamwork making the experience highly sociable, as well as a great last-minute push for brides-to-be. After a hard day’s work, you can stay at the luxurious Alona Hotel in Strathclyde Country Park. A residential all-inclusive weekend at the boot camp costs £275. 07541 993985, www.albamilfit.co.uk
Tracy Anderson Method »
Personal trainer to Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Shakira, Tracy Anderson has formulated her own unique method to get women to their peak fitness. Using bands, bars and cubes, her work-out systems are designed to target small muscle groups whilst also improving core balance. An avid fan of music, Tracy also infuses her routines with dance movements to ensure a lean, toned figure, rather than a bulky one. While Tracy’s studios are all based in the States, she has a wide range of fitness regimes available online. Or try her Dance Cardio DVD or Perfect Design DVD Series, which has a range of levels encouraging you to get better and better. www.tracyandersonmethod.com
Diets
The New Evolution Diet »
Building on the Paleolithic method, Arthur De Vany has created the New Evolution Diet as a way of not only transforming your body but also your lifestyle. De Vany strictly follows this programme himself and at 72, he claims to be fitter than many people half his age. The diet is built around the basis that we should eat as our ancient ancestors did, so French fries are definitely out! In his book, De Vany explains how to follow this rigorous regime in the modern world: eat three non-starchy meals a day of fish, meat and vegetables and exercise less in shorter bursts. De Vany also encourages fasting every so often to promote a low-fasting blood insulin level. By cutting out carbohydrates, dairy and processed foods, he says we will lose weight and enjoy a longer, healthier life. At bookshops nationwide, www.arthurdevany.comDiet Chef »
Diet Chef is the ideal regime for those who want to eat healthily and lose weight but don’t have the time to weigh out calories every night. Based on the simple, traditional diet of consuming less calories than you burn, hampers of chef-prepared meals will arrive daily – all you have to do is heat them up and eat. It works by ensuring that each meal is calorie-counted and portioned out so that you only consume 1200 calories a day – less than the recommended daily amount for a woman. You can also choose your own meals and snacks, such as low fat cookies and popcorn. There are advisors on the website for anyone who is struggling and the forums give you somewhere to chat to other dieters about how they are coping. 0845 094 9796, www.dietchef.co.uk
Jenny Craig »
Jenny Craig’s weight management scheme has become a massive hit across Australia and the States. The scheme focuses on three aspects: food, body and mind. Followers work with a personal consultant to develop a programme that meets their individual needs and speak to them on a weekly basis to plan meals and activities along the way. Meals can also be ordered, arriving every four weeks, and ensuring that you stick to a calorie and portion controlled diet. Finally, consultants will encourage followers to take part in fitness activities each week to help them lose weight and get a toned, fit body. Once you have met your target weight, the consultant will still be there to support you maintain your figure before the big day. 0800 917 5540, www.jennycraig.co.uk
The 21-Day Weight Loss Kick Start Diet »
The 21-Day Weight Loss Kick Start Diet is a new diet book by one of America’s leading health advocates, Dr Neal Barnard. This regime has been called the anti-Atkins diet, as you can eat carbs and without limit. There are no calorie controls or punishing exercise programmes to follow; instead, Dr Barnard passes on his top tips on how to control your appetite, improve your metabolism and get the better of your cravings. His research is firmly based on science, encouraging readers to get past their fear of making long-term health changes. By following his tips for three weeks, Dr Barnard aims to change the eating habits of his readers for a lifetime. At bookshops nationwide, www.nealbarnard.org
Dukan Diet »
Loved by the future King’s mother-in-law Carole Middleton and millions of French women, the Dukan diet is based on the idea that we should return to the foods that founded the human species. There are four phases to the programme, which begins with the Attack stage. At this point, the diet is made of up 72 high-protein foods that enable quick weight loss. Then during the Cruise phase, the diet alternates between Pure Protein days and Protein with 28 recommended vegetables. After this point, you should reach your True Weight, calculated before you begin the regime. During the next two phases, dieters will slowly begin to return to their normal diet but there are still some restrictions in terms of portion and calorie control. Although this method is quite strict, celebrity followers such as Jennifer Lopez rely on it so it can’t be all bad! www.dukandiet.co.uk
