When you’re the wedding planner, stress is often an uninvited guest, especially when the wedding planner is a book worm and uncomfortable in her new role. It is common knowledge that stress always accompanies a role that is outside your comfort zone and it is critical to learn how to help alleviate it for a healthier you. There are quite a few methods to help reduce stress, but since this is the start of a new year with the desire to shed those unwanted holiday pounds, the first method we’ll discuss is exercise.
Getting Fit – Take It Up a Notch
In a previous post, I mentioned that a friend and physical therapist, Diane Foley together with her long time workout buddy, Karen, took me on as their project. With the upcoming wedding and the related stress, they took it up a notch to make me “one hot mama” for the wedding. My workout routine was changed out every two to three months, and I shared one of those routines in previous posts as well as stretches to help avoid the potential pain from sitting. To give you a one-stop shop to for the stretches and entire workout, I provided the links below for your convenience.
The workout routine takes two paths — one for the advanced and the other for the newbie. A detailed description of each exercise is provided along with photos. Remember it is very important to always check with your physician before making any changes to your healthcare regime. And, if anything hurts, STOP immediately!
Body Beautiful – Weight Control & Exercise
At the start of the summer, I provided a single source with links to my earlier articles geared toward helping you achieve your weight control and exercise goals. That’s still a great place to start!
Fitness: Moving to the Next Level
My personal journey begins with Diane and Karen.
Getting Fit: Taking It Up A Notch!
Rules of the workout are presented as well as the first set of stations: the warm up.
Getting Fit: Taking It Up A Notch! Part 2
Check out the next station:
- Flies On Ball
- Reverse Flies On Ball
Getting Fit: Taking It Up A Notch – Part 3
Taking It Up A Notch Part 3
Keep moving with:
- Side Step On 8 Inch Step
- Tricep Extension
- Lunge with Bicep Curl
Getting Fit: Taking It Up A Notch – Part 4
Remember, there are two paths — one for the more advanced and the other for the newbie!
- Plank Walk and Straddle Jump
- Burpy
- Side Lunge with Diagonal Reach (Saturday Night Fever Move)
Getting Fit: Taking It Up A Notch – Part 5
Getting Fit
The last station before you begin your new set:
- Oblique Sit-Ups
- Hamstring Curl On the Ball
- Bridge
- Bicycle Abdominal Crunch
Did this exercise routine help alleviate my stress? Absolutely! Was I “one hot mama” for the wedding? You be the judge — beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What’s important was that I felt great, danced the night away, and enjoyed every moment! Stay tuned for the next article, The Wedding Planner — The Date.
What exercises alleviates your stress?
(c) 2018, Karen Van Den Heuvel
