Bridal Shape-Up Secrets:

Tweet How to look picture-perfect on your big day:

There’s no better accessory to a gorgeous wedding gown than a sleek, toned figure. But achieving a buff bridal body takes serious commitment—just like marriage itself! Nutritionists recommend starting to train a year to six months before your wedding date (or at least three months, if you're waiting till the last minute). Follow these tips to shape up and slim down, so when the big day arrives, you’ll look and feel picture perfect.

1. Zero in:

Most wedding dresses reveal the arms, shoulders and back, so it’s a good idea to focus on these areas when weight training to get great muscle definition in that strapless, low-backed gown. Target your upper body with pushups, shoulder raises, and bicep curls.

Be sure to work in more cardio workouts such as walking, running, cardio machines and aerobics classes in addition to strength training. Your workouts should combine strength training to firm up flab and cardio to create a leaner silhouette.

2. Think before you drink:

Between your engagement party, your bachelorette party, and myriad other pre-wedding celebrations, you’re likely to spend a lot of time with a drink in your hand. Keep in mind that festive, fruity cocktails are often loaded with calories. So when your friends raise a glass to you, make sure yours is holding light beer, white wine or club soda with a twist of lime.

3. Try to relax:

Fitness trainers recommend yoga for upper-body toning and to stop stress in its tracks. Two to three days of R&R before the day will cause a decrease in the hormone cortisol and therefore a release in water. You want to arrive feeling fresh and rested. Get a massage 3-5 days before the day and take one or two naps in the days leading up.

4. Ban bloat:

Looking great on your wedding means avoiding foods that promote water retention and puffiness. Trainers recommend following this schedule for eliminating problematic foods:

4 weeks out: Cut out bread, pasta, crackers, boxed cereal, sugar, alcohol, and soy.

1-2 weeks out: Cut out salt, protein bars, bananas, beans, broccoli, and nuts.

These foods all contribute to either water retention or gastrointestinal disruption and bloat. It's not that broccoli is 'bad' for you, it's that it contributes to belly bloating. The goal in the last two weeks is to decrease water weight so that you look as lean as possible.

Foods to eat: Dark green leafy vegetables like kale; salmon; other fish, grapefruit, apples, green tea, dandelion tea.