FWD Vivah gives some advice for grooms to lead a healthy path leading up to your wedding day

Text: Namrata George     Featured image source: devlinphotography.com

Being the most photographed day of your life, you sure would want to posterise the best looking figure of your self. Simple changes in your diet and adding some easy workouts will help you shed some kilos and keep you from getting tired on the big day.

Cut down on those calories

Reducing calories from your diet is the best and most effective way to lose weight. Try to pick and eat low-calorie foods to replace those that are high in calories. Rather than snacking on junk like potato chips, choose something healthy and light like a fruit. Take your lunch from home instead of eating out. Decrease your portion sizes to further control your intake. Use a calorie calculator to determine the caloric impact of your meals and snacks. Men between the ages of 19 and 30 need 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day, depending on their activity level. After age 30, this number drops by about 100 to 300 calories per day. Begin cutting calories several months before you get married for the best weight loss results.

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Burn the belly fat

A fat belly is not very appealing for a groom. It is important that you should focus on eating foods that help you lose weight from your belly at least three months before the wedding. Say no to sugar and sweets. Eat about two seasonal fruits in a day. Lunch should be wholesome and filling as the main meal of the day. Recognise your hunger time and pack your healthy snack accordingly. Exercising is very important to tone up the body.

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Increase your fibre intake

Fibre is a nutrient that digests slowly, which keeps you feeling full longer. In addition, fibre doesn’t have calories so higher intakes don’t make a large impact on your intake goals. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the best sources of fibre, but are also low in calories and help contribute to weight loss. Men need 28 to 34 grams of fibre each day. Have an apple for a snack, choose brown rice over white and have a salad instead of French fries to increase your fibre intake.

For fresh skin

A healthy skin glows with good health. A blemish free, fresh looking skin will definitely grab everyone’s attention. You need to make sure that you are eating right for your skin.
Drink plenty of fluids like water, fresh juice, and caffeine-free tea and coffee. Skin tissues needs rehydration to look plump and healthy. Eat low glycemic index foods. To prevent acne and breakouts, avoid sugars, starches, potatoes and desserts. Foods that are high on the glycemic index are loaded with carbohydrates and can worsen acne, aggravate rashes, and speed the breakdown of collagen in your skin, not to mention that they can cause you to become bloated and to store fat.

It is important that you consume lots of antioxidants. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, and green tea. Stack up on bright coloured fruits, berries, and dark leafy greens. For beta-carotene, drink plenty of carrot juice and try to eat at least one sweet potato a week. You can even indulge on dark chocolate. Healthy fats are also an important part of a diet for beautiful skin. Eat plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from salmon, dark green vegetables, and flaxseed.

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High flying hair

You must have enough protein in your diet to support hair growth as more than 90 percent of your hair is made up of protein. Foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products are high in protein. Vegetarians can get protein from plant sources such as soybeans, seeds, and nuts. Indian cuisine is rich in dals and lentils, which are a healthy form of protein. Beta-carotene encourages hair growth and prevents hair loss. Dark green leafy veggies, carrots, pumpkin are important in diet. Broccoli, sweet potato is to increase your Vitamin A levels in diet. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. It also helps keep your blood vessels healthy, helps prevent hair breakage, and promotes hair growth.

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Shaping up

Part of any good shape-up plan includes exercise. Regular exercise helps burn calories and tones muscles, both of which help you slim down and get in shape before you get married. Future grooms need 150 minutes of exercise per week. After marriage, many men tend to gain weight and get out of shape. Stick with your pre-wedding healthy habits to counteract this. Work out and cook with your wife to keep both of yourselves healthy and fit.

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