Shape Up for Summer

Shape Up for Summer BY TONEKA ROYAL

With the wedding season quickly approaching, ditching the winter blues, enjoying the longer days, and embracing the sunshine are the perfect jumpstarts to begin your summer shape-up transformation! Grab a friend, or even your bridal party, to stay motivated for some fun in the sun. Together, you can rejuvenate your minds and bodies with the benefits of being active after long months of hibernation.

Whether you want to get back into shape or simply reap the mental health benefits of a good workout, especially with the stress of planning a wedding, a regular exercise routine followed by a proper nutrition plan can help. However, it’s important to remember there’s no need to overdo it. These ten total body exercises are the perfect balance of cardio, strength, and stretching to give you that toned body so that you look fit and feel fabulous when you rock your beautiful wedding dress on your big day!

This routine begins with a warm-up that activates your entire body and ends with a bit of light cardio. It can be done entirely outdoors and doesn’t require any equipment. However, if you’re more advanced, you can add 10-20 lbs. dumbbells to the squats, lunges, and glute bridge exercises. These versatile exercises target your major muscle groups from head-to-toe, and you can easily adapt each one to suit your intensity level. If you are a beginner, start with one set of 10 repetitions for each exercise, eventually working your way up to three sets of 15 reps for each exercise. Note: One set includes all exercises.

Fitness is a lifestyle.

• High Knee Skips • Squats • Lunges • Glute Bridges with Leg Lift • Full Sit-Up Twist • Side Plank • Triceps Dips • Seated Straddle Stretch • Superman Hold and Squeeze • Walk, Jog, or Jump Rope Get the most out of your wedding workout routine by pairing it with great nutrition. A healthy diet and exercise are a match made in heaven. Eating right provides you with energy to fuel your workouts while improving your skin, hair, and overall health. Preparation and persistence are essential, so make sure you give yourself enough time to tone up before your big day. A few months of work will have you feeling absolutely fabulous (both inside and out) when it’s time to walk down the aisle.

Toneka is a certified health advocate from Real Balance Global Wellness. She’s also trained in the Wellness Mapping 360 Methodology, which is a holistic approach based on behavioral change psychology. As a certified personal trainer and specialist in fitness nutrition, Toneka has more than seventeen years of experience in guiding women to optimal wellness while helping them embrace beauty from the inside out through eating whole natural foods. Find out more about Toneka at tonekaroyal.com.