As a fitness professional, nutrition coach, and 2024 bride, it was important to feel confident and strong on my wedding day. I also knew how easy it is to fall into the trap of crash dieting, overtraining, and stressing yourself out before the big day, so I needed to come up with a bridal fitness plan.
We got married in 2024 and went on our honeymoon to Bora Bora two weeks later—so yes, I was highly motivated to look and feel my best. I wanted to enjoy myself, feel confident in a swimsuit, and not worry about bloating from eating dessert and having some drinks at my own wedding. I wanted to fully enjoy myself while celebrating our marriage!
Most Brides Have Some Kind of Bridal Fitness Plan—But At What Cost?
Studies show that over 70% of brides try to lose weight before their wedding. I’ve been in that boat before—working out like crazy and crash dieting just to slim down quickly for an event. It had worked somewhat in the past (or I thought it did), but it never made me feel good and I never got amazon results.
This time, I wanted to take a different approach. I didn’t want to feel bloated from eating dessert after months of undereating. I didn’t want to feel weak or run-down. And I knew that dieting adds stress to your body—and I was already preparing for the stress of wedding planning.
So I did something many people may think is extreme: I hired an online coach a little over two years out from our wedding.
Why I Started My Bridal Fitness Plan So Early
I understand not everyone has a two-year engagement, but building muscle and improving your metabolism takes time. I wanted to be toned, not just thin. That meant repairing my metabolism, gaining lean muscle, and getting my body in a good place to handle a fat loss phase later.
My first coach was a bodybuilding coach, but also coach lifestyle. He gave me a structured and effective plan:
- Weightlifting 5 days a week
- Minimal cardio
- Macro tracking with slow, gradual calorie cuts
During that time, I gained a significant amount of muscle and leaned out. By my initial dress fitting a year out, I felt like I was in a great place.
Taking a Break and Shifting Gears
I stopped coaching over the holidays to give myself a break and enjoy the season without restriction. When January hit, it was finally 2024—the year I was going to become a Freilinger! So it was time to get serious again.
This time, I hired a female coach who specializes in women’s metabolism. We partner on clients—she focuses on nutrition, and I focus on exercise—so it was the perfect fit for me to experience her coaching firsthand.
Her goal was to get me eating as much as possible without gaining too much weight. I placed my trust in her and did the work, and I was shocked that the scale didn’t increase as I expected. After a few months of slowly increasing calories, we did a gradual cut (never getting close to as low as the previous coach had me go). Then we increased again leading up to the wedding and honeymoon.
Less Stress, More Results
What I loved about her approach was how customized it was. She worked with the stress I was under from wedding planning, as well as my cycle. We reduced workouts, focused on short resistance training sessions, and prioritized walking as we got closer to the big day.
The result? I was eating more, working out less, and continuing to lean out. I was the leanest I’ve ever been on my wedding day and on our honeymoon—and I felt truly amazing.
My Advice for Brides Who Want to Feel Their Best
Most bridal fitness plans aren’t long enough. If you want to feel confident, energized, and strong, it’s going to take more than a few weeks of dieting and cardio. Whether you have two years or six months, the best thing you can do is start now.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Give yourself time – Building muscle, improving your metabolism, and lowering stress all take longer than most brides (and people) think. The earlier you start, the better.
- Start resistance training – Lifting weights will help you build and maintain muscle while leaning out. Read my blog >> Why I Preach Resistance Training for Everyone
- Drink more water – Proper hydration supports energy, digestion, skin, and reduces bloating.
- Focus on whole foods – Ditch the ultra-processed stuff and fuel your body with nutrient-dense meals.
- Move daily – Walking, step goals, and daily movement matter just as much as your workouts.
- Don’t crash diet – Quick fixes can backfire with bloating, stress, and energy crashes.
- Work with a coach – Planning a wedding is already a full-time job—let a professional take nutrition and training off your plate.
Final Thoughts
I know how much pressure there is to look perfect on your wedding day. But it’s not just about how you look—it’s about how you feel.
Give yourself grace. Give yourself time. And remember: this is about feeling great not just for your wedding, but for life.
If you have questions or want help with workouts or finding a coach, I’d love to connect. Helping individuals feel their best is one of my favorite things to do.
For more ways to keep your wedding celebration healthy and stress-free, you might enjoy my post on non-toxic wedding registry must-haves!
Happy wedding planning and congratulations! I wish you and your spouse a lifetime of happiness!
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