The best pre-wedding diet plan

10-point wedding diet plan for brides

If you want to lose weight for your wedding, our pre-wedding diet ideas lift the lid on the best meal plans, weight loss tips, and slimming strategies to help brides shed the pounds.

By following our 10-point plan and a healthy menu, you’ll be sliding rather than squeezing into your gown on your wedding day. After all, nothing beats that feeling of feeling lighter and knowing you are looking your best. The good news is it’s not just a case of scrimping and skipping meals. If you stick to the tips and follow the menu you’ll definitely feel the benefit even if your wedding date is just days away.

Diet tip 1: Always eat breakfast

Kick-start your body’s engine with a low fat, slow energy release, unrefined meal. Aim for a 300-350 calorie meal to fit in with the body’s natural metabolism which is primed in the morning and tails off during the day.

Diet tip 2: Hydrate

Drink plenty of fluids (water, herbal teas and sugar-free cordial); aim for two liters spread throughout the whole day and you’ll feel more energized and alert. Plus, toxins will be flushed away and your complexion will definitely improve.

Diet tip 3: Don’t skip meals

Running on empty is a bad choice as your blood sugar levels will dip causing headaches, fatigue and aggravation, which may even lead to a binge when you eat again. Your body needs a balanced intake of food to function properly, so starving yourself is not the answer.

Diet  tip 4: Cut the booze

If you drink your maximum recommended units (21 per week for women) then you are taking in more than 1,000 extra calories. Strengthen that willpower and try to cut alcohol as much possible in the lead up to the big day.

Diet tip 5: Don’t skimp on protein

Eat a portion of protein at lunchtime to help avoid an energy slump in the afternoon, which could have you heading for the vending machine. Try a chicken salad or prawn stir fry to keep you full into the afternoon.

Diet tip 6: Eat mindfully

You can’t afford to ‘waste’ calories by eating mindlessly at the fridge, straight from the saucepan or while you’re on the go. Make sure that you sit down to savour all your meals and snacks.

Diet tip 7: Use a smaller plate

Swap your normal plate for a slightly smaller one, making your meals seem larger and you'll find your 'full' switch will flip a little faster.

Diet tip 8: Say no to processed food

If it comes in a packet, leave it on the supermarket shelf. You’ll automatically eliminate food manufacturers’ high fat and high sugar products, not forgetting artificial ingredients. Natural and fresh is always best.

Diet tip 9: Move more

Remember, as well as cutting calories you should burn them too – make sure you compliment the 10-point plan with physical activity. Try a brisk walk to work, an invigorating swim after dinner or join a class at your gym.

Diet tip 10: Mix it up

Make sure you don’t eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner day-in day-out. Keep things interesting by finding new recipes so that you don’t get bored and end up reaching for the chocolate. A good way to avoid the routine rut is to plan your meals ahead and buy ingredients accordingly.

Weight loss menu ideas

Here’s our mix and match menu to give your diet variety – choose one breakfast, lunch and dinner option and two snack options per day and remember space your meals evenly. Please note this is only a short-term weight-loss plan aimed to cut calories in the run up to you wedding. The best way to lose weight in the long term is to gradually increase your levels of physical activity and follow a balanced, healthy diet.

Weight loss breakfast idea (approx 300-350 calories)

• 50g oats mixed with 100g low-fat natural yoghurt and 100g strawberries

• 45g cereal with 200ml semi-skimmed milk and 200g blueberries

• Two boiled eggs, one slice of wholemeal toast and 10 cherry tomatoes

Weight loss lunch ideas (approx 200-250 calories)

• Brown pitta bread stuffed with 50g lean ham and 100g salad • Two rye crackers topped with 100g cottage cheese and 50g of ham • One slice of wholemeal toast, smeared with half an avocado and a sprinkle of Tabasco sauce

Weight loss dinner ideas (approx 250-300 calories)

• 150g grilled cod, 150g broccoli and 10 roasted cherry tomatoes

• Omelette made with two eggs, two egg whites, 50g mushrooms served with150g salad

• 150g grilled turkey, 150g roasted vegetables (yellow peppers, courgettes, red onions)

Weight loss snack ideas (approx 150 calories each)

• One 120g pot of yoghurt plus one tablespoon of honey

• 50g reduced fat hummus with one medium carrot cut into sticks

• Three rough oatcakes smeared with marmite

Source:  http://www.getwed.com 

The Dangers of Arguing in Front of Your Kids

You know that sick feeling that comes over you when you and your husband are shouting angrily at each other -- and then you look up and see your child standing wide-eyed in the doorway?

If you're like me, you can remember just how upset you felt when you heard your own parents argue. By the time we were preteens, my sister and I had suggested to my parents that they get divorced if they couldn't get along any better. They never did anything of the kind, so I have to conclude it bothered us more than it bothered them.

Is Arguing in Front of the Kids Always Harmful?

An occasional disagreement -- call it a "heated negotiation" -- during which you treat each other with respect and move into problem-solving, say therapists, is actually a good thing for kids. It's considered a form of role modeling. But arguments in which you repeat the same points over and over, or call each other names -- where you are venting resentments rather than solving problems -- have no up side for the children. "If you bully one another, your kids learn to bully others. "And they will turn that treatment right back on you once they are teenagers."

Do Parental Fights Have a Negative Influence on Kids?

"Children start by being frightened by their parents arguing," says Jacobs. "Later, they become disgusted. 'How can they live like this?' they wonder. Eventually, they develop a fear of being similarly trapped, and as adults may have the tendency to bail out of relationships early."

What Can Parents Do to Minimize Any Trauma?

If kids witness a bad argument, don't sweep it under the rug, says Lindquist, go ahead and apologize to them. Reassure them that you love each other. Mention specifically, in age-appropriate terms, how you would have liked to talk about the conflict. For example: "I'm sorry Daddy and I were arguing last night. We both feel bad when we say bad words. We can work things out better when we don't interrupt each other and use soft voices."

How to Keep Arguments Under Control

1. Argue as though the neighbors are able to hear you No name calling, no foul language, no raised voices.
2. Actively use your listening skills.
3. Give direct eye contact and do nothing else while your spouse is
talking. Look riveted. Nod your head, no matter what they are
saying.
4. Repeat what the person has said. Use as many of the same
words as possible.
5. Sympathize. Let the other person know you understand that they
are feeling bad, even if they are blaming you for the problem.
6. Ask, "Is there anything more you want to tell me?" Give your
partner a chance to discover deeper feelings, and to shift to a
calmer, more neutral place.

If you find yourself getting carried away, call a time-out. Stop right there and agree to talk later. Then make a time to sit down and have a real discussion about what is bothering you -- the bigger issues of your life and your marriage.

And do it when your children do not have to be an audience.

Indian Bridal Makeup Tips

Tip 50: Get glowing skin

The most important of all Indian bridal makeup tips is to make your skin look healthy and glowing on the wedding day. But just taking care of it a week before the D day will not help. Skin needs time to take in the nourishment and treatments. Over doing the treatments may lead to further damage. Make time for yourself and indulge in the treatments from two months or at least six weeks before the wedding day. Take regular pedicures and manicures. Also go in for facials and skin treatments from at least six weeks prior to give your skin time to work. Here is a detailed post on how to get glowing skin.

Tip 49: Exfoliate your skin

Exfoliate your skin to do away with dead skin but remember to exfoliate only twice or thrice a week. Over exfoliation may make your skin dry.

Tip 48: Protect your skin from sun

Do not go out without a sunscreen and reapply after 2 or 3 hours to keep the skin damage free.

For Eyes: 

For best Indian Bridal Eye Makeup keep in mind the following tips:

Tip 47: Take care of puffy eyes

Have puffy eyes? Use chamomile tea bags over the eyes to make them appear less puffy. Using normal tea bags may stain you skin.

Tip 46: Get enough sleep

A good sleep is very important part of our life. The more you sleep, the more time your body gets to repair itself. Sleep for atleast 7 hours each day to keep those under eye circles out.

For Hair:

Tip 45: Deep condition your hair

Your hair is also an important part of the whole wedding look and to ensure your hair looks best throughout the wedding, go for a deep conditioning hair mask twice/ thrice the month before the wedding. If you have dry hair, apply some homemade hair packs to make it glossy and healthy.

Tip 44: Use good hair spray

Use good hair sprays so that your hair stays in place.

For Acne:

Tip 43: Hide your blemishes

Do invest in a good concealed for the d day as it will do a lot of things. It will hide blemishes and spots, will cover those under eye circles and more.

Tip 42: Avoid fried food

Avoid fried foods and too many spices for a month before the wedding to avoid getting pimples at the last moment.

Tip 41: Blot oily areas

Keep some oil blotting paper handy on the day. Blot any oily areas to get rid of shine. You don’t want to have a shiny forehead in the wedding pictures.

Tip 40:  Take care of acne

If you have oily skin which tends to be attacked by acne and pimples look for a face cleanser with salicylic acid. It removes oil and keeps skin oil free for more hours.

Tip 39: Take care of last minute pimples

Spotted a pimple suddenly?? Tensed how to hide it? Take a bit of tea tree oil and apply it over the pimple as soon as possible. It will make it dry up faster and less prominent on the Wedding day.

Tip 38: Minimize chances of pimples during periods

Have a tendency of getting pimples and zit during periods; apply anti acne creams 10 days before it is scheduled to start. This will minimize the chances of getting one.

For Lips:

Tip 37: Make lips appear fuller

Are your lips thin? Here’s a way to make them appear fuller. Take a skin colored lip liner and extend the natural lip line. But remember less is more so do not over do it.
To make your lips look fuller pat a little bit of shimmer at the centre of the lower lip. This creates the illusion of a fuller lip.

Tip 36: Take care of dry lips

Use a lip balm each times you feel your lips are dry. Do not lick or bite your lips. This will dry the lips and cause them to become chapped and flaky.

For Bridal Makeup Looks:

 

Tip 35: Apply your makeup the usual way

Apply the makeup using the right brushes or applicators. If you are comfortable with brushes, then use brushes, if you are comfortable with sponges, use them. Also if you are comfortable with fingers, use them to apply makeup. It is not a time to experiment, so stick to the usual technique.

Tip 34: Match the makeup with your attire

Take a look at your clothes and jewellery.  Consult with your makeup artist beforehand about the looks which will go with the dress. Select the one which you want to do on the day. Do not go in for any last minute changes.

Tip 33: Choose the right foundation

Choosing the right foundation is very important as you don’t want to look ghostly or darker than usual. Go shopping with a friend or a relative and try different shades on yourself. The goal will be to choose a shade which matches your skin tone. Choosing a tone lighter than yours for your bridal makeup Indian style will create a wheatish effect on your face.

Tip 32: Use a highlighter

Use a highlighter instead of shimmer or glitter. The main attempt should be to make the skin appear glowing and not shimmery.  Highlight the bridge of the nose, the chin, the forehead and around the perimeter of the face.

Tip 31: Practice 2 to 3 times before the wedding

Considering doing your own makeup? Practice doing it before hand. This way you will avoid creating a mess on the d day. It is better to practice 2 to 3 times with the looks and try out variations than doing them for the first time on the wedding day itself which can be stressful.

Tip 30: How to apply a blush?

Using a blush? Keep at least two fingers distance from the nose and apply blush.

Tip 29: Take care of excess makeup

Got too much eye makeup/ eye liner? Take a blotting paper and remove any excess oil, excess makeup or liner.

Tip 28: Mascara application

Use a good water proof mascara and make sure it is new/ less than three months old. Old mascara’s which have been exposed to air, clot and become very flaky.

Tip 27: Buying makeup

Going to buy makeup for the wedding day? Take a friend with you and make a list before hand of what products you want to try and which items you need. Aimlessly buying products will result in nothing. So plan beforehand and keep the attire and wedding in mind

Tip 26: Check the weather

Have a wedding at summer/ spring? Choose sheer and light makeup as these will be most appropriate when the weather is hot and humid.

Tip 25: Day time wedding or night time wedding

This is a very important factor to keep in mind when it comes to Indian bridal makeup. If you have the ceremonies in the day time, then keep makeup minimal and opt for a more natural look. If you are going for night time wedding, keep the makeup heavy and add more colors.
If you have a morning wedding go for pastel shades for the eye makeup.

Tip 24: Choose the right lip liner

Choosing a good lip liner is important. You will be best off with a lip liner matching with the lipstick.

Tip 23: Is the makeup complete?

Take a look at the makeup after it is complete and assess whether it is suitable. Ask for honest opinions from friends and ask if it looks good.

Tip 22: Choose the right lipstick

Choose a long wearing lipstick for the d day. You don’t want to be applying it every hour.

Tip 21: Applying foundation

Apply foundation on other exposed parts of the skin like hands, neck, back as well as ears. This way your Indian wedding makeup will look a lot more natural.

Tip 20: Use clean brushes

Whether you are doing the makeup yourself or a makeup artist is doing it, always use clean brushes and other applicators. You don’t not want to get infected by bacteria.

Tip 19: Heavy makeup

Keep the makeup heavier than your usual parties but do keep in mind not to look like a made up doll

Tip 18: Plucking the eyebrows

Pluck your brows at least a day before the wedding. Prevent bumps caused due to plucking using a cotton ball dipped in astringent and wipe the area.

Tip 17: Choosing the right blush

Having trouble choosing the right blush shade? See your face in the mirror right after you exercise. This is the natural color of your cheeks. Look for the color resembling it.

Tip 16: Fake eye lashes

Want some fake lashes? Use only if you are comfortable using them. Also use dark colored lash glue so that it matches the skin tone.

Tip 15: Filling up the brows

Do not use black to fill in the brows. Use brown shade or taupe shade to fill up the brows. The best way to get a natural looking brow is to use powder instead of pencils.

Tip 14: Take care of your hands

Use a moisturizer with shimmers to make your hands and feet look naturally glowing.

Tip 13: Use gel liners

If you are not an ardent follower of liquid liners, use gel liners instead of liquid ones. You will get better precision and better staying power.

Tip 12: When to apply cream

Use a moisturizer on your face and body just after the bath as it is the best time to apply lotions and creams.

Tip 11: Touch up your makeup

Keep a compact and blotting paper handy as you can touch up your makeup.

Tip 10: Keep eye makeup in place

To keep your eye makeup in place, sweep a bit of translucent powder over it and under the eyes. This prevents the meltdown and raccoon eyes.

Tip 9: Don’t let your lipstick stain

To keep your lipstick/ lip color from staining your lips, put a finger in your mouth and close your lips. Pull out the finger; this will take out all excess lip color.

Tip 8: Make lashes appear fuller

Need to make your lashes appear fuller? Apply a bit of powder on the lashes with your eyes closed and then apply mascara.

Tip 7: Applying eye liner

Apply the eye liner while looking down into the mirror. It will give you a better grip and you will be able to draw neat straight lines.

Tip 6: Use cream blushes

Use cream blushes if you want rosy natural cheeks and apply it straight on the cheeks.

Tip 5: Using dark makeup?

Keep your eye makeup in check. If you are going for a dark eye makeup then keep the lips light.

Tip 4: Limit the shimmer

Shimmer looks great but keep it limited to only one part of the face. Either do a shimmery eye or a shimmery lips.

Tip 3: Foundation for photograph

Choose a good foundation, a yellow toned foundation looks better in photographs while a pink based one may make you look washed out.

Tip 2: Make lipstick stay longer

Apply a lip liner and then a lipstick or apply layers of lipstick to make it stay longer.

Tip 1: Use green concealer

Use a green based concealer to cover up those red spots or pimples. It works better than the usual cover up products.

Ref. - http://www.stylecraze.com

Mangalsutra

Mangalsutra - The Sacred Symbol of #Marriage

A Hindu marriage symbolizes not just coming together of two individuals, but also the bonding of understanding, commitment, mutual love, oneness and spiritual growth. Traditionally, #Hindu marriage is much more than just celebration and fun. It demands sacrifice, companionship, #dedication, and #devotion from both the partners. Each and every #rituals and customs associated with marriage portrays the real essence of #wedding. Traditionally, there are five signs of marital status of women, according to Hindu #culture- #mangalsutra, toe rings, #kumkum, bangles and a nose ring. Talking about Mangalsutra, the word denotes a significant meaning. While mangal means aupiscious, sutra can be deciphered as a thread.

Significance Of Mangalsutra In Hindu Marriage

Mangalsutra, as such, is not just a jewelry item, but a sacred thread of #love and #goodwill worn by #married #women, as a symbol of their successful marriage. An inevitable part of Hindu marriage ceremony, Mangalsutra refers to a revered symbol of wedlock. India being a land of diversity, different regions in the country have assigned different names for this scared symbol. While it is known as the thaaly or maangalyam in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil in Southern India, people in the northern part of India calls it Mangalsutra. It is believed that the concept of this sacred thread had its roots laid down in South #India. Having immense significance and importance, it traveled to North India as well and today, forms an imperative part of the wedding ceremony.

Mangalsutra is the token of dignity and love given to a #bride by her #groom. 
On the wedding day, the groom ties the Mangalsutra around the neck of the bride, while the priest recites Vedic hymns and prays. It signifies the union of the bride and the groom, amidst the presence of deities, who are believed to be attending the marriage. In some regions, the groom ties first and his sisters tie the rest. Talking about its appearance, this sacred thread is made of two strings of small black beads with a locket or pendant. Sometimes, it is also made of small beads of gold and black beads, with gold and diamond pendant.

Considered auspicious for married women, mangalsutra is believed to have divine powers. Each of the black beads in the Mangalsutra, signify protection from evil power and are believed to protect the marriage of a couple, essentially the life of the husband. Hindu women feel superstitious, when this scared thread breaks or gets lost. In the present times, mangalsutra are boasts of various designs and patterns. While the Gujaratis and Marwaris often go for a diamond pendant, Maharashtrians have a pendant that consists of one or two vatis and Bengalis in the meanwhile, have coral incorporated in the designing of the Mangalsutra.

Present Scenario

Today, the concept of wearing a mangalsutra has changed considerably. It is more of a fashion statement than a symbol of marriage, thanks to modernization. With the progressive times, the wearing of mangalsutra in working women has considerably reduced. There is also a marked change in the style and making of mangalsutra over the years. Previously, women used to wear simple design mangalsutra, with small pendants, but now, the trend is to wear short length ones, that too with a single string. Instead of gold pendants, they prefer diamond ones. However, the black beads have still managed to remain constant. Whatever may be the reason to adore it, mangalsutra surely symbolizes the real essence and concept of a Hindu marriage. 

ref. - www.weddings.iloveindia.com

Lovestory

#lovestory... 

He might be the youngest of them all but he's surely the most romantic. After all, he #proposed to his lady love at the age of 4! And not to his current wife Avantika, but his first crush #JuhiChawla. Actor Imran Khan proposed to the #actress with a ring during the shooting of #QayamatSeQayamatTak, which Juhi even accepted. However, soon Imran realised his mistake and would you believe it, he even asked her to return her ring, which she did.

However, the actor still considers her his first #wife and as per a report jokes, "The #relationship didn't work out, but she is my first wife. I still feel very bad about it (not working out)."