Getting in shape for your wedding day is important to a lot of bridezilla’s and grooms-to-be… we all want to look and feel our best on the BIG day, especially since:

1. The bride is generally wearing WHITE (err… the worst colour to wear when you are having a fat-day)

2. ALL EYES ARE ON YOU (there is NO escaping)

No pressure. No pressure AT all.

Whether you go balls-to-the-wall and loose all that unwanted fat or just start a light exercise program, I can tell you that by just putting in a little bit of effort to do SOME form of exercise daily you will boost your body image, confidence and hopefully shed some unwanted flab along the way!

Denver from GETFIT has been training me for a few years now, I have done the 12 week challenge where I lost around 8 kgs! The best thing about the challenge in my opinion is the group dynamic… I have come out of each challenge with new friends who have helped keep me motivated along the way.

That’s me on the left working hard!

I have asked Den a few questions which I hope may help ANYONE out there, getting married or not. If you visit their Facebook page you will also see a few awesome competitions on the go to WIN a challenge for yourself… how amazing! There are a few branches around Durbz making it convenient to train and with several sessions a day on different days of the week it is near impossible for the challenge to not fit into your lifestyle. I have posted links to the respective pages at the end of this post (it’s a pleasure!) FYI – next challenge starts on the 5th September!

Q&A

Denver, you are co-owner of the GETFIT franchise, tell us where it all began?

It began in 2008 when we came up with the concept of marketing a cheaper alternative to personal training but with the same benefit and prize money incentive at the end. We created GETFIT packages were clients training in groups as opposed to 1 on 1 sessions. The concept was extremely successful and now it has grown to be one of the best programs to choose to changing ones physique and lifestyle

Were you very sporty / fit at school?

Yes I’ve always participated in sport and started competitive karate at the age of 10. I’ve represented KZN and SA on many occasions during my competitive years.

What is the best thing about being a trainer?

I’m a very fun person and love interacting with people. It allows me build relationships with clients and help them achieve goals at the same time as having fun.

What is your favourite type of workout?

I really enjoy a strength session with weights or a trail run

Scenario: bride-to-be (no names mentioned… okay… it’s me!) has flabby arms that she wants to tone up for the wedding day, what type of exercise would you recommend she does and how often to target this area?

Strength training is crucial to tone and build muscle to change ones physique. I would suggest 2 or 3 GETFIT sessions a week as its very suited for women. In conjunction with that on the alternate day do cardio a run or cycle for 30-40min 2-3x week. It’s crucial to follow a structured eating plan though as 70% of body fat loose is diet related.

What about toning your butt (for those ladies off to a remote island Honeymoon)?

For hips, bums and thighs the best exercises are squats, lunges or step ups. There’s no easy way out and ladies should in corporate them in every workout routine.

For the guys… the beer-boep is always an area of concern. Apart from not drinking beer, what do exercise would you recommend to target this area.

“Ab’s are made in the kitchen”, so there’s no magic exercise. Following a control kilojoule diet and stepping up cardio a bit on alternate days to your gym routine will drop that belly down.

How important is it to follow a diet to lose weight?

70% of your weight loss is diet. It’s crucial

I am getting married in 30-odd days, what sort of diet should I follow to shed some unwanted flab?

30 days is quiet a short time to follow an eating plan. I suggest that you follow the GETFIT last 4 week diet. It’s cutting out milk and sugar completely. Eat 5 meals a day with the mid morning and afternoon meals being whey protein shakes. Breakfast is just 1/2 cup of oats and weigh. Lunch is only chicken and sweet potato for dinner you can only eat fish or ostrich with green vegetables and raw almonds. It’s really extreme but works.

Any other advice you can share with brides and grooms-to-be?

Don’t leave it for too late to get in shape for your wedding day. Always get advice and try achieving your goals with supervision or personal trainer. It’s the most special day for a girl so it’s the best motivation ever to get one in shape.

Class sizes vary from small to large. This is one of the bigger sessions, Super fun to have so many people working out together!

Links to the different branches around Durban:

Umhlanga – @Getfitumhlanga

Gillits – @Getfit-Centre-Gillits

Westville – @getfitwestville

Morningside – @getfitchallenge

Durban North – @Getfit-Durban-North

PMB – @getfitpmb

Ballito – @getfitballito

Website: www.getfitchallenge.co.za – check out the transformations of winners from previous challenges!!

Follow me on Twitter  for updates on the latest wedding posts

@Tee_kzn / @durbanite_za

Some friends I have met along my GETFIT journey <3

So, your photos for your wedding are kinda a big deal. They will after all be on display on your walls and your in-laws piano for the rest of your life. Aint nobody want gawky, bad-lit photos from their wedding day!  

With so many talented photographers out there, how do you actually make a decision on which one to go with? There really are sooooo many to choose from.

Segerius-Bruce Photography

My first choice would be my brother from Nick Ferreira Photography, but I wanted him to be able to relax on our wedding day and have fun with us. I didn’t want to get all Bridezilla on him if he was having a drink at the bar instead of capturing me taking selfies with my besties you know… and so, I went to many wedding expos and bridal fairs on my hunt to finding the perfect photographer for our BIG day. I took burning the midnight oil to another level, trolling the internet day and night. I searched and searched until I could search no more.

I found some really amazing photographers but at the end of the day, 4 things made me (err… I mean US) settle on Craig from Sergerius-Bruce photography.

1. Talent – he sure has the talent
2. Style of shooting – I love the way he documents a happy, fun day
3. Do you like each other? – well, yes of course! We have known Craig for a few years now
4. Budget

Segerius-Bruce Photography

Craig shot Tim’s (my Fiancé) sister’s wedding in Mauritius! They are the featured wedding in this post (how beautiful is Jen – one of my bridesmaids by-the-by!) and together with his wife Chanelle (who owns her own consultancy), he has travelled the world taking photos in some of the world’s most idyllic locations including Bali, Morocco, Mauritius, Cyprus, Prague and Durbz of course! Their photos have been published a heck of a lot – I feel famous by association!

More recently Craig (an avid surfer) has taken to surf photography (check out @UnparalleledLife on Facebook) and with his family will soon make a move to J-Bay but fear not… he LOVES travelling so if you need to book him for an epic event or your most beautiful special wedding day, don’t let the distance put you off…

Segerius-Bruce Photography

We have met to discuss a few nitty-gritty details and I have sent him some photo ideas which I quite like. But at the end of the day I trust his professionalism, skill and talent to capture our wedding day in the best possible way.

EEEK!! 32 days to go people!

Keep in touch with Craig on social media:

www.segeriusbruceblog.com

Facebook: @SegeriusBrucePhotography

Facebook: @unparalleledlife

~ Follow me on Twitter to keep up to date on the latest wedding posts ~

@tee_kzn / @durbanite_za

Segerius-Bruce Photography

What’s a wedding without pretty décor… rite?

I have been to my fair share of weddings and all have been unique from a decorative perspective. From rooms full of flowers to tables filled with candles, simple DIY to elaborate mirror finishes, each unique to the venue and of course the Bridal couple. But for me… I am looking for the most cost effective options for my BIG day and this will be the theme for my décor. I will be borrowing some things from a friend who recently got married (thanks Amy!), I will be doing a little bit of DIY, mostly because I love DIY but more excitedly Natalie, owner of décor company All Seasons Weddings will be my go-to-girl in terms of putting all of our ideas together to look AMA-ZING!

Nats is not only the owner of décor company All Seasons Weddings but also impressively the owner of much loved and well supported bridal fairs across the country, SA Bridal Fairs. She knows the ins and outs, the dos and don’ts and is a GREAT person to have “on your side” as you plan your special wedding day. She also has a great team including Nicky who has also been super helpful. I will be asking the ladies some IMPORTANT QUESTIONS in the next few weeks so keep an eye out!

My wedding ceremony and reception will be hosted at the Hilton Bush Lodge. It is truly such a beautiful venue (we will discuss this in more detail at a later stage) and so, the tone for the entire day is going to be quite natural, earthy and laid back. With 33 days to go, I will schedule a meeting with Nats where she will prepare a mock-up table to give us an overall idea of what the tables will look like on the day.

Visit the All Seasons Weddings Facebook page for some inspiration and SA Bridal Fairs for an impressive listing of service providers across SA!

Follow Durbanite and myself on Twitter for the latest info. on my wedding journey as the final countdown begins!

@tee_kzn / @durbanite_za

Check out SA Bridal Fairs NEXT event Durbanite Brides… one to pop into your diary, gather the bridesmaids and have a fun day out looking at all things pretty!