The wedding-day workout

Are you newly engaged and ready to get that perfect bridal body for your big day? We’re here to help! We talked to beautifully buff fitness expert Christine Bullock to get her top tips for slimming down and shaping up. Get ready for her “Say I Do” workout that will make you a wedding-day dynamo.

Get engaged to healthy living

Talk to any bride-to-be, or bridesmaid for that matter, and she’ll tell you she wants to look her best when the wedding day arrives. Bullock suggests taking advantage of your engagement period to get fit and clean up your eating — for life. “The engagement can become a commitment to a positive and healthy you, which will set the tone for the rest of your marriage,” the health and beauty expert says. “Plus, eating the right foods and sticking to your workouts will give you clear and glowing skin, and help you avoid bridezilla moments due to the stress-relieving benefits. What better way to start your new life?”

Bullock’s Say I Do program

Bullock is an expert instructor in yoga, Pilates and barre workouts, and has an extensive background in exercise programs for women. Her wedding-day workout program combines strength training and cardio. “Strength exercises focus on must-tone zones to look great in a wedding gown, but they also work the whole body to have the maximum wow factor for your honeymoon,” the fitness expert explains. “Cardio sessions include high-intensity intervals under 30 minutes so your workouts fit in with your hectic lifestyle of planning.”

Wedding-day workout

Bullock recommends the following strength training workout three times per week — all you need is a set of dumbbells (three to 15 pounds). “Select a cardio option to be performed two to three other days of the week or add it to your toning workout on the days you have time and energy,” she adds.

Get ready to skip down the aisle with your new husband.

Start position: Start with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides.

Movement: Step backward with your right leg and lower your body until your front knee is bent at 90 degrees. Pause, then press front leg to standing while lifting back leg to a knee lift. Add a jump simultaneously. Return to lunge.

Perform: Do one leg for a 20-second round, then switch legs for a 20-second round. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat for a total of four minutes.

A good maid of honor will be lunging side to side to place your train perfectly for pictures.

Start position: Hold the head of a dumbbell in each hand and stand with your feet hip-distance apart.

Movement: Take a big step to the right into a side lunge and step your left foot behind. Bend forward at your hips and reach weights toward the floor. Extend your right leg while reaching with your left leg. Add a leap to left side of mat. Place left leg forward and step right leg back to lunge.

Perform: Repeat from side to side for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat for a total of four minutes.

Perform each of the following exercises for 30 seconds:

Forearm plank

Mountain climber

Toe-touch sit-up

Bicycle

Take a one-minute break.

Greet the guests with a curtsy and then kick up your heels!

Start position: Start with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at the front of your chest, with your arms rounded like you are hugging a beach ball. Keep your elbows at shoulder height.

Movement: Step backward and to the left with your right leg and lower your body until your front knee is bent at 90 degrees. Pause, then press your front leg to standing while lifting your back leg to a side knee-lift. Add a side kick as you open your arms to your sides. Move your extended leg behind to a back diagonal lunge as you return your arms in front of your chest.

Perform: Curtsy with one leg for 20 seconds, then switch to the other leg for 20 seconds. Rest 10 seconds. Repeat for a total of four minutes.

Pull that groom in tight for your first kiss.

Start position: Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms at your sides. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend at your hips and lower your torso until it’s nearly parallel to the floor.

Movement: Raise your right leg behind, parallel with the floor. Hold weights, palms facing each other. Lift your chest and come back to standing as you draw your right knee to your chest. Row the dumbbells to the sides of your torso as you extend your right leg forward. Return to start position.

Perform: Repeat dead lift with your right leg for 20 seconds. Switch to your left leg for 20 seconds. Rest for 10 seconds. Repeat for a total of four minutes.

Up next: More wedding-day workouts >>