Bridal Shapeup

I never thought the day would come when I'd say what I'm about to.

I love to run.

A former couch potato in the truest sense of the word, I've been inspired by my upcoming wedding (and gorgeous dress!) to finally whip myself into shape. So inspired, in fact, that fitness has become an important, and yes, fun, part of my life.

For me, variety is the key to meeting my wedding shapeup goals. I've tried to keep things fresh by including a wide range of activities as part of my program, including running my first 5K, taking aerobics and toning classes at the community center, and walking with my work buddies during our lunch break.

This summer, Stephen and I even took a wedding dance class, where we learned the basics of the waltz, foxtrot and rumba, along with easy routines to use during our first dance. (Like this idea? Check out your local community center's website, or try calling dance studios in your area. I've found that many offer fun and affordable programs, either as private or group lessons.)

Here, my other top strategies for shaping up before the big day.

• Do you hate to run? Maybe give dance a whirl. Two left feet? Walk instead of driving to run errands. Simple, enjoyable activities keep me motivated.

• Focus on one or two areas that you most want to tone, based on the style of your gown. For me, those are my abs (for a sleek silhouette) and arms (to showcase my shoulders). Setting a couple specific goals has made exercising much less overwhelming.

• Start slowly. When I first started running, I could barely last for a mile. Now, I can keep going for more than five. Building strength at my own pace has helped me stick with it and see lasting results that I hope will carry me through to my wedding day and beyond.

Do you have any helpful tips that are working for you? Let me know, because I'd love to give them a try!