Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day. Liz Re has all the tips to get you looking good and feeling great.

Between scaling the guest list down from 500 to 100 and trying on every bridal gown in town in search of 'the one', a bride has a stressful job on her hands. It's hard enough finding time to plan every detail, let alone eating right and exercising regularly, but there are a few things every bride should consider in the lead up to her wedding day.

Work with your body, not against it:

Many brides put themselves through some form of diet in a mad rush to slim down for the big day but the reality is, they often pile the weight back on and more, by the end of the honeymoon. Crash dieting just doesn't work in the long run. It sends the body into starvation mode, storing fat, rather than expending it.

Eat often:

One way to combat fat storage is by boosting your metabolism. Despite what you might think, your metabolism is 100 per cent controlled by you and you can boost it by eating regularly; eating small meals and snacks often programs the body to think food sources are plentiful and therefore fat doesn't need to be stored.

Make protein your new best friend:

We've all heard of the Atkin's Diet but how many of us have tried it? We're not suggesting you live off meat for the next 10 months but Atkin was really onto something when he discovered the power of protein. Not only does it program the brain to feel full, it builds lean muscle mass and curbs sugar and carbohydrate cravings. And we all know that excess sugar and carbs are stored as fat. On average, your daily protein consumption should equal (in grams) double what your body weight is in kilograms.

Beware 'low-fat' foods:

'Low-fat' foods are often low in fibre - what is required to keep you feeling fuller, longer - and are often high in sugar and carbohydrates. Generally, you will need to eat more low-fat foods in order to feel satisfied than if you eat the same food with full-fat content.

Which fat will make me fat?

Fat is essential to the function of every human cell. If you cut fat out completely, your energy levels and skin will suffer. What you need to know is that there are two different types of fat - saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fats are derived from animals and palm kernel oil and are not essential to your body's ability to function. Unsaturated fats have many key functions around the body - they insulate nerve cells, balance hormones, keep the skin soft and supple and keep the body warm. So in short, eating 'good fats' (unsaturated), while avoiding 'bad fats' (saturated) is the key to keeping your body looking and feeling its best.

Supplement:

Unless you are eating only organic produce, chances are you won't be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. Take a good multivitamin everyday to maintain vitality and energy levels. If you want clear skin for your wedding day, you should also take an antioxidant supplement. Antioxidants - mostly made up of Vitamins E, C and A - help eliminate free radicals, which can cause bad skin. Remember that vitamin and mineral supplements are no substitutes for a healthy diet, so load up on antioxidant-rich foods such as sweet potato, carrot, spinach, cantaloupe and mangoes.

Weight loss:

If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer. That way you won't be able to talk yourself out of going for that 6am run. A personal trainer will keep you motivated, show you exercises that target your problem areas and help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Use the date of your first wedding dress fitting as a target for losing any weight because once your dressmaker takes your measurements, she will make your gown to those specifications. Any altering due to weight change might cost you extra - clarify this with your dressmaker in the early stages.

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