Ok , so we are almost a week away from the big day and the pressure is on. First of all, I want you to understand that there is no way to magically have the "perfect" body you desire in that short amount of time. However, Here are some more things you can do to work with what you've got!

Drink lots of water. Not only will you reduce some calories by replacing water with calorie drinks, you will improve your skin, flush out your system and relieve bloating.

Avoid foods that make you bloated! This is especially helpful on the big day. Bloating (as we all know) can make us look and feel 10 times larger thank we are.

Remember:

Weight lifting burns fat while you work out, and continues to burn after you stop. And the more weight you can lift, the more calories you’ll burn each time. This means the stronger you get; the faster you’ll burn through your fat reserves. This is because strength training helps to increase your metabolism!

Remember that weight training should not replace a cardio workout. For best results you should alternate between aerobic exercise and weight training. 

The facts about FLAX:

My friend puts flax in everything and she looks great. She also runs a few days a week and does yoga and tries to be a sensible eater. But her skin looks fabulous and she says she is not starving in between meals like she used to. So I thought I would look into to it a little more.A certain amount of fat in the diet acts as the ignition for burning calories and maintenance of the metabolic processes. It also helps to give you that "satisfied" feeling when you have completed a meal. Flax seed provides those essential fats your body needs - the "good" fats. It comes in oil form but my friend prefers the seeds. She puts it in her cereal and uses it when she bakes. She is also a chef so I plan to ask her from some more ideas.

For now, lets say to be continued...

This week's move is the Side Plank for the abs.

The most important thing to keep in mind when doing ab work is quality beats quantity. If you can do more than 20 reps of any exercise you should increase the weight or intensity. To work those abs and obliques (this pesky love handles):

Side Plank

(A) Lie on your left side with your legs extended out straight and stacked directly on top of each other, feet flexed so your body is one straight line, abs contracted. Rest your right arm on top of your right thigh.

(B) Pull abs inward and engage them to lift your torso and hips up off the floor as one unit. Hold for 30 seconds at the top of the movement and slowly return hips to the floor without collapsing torso. Do an equal number of sets on both sides.

Tip: Want to make this exercise even more challenging? Dip your torso up and down 10 times at the end of each set.

Oh and on a side note. If you have truly fallen in love with exercise, you can say it on a t-shirt, mouse pade and even your underwear!  Visit the I heart shop at http://www.i-heart-shop.com/index.cfm?action=section&sectionID=675842&gclid=CLyG__-JmooCFRsrSgod2irYfQ