Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
It’s no secret that you want to look stunning on your wedding day, but subsisting on black coffee and lettuce for weeks never got anyone anywhere—except, perhaps, flat on the church floor from a fainting spell. So drop the drama, and tune into these tips from local physician Dr. Ann Kulze, author of Dr. Ann’s 10-Step Diet, to feel and look your best on the big day.
Don’t skip meals.
It takes fewer calories to prevent hunger than it does to deal with it if you let it occur. Eat three meals a day—with snacks in between if necessary—to thwart a tummy tantrum.
Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day.
As well as burning calories, the rhythmic, repetitive movement has been shown to have a unique “tranquilizing” effect on the brain. And pick the beach or the Battery—gazing out over beautiful settings provides immediate stress reduction.
Control your portions.
With the exception of fruit and veggies, never eat more in one sitting than could fit in your cupped hands—which is the approximate size of your stomach.
Get your beauty rest.
Sleep loss not only revs up appetite, but also increases cravings for sweet, starchy, and salty snacks, so aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep nightly. The best indicator of optimal sleep is being "fully alert all day long."
Do indulge.
An ounce or two of dark chocolate provides just the right amount of caffeine to jump-start dwindling energy levels. It also boosts levels of the “good mood” neurotransmitter serotonin and stimulates the release of endorphins.
