There’s no doubt that niggling insecurities can become a real confidence-killer in the lead up to your big day. Here are some common bridal body fears with expert tips on how to banish them, so you look and feel beautiful on your wedding day!
Muffin top
Plenty of ladies would like to drop a couple of pounds in the run up to the wedding for their perfect bridal body, and if you’re one of them, then you know how hard it can be to balance a healthy diet with a busy lifestyle. Whether you’re a yo-yo dieter or you find it hard to stick to a calorie count, a tracking app can really come in handy when it comes to meal planning.
Luciano Venezia, founder of the revolutionary food and nutrition app EDO, has a solution: “Following a healthy and balanced diet can be challenging and, as consumers, we are often confused by food labels and what they mean. However, by using the new EDO app, shoppers can scan the barcode on a food label to find out more about its nutritional information in a matter of seconds. The app uses a unique algorithm to analyse the food’s ingredients, before rating the food on a healthiness scale of 0-10 and outlining its pros & cons – helping you to make healthier food choices and, soon enough, get rid of your muffin top!”
Varicose veins
Did you know that up to 40% of the UK population suffers from varicose veins? It may not sound like something that would affect your wedding day, but if you’re self-conscious about getting your legs out then it may stop you from enjoying your honeymoon as much as you should!
Professor Mark Whiteley, founder of the UK’s leading vascular clinic The Whiteley Clinic, says: “If not treated correctly, varicose veins are only going to get worse, and can potentially lead to more damaging problems such as skin damage and leg ulceration. If you think you are suffering from varicose veins and it’s affecting your confidence, the advice would be to always get it checked out by a venous specialist. There are many cutting-edge procedures available which are performed under local anesthetic and are much more comfortable than many other outdated treatments.”
Bloated tummy
Want a sleek, form-fitting wedding dress but suffer from bloating, gassiness or the dreaded food baby? Don’t write off your dream gown! With the right tips, you can wear a tight fitted style and still eat and drink all your want on your wedding day!
Dr Akbar, Consultant Gastroenterologist at St Mark’s Hospital, says: “Bloating can be a sign of IBS, IBD, a food intolerance or food allergy, or a general infection. By keeping hydrated and drinking large amounts of water, you can potentially reduce these problems because dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can stop digestion and cause your body to hold on to excess water. If you eat too fast you inhale air, which can cause bloating and result in excess gas. In addition, PMS makes you susceptible to constipation and water retention – bloating increases as ovulation takes place as more fluids and blood builds up. Something else to try to reduce bloating is decreasing your carbohydrate and dairy intake. This may help with bloating as many people’s digestive systems can’t break down lactose or gluten.”
Bad breath
From time to time, we all fall victim to having less-than-lovely breath, but your wedding day is NOT the time to be panicking about it! Be prepared and you won’t have to worry about kissing your brand new hubby or getting up close and personal with relatives and friends on the night.
Dr Sameer Patel, Clinical Director and Dentist at elleven says: “There are over 700 different bacteria that thrive in the mouth and when these microorganisms fester, they multiply and give off bad odours. Many popular summer diets have also been linked to bad breath, including those with low carbohydrate intake and those which include acidic juices, which means maintaining good oral health is even more essential for fresh breath.
Simple tricks and good practice include brushing your teeth at least twice daily, for two to three minutes, and flossing at least three times a week to banish hidden food particles and plaque, a coating of bacteria that forms around the tooth. Chewing gum and drinking plenty of water throughout the day, particularly after meals is also a simple way to keep your mouth hydrated and fresh. This prevents bacteria from thriving and bad breath from taking hold.”
Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating is a common issue and something that people can experience every so often. However, the condition can also affect people year-round and is often caused by medical reasons such as anxiety, menopause or hyperhidrosis – a condition which leaves you sweating severely all over your body. Excessive sweating can be extremely embarrassing, leading to unsightly sweat patches, and increased feelings of anxiety – which isn’t ideal for bridal attire!
To combat this issue Theresa Pope, founder of Dandi Patch, went on a mission to create a solution: “I know from experience that excessive sweating can lead to low self-esteem, low confidence and can really effect a person’s sense of wellbeing. With Dandi Patch we have created a product that finally allows sufferers of excessive sweating to go about their dailies lives without worrying that they will be breaking out in sweat! Perfect for work, dates and everyday, Dandi Patch is a paraben-free, ultra-discreet perspiration shield that absorbs up to 20 ml of sweat throughout the day to ensure that you stay dry!’’
Stained teeth
Want a pearly white smile to match your dress? There are certain foods and beverages which you should avoid in the lead up to the big day. Tea and coffee in particular might provide the perfect pick me up, but these hot drinks are notorious for discolouring our teeth.
Dr Sameer Patel says: “Tea and coffee stains between the teeth and if it is drunk regularly, the tannin compounds that cause the discolouration continue to build up. The best way to avoid this is to rinse the mouth thoroughly with water after consumption, to wash away residue left on the teeth.
As a general rule, the more intense the colour of food and drink, the more potential there is for staining. The colour comes from chromogens – intensely pigmented molecules with a tendency to latch onto dental enamel. Acidic food and drink are especially harmful as they not only erode the dental enamel, they also temporarily soften teeth which make them more prone to staining. Watch out for coffee and fruit juices.”
Looking for more bridal beauty, health and wellbeing tips? Check out our Beauty section for more inspiration and handy advice!
