Lose weight for the wedding, but say 'I do' to a healthy lifestyle

Every bride wants to look great when the big day comes, but how many brides commit to fitting into her wedding dress on their 10th anniversary? Do you want to look good for a day, or feel good for the rest of your life?

While considering vows, include a commitment to live healthfully ever after. That's the advice from Cliff Edberg, a registered dietician and personal trainer at Life Time Fitness, The Healthy Way of Life Company, in Chanhassen, Minn. "When I work with a bride and her goal is to look her very best the day of the wedding and fit into the dress she has dreamed about for years, I encourage her to make this a lifestyle change, not just a short-term diet."

Brown, who visits her neighborhood Life Time Fitness, and her fiance both lost a significant amount of weight before meeting each other (70 pounds for him, 40 pounds for her) and plan to stay devoted to their healthy lifestyle as well as to each other.

"It's not just about the wedding pictures - although I want them to look amazing - but also about feeling my absolute best on the day I marry my best friend," Brown says.

Jen Emmert, 30, of Minneapolis, and another August bride-to-be shares the same outlook. "I was overweight my entire life and it was only about four years ago that I decided to make changes. Now that I'm months away from the big day, I want to make sure I'm focused on being the healthiest I can be."

Edberg, says it's important to celebrate the milestone and good work you put into the wedding day. "Just be sure to continue to set goals," he adds.

Brown is already thinking beyond the wedding day to having a healthy honeymoon. "Just like all of the vacations we have taken, we will seek out meal options that are healthy and satisfying," Brown says. "While we haven't decided on our honeymoon spot yet, we are looking at places where we can be active, instead of locations where the days are filled with lying on a beach."

Once the honeymoon is over Edberg suggests newlyweds rely on each other as their support team. One way to do that is for couples to spend time cooking meals together. "Often people get bored with 'eating healthy' but they just don't take time to explore new food and new ways of preparing food."

Edberg also suggests exploring new ways to exercise together as a couple. "Try to emphasize play in your activity," Edberg says. "When we have fun during activity, especially together, there is a higher likelihood that it will continue and form a habit." And the less likely you will be to fall back into old sedentary habits. "No better time than now to commit to a lifelong partnership in health, not sickness," he adds.

Emmert, who chronicled her weight-loss journey in a blog, acknowledges that planning for the wedding day is exciting, but "it's just one day out of the rest of our lives," she says. "Working out and being healthy will always need to be a priority, no matter what kind of life event is going on around us."

When the honeymoon is over, life goes on. Will you fit into that wedding dress 10 years later? In 20 years will you still be fit and healthy? In other words, look at the big picture. And you won't find the "big picture" in your wedding album. Need additional advice or assistance? Visit www.lifetime-weightloss.com.

Kitchen remodeling: How to go from a far-off dream to 'DIY'

Year after year, no matter the state of the housing market, kitchen remodeling remains a good idea. The project perennially tops lists of value-for-your-money home improvements and almost every buyer will be attracted to a kitchen that's updated and move-in ready. Even if you're planning on staying in your home for a while, few things can reinvigorate your home like a brand new kitchen.



Kitchens are the hardest-working rooms in most homes, and the wear and tear that comes with years of use can leave them looking drab. A remodeling project that makes over your kitchen from floor to ceiling can do more than just improve the aesthetics - it can also be a great way to adapt the room for better functionality.



If you've put off dreams of a new kitchen because you think it's unaffordable, you might want to reconsider the changes you can make with your own two hands (and maybe those of some family and friends). When you have the right tools on hand, do-it-yourself kitchen remodeling projects are more accessible than you might think. By visiting a nearby rental store to pick up the necessary tools, you can see twice the savings - in addition to the DIY cost savings, you'll avoid the expenses associated with buying the tools outright. By going to RentalHQ.com, you can find local stores that have all the tools you need to remodel and revive your kitchen.



Here are some essential parts of the project and the tools you'll need to get going:



* Floors: There are lots of stylish and functional options for flooring, but the type of saw you'll need for cutting things down to size will depend on what material you choose. For tile, you'll need a wet saw, but a cut-off saw for wood and laminate. A table saw can also be helpful for wood flooring.



* Trim: Putting the finishing touches on is important, both for looks and for long-term stability. For molding and other trim, a pneumatic nailer will save you an enormous amount of time, energy and frustration.



* Cabinets: Now more than ever before, homeowners have great options for easy-to-install cabinetry that don't require a team of professionals. Make sure that you've got the right drill, drill bits, nails, screws, anchors, levels and supports on hand before you get started - that way you'll be able to work without interruption.



* Countertops: Again, the tools you need will vary, depending on what material you're using. If you need to cut a material like laminate to size, a jigsaw will be a convenient tool. Sanders and drills are two more items you'll want to have nearby.



* Walls: Whether you're hanging drywall or simply painting, a ladder will be an essential tool. If your kitchen has particularly high ceilings or hard-to-reach spots, renting a ladder to fit the task is a good idea.



A beautiful kitchen will quickly become a focal point in your home, both for your family and for potential buyers. By taking the project into your own hands, you can save a significant amount of money, giving you even better return on your investment. For more ideas and information, visit www.RentalHQ.com.