Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by the scale.
Listen, I’m not here to tell you what you need to look like on your wedding day. You could probably do nothing and still look drop-dead, make-your-future-spouse-cry gorgeous. But if you’re like me, you’ll wanna take a little time to be more mindful about your diet and exercise before your big day. Here are my favorite items for doing just that.
NOTE: We hope you love the products I recommend! Just so you know, I may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. Resistance Bands - $29.95
These 4-Kor Resistance Bands and Hip Circles are the BOMB. They’re not like those rubber ones, so they won’t roll up or snap. They come in a pack of three—light, medium, and hard—and are a staple in my gym bag. Use them to warm up your glutes before a workout, while you’re squatting to keep your knees out, or find a workout you can do with just these!
Get them here https://amzn.to/2Wlkk2L
2. Resistance Bands Set With Handles, Ankle Strap, and Door Anchor - $25.99
This set is perfect for the gal-on-the-go. Pack these with you and take them anywhere—your office, your work trip, your vacay and more. These come with varying levels of resistance, from 10 lb to 30 lbs, a door anchor, handles, and an ankle strap. Personally, I love to use these for resistance training if it’s raining out (my gym is outdoors!). And these have become a staple in my house as of 2020 #coronavirus.
Ge them here https://amzn.to/3eYOYGu
3. Blender Bottle Set – two for $15.93
If you haven’t tried the blender bottle yet, you need to! These are perfect for mixing up preworkout, BCAAs, protein powder, greens, and more on-the-go.
Get them here https://amzn.to/31GFWu7
4. Melena’s Favorite Protein Powder - $19.55
This is my all-time favorite protein powder. And I’m sorry, I’m not convinced there’s one better. I’ve tried a lot—not all—but a lot, and this is still my go-to. With 17g of protein and 100 calories, you better believe I use this almost every day. Here are two recipes to get you started out!
Berry Protein Shake
Ingredients
1 scoop protein powder (or two if you choose!)
¾ cup of frozen berries
1 container of vanilla Greek yogurt
About 1 cup of almond milk
Add all ingredients to blender or magic bullet. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Ingredients
1 scoop protein powder (or two if you choose!)
1 tbsp peanut butter or nut butter of your choice
1 tbsp chocolate pudding mix
Handful of ice
About 1 cup of almond milk
Add all ingredients to blender or magic bullet. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Get it here https://amzn.to/2YUZ7hS
5. Hip Thruster Pad - $14.95
If you haven’t tried hip thrusts yet (safely!!) my friend you are missing out! This exercise, created by the great Bret Contreras, is THE authority on glute building. Add in a high-protein diet and some accessory work, and your glutes will be in the best shape of your life. But be warned—a hip thruster pad, cushion or towel is HIGHLY encouraged when thrusting with a barbell. Otherwise, you’re looking a sore and bruised hips.
Grab one here (comes in pink!) https://amzn.to/2D8JbAj
6. A Set of Dumbbells in the 10-20lb Range – Prices Vary
If you’re rocking the home gym (as many of us are) then you DEFINITELY need a set of dumbbells or two. These are great for squats, lunges, chest press, shoulder press, rows—you name it. Keep these in your living room to do a few rounds of the above during commercials and you’ll be building muscle in no time.
Snag ‘em here https://amzn.to/3gUXAhS
7. A Set of Dumbbells in the 3-8lb Range – Prices Vary
These are pretty self-explanatory given the times. I love using these for arm and ab work. Again, keep these in your living room to do a few sets of lateral raises, front raises, bicep curls and tricep extensions and you’ll have Michelle Obama-worthy arms in no time.
Get some here https://amzn.to/38xlXzu
8. A Water Bottle for People Who Hate Drinking Water - $22.95
I can’t sympathize with non-water lovers, but I’m told these are helpful. Personally, I chug at least 4 30 oz Yetis before lunch, another 3 before the day’s done and then two more while I’m asleep. I’m a fish, I can’t help it. But if you’re NOT like me, this helpful bottle has a schedule to keep you on track and hydrated. Remember, water’s not only important for survival (duh) but for glowy, gorgeous skin. Drink up!
Get one here https://amzn.to/2C8bApp
9. Melena’s Favorite Jump Rope
IDK about you, but since this quarantine thing, my whole cardio routine has gone down the tubes. It’s basically non-existent; so to get some type of heart-healthy exercise, I’ve been jumping rope like crazy. My favorite routine? One minute on, one minute off of jump rope. If you’ve never jumped rope before (or if the last time you jumped rope, your age was a single digit) work your way up from 30 second intervals. Or sprinkle in 60 skips or so after each set of your strength training routine to keep your heart up!
Get one here https://amzn.to/2NSyELx
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor. The information I provide is based on my personal experience. The information contained in our website, blog, guest blogs, e-mails, programs, services and/or products is for educational and informational purposes only, and is made available to you as self-help tools for your own use. Please consult your doctor or health professional before beginning any diet or exercise program.