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Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

If you are one of the many brides-to-be preparing to walk down the aisle in an open back or a halter top gown, here are a few of my favorite upper back and shoulder exercises that will enhance your posture and bring sexy back.

Resistance Band Rowing


Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

If you’re a bride wearing a form-fitted mermaid or sheath dress that clings to the body, you’ll want to have a great view from the front and back. And let’s not forget about short wedding dresses that show off your legs! Along with cardio, you can tone up those muscles with some of my favorite body-shaping exercises.
 But first, I’d like to clear up some myths and common misconceptions about exercising your legs and butt.

True or false: Leg and butt exercises will get rid of cellulite, saddlebags, and hip flab.
False! Leg and butt exercises can tone and firm the muscles of your lower body but won’t work magic on their own. To get the best results, you have to combine your leg and butt workout with overall strength training, aerobic exercise, and healthy eating habits.

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Are you are a bride wearing a sweetheart neckline? Here is an exercise from my upcoming book, Fit To Be Bride: The Wedding Workout, that will have your bust rise to the occasion.

Push-Up for Perkier Pecs

Last weekend, I had another amazing workout with Bonne Marcus — and my fiancé Rene joined us this time. We were able to work out outside again, which was so nice, and Rene got to play with all of the new toys I had the pleasure of working with the week before. Bonne incorporated a few new moves, including an exercise where we went across the tennis court doing walkouts into planks the whole way down (it hurts!). We threw medicine balls down, which is a great workout for the triceps, and did tons of moves on the Bosu ball and Equalizer bars. We also did a lot of lunges and rows with resistance bands, which really work both the legs and back.

I’m also obsessed with this new shirt my mom got me — “Sweating for the Wedding.” So fitting, right?! She ordered it from a shop on Etsy, and they have it in all different colors.

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Photo Credit: iStock

Guest blogger: Bonne Marcus
A fitness industry expert for 27 years, Marcus holds numerous certifications from the Aerobic Fitness Association of America (AFAA), including Step, Spin, Bosu™, Pre/Post Natal, Youth Fitness, Aqua, and Personal Training. She has taught for New York City’s top health clubs, including Crunch, New York Health and Racquet, and Reebok Sports Club. A recognized name on Long Island, Bonne has taught at Dany Holdstein’s Two Worlds, North Shore Health Club, LA Fitness, Sport time, Equinox and currently teaches at the Sid Jacobsen JCC in Roslyn. Learn more at getfitwithbonne.com.

Photo Credit: iStock

How often do you weigh yourself? Be honest. Here is a better question: How often do you feel like throwing the scale out the window? 

I’m sure all of you will agree with me when I say that fulfilling goals is one of the best feelings in the world. Being able to check that item off your list and say "I did it!" is truly empowering.

Last weekend, I completed my first 5K! Some of my friends and I ran the 3.1 miles in the “Run or Dye” 5K Color Run last Saturday at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY. It was so much fun because people are literally throwing colors on you as your running, and it was a gorgeous day. I ran most of it and walked some, but the fact that I was able to complete it was a huge accomplishment for me and something I am very proud of doing. Six months ago, I couldn’t run on the treadmill for longer than two minutes and dreaded the long NYC subway stairs, but now I can run three miles comfortably with a smile on my face. Something about crossing the finish line made me realize, “Okay, I am doing this; I’m going to get to my end goal.”

The second best part of my day was when I came home and found "congratulations" balloons on my fence and lining my stairs, plus beautiful roses in the kitchen. Aside from fulfilling one of my goals and challenges last week, I have a pretty amazing fiancé, too.

This week, I am dedicating my post to my trainer (and aunt), Bonne Marcus. For almost one year now, she has been training with me almost every week and has given me 100% of her time and energy when I need it, and I am forever grateful. I am more than halfway to my goal weight, and it wouldn’t have been possible without her endless support and perseverance.

1. She motivates me
I know I am lucky to not only have Bonne as my aunt but also as my trainer and fitness coach. Throughout this process, she has motivated me and inspired me to lose weight, get healthy, and feel better. She continues to motivate me each time we meet — and each and every day. Throughout the week, she sends me notes, asks how I’m doing, gives me advice, and so much more to keep me going.

Bonne is away on vacation this week, but her presence is still with me. I hear her voice in my head telling me “you got this” and “you can do it” every time I need a little reminder.

Photo Credit: Andrew Rich/iStockPhoto

Small changes can yield huge results. Try one new thing each day in April.

1. The Rose Challenge
Buy yourself a rose, and when the petals begin falling, do a squat to pick each one up (or, better yet, take off all the petals at the end of the day and squat to pick up each one).

2. Be Adventurous With Your Omega-3s
For dinner, cook a type of fish you've never had before. 

3. Play the "Fiancé" Game 
Every time that someone says "fiancé," do a posture check. Make sure you're standing up straight with your body aligned.

4. Let Go of Stress 
Every time that you say "fiancé," drop your shoulders from your earrings (all of that wedding-planning stress tends to strain your shoulder and neck muscles). 

5. See Yourself in the Best Light
Make sure that the mirror you use most frequenty is a flattering one with good lighting (your mental perception of yourself can do wonders).

6. Double Up on Veggies
Eat two different types of vegetables with lunch and dinner.

7. Hungry or Just Thirtsy? 
Put a 16 oz. glass of water in your fridge. Every time you open the door, drink the water before you eat anything. 

8. Think Beyond Apples
Buy and eat an exotic fruit that you have never tried.

Q. "I have a 7-month-old baby and am getting married this June. I am still desperately trying to lose weight before then. I just read your workout for arms, which I can do at home, but it also mentioned running four times a week for thirty minutes. I am in the military with a baby and I barely have time to do anything for myself; is there a cardio that I can do at home for 30 minutes? I just want to look somewhat normal in my dress!” —Samantha B.

A. First of all, all brides are beautiful, and you will look better than “somewhat normal” in your dress! But I have the ideal solution for you as a busy mom: Jump rope. Using this one piece of equipment is a fantastic way to burn calories and lose weight, and you can jump rope at your own level of intensity for any length of time almost anywhere. In fact, in only 15 to 20 minutes, you can elevate your heart rate, work up a major sweat, and get an overall energy boost. It's a complete cross-training workout that combines elements of cardiovascular and endurance training with muscle strengthening. While you probably know how great jumping rope is for shaping the calves, glutes, and quads, what you may not realize is that the constant turning motion of the rope will also tone your upper body.