Having taken up Pilates and Yoga in a bid to get summer / wedding ready, I grilled the great Nahid de Belgeonne, creator of the brilliant Good Vibes fitness studio on how to train for both inner and outer beauty. From how to sculpt your cheekbones to join meditation, here’s what she revealed:
GRAZIA DAILY: I'm getting married in 3 months - what exercise would you prescribe over for the countdown, and how often?
NAHID: “3 months is a good time to start getting ready. I think you should move every day - be it a long walk, a formal class - some mobility at home - we all need to move a lot more than we do. I don't believe in goals as you are always setting yourself up to not be good enough but I do believe in setting good daily habits that can sustain you for the 3 month build up and then the rest of your life.”
**GRAZIA DAILY: **I'm so busy at work and might not fit much in - what should I focus on for best results?
NAHID: “Power plate classes are fast and you get to see the results quickly, plus they are only 25 minutes long so easy to fit into the busiest of schedules. You should also add in Pilates and yoga to calm you down. If you want cheek bones - get into an indoor cycling class to burn off the layer of fat and show off your tone.”
GRAZIA DAILY: What would you recommend for treating the following specific areas that I might want to tone: calves, tummy, upper-arms?
NAHID: “We all know that you can't spot train but Pilates creates long lean muscles while is strengthens at the same time and is an all over body workout. I would add in resistance band work for upper arms and don't forget your cardio! Indoor cycling is kinder on knees than running.”
**GRAZIA DAILY: **What do you recommend for staying sane on the day and in the run-up?
NAHID: “Yoga! I would have a restorative classes with my fiancé in the lead up as it means that you are in the same head space and relaxed and restored and getting a yoga nidra ( guided meditation) written for you both is just a sublime thing to do.”
GRAZIA DAILY: What was your routine on your wedding day?
NAHID: “Lots of sleep the night before, a personal yoga practice at home with my man before we both got ready in different rooms.”
GRAZIA DAILY: What would you tell yourself on that day, that you know now?
NAHID: “I have to say that I made sure that I did it my way! We got married quietly without telling anyone and had to get witnesses off the street and then disappeared off to Brighton and feasted on champagne and oysters - it was such fun! So do it in a way that keeps you smiling all day. Remember that love bought you both together and bask in gathering all those happy faces around you who all wish you well.”