After you begin the actual process of planning your perfect wedding, you may notice that your earlier perceptions of your enchanted day seemed, well... just more enchanted. Perhaps you envisioned your vows taking place at dusk on a beautiful spring day. The air fragrant with the smell of flowers and fresh cut grass. Soft muted lighting that was created by hundreds of candles that blew gently in the spring breeze. Music that was pure, clear, romantic and inspiring. You and your beloved joined together to declare your mutual love, respect and admiration in the presence of family, friends and God.

And yourself, a resplendent vision of runway stature and proportion as you stand next to your mate, and obvious two inches taller and four sizes smaller than you truly are.

This desire to see our bodies looking taller and thinner on our wedding day is not an uncommon notion among brides-to-be. It seems that once we become engaged, we add losing weight and changing our body shape to an already long list of imposing things to do before our wedding. Of course, there are several reasons why brides-to-be do this. For some brides, losing weight and reshaping their bodies before their wedding day is a way of trying to gain control over some small aspect of their lives during a time when their lives seem to be rapidly spinning out of control. For others, the incentive is purely the desire to look their best for this special day.

Now if the thought of your wedding motivates you to make some positive changes in your life -- great! However, the key words here are positive changes. It does not mean going on a crash diet or extreme exercise regimen that quickly allows you to lose weight and alter your body appearance. It does mean making a conscious decision to embark upon a lifetime of good health.

Some contributing factors to creating good health in our bodies and minds are eating better and exercising. According to Jason Clerke, Athletic Director at All Sports in Poughkeepsie, being healthy is not as large a commitment as most people think. It can be attained by being aware of what and how much you eat, as well as exercising two or three times a week on an efficient circuit program for 25 minutes, combined with a 30 minute cardiovascular workout. By taking these simple steps, you will attain positive results.

Without a doubt, it is highly unlikely, no matter how enchanted your childhood dreams are, that you will find yourself physically two inches taller and four sizes smaller on your wedding day. In fact, short of surgery, it is very difficult to change genetic composition. Nonetheless, by eating sensibly and exercising on a regular basis, you may very well be able to lower your blood pressure, undergo less symptoms of stress, and have a more positive outlook on life.

By making a few simple lifestyle changes it is possible to experience life, as well as your wedding day, healthier. And healthy looks beautiful on any bride!