Wedding workouts for the bride-to-be

As April showers bring May flowers, they also herald the approach of wedding season. And for many brides-to-be, the countdown to the big day carries with it a countdown of another kind.

According to a survey of 1,000 brides by Fitness Magazine in 2008, 83 percent said they actively sought weight loss before their wedding day. Additionally, 43 percent would double their workout time, 41 percent planned a strict diet and 14 percent would fast for a week before the ceremony. Another 36 percent considered weight-loss pills.

But as two local brides found out last summer, it didn’t require the extreme to fulfill their dream. They got in shape to face the altar by being smart, steady and safe.

Diana Longden, 31, from Natick, began working out last May with another bride-to-be, Adriana Geldart, 30, from Maynard. The two women met at Fitcorp Longwood and prepared for their October weddings with trainer Rachel Coleman, who stressed realistic goals and manageable routines.

“I didn’t want to have any regrets on my wedding day,” Longden said. “I wanted to be more toned — and most importantly, I wanted to feel great in the form-fitting dress that I chose. I can’t emphasize enough how much Rachel helped. She helped us achieve our goals and measured our results, which kept our confidence high.”

Geldart cautioned against caving to anxiety, which can result in extreme — and dangerous — weight-loss measures.