Brides Across America, an organization founded by Heidi Janson, is hosting their Nationwide Wedding Gown Giveaway for military brides throughout the month of July.  Bridal salons across the country are hosting the series of events where the free wedding dress are given away. To qualify, brides-to-be must be engaged, planning a wedding and either be serving in Iraq or Afghanistan or have a fiancee that is on active duty. Some paperwork is required, so check their website for details.

Each bridal salon or store has a limited number of wedding dresses to give away. So show up early. It’s on a first come, first serve basis.

That is the excuse I most often hear from brides-to-be as they try to find time for their wedding dress workouts before the big day.  And okay, I can sympathize, I’ve been there.  A wedding-stressed schedule isn’t something that is predictable. It’s difficult to stick to a workout schedule between the cake tastings and finding the perfect bridal accessories.

Sprinting for 20 seconds can burn more calories than an easy jog

When there isn’t time to be found, I tell my brides to try Tabata Training.

Tabata Training is based on a study which found that shorter, more intense bursts of exercises increases your anaerobic capacity. Why should you care about that? After all, you want to look hot in your wedding dress, not be in the Olympics.

Well, when you’re crunched for time, these shorter, intense exercise intervals (about 20 seconds) will increase your metabolism – more so than your typical quick jog through the neighborhood.  Plus, the high intensity Tabata Training burns more calories AFTER your workout as well. Burn baby burn!

[Read more about How to Boost Your Fat-Burn]

How to do Tabata Training in just 4 minutes.

1. Do a dynamic warm-up to increase your body temperature to reduce the possibilities of injuries
2. Choose a high-intensity exercise (high knees, squat jumps, push ups). Perform for 20 seconds.
3. Rest 10 seconds
4. Repeat 20 seconds exercises with 10 seconds rest 8 times. (that’s only 4 minutes!)

Next time you think about shelving your wedding workouts because of your busy schedule, start your day 10 minutes early. A quick Tabata Training workout will get your metabolism firing and burning more calories before you even hop in the shower. No more excuses.

Tonight, VH1 kicks off their summer reality series by sending 10 brides-to-be to bootcamp. Who will shape up and who will get shipped out?

Premiering at 10pm (9pm central), ten “flabby fiancés” will be divided into two “bridal parties,” and sent to a special boot camp designed to turn them into fit brides before their big day.

(From L to R) Contestants: Courtney, Lauren, Kacey, Kelley, Melissa, Amberly, Jamie, Tina, Tara and Tesha (Photo Credit: Matt Braley)

The Brides-to-be will be put through “Marital Missions” to lose enough weight to fit into their dream dress and survive a series of eliminations in hopes of winning the wedding of their dreams.

[Find out secrets to Boosting Your Fat Burn]

In each episode, the “bridal parties” will endure various challenges dealed out by fitness trainers Francesca Petrucci and Steve Pfiester. The winning group will receive immunity and the losing party heads to the “fitting room” to face the dreaded weigh-in and possible elimination. Facing uncharted waters these women will shed tears along with pound and find discipline, self-respect, happiness and hopefully the beautiful bride trapped inside.

The 60-minute premiere of “Bridal Bootcamp” will kick butt on Wednesday, June 9 at 10:00 PM followed by seven 30-minutes episodes every Wednesday following.

Get started with your own bridal boot camp at home. Learn Set Up Your Home Gym on a Budget

To help you tackle some of the tough situations you may face on your weight-loss journey, Bombshell Bride consulted Felicia Stoler, nutritionist and exercise physiologist and host of TLC’s Honey We’re Killing the Kids.

Injuries can be a sign that your body needs a rest from the Bridal Bootcamp you've been putting yourself through

Wedding Weight Loss Roadblock: You’re Injured.

The situation: Your exercise plan started out great but lately you’ve developed a nagging injury that is seriously getting in the way of your gorgeous-body goals.

Felicia’s Fix: Unrealistic goals and objectives can set you up for injury and failure. Sometimes, people who have not worked out, do too much, too soon and end up with overuse injuries. Cut back your exercise regime (stopping for a week or two if necessary) to allow your body to heal. Do not work through the pain. Doing so puts you at risk for ending up with an injury that will be seriously debilitating and will require you to give up exercise for an even longer period of time. You may also need to assess the exercise regimen to see if it is really helping you to meet your goals in a healthful manner. Remember, even pro athletes need time to let their bodies rest—make sure you have that as part of your routine.

More Wedding Weight-Loss Roadblocks:

Losing Motivation
Emotional Eating
Your Fiancé

Photo: Istockphoto/© Steve Debenport

Felicia Stoler

Felicia Stoler is host of TLC’s show “Honey We’re Killing the Kids,” a PR Chair and Past President of the New Jersey Dietetic Association, a Vice President of the Greater NY Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a nutrition coordinator for the ING NYC Marathon.

Every bride-to-be wants to look and feel her best for her walk down the aisle. To help guide you to success, Bombshell Bride checked in with Elysa Silbersmith Dinzes, Director of Nutrition for health and wellness consultancy Plus One Health Management. A recent bride herself, Dinzes emphasized making your holistic health and wellness a priority. Here is one way to do just that.

Photo: iStock; lisegagne

Make Your Meals Beautiful

Americans tend to go for big portions that are eaten quickly, much of the time while talking on a cell or driving in a car. No wonder the U.S. has the highest rates of obesity. In contrast, many cultures notable for their thinness put an emphasis on presentation and enjoyment, even if some of that food doesn’t look like “diet food,” points out Dinzes. For example, French women are notable for their thinness, despite a diet filled with cheese and baguettes. The so-called French Paradox describes this phenomenon in which that country’s residents eat three times as much fat as Americans, yet are thinner and boast a lower incidence of heart disease. One reason for this lies in the drastically different way the French approach eating and mealtimes: Portions are smaller, presented with more care, and meals are social affairs to be savored and enjoyed.

That lifestyle is important because satiety depends on more than filling your belly with food, a fact you know full well if you’ve ever stood in front of the fridge and dazedly ate, only to feel dissatisfied and hungry five minutes later. Even if you want to be thin, food is not the enemy. Approaching it like it is will only fill you with anxiety and counter the healthy attitude and thin body you’re trying to create. “Mealtimes should be relaxing,” says Dinzes. With the exception of socializing and bonding with others, “you shouldn’t do other things while you eat, you should focus on your food.” And as often as possible that food should be something that tastes good and attracts your senses, she says. And don’t think such dishes can’t be healthy. Imagine the aroma of freshly cut cantaloupe or pineapple, or a freshly simmered vegetable stew: Healthy can—and should—be beautiful and delicious.

Bon appétit.