‘Bootcamp’ gets brides ready for the big day

Many of June’s brides-to-be are gazing at their reflections in the mirror and thinking about dropping a few pounds. Because crash diets and diet pills are unsafe, there’s an alternative: boot camp. More specifically, the book “Bootcamp 360: A Complete Fitness Program for Brides” (Harper Collins, 2005).

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Bootcamp 360: A Complete Fitness Program for Brides: Every bride wants to look her best for her wedding, and in some cases that means shedding weight. Author Tamara Kleinberg, who is also a tae kwon do black belt and certified personal trainer, is familiar with the situation; she was once 30 pounds heavier and decided to get fit for her own wedding. Out of that she crafted Bootcamp 360, a fitness program designed to tone, strengthen and slim.

The book contains basic stretches and exercises such as calf raises, abdominal crunches, bicep curls and tricep dips (essential for strapless gowns). Many use dumbbells and props such as stability balls and resistance bands. Every exercise is explained clearly and illustrated with photos, and the workouts can be used by anyone wanting to get in shape. Also included are exercise logs, motivational tips, brides’ success stories, low-fat recipes and a chapter on the importance of staying fit after the marriage license is signed. There is no fixed fitness timeline, because every bride has a different schedule, but a chart is included to track monthly progress.

If they start on their quest early enough, Kleinberg says, brides shouldn’t have any trouble achieving their goals: “A good time to begin is the moment you get engaged,” she advises. “As you get closer to the wedding, it’s nice to be able to maintain rather than having to start a regimen. But you can get a lot done in a month. You can make a huge difference just cutting out soda and drinking water instead.”

Price: $16.96; available at bookstores.

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-- Jeannine Stein