7/15/2025 9:49:42 AM
4 mins read
Expert Advice from Jake McArthur
Feel confident, energised and proud on your wedding day with real-life fitness and nutrition guidance from one of the UK's most trusted transformational coaches.
There's a moment in every wedding journey when the excitement collides with reality. You're picturing the dress, the suit, the aisle... and then wondering if you'll feel your absolute best when the big day finally arrives.
It's not about chasing an impossible standard. It's about standing tall, energised and proud. And that, according to wedding wellness coach Jake McArthur comes down to two things: realistic planning and self-respectful choices.
"Looking and feeling your best on your wedding day should never be treated like an optional luxury.", Jakes says, "It's fundamental. Everything, your mood, your confidence, your energy starts with how you feel in your own skin."
Jake and his coaching partner George Woolliss specialise in helping brides and grooms feel incredible on their big day through sustainable fitness, no-fuss nutrition, and mindset support that sticks long after the honeymoon ends. This is their ultimate guide to doing it right.
Why wedding wellness shouldn't be a last minute panic
It's easy to let fitness and nutrition slip to the bottom of the to-do list when you're juggling RSVP's, florists, and finances but Jake believes it deserves better.
"You spend so much time and money planning a perfect event. Why wouldn't you invest in how you feel during it?"
And this isn't about fitting into a smaller dress or losing weight for photos. It's about the energy to enjoy every second. The clarity to be present. The confidence to walk in front of a crowd feeling proud. George puts it perfectly:
"Weddings are emotional. And when people feel good physically, they're calmer, more grounded and genuinely happier. That's what we care about. It's not a better body, it's a better you."
The Fitness Plan: Movement that lifts your life
Let's be honest: most wedding fitness plans are unrealistic. They demand daily workouts, strict routines and hours you simply don't have. Jake's approach is refreshingly practical.
"Three workouts a week. That's what we ask for. Upper body, lower body, core, and cardio. Done right, thats enough to look stronger, leaner, and in better shape."
You don't need a gym membership. Bodyweight exercises, a pair of dumbbells and a mat are more than enough.
What matters most? Consistency
"We don't need you to do more. We need you to do what you said you would. That's how results happen", says Jake.
George works with grooms who are often new to fitness or juggling busy careers and family life.
"We meet you where you are. If you've only got 45 minutes three times a week, we make those 45 minutes count"
The Nutrition Shift: Fuel your body, don't punish it
Forget bland salads and starvation plans. Jake's philosophy around nutrition is based on awareness, not restriction.
"The reason most people struggle is that they're eating too much without realising it or they're eating the wrong things for how they want to feel."
He encourages couples to track their intake using simple apps like MyFitnessPal. Not obsessively just enough to build awareness of whats going on.
"We're not telling you never to have wine or cake," Jake clarifies. "But you do need to know how those things affect your goals. And make your choices from there."
Simple steps with a big impact:
- Prioritise lean protein (chicken, fish, fish and protein shakes.)
- Eat more fruit and veg and cut out what you know to be junk.
- Stay hydrated especially in the final weeks
And yes, the night before the wedding matters.
"You don't want to wake up bloated or tired," Jake warns. "Keep it light, familiar, and nourishing. Grilled chicken, steamed veg, fruit. Avoid anything that's ever upset your stomach.
In the morning itself?
"Fruit is perfect. Light, hydrating, and it won't sit heavy in your gut while the nerves kick in."
Motivation vs Mindset: The Secret Ingredient
Jake and George agree: motivation is overrated. What you need is discipline and the right mindset, something they focus on heavily in their coaching.
"People don't fail because they don't want to. They fail because they don't have the tools or accountability to stick with," Jake explains.
Real Results from Real Couples
Some of Jake and George's proudest transformations aren't just visible, they're emotional.
Take Josh and El, who trained for their greek island wedding.
"Josh had tried every diet under the sun. When he came to us, we stripped it back to the basics. He dropped 16kg, built lean muscle, and gained confidence he never had," says George. "El looked stunning too. But more importantly, they were glowing. You could see how proud they were of each other."
Then there's Paul and Sonia Tomlinson, "They looked spectacular on the day but what really stuck with me was how happy they were. They weren't stressed. They weren't tired. They were just in their element," George recalls. "And they're still training now, still building on it. That's the point."
What if you're on a tight budget?
The good news? You can absolutely make progress without spending a fortune
"Tracking your food? Free. Walking every day? Free," says Jake. "You don't need a fancy gym membership. But what you do need commitment."
Of course coaching helps and Jake's programme is priced to be affordable for couples who want structure and accountability without financial strain.
"We keep it at a where its enough that you won't want to waste it, but not too much that it causes stress," he explains. "People pay to commit. That's often the breakthrough."
After the Wedding: The Real Transformation
Too many couples fall into a slump post-wedding but Jake's clients don't.
"We book a redirection call after the honeymoon. That's when we set new goals, adjust routines, and help them turn the wedding progress into a lifelong habit," he says.
George adds: "Why would you want to feel amazing for one day and then let it all slip away? The confidence you build can carry you through marriage, parenthood, career... all of it.
Final Thought: You Deserve to Feel Incredible
Looking after your health, your real, honest, everyday wellbeing should never be an afterthought. It should be an act of self respect.
As Jake puts it: "People don't regret putting the effort in. They regret the opposite. And when you walk down that aisle, you deserve to feel like the best version of yourself, not because anyone told you to, but because you did it for you."
Connect with the Coaches
Instagram: @jake_mcarthur_coaching
Facebook: Jake McArthur
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