As brides prepare for their big day, many adopt a more active lifestyle in hopes of squeezing into her perfect dress. Sweating for the wedding has caught on like wild-fire. Just open the Instagram of one of your engaged friends and you will are bound to find a slew of posts about her pre-wedding workouts.

I totally get it. As a recent bride myself I opted for my sneakers most days, always took the stairs and subscribed to just about every fitness blog out there. I went on long lunch-break walks and skipped that second scoop of ice cream for a few months. It’s not that I wanted to look different on my wedding day, it’s just that I wanted to look my best.

I have never been a super athletic person. Well, let’s be honest, I have never been athletic. As a kid I loathed my sports games, praying the ball would never come way. I wasn’t uncoordinated or unable, I was just the most noncompetitive person on this earth. Gyms have never been my thing. I get so grossed out by all the muscle heads in cut off tee’s and would seldom go. So when I knew I wanted to get into better shape I had to think out of the box, or I guess, out of the gym.

What I found was that I really do like, even sometimes enjoy, working out outside. Fresh air, green grass, hustle and bustle. No sticky sweaty gyms for me. So that is what I started doing. On my lunch breaks I would go for a run. After dinner the fiance and I would go for an evening stroll. On weekends we would do weight exercises in the park. And just like that, I felt better and looked better, and my wallet could not have been happier.

So as you think about the months ahead, don’t be afraid to go for an unconventional or ‘out of the gym’ approach. Try a new workout class in your area. Grab a friend and go for a long walk. Park at the back of the parking lot at the grocery. It’s not about killing yourself trying to get that bride body, it’s about having fun and looking good while doing so!