Though your wedding day is about you and your groom, we all know that the bride is the true center of attention. It's not just your dress or your hairdo; it's your overall glow. How do you get that glow? It comes from the confidence of knowing that you look and feel your best. A key component to becoming your best is making sure you are "bridally fit!"

Exercise is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle -- whether you're getting married in the near future or not - but if you aren't one who has made it a priority as of late, now is the time. Let's take a look at the basics.

Cardiovascular Exercise (aka cardio)

Cardio is generally any exercise that gets your heart pumping faster (increases your heart rate). Examples of cardio include brisk walking, jogging or running, swimming, jumping rope, bike riding and any other activity where your body is continuously moving. Keep in mind that moving more and adding more intensity into each movement will result in more calories burned.

Strength Training

Strength Training includes various types of exercise, all of which are geared toward conditioning and strengthening muscles. Examples of strength training exercises include the use of weights, resistance bands, Swiss balls (aka exercise balls) and medicine balls.

Core Work and Stretching

Examples of core work and stretching exercises include Pilates, Yoga, abdominal exercises and other activity that increases flexibility or balance.

Variety, Frequency and Intensity

The three main points to put into practice with regard to your workout routine are variety, frequency and intensity. Variety refers to the need to incorporate an assortment of exercises (from the three main groups noted above) into your regimen. Frequency refers to the number of repetitions of each exercise, as well as the regularity for which you do that particular exercise or work that particular muscle. Intensity refers to the effort that you are exerting or amount of weight you are using. Without a consistent combination of various frequent and intense exercises, you won't see much in the way of results.

 A commonly recommended way to begin incorporating exercise into your schedule is to build up to the desired amount. Start with 30 minutes per day, three days per week. Once you feel comfortable with that, increase your time dedicated to exercise each week. This can be done either by number of days per week or by minutes per session or a combination of both. Don't let busy schedules or lack of endurance be hindrances along the way; break up your exercises by fitting them in where you can. For instance, lift hand weights for 20 minutes before work and then go for an intense walk just before dinner.

Set a goal that works with your wedding timeline. This doesn't need to be a goal regarding your weight or dress size, rather the effort you put toward making yourself feel great by your wedding date. For instance, your goal could be that you would like to be up to 45 minutes per day, four days per week of intense exercise by the week of your wedding. Don't make your goal(s) unrealistic or stress inducing; it should serve as a healthy challenge, not a discouragement.

Find a workout buddy. Whether it's a friend, family member, your fiancé or a personal trainer, working out with others often holds you accountable to your goals, but also makes getting out there seem a bit more intriguing.

Change your attitude about exercise. You may not have fond memories of working out but at some point you're going to have to throw away your negativity and embrace the many benefits of exercise.  It helps you lose weight, fight off disease, live comfortably in your skin, release your body's natural endorphins and get out to enjoy the world around you.

Lose the "gym mentality." There are ample opportunities where you can get your body moving (and maybe even have fun doing it). Swim at your local pool, walk/jog in your neighborhood (you'll probably meet neighbors you didn't even know you had), walk/jog with your dog (or even your neighbor's dog), walk/ jog on the beach (if you are so lucky to live on the Carolina coast, don't take it for granted!), take a high intensity dance class, get a bike that you love to ride and use it to run errands or bring small hand weights to work out the park for a change of scenery.

North and South Carolina are undoubtedly beautiful, giving you more reason to get out and get fit. Not only will you be caring for your body, but for your mind and soul, as you clear your head and stimulate your senses.