How to Look 15 Pounds Thinner For Your Wedding Without Losing a Pound

Updated on 3/13/2016 at 1:00 PM

All the brides-to-be out there rocking a strapless or sleeveless dress need to work more than their triceps and biceps. Many women sweating for the wedding often forget about strengthening their shoulders, but it can make all the difference in how you look and feel while walking down the aisle. According to celebrity trainer Jennifer Cohen, when you tone your upper back and shoulders, it helps you achieve a long and lean "V-shaped" back that can make you appear up to 15 pounds thinner.

Start incorporating a few sets of the following moves into your strength-training routine for fit, strong, and shaped-up shoulders that you'll love showing off long after your ceremony and reception.

The Deltoid Back Squeeze

Kneel on the floor, and then sit all the way down so your lower legs are under your bum. Lean forward a little bit, making sure you are leaning from your torso and not just your neck. Then extend both arms so they are behind your bum, palms facing up. Make sure they are floating behind you, not touching your back.
Squeeze your arms together so the weights almost touch, and then move back to starting position.
This counts as one rep.

Lateral Arm Raise

Stand with your feet hip distance apart. Hold a dumbbell in each hand so your palms face in toward the sides of your body.
Start with the right side first. With control, keep your arm straight (but don't lock that elbow) and as you inhale, raise your right hand up toward the ceiling. You want your palm to be facing down and your arm to be parallel to the floor. Then as you exhale, slowly lower your hand back to your body. You should be able to see your hand in your peripheral vision. Your arm won't be directly out to the side but slightly forward.
Do the same move with your left arm.
Then do both your right and left arms at the same time.
This completes one rep.

Bent-Over Reverse Fly

Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with the knees slightly bent. Keeping your back flat, bend forward at the hip joint.
Exhale and lift both arms to the side, maintaining a slight bend in the elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Then, with control, lower the dumbbells back toward the ground.
This completes one rep.

Water Pump

Stand with your feet hip distance apart, arms by your sides, with a dumbbell in each hand. Engage your abs to create a stable base.
Reach your left arm out to the side doing a lateral side raise until your arm is parallel to the floor, keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Simultaneously, bring your right hand toward your armpit by bending your right elbow out to the side. Return back to the starting position.
Reach your right arm out to the side for a lateral side raise as you bring your left hand toward your armpit. Then, return back to the starting position.
This counts as one rep.