We all know that a vacation to an exotic locale often means foregoing our usual healthy lifestyle choices of diet and exercise. Don’t let all of your sweat-drenched efforts leading up to the wedding day go to waste upon arrival to your sunny destination. What can you do to feel and look your absolute best yet still enjoy your week-long wedding celebration with family and friends? Whether you’re a moderate fitness traditionalist, opting for a spinning class at the gym or a die-hard yogi seeking an open-air, organic environment, the Hawaiian Islands provide a unique—and more importantly, fun—array of activities to help you stay in shape before the wedding.

“Why be inside when you can enjoy the beauty of Hawaii?” says Michelle Chillingworth, president and founder of Giddy, a specialty training program for women that focuses on the specific pre-wedding weight loss and body sculpting goals of the bride-to-be. “The scenery, climate and environment of Hawaii are so conducive to staying in shape. Beach workouts are perfect for body resistance training—a great way to work the core,” she says. Giddy has a boutique fitness studio in San Francisco and just launched a “Booty Boot Camp” group class in Honolulu that utilizes all that Hawaii has to offer from kickboarding in the ocean to lunges on a park bench. “We cater not only to the unique goals and circumstances of the bride, but her bridal party and every other woman that wants to look fabulous on this special day!” she says (www.giddy.com).

Upon arrival to your exotic locale, you will notice that island girls have a certain glow about them. Being surrounded by beauty all the time seems to add to their inner light. Hawaii is one of the best places to get in shape and no one knows this better than Big Island native, Lokelani McMichael, the youngest female ever to participate in the Ironman. Loke’s morning workouts include aqua jogging, stretching in the sand, and surfing for hours alongside some of the world’s best contenders. This is all in between hosting her own show, Adventures in Hawaii, on the Outdoor Channel, working at her parents’ surf shop Pacific Vibrations, and continually training for triathlons! Her advice to brides who want to get a full body workout without necessarily stepping into a gym: “Just grab a long board and go for it!” Even if you’ve never attempted to ride a wave, surfing in paradise with your closest friends is a must-do during your trip. The stylish water sport with Hawaiian roots not only defines the laid-back lifestyle of the islands, but is also a total body sculpting workout. “Surfer girls are strong and lean with incredibly flat stomachs. Abs are the basis for everything physical, and surfing focuses on the core for balance and stability,” says Loke. A destination bride typically opts for a sleek, skin-revealing gown appropriate for a beach ceremony, and surfing is an excellent way to attain shapely arms. Surf against the backdrop of a five-star resort in a group lesson, or paddle alongside your fiancé for a moment of pure bliss under the sun. Lessons are widely available on the islands. Check out April Grover, professional surfer and star of MTV Surf Girls, on Kauai (www.aprilsurf.com); the Kelea Surf Spa on Oahu combines surf lessons, yoga and body work in a week long, women-only adventure trip (www.keleasurfspa.com); and the women’s-only Surf Diva in La Jolla, California (www.surfdiva.com).

While surfing is the classic Hawaiian sport, you should also try yoga, horseback riding or even dance lessons during your stay on the islands. Take a nontraditional approach to your early morning workout and arrange for a private yoga session on the beach with your bridal party! Enjoy the warm island breeze and tranquil sound of the ocean waves as you bend and stretch your way to a toned body. Yoga is a wonderful stress reliever, especially for brides with those pre-wedding jitters. By focusing on your breath and energy flow in each posture, you’ll become calm and rejuvenated before your big day. A beginning yoga class can be just as relaxing as lying on the beach so why not arrange for a group class at one of the many studios throughout Hawaii? The Studio Maui, a fully equipped yoga and dance facility on the north shore, is an excellent spot for a bachelorette party. Gather your girls together for a lively salsa class or even a tribal belly dance class and shimmy your way into shape. “Our Salsa class is for anybody who loves movement and dance,” says Ashley Mueller, a teacher at The Studio Maui. “Salsa dancing really works your whole body with cardio, balance and strength.” You don’t necessarily have to bring a partner to this lesson, just arrive with the girls and have fun. “It’s a really invigorating workout plus you can show your salsa moves at the wedding!” Ashley says (www.thestudiomaui.com).

Getting back to nature doesn’t have to mean roughing it, after all, this is your wedding week in the sun. Horseback riding is a wonderful way to experience the spectacular views and varied terrain of upcountry Maui while getting a moderate-impact, lower body workout. Equestrians work their glutes and inner thighs throughout the entire ride in the saddle. This constant contraction not only gives you a firm lower body— riding at a gallop can burn up to 526 calories hourly! Enjoy stunning mountain views on a guided horseback tour into the Haleakala Crater with Haleakala on Horseback or ride freely along the pristine, unspoiled beaches. Check out the Maui Horse Whisperer Experience for a full or half day riding adventure (www.mauihorsewhisperer.com).Whichever activity you choose, don’t be afraid to try something that may be a bit out of your comfort zone—the memories will make it all worthwhile.

Swimsuit By Pualani Hawaii, pualanihawaii.com

Shot on Location at Mauna Kea Resort, Big Island of Hawaii