The gym floor of a boutique fitness studio became an unexpected meeting ground for Nik Naidoo and Izy George. What started as a new personal training position for Nik blossomed into something far more meaningful, as the two fitness professionals found themselves drawn together between training sessions and client consultations. 

When planning their 2022 wedding, they approached it with the same thoughtful dedication they bring to their fitness careers. Instead of rushing into crash diets or last-minute transformations, the couple gave themselves a full year to prepare – not just for the wedding photos, but for the life they wanted to build together.

That measured approach paid off. Each anniversary, their wedding video and photo albums serve as testament to a day when they both looked and felt their best. Their celebrations continue to honour that wellness-focused foundation – this year marking their anniversary with a gym session, followed by a massage and nutritious steak dinner. Their personal journey through wedding preparation revealed an opportunity to help others

Through their business, Couples Wellbeing, and their signature Wedding Ready Method, they now guide other couples toward sustainable pre-wedding transformations that focus on both physical and mental wellbeing.

Here’s how Izy took the long-game strategy with her own wedding prep to achieve a bridal glow up from the inside out.

“I felt incredible – no quick fixes or stress”

“Planning the perfect wedding is all about the details – choosing the venue, the food, the drinks and the music,” says Izy. “But for me, the most important detail was how I would feel on the day. My wellbeing became my top priority. When I looked back, I knew that how I felt would be what I remembered most.”

Her plan worked. “I felt incredible at my wedding,” Izy recalls, sharing photos of the three outfits she wore over the three-day celebrations. “The wedding week was amazing. I relaxed, I partied, I felt confident and sexy.

“And I know it was down to long-term thinking. No quick fixes or stress. Just focus and determination.

“A year earlier, I’d made a goal to show up feeling the best I possibly could. Yes, I wanted to build my body in certain areas, but it wasn’t just physical. It was a mindset: I’d need to show up every day on this journey.”

Izy chose “sustainability” when it came to her training programme.

“I trained hard and I had a roadmap, because I knew it wasn’t about the panic six-week transformation! They don’t work long term and leave you feeling awful.“

Izy’s key stages of wedding prep

There were three clear stages to Izy’s prep ahead of her and Nik’s wedding:

1. Accelerate: laying the foundation
Goal: “I kickstarted my journey with a mini cut to shed initial body fat and set the stage for muscle building.”
Focus: “I cleaned up my diet, introduced a calorie deficit and did a mix of strength and HIIT training.”
Izy’s top tip: Track your progress, stick to whole foods and stay hydrated. This phase is all about building discipline and seeing those first changes!

2. Activate: build and shape
Goal: “This was a long process focused on building muscle and sculpting my body. This is where the magic happened!”
Focus: “I did strength training three to five times a week, with an emphasis on compound lifts. I also increased protein intake to fuel muscle growth.”
Izy’s top tip: Be patient and consistent. Progress might seem slow, but this is where your dream body starts to take shape.

3. Dominate: all hands on deck
Goal: “It was time for the final push. I really intensified my efforts to achieve peak condition for the big day.”
Focus: “I dialled in on nutrition with a final shred, upped my cardio and fine-tuned my look with dress fittings and skin care.”
Izy’s top tip: Manage stress, get plenty of sleep and visualise the final result. This is where all your hard work pays off!

“Our story could have been very different”

Over that all-important year, Nik was fully committed to his own transformation, too. He strived for peak physical fitness and wellbeing, while working with Izy to align their goals and values, communicate freely and help manage any stress.

“The time we invested getting ready for our wedding was well spent,” says Nik. “We were able to be fully present, making memories with our friends and our families, rather than having to tug at our clothes that didn’t quite fit right and having to make compromises about what we wore, or worst of all, feeling self conscious every time someone whipped the camera out.

“Our story could have been very different if we’d put our focus somewhere else, like the venue, the flowers, the guests. That’s the mistake lots of couples make. They prioritise the little details. Years later, that stuff really doesn’t matter one bit. What does matter is who you spend the day with and how you feel when you remember it.”

Ready for your happy-ever-after?

Whether your pre-wedding goal is to tone up, lose weight, improve your overall wellbeing, or all three, Nik and Izy will create a plan tailored to your unique needs.

“The Wedding Ready Method is delivered online, offering flexibility to fit your busy schedule,” explains Izy. “You’ll have access to personalised workouts, nutrition plans and education, with regular check-ins available wherever you are.

“We work within a six to 12-month timeframe, but the more time you give yourself, the better your long-term results. Longer preparation allows you to gradually build healthier habits and make sustainable changes. That’s 12 months of focusing on you, your relationship and the next phase of your life together.

“The couples who’ve worked for us go into their lives together knowing they’ve laid a superb foundation.”

Book a consultation with Nik and Izy today, to discuss your fitness goals ahead of your wedding and kickstart the lifestyle upgrade you’re aiming for.