So I was browsing through an article from Shape magazine last week at the salon {yes, I am going back to blonde for those who are wondering} and it said that on average, women gain 21 pounds during the first year of marriage–HOLY MOLY that is A LOT! You spend all this time getting in uber:incredible shape for the big day and once you get adjusted to married life I guess you come home to partake in Ben and Jerry’s and over indulge on Hamburger Helper??
Oh, this made me cringe just thinking about it… so I am telling you some of my favorite things so we can all help each other!!
Over at the Livestrong website, they have a helpful daily plate called My Plate that helps you calculate the calories you’re consuming on a daily basis. You can add your workous in too to see how much that has helped your take for the day. Soooo easy to use and like I have mentioned before, if you write down what you’re eating everyday, it helps on ways to cut out the little snacks here and there, or to show if you’re getting the right mix of proteins/carbs/fats in your diet!
I also found this article on Runner’s World and think it hits home-The 10 Rules of Weight Loss
1. To lose 10 pounds of body fat a year, you need to eat 100 calories less per day. Cutting too many calories from your daily intake will sap your energy level and increase your hunger, making you more susceptible to splurging on high-calorie foods.
2. Don’t skip breakfast. Eat within two hours of waking.
3. In fact, eat more breakfast than you think you should. Trade in some of your dinner calories for more calories at breakfast.
4. Don’t allow yourself to get hungry. Eat at least every four hours, and split a meal in half to make sure you properly fuel up pre- and postrun. For example, eat part of your breakfast before your morning run (a banana) and the rest of your breakfast afterward (a bagel with peanut butter).
5. Eat at least three kinds of food each meal from these four categories: breads, cereals, and grains; fruits and vegetables; low-fat dairy and soy; and lean meats, fish, and nuts. Breads, cereals, and grains should be the foundation of each meal, with protein as an accompaniment.
6. Shoot for a gradual loss of body fat. You’re more likely to put the weight back on (and more) if you drop weight too quickly.
7. Liquid calories add up fast and can lead to weight gain. Minimize the amount of sodas, juices, store-bought smoothies, sports drinks, coffee drinks, and alcohol you consume.
8. Eat closer to the earth, enjoying fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Minimize the amount of processed foods you eat; they tend to offer less fiber and are less satiating.
9. If you can’t resist fast food, ask for nutritional information before you make your choices (or check in advance via restaurant Web sites). Avoid any menu items with the words “fried,” “crispy,” and “special sauce,” which are guaranteed to be high calorie.
10. Remember that the calories in the energy bars, sports drinks, and gels you consume during a run add up, even though you’re running. Consume them only as needed.
2. Don’t skip breakfast. Eat within two hours of waking.
3. In fact, eat more breakfast than you think you should. Trade in some of your dinner calories for more calories at breakfast.
4. Don’t allow yourself to get hungry. Eat at least every four hours, and split a meal in half to make sure you properly fuel up pre- and postrun. For example, eat part of your breakfast before your morning run (a banana) and the rest of your breakfast afterward (a bagel with peanut butter).
5. Eat at least three kinds of food each meal from these four categories: breads, cereals, and grains; fruits and vegetables; low-fat dairy and soy; and lean meats, fish, and nuts. Breads, cereals, and grains should be the foundation of each meal, with protein as an accompaniment.
6. Shoot for a gradual loss of body fat. You’re more likely to put the weight back on (and more) if you drop weight too quickly.
7. Liquid calories add up fast and can lead to weight gain. Minimize the amount of sodas, juices, store-bought smoothies, sports drinks, coffee drinks, and alcohol you consume.
8. Eat closer to the earth, enjoying fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Minimize the amount of processed foods you eat; they tend to offer less fiber and are less satiating.
9. If you can’t resist fast food, ask for nutritional information before you make your choices (or check in advance via restaurant Web sites). Avoid any menu items with the words “fried,” “crispy,” and “special sauce,” which are guaranteed to be high calorie.
10. Remember that the calories in the energy bars, sports drinks, and gels you consume during a run add up, even though you’re running. Consume them only as needed.
And in my opinion, take down those unrealistic pictures of all the celebrities gracing the covers of your favorite magazines… these ladies have cellulite just like the rest of us, though most of us don’t have the benefit of having a photo editor at our fingertips with Photoshop to “retouch” a flaw or two. Get to your happy weight {quiz found here}, determine your calorie needs {here}, and be happy in your own gorgeous skin! =)
And just to be fun.. I found some before/after pics of a few celebs–see, they are HUMAN!
Cameron Diaz Before
And After (notice the ab indentions, tan, and hair lightening)
Eva Longoria Parker Before
And After (see no dark under-eye circles, arm lines gone)
Love this post!!! I lost a ton of weight around my wedding (family situation caused lots of stress resulting in a nearly anorexic looking bride..ick!) and have slowly been putting it back on. I just need to figure out when/where to stop, haha! There is a difference between getting healthy and um, over-indulging in the DQ treats đ I took the Self "happy weight" quiz, and I am wondering how accurate they are…mine was a good 10 lbs off from what I would guess my real happy weight is!!
I just love this post!!! All so true! And I am baffled as you are of the 21 lb. weight gaining after marriage… yikes!
So glad you posted this! I laughed when I read the first part about gaining 20 pounds after getting married. I got down to the littlest I've ever been in my life before my wedding and now i'm back to my normal weight. I still feel great but definitely can tell I was skinnier (and much more toned) the week of my wedding. It's okay though, because as corny as it sounds, being in love is the best. And i'm HAPPY! One of my friends who got married the October after us put it perfectly "I may be fat, but at least i'm fat and HAPPY!" haha. Of course, she was nowhere near being fat (and it was right when she got back from her honeymoon) but I think after dieting for a wedding and being used to one weight, it can be a scary reality to gain a few lb's on the honeymoon. đ
a good thing for you is that since you and your fiance already live together you already have set routines, both daily and lifestyle. so after the wedding you should have nothing to worry about!
very true! I gained 20 after my wedding! thanks for the tips!
21 pounds?! That's more than the freshman 15, yikes!
Um, I'd be happy to look like either one of those "Before" images…
Good tips and I could see the 21 lb gain.. It happens even when moving in together too! But I've learned my lesson.. I think the before of Cameron looks way better than her weird ab after photo.
Oh girl, it happens! I started cooking yummy dinners and eating lots of ice cream. It also didn't help that I got laid off in Sept. and went to a less-busy schedule, so that may have also had something to do with it!
I am craving ice cream right now, that may make me reconsider.
Also, those pictures are definitely good to see, I can't stand airbrushing when the rest of us are REAL, ha.
I can't wait to see your hair blonde again either!
Great post! Thanks girl!
LC and I have lived together for the past year and a half. Granted, we're not married (yet!), but I def gained wait for a little over the first year and half. I gained almost 15lbs to be exact. And, if you're short, it really shows!! So, I so know what they mean about the "marriage" weight gain! I use the lose it app on my iPhone which is similar to the livestrong, and I've lost the 15lbs.
This is such a good post, and so true! I gained weight when I first moved in with my man… I have learned I just can't eat as much as him… but it's hard! đ
The unairbrushed pics are so good to remember… celebrities aren't perfect either!
love this post!!! thank you!! đ
Oh wow. I can't believe that fact. 21 pounds!! I'm gonna try to stay away from that. Hopefully our "just married" fade will consist of lots of hiking and walks with dog:)
I gained 20 lbs after my wedding 6 years ago and it's been a roller coaster ever since.
PS – I liked Cameron's before pic much better.