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Post-wedding weight gain is common for newlyweds
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When you look back at your wedding photos, the last thing on your mind should be the size of your gown in comparison to your current dress size.
However, if your honeymoon jeans feel a little snug and the idea of zippering up that gown again makes your stomach weak, you're not alone. According to Lona Sandon of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, it's common for newlyweds to gain up to 10 pounds after tying the knot. That means long after the last slice of wedding cake has been cut, there's still some serious snacking going on between the bride and groom.
So what gives? (Hopefully not the elastic on your prenuptial pj's.) Why do newlyweds gain weight after the wedding?
While it's not an exact science, the cause of newlywed weight gain can be attributed to everything from a relaxed schedule to that shiny new Cuisinart resting on the kitchen counter. Weight gain has even been linked to post-wedding depression.
Not sure you registered for all that? Fear not. The good news is that you're not alone. Literally. Most couples experience newlywed weight gain as a pair.
After the wedding, couples may have more free time and fewer obligations weighing on their minds. Tuesday nights are no longer dedicated to practicing that first dance waltz or racing between dress fittings and tux shopping. Instead of staying up until dawn rearranging a seating chart, newlyweds tend to spend more time in bed.
While the side effects of all that cozying up may include a few calories burned, more than likely it's not enough to counterbalance that post coital pizza.
And it doesn't stop with pizza. Popular registry items like waffle makers, stand mixers and food processors tempt couples to try new recipes and throw dinner parties with all the trimmings. These big meals coupled with a relaxed exercise schedule all add up to extra pounds.
The message boards and online forums on popular wedding sites such as Brides.com and The Knot are flooded with questions from newlyweds who are curious about post-wedding weight gain. Based on the responses, it's safe to say that newlywed weight gain is widespread.
"I've been married 10 months and have put on 20 pounds," admits one newlywed. "I watched what I ate so much before the wedding (to make sure the dress fit) then after, I went crazy. It started on the honeymoon, all the good food and drinks, then when we got back, I skipped the gym for a month. Now I can't seem to get any of it off."
Experts suggest that married life in and of itself may also be a natural pathway to post-wedding weight gain. "Recently married people eat about half or more of their meals together," explains Jeffery Sobal, PhD, associate professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University. "The fact that you have dinner together is seen as one of the wonderful thing about marriage. You've got an eating partner," Sobal told WebMD. "Those meals are usually more formal and consist of multiple courses."
So instead of putting all those fancy registry items to good use on a nightly basis, take a break from the kitchen a few nights a week, plan one or two formal meals and then keep the rest of them simple. Couples can still enjoy quality time around the table together without sitting down to a three course meal.
Try heading outdoors after every meal instead of heading to the couch. There are lots of cheap and easy ways to get your heart rate up this summer without loosening your belt. It also helps to keep both yourself and your partner in good spirits. There's no need to get down on yourself for going up a dress size.
There are lots of things to look forward to long after the honeymoon is over. Hopefully post-wedding weight gain isn't one of them. Expect that post-wedding rest and relaxation may lead to a few extra pounds but if you develop healthy habits as a couple early on, the weight won't last.
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