Months before the wedding, most brides and grooms and close family increase their exercise routine, watch their food and go on serious diets to look their best on their wedding.
Once the festivities begin, through sheer excitement and exhaustion, they still keep losing weight, then come the honeymoon and the down time and that's it! Slowly the kilos start to pile on for both the newlyweds. Why does this happen?
Suddenly there is less or no incentive to stay slim, you've ensnared your spouse, through thick and thin, you eat out a lot more, you are probably still celebrating and having a fair bit to drink, you suddenly have a busier schedule as now your life includes each other and in-laws and there simply is no time to keep fit. You also tend to spend more time "chilling" in bed and munching as you snuggle rather than going out for a run. So what can you do to fat-proof your union?
Prioritize yourself
Instill a routine and schedule early in the marriage for your exercise regime. If it is something your partner wants to join you in, great, if not, stick to your commitment to yourself and do it anyway. Yes you are all lovey-dovey and want to spend every waking minute together, but just as one or both of you still have to go to work, you have to establish your own exercise routine as a part of your life.
Enroll your spouse without pressuring them
If you are the healthier one then let your spouse know that they too have to stay in shape to keep you interested. If either of you have snacking habits then you need to find an alternate snack to satiate yourself when your spouse brings out the bag of chips and chocolates late at night. Complaining or criticizing them for eating what they enjoy is downright rude. Hopefully your healthier ways will slowly enroll them without you having to say too much.
Get Physical in and out of the bedroom
This may sound like a silly suggestion as you would expect that most newlyweds can't get enough of each other, but you'd be surprised at how many couples actually slow it down. Sex is a good workout and it keeps you connected. Besides the more time you spend making out, the less time you are lounging in front of the TV.
Come up with one or two physical activities that are fun that you can indulge in together every week, outside the bedroom. Salsa classes, Kick boxing, Tennis, Swimming, anything that uses your body, this will keep you eating light those two nights a week and off the couch as well.
Your weight is your responsibility
As much as you have started saying "we" for everything these days, make sure you remember that your weight is yours and when you get upset at yourself for the added kilos, it can affect how you feel and in turn your marriage. So be responsible and instill some healthy habits. Staying slim is a lifestyle choice for most of us, it requires determination and hard work whether you are single or married. It is never too late to start a new beginning and establish new routines.
(Malti Bhojwani is the founder of Multi Coaching International, a Life Coach, an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) practitioner, a workshop leader and an author. Her first published work is a Journal to encourage guided writing, Thankfulness, Appreciation, Gratitude - My Journal is available in all good book stores.)
Once the festivities begin, through sheer excitement and exhaustion, they still keep losing weight, then come the honeymoon and the down time and that's it! Slowly the kilos start to pile on for both the newlyweds. Why does this happen?
Suddenly there is less or no incentive to stay slim, you've ensnared your spouse, through thick and thin, you eat out a lot more, you are probably still celebrating and having a fair bit to drink, you suddenly have a busier schedule as now your life includes each other and in-laws and there simply is no time to keep fit. You also tend to spend more time "chilling" in bed and munching as you snuggle rather than going out for a run. So what can you do to fat-proof your union?
Prioritize yourself
Instill a routine and schedule early in the marriage for your exercise regime. If it is something your partner wants to join you in, great, if not, stick to your commitment to yourself and do it anyway. Yes you are all lovey-dovey and want to spend every waking minute together, but just as one or both of you still have to go to work, you have to establish your own exercise routine as a part of your life.
Enroll your spouse without pressuring them
If you are the healthier one then let your spouse know that they too have to stay in shape to keep you interested. If either of you have snacking habits then you need to find an alternate snack to satiate yourself when your spouse brings out the bag of chips and chocolates late at night. Complaining or criticizing them for eating what they enjoy is downright rude. Hopefully your healthier ways will slowly enroll them without you having to say too much.
Get Physical in and out of the bedroom
This may sound like a silly suggestion as you would expect that most newlyweds can't get enough of each other, but you'd be surprised at how many couples actually slow it down. Sex is a good workout and it keeps you connected. Besides the more time you spend making out, the less time you are lounging in front of the TV.
Come up with one or two physical activities that are fun that you can indulge in together every week, outside the bedroom. Salsa classes, Kick boxing, Tennis, Swimming, anything that uses your body, this will keep you eating light those two nights a week and off the couch as well.
Your weight is your responsibility
As much as you have started saying "we" for everything these days, make sure you remember that your weight is yours and when you get upset at yourself for the added kilos, it can affect how you feel and in turn your marriage. So be responsible and instill some healthy habits. Staying slim is a lifestyle choice for most of us, it requires determination and hard work whether you are single or married. It is never too late to start a new beginning and establish new routines.
(Malti Bhojwani is the founder of Multi Coaching International, a Life Coach, an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) practitioner, a workshop leader and an author. Her first published work is a Journal to encourage guided writing, Thankfulness, Appreciation, Gratitude - My Journal is available in all good book stores.)
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