Marriage Weight Gain: Reasons You've Gained Weight Since The Wedding

When the honeymoon is over, it's not unusual for newlyweds to notice their waistlines expanding.

A 2011 Ohio State study found that weight gain of about 20 pounds is average among people who get married (especially for women), and according to Texas health care professional Judy Gaman, there are lot of good explanations for the increase. She explains that after the wedding, lifestyle patterns change, leading to more food consumed and less activity.

One major culprit is television. Gaman said married people tend to watch more T.V., since they're not just watching the shows that they personally want to watch.

"You watch your show, but then you have to sit through your spouse's favorite show, and then you usually have one you watch together," Gaman said.

Moving in with a spouse who is a good cook can also lead to more lavish meals, and the cook will often ask his or her spouse, "Do you want some more?"

"Saying no might be taken as, 'I didn't like the meal,' so they'll continue to eat even after they're full," Gaman said.

Another recent study found that the quality of your marriage also affects weight gain; couples in happy marriages were found to pack on more pounds than those in unhappy marriages. Fitness magazine recommends being aware of how your eating habits have changed to match your spouse's and to make sure to get a workout in whenever possible.

Wedded Bliss Wednesday

 

 

What are you hoping to get for Christmas from your husband this year?

(If your husband reads your blog this can be one GIANT "hint hint")

You know... I don't really know what he will get this year but whatever I get, I will be happy for it. I am not expecting alot because we had such a big year with moving and the wedding that all I want is to have a great day with family and friends.... I hope he likes what I got for him.

Wedded Bliss Wednesday

What is a holiday tradition that you and your husband do or plan to do each year? If you don't have any, what is an idea you could try out this year?!

Well since this is our 1st Christmas together as Husband and Wife, We are trying to come up for different  things that we would like to do as a family unit. One thing that we have take from my family traditions is the kids will get to open one gift on Christmas Eve and it will always be Pajamas. The other thing that we plan on doing is a Annual Christmas Party for friends and family to see each other for the holidays. There will be fun, laughs and good times. 

I would like to try and add more traditions to the rotation but we will see what we comes up this year. 

Wedded Bliss Wednesday

If money were not an issue, what would you buy for husband for Christmas this year?

 

My husband would say that anything that I would buy him he would love even if it was a pack of gum but here are a few things I think I would get:

 

F-150 Platinum

 

 

Indoor Grill

 

 

Beer Maker

 

 

Movie Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weeded Bliss Wednesday

What is your husband's style?

Comfortable California Boy... Scott is a total Jeans and Flip Flop Man. There are times when he will dress up (Sexy) but his relaxed look is also to die for.  :)

What is your LEAST favorite piece(s) of his wardrobe?

I dont think there is anything in his wardrobe that I dont like that he has. He is a simple guy so there is not many things that I look at and say....WTH??

 

If you have a picture show us!!

 

 

Since he does not have a OMG piece to share, I thought I would share a collage of photos I did of his, before we were married of course, and show his style.

 

 

What would you love for your man to wear?

I am honestly happy with anything that he wears. He may not think that he has style but I am here to tell you he does. From Relaxed to GQ, My Man has got it down!

 

 

10 Unspoken Marriage Rules

1. Don't criticize your partner's parents or friends.

You know how it is—your family can tick you off but no one else had dare speak ill of them. That's why you should tread carefully with your in-laws and your husband's dearest friends. "Even when he's venting to you, your contributions can put him on the defensive," explains LeslieBeth Wish, EdD, a Florida-based psychologist and licensed clinical social worker. "When you take position A, you prompt your partner to take position B." Instead, says Dr. Wish, put yourself in his position so that you can empathize with him.

2. Tell your spouse about any ex encounters.

 

Whether you get a Facebook friend request or run into an old flame at your kid's soccer game, keeping the news to yourself could backfire, despite having zero feelings for the ex. "If there's nothing to hide, why hide it?" says Deb Castaldo, PhD, a couples and family therapist and professor at Rutgers University School of Social Work in New Brunswick, NJ. "That leads to an air of secrecy and dishonesty," she says. Just clue in your hubby matter-of-factly: Try, "I knew it was only a matter of time before old boyfriends came out of the woodwork on Facebook. I got a friend request from one and ignored it." Or, "I saw my ex in the mall today. His kids are cute. Glad to see his life turned out nicely."

 

 

3. Keep unsolicited advice to yourself.

 

Offer your support, lend your ear, but avoid speaking in an "I know what's best" tone. "We give advice because we're trying to be helpful, but it's seen as criticism when we offer too many corrections," says Harriet Lerner, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up. This goes for everything from your husband's outfit choices to how he deals with a work issue. Give your spouse space to make decisions and gain confidence through trial and error—and ask that he do the same for you, says Dr. Lerner. "What matters in a relationship is not that things get done 'right,' but that two people are dedicated to contributing to each other's happiness."

 

4. Don't take charge all the time.

Whether you fold all the laundry because you don't like how your husband does it or you manage the finances because you don't think he's as careful, you may feel more at ease doing all the work. But stop! "The spouse who does the rescuing can become tired of that role," says Dr. Wish—and resentful that everything is on her shoulders, even if she volunteered for that burden. Get in the habit of asking your partner, "What do you think works best here?" or telling him, "I could use a hand cleaning out the pantry." These requests will foster the idea that you're teammates.

 

5. Don't bring up past arguments.

Or at least put a statute of limitations on them. “People repeat ancient disagreements because they haven't resolved the problem," says Dr. Castaldo. Letting things fester often causes marriages to break down, she says. It's important to address issues as they happen and come to some sort of a resolution—agreeing to disagree counts. “Leave it there, and respect each other's opinion," she says.

 

 

6. Choose your battles, but don't stifle your feelings.

"There's going to be toothpaste globs here and Post-it notes there; that's human nature," says Dr. Wish. "You have to be able to say, 'This isn't important.'" Or if it is, speak up. "Tell your partner why it bothers you and that you'd like to work on a solution,” suggests Dr. Wish. You'd be surprised what you could learn about each other. For instance, your husband may not leave dirty dishes in the sink anymore if you explain that your childhood home was piled high with plates and you were stuck washing them. It's also important to understand that he's not plotting to upset you every time he's sloppy or forgetful. A simple request like: “Honey, it'd be great if you could pick up the dry cleaning while you're out" beats getting mad that he didn't offer to help with errands.

 

7. Don't post private thoughts or photos publicly.

You may not want to be tagged in a politically charged rant he starts or he may not want you to share photos of the kids. And you each deserve the other person's respect for those wishes. "Discuss the ground rules regarding posting about yourself, as a couple and about the other person," says Dr. Castaldo. And no matter what, don't take your grievances with your husband to the masses for support. "It's destructive to air conflicts on Facebook," she warns.

 

 

8. Log off.

When your attention is focused elsewhere, your spouse is bound to feel unimportant. So make quality time a top priority and restrict tech gadget use if necessary, says Dr. Wish. "Pay attention to the concept of ratio: How much time am I spending doing this compared to how much time I'm spending with my family?" she says. Create a rule that works for your household and stick to it, whether it's no devices at the dinner table, shutting down phones at 8 p.m. or going gadget-free on weekend afternoons.

9. Don't use the "D" word (divorce, that is).

Even in the heat of an argument, avoid threatening to pack your bags or head to the lawyer's office. Besides the "D" word being downright hurtful, repeated warnings may result in a spouse calling the other"s bluff. "We act as if the intensity of our anger gives us license to say or do anything," says Dr. Lerner. "But threatening divorce is never useful, and it only makes the probability of separation more likely."

 

 

10. Be each other's number one.

In other words, be wary of outsider influence, like a friend putting relationship-threatening ideas in your head or work or hobbies competing for your attention. "Happy couples have just as much conflict as those who divorce, but they know ways to get through it," says Dr. Castaldo. "A couple has to have a strong boundary around themselves and they can't allow anybody to get in between."

Weeded Bliss Wednesday

1. What is your husband's best trait as a father?

His playfulness. Scott always takes time to play and have a good time with the kids. He is not afraid to be hands on with them and show them a good time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. What is your husband's favorite thing to do with the kids?

Scott loves to just spend quality time with the kids, Whether it is Cartoons, Games or just being silly.. he is down to do it all:

 

 

 

 

3. How does your husband help out with the kids?

He does it all.... He is Homework Helper, Cheer Dad, Monster Chaser, Soccer Super Dad, Snack Dad and any other thing you can think of, Scott has and will do.

 

 

 

4. What do you hope your children learn from their dad?

So many things about Scott I hope the kids pick up on but most of all, I hope they learn his strength. He is always there for you no matter what and is strong in that respect. I hope they know how lucky they are to have a Dad like him.

 

Wedded Bliss Wednesday

 

YAY I finally get to participate in this... I am so excited and here we go!

When you were a child what did you imagine YOUR Prince Charming to be like?I didnt really think too much of my Prince Charming... I was too busy being a Tomboy and learning the fundamentals of football. All the guys that I did like looked at me as one of the guys so I felt like it was a lost cause until....... Scott

 

Does you husband match your prediction as a child?

He is so much more than I could have asked for.. I am truly blessed to have him in my life... (Tissues please)

 

What about when you were a teenager and knew it all about love, does your relationship match that scenario you had during those rebel years?

Not at all... When I did start to date, it was puppy love compared to what I have now. I was only into dating at that time because I thought it was what you were suppose to do... especially as a Cheerleader. I am glad that I know what love truly is and that love is no comparrison to what I have now.

 

 

What love movie would you best match your relationship to? Why?

You know... This is a difficult question. I dont know if there is a movie that can quite describe our love, relationship and happily ever after. I might have to get back to you about that one... :)