The Marriage 15
Before going to college everyone warned me about the Freshman 15 – Fifteen pounds that most freshmen gain when they go to college because of all the late night pizzas and beer. I did gain a few pounds – the summer after my freshman year – but it certainly wasn’t because of pizza and beer, and I managed to lose it pretty quickly.
No one warned me about the marriage 15. I have been married for 9 months, and I have gained just over 15 pounds in that time. I have never weighed this much in my whole life. I have heard of men gaining weight after marriage because they go from cooking for themselves – which generally means they eat a lot of tuna fish sandwiches – to having a wife who loves to cook for them.
But no one told me it could happen to me too. I blame it on several things. First, it is the food I’ve been cooking. I cook more often now that I’m married, and I want to cook things that Jason will like. Unfortunately, the things which taste the best are not the best for you.
Additionally, Jason and I have always enjoyed having a beer together. When we were dating and engaged, we lived far enough away from one another that we only saw each other on the weekends. So we’d have a few beers on the weekend, not a big deal.
After we got married the weather had just gotten really nice. So we started a tradition of sitting outside after a long day and drinking a beer – almost every day. We weren’t getting drunk or anything, but those extra calories certainly do not help the waistline.
So now we’ve both gained between 15 and 20 pounds. In nine months. And neither of us like it one bit. So we’re working on it. Eating healthier, drinking less beer, and working out six days a week. I said it: I’m working out six days a week. I’ve never done that in my life, but desperate times call for desperate measures. We’re working on getting back into the shape we were in for our wedding by our one year anniversary.
So for all of you about to get married, this is your warning. If you want to still fit into your wedding dress one year after your nuptials and don’t have to start working out six days a week nine months in, watch out. It’s just as dangerous as the dreaded freshman 15!
Related posts:
One Comment
I can totally relate to this! I’m not married, but I moved in with my boyfriend about six months ago and I have probably gained about five pounds (maybe more) since then. I’m only 5′1″, so that’s a lot of weight for me. It sucks and I’m trying to work out more and eat better, but it’s definitely harder now. Good luck to you! You’ve inspired me to get on the treadmill and put down the beer!