You've heard of the freshman 15 -- but did you know there's also a post-wedding weight gain? Studies show that couples are likely to gain weight after the wedding. But why is it happening and how can you stop it?
Post-wedding weight gain can begin as soon as the honeymoon starts or creep up months later. It can be a reaction to restrictive dieting tactics used before the wedding, or it can be the result of settling into long-term unhealthy habits. For many of my clients it boils down to a lack of energy and time, leading to a life of fatty, salty convenience foods or automatically ordering takeout. Couples are just too tired to come home and put effort into cooking, which many view as a chore. And if a couple has always assumed a designated chef of the house -- that's reason enough for some spicy arguments.
It's not that you automatically bear the badge of 'unhealthy' if you're eating out. In fact, the National Restaurant Association says that the average American dines out five times a week. The real problem is that these meals are generally higher in calories and fat than what we make a at home. Want the numbers? The US Department of Agriculture estimates that each meal away from home increases daily calorie intake by roughly 135 calories, adding up to 10 pounds a year!
Solution: cook as a couple for a healthier home. Kenmore did a survey and found that couples who cook together are actually happier and healthier than their counterparts!
Of the couples surveyed, 82 percent responded that they are more satisfied in every aspect of their life and see their marriage in a more positive light. Or perhaps it's changing how you view cooking.You need to eat at some point and opting to cook as a couple allows time to bond while working on communication and cooperation. Doesn't that sound better than adding 'make dinner' to a task sheet?
But of course, there are barriers to cooking and therefore an immense number of excuses. I took the top five reasons I hear why someone doesn't cook and gave you the tips and tricks to beat it:
- "I'm stressed and tired.": I hear you. Cooking is not enjoyable for everyone, so make your kitchen a happy place. Light a candle and turn on some music to start things off right. The real key is planning ahead. When you're not stressed, set aside an hour and plan a menu for the week. From there, create your shopping list. After shopping, do some prep work! Whether it's chopping produce or making soup to freeze, what you do on the weekend can make life easier Monday through Friday. And remember, it's okay to order out sometimes! Keep mixed greens and chopped veggies on hand at all times to make take out healthier.
Have you used one of the top 5 excuses? What tactics do you use to make healthy happen?