I'm pretty sure we have all heard about the Freshman 15. You know, those 15 pounds you gain when you go off to college and binge on alcohol and donuts. We've all heard about the Freshman 15, or we've experienced it first hand when we realized that the only thing that fit us were boxer shorts from the college bookstore and old XXL t-shirts.
Similar to the Freshman 15, but much less well known, is the Newlywed 15. It's the same idea, but now you find yourself wearing your husband's basketball shorts and old fraternity t-shirts. Wait...I didn't think married life was supposed to be so much like college...?
Yes, that's right ladies. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but trust me. As soon as the stress of planning the ultimate party and the reality of having thousands of photos taken of you and the pressure to look the best you have ever looked in your entire life are all over with, all you will want is a big bowl of ice cream. And then some pizza. And then you don't have a wedding dress to fit into, so you get seconds at dinner. Then everyone wants to take you out to hear about the wedding and celebrate. Then you and your new husband want to go out for meals and glasses of wine and desserts because you don't have a wedding to plan anymore.
Well, before you know it, those pre-wedding jeans aren't fitting so well anymore, and you don't even recognize that bony girl in your wedding pictures anymore.
Yup...the Newlywed 15. It happens to the best of us. It happened to me...in fact, mine was the Newlywed 20! In only three months! (I had the added pressure of starting a stressful year of school the day I returned from my honeymoon. Not that it's an excuse, but...well, okay. It's an excuse.) I knew it was bad. I didn't want to be one of those wives who let herself go after the wedding. No way! I wanted to be a hot, sexy wife with a hot, sexy body! But how to make it happen when too many post-Honeymoon candy bars had taken their toll? I knew that a fad diet wasn't really the way to go, since I wanted it to stick.
Luckily I came across SparkPeople.com. This website is a godsend for people trying to lose weight the right way. The focus is on motivation...getting it and keeping it going. It's not about a quick fix or a fad diet, but more about a lifestyle change.
You start out by entering all of your stats...how much do you weigh? How much do you want to lose? By when? What kind of food do you eat? What kind of workouts do you do? Once you put in all of your info, they come up with a plan for you. If you want to lose this much weight by this date you should eat this many calories per day and burn this many calories per week.
It's that easy!
They have a great interface to track the food you eat every day. I never knew how much CRAP I put in my mouth before I started tracking every bite. If you are a bit clueless on healthy foods, they have a ton of good recipes to try, plus articles on healthy eating. Also, they put together a daily menu for you and even provide a shopping list. It's so easy, even for the laziest dieter.
They have a workout interface, too. You can track the cardio you do daily. It gives you a strength training plan based on the equipment you let it know that you have. Plus it gives daily suggestions on workouts and weight-lifting exercises you can do.
There's also a VERY helpful message board. There are quite a few SparkPeople experts - certified personal trainers, nutritionists, etc. - who hang out on the boards answering questions and helping to provide encouragement. There are also group boards you can join so you can get motivated by people who share the same goals. It's so helpful to have the other people in your group there to help you stay accountable.
Oh, did I mention the best part? This is all FREE! That's right...this website does all of this for you and has no cost.
I know I sound like a total commercial, but I really love SparkPeople. Like I said, I had gained 20 pounds in only three months after my wedding. I signed up for SP in January and I've lost the 20 pounds...plus an extra five. I'm now the lowest weight I've ever been in my life and I feel great! Thanks to the encouragement I received from my SparkFriends on the 10 Pounds or Less board I have run three 5Ks...something I would have never even considered pre-wedding. I really feel great and I've totally changed the way I think about food and exercise.
Plus my hubby thinks I look sexy. Who can beat that?
I know as a bride you are concerned with looking your best and shedding as many extra lbs as you can. And I know NO ONE wants to deal with that dreaded Newlywed 15. If you're looking for a healthy, smart (oh, and did I mention FREE?) way to get in shape and feel your best, take a look at SparkPeople.com. (And if you sign up, be sure to use me as a referral! My username is JESSRKIM)
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The Newlywed 15 is not just a myth! But it doesn't have to be reality, either.
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