Finally, I have proof that my husband truly is to blame for my muffin top. Just kidding, of course.
According to research from sociologists at Ohio State University, personal transitions in life like getting married or getting divorced can cause weight gain. Women are more likely to gain weight after getting married and men are more likely to gain weight after a divorce.
Women gain weight after marriage because their responsibilities grow exponentially and they have little time to workout and focus on themselves. For me personally, I think I gained so much weight because several things happened.
When I married my husband, it was the first time that I felt secure enough to be myself. I felt unconditionally loved for who I was and I won the 8 year battle with eating disorders and stopped my bulimarexic lifestyle cold turkey. Couple that with the added responsibility/stress of running a household, having children and putting others ahead of myself and my own health and voila, nearly 100 pound weight gain over the last 13 years.
Men tend to lose the big benefit of being married and gain the weight post divorce.
But there are ways to prevent this from happening. Like for me, 100 pounds didn’t happen overnight. It took years of ignoring the issue to let it get to this point.
Here are a few ways to stay healthy and healthy. Being a part of a couple or not, should not carry with it the punishment of being obese.
Own it! Take note of how your eating habits have changed since getting into a relationship or getting divorced? Are you staying in and eating more rich foods? Are you skipping meals? Are you snacking all day? Have you lost your appetite? Do you use food to comfort you from the pain of loneliness? Stop it! You are worth more than a relationship status.
Say it! You have to speak up. Your partner is not a mind reader. If you need to eat healthier, tell your partner. Make it a family effort to make healthier recipes. Go for family walks, bike rides or just play outside with the kids.
If you need to go exercise, tell your partner you need them to see to the kids for an hour so that you can be a healthy example for your children. Explain that you want to live as long as possible so that you can be with them. Your spouse is your partner and they don’t want you to be miserable. They will be proud of you for making the effort and owning your issue.
Not to mention, the healthier you get, the sexier you will feel and the sexier you will react to your spouse. Getting healthy will have great benefits to the relationship.
Do it Together! It will be easier to accomplish your goals if everyone is on the same page. It is also motivational to have someone who supports you, understands how difficult it is to lose the weight and is getting healthy right along with you.
Marriage doesn’t need to mean you will get fat and neither does divorce. Do not let someone else determine your own self worth.
How do you and your spouse stay healthy?
Photo Source: Garry Knight
