5 Bridal Reasons To Lose Weight That Aren’t About The Dress

July 31, 2018 Ashley 0 Comments

So… You’re about to get married.

And, as if invitations and details about which shade of peach the roses should be weren’t bad enough, you’ve also got the massive task of losing weight. This one sucks. Especially if you’re stress snacking and skipping the elliptical to catch up on sleep. So, maybe it’s time to toggle pause on your marital machine and ask yourself:

Why? Why do you wanna lose weight?

(“THE DRESS. OBVIOUSLY.”)

Ah, yes. No little girl, playing with her veil covered slutty Mattel dolls, ever had dreams of spilling out’ve her wedding dress anywhere but the décolletage area. Barbie didn’t have back fat. And Ken didn’t need a Hoyer lift to roll her up the aisle. Likewise, we don’t want photos of ourselves, featuring an orka, netted in Italian imported lace, either. We want to look good in our wedding photos. But I’m here to tell you that – if that desire hasn’t been enough to keep you on track and get you the weight loss you want yet – maybe you need a few new reasons. Most of which have nada to do with you – but the lovely new life you’re building with your soul mate.

So, here are just a handful of reasons to lose weight that have zero to do with looking hot in Versace:

1. It’s a new chapter

In my article on weight loss retreats, one of the big factors mentioned about hacking fitness habits had to do with context. As you’re entering a new chapter of your life, your environment and context is completely changing. In the midst of wedding prep, you’re probably already noticing your routine being uprooted. Take advantage of that turmoil and rip the rug out from under all your terrible tendencies. Implement those healthy new changes now – so you can take them with you into your new life.

2. Example setting for hubby

This isn’t to say that your hubby needs a good example set for him or that he’s easily influenced. (I’d never patronize your dude.) But, do you ever notice how when one of you wants to order bad food, the other usually will do the same? Or if one’ve you starts snacking on something healthy, the other follows suit? Why not be the one starting the good habit dietary domino effect? Not only will it have a positive effect on the one you love; it will also make him more attracted to you out’ve sheer admiration for your fortitude and commitment to taking care of the flesh vessel you live in.

3. Healthier marriage

This piggybacks on the prior point: when you have a good, solid foundation and relationship of health with yourself, more of life seems to fall into place. You’re more confident. You have fewer insecurities. Resolution (versus wallowing in problems) seems to come easier. And that, in turn, means fewer of those disagreements that seem to go nowhere. It also means more solution seeking any time issues arise, so you can minimize friction in your marriage to keep the relationship strong.

4. The other example

Then, pretty soon, it may not just be you two anymore. And that means you’ll have someone else to set an example for: your spawn. Do you want your brand new rugrat picking up bad habits you forgot to leave on on the stoop when your groom carried you across the threshold? No. And if you have difficulty envisaging it, just imagine that porky little four year old you saw at Wal Mart last night, running around the check out with happy meal stains all over her ill fitting Paw Patrol tank top. Overweight. And not even in kindergarten yet. Those fat cells that her parents voluntarily pumped into her via bad example and “STFU snacks” are there for life. And you know what else is? The bad habits she saw all childhood and soaked up like a Shamwow. They’re bad habits so ingrained that change feels painfully impossible later when she wants to lose weight too. Don’t be the person who’s gonna cause all that. Start with you. And know the effect it’ll have later will be totally worth it.

5. Better interaction with your kids

Then, once you’ve set that good example and everyone’s healthy, what do you do? You get out and enjoy life together. You’re not a “pop the toddler in front’ve an iPad all weekend” mom. You’re not the “silence them with fries” mom. You’re the hiking mom. You’re the site-seeing mom. You’re the “get down on the floor an play horsey” mom. I may not be a mom myself. But I’ve seen both sides of the familial coin. And, with my own friends and fam, I’ve observed this: the playful nature a healthy lifestyle allows not only invigorates and inspires your children – but your partner too. And it revitalizes the connection you felt on your wedding day, so many years ago.

(Until he can’t help but wanna pop more progeny in your body than a Mormon rabbit)

So, in the end, sure, you’ll have some lovely snaps to look back at.

But you’ll have an even more beautiful future to look forward to.

Because it’s not just about you anymore, gorgeous.