Happiness=Fattiness

"She's like a baby, I'm like a cat, When we are happy, we both get fat"
-from "Life in a Nutshell" by Barenaked Ladies



Most mornings I like to watch the "Today" show while getting ready. Today I saw a segment that particularly interested me. It was about how both men and women typically gain weight after getting married. They cited several reasons: picking up each other's bad habits (like eating infront of the t.v.), eating out more or having more time centered around food (making dinner, shopping for food), and of course, just getting comfortable and letting go a bit. I think I am guilty of all of these, which maybe explains why in the past year or so I have put on 7-8 pounds. And though I am sure he wouldn't like me to share this, since we started dating (even before we got married) my husband has put on some weight (I will be discreet and not say how much).



When I got married, I was at the smallest weight I had been in a long time, not quite my high school weight, but the closest I had been in awhile. I didn't really have the pre-wedding stress-induced massive weight loss, rather over the year or so before that I just seemed to lose a few pounds here and there. I hadn't drastically changed my diet, but I was working out 2-3 times a week (probably more like 2) and also just seemed to be a little more active overall. Since getting married, those warm and fuzzy feelings of safety and comfort have set in, which on one hand is nice, but as a result I am probably getting too lax about watching what and how much I eat. A few years ago there was a period of time I seemed to be able to eat whatever and I maintained a lower weight. I am guessing that my metabolism was higher then, and it seems to have slowed down in the past year, but then again so have I. And of course it doesn't help that 3 days of the week I work late and don't get home until between 8:30-9:30pm, typically working without a dinner break, meaning I am eating at like 9 or 10pm and then going to bed shortly after that. On top of it all, as I approach the big 3-0, it seems inevitable that my body will start playing evil tricks on me. So far my clothes all still fit, but some are noticeably tighter and don't seem to look as good.



So what should I do? Well, it's all pretty common sense. Currently, I am only working out 1-2 times a week, which obviously needs to increase. I should also probably try to push myself a little more when I am working out, to stay on the tread mill a little longer, to do a few more reps. And then in my free time, both my husband and I need to work on being less couch potatoes/bears in hibernation, although these will be easier if it ever gets warmer again! And of course watching what I eat. Not just what, but how much. So we'll see how it goes.