Over the past few months, I’ve really enjoyed reading the blogs of other recent newlyweds. It is so interesting to me how we’re all so similar and that many newlyweds go through the same types of experiences. One of the dreaded experiences that I know we’d rather not go through is gaining the “happy fat.”
My whole life I’ve heard about women that gain weight after the get married because they get comfortable or because they’re cooking meals that their husbands will like. I convinced myself that this could never happen to me.
Leading up to the wedding, I got down to a size 4 pants and size 2 skirts. I’m 5’8″. I ate well, I exercised, and I couldn’t believe that my body was responding so well to the good treatment I was giving it. It was mostly hard for me to believe because when I was 18 years old, I didn’t gain the freshman fifteen. I gained the freshman forty! It gradually came on, but it stayed on all through college and I didn’t get rid of it until my first year out of college.
I worked hard to get it off and told myself I’d never go back to the dark side. Well I’m on my way there now. Granted, I’ve only gained 10 pounds since the wedding, I have gone up one pants size and I refuse to get any further. It’s fun gaining the weight. It’s not fun getting it off. And it’s not fun spending money on new clothes when you have to go up a size.
Over the past few weeks, Mojito Maven, LyndsAU and I have noticed that we’re often talking about the same weight-related issues and we decided that we needed to be able to talk openly about our struggles. I know there are other women and newlyweds that are going through the same issues and we want for you to be able to open up about it in the comments of our blogs.
Every Wednesday, we’ll be hosting “Weight Watchers Wednesday.” I’m obviously hosting it this week, but next week LyndsAU will host and then Mojito Maven will host the following week. Wednesdays will be our day to share successes, failures, and progress.
This is a place to post recipes and give us your secrets. What motivates you to exercise?
I am a strong advocate of Weight Watchers because that is what has worked for me. I enjoy counting points and being able to keep everything organized, because that’s how I think and work best. My goal this time is to lose 10 pounds and get back to “wedding weight.”
2 tsp olive oil, extra-virgin
2 medium yellow pepper(s), cut into 2-inch long thin strips
1 medium onion(s), thinly sliced
1/2 cup red wine
1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted recommended
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or less to taste
1/4 tsp table salt
8 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, fusilli
1/3 cup basil, fresh, chopped
Meanwhile, to make sauce, in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, stirring and breaking up meat with back of a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes; remove to a plate.
Heat oil in same skillet. Add yellow peppers and onion; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are lightly colored and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
Add wine and garlic; cook until most of liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, crushed red pepper, salt and browned sausage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until vegetables are tender and sauce is heated through, about 10 minutes.
While sauce simmers, add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions. Drain pasta; return to pot. Add sauce and basil; toss to mix and coat. Yields about 1 1/3 cups per serving.
Obviously, your serving size will affect the points value, so think small!
What is your goal? Share your stories with us.
This blog is not supported nor endorsed by any part of the Weight Watchers corporation. All point values are figured using the Weight Watchers eTools and are assumed to be as accurate as possible.Recipes that are labeled as “Core (WW)” may contain trace amounts of non-Core ingredients, but the point value per serving of those ingredients would figure to be .5 points or less in all cases.
Awesome… my husband and I have been working on staying on track since our June wedding but it is so hard to not just let go and eat whatever! It helps now that my husband and I exercise together!
I think it is great what you guys are doing! All our friends that were married before us gained weight and my husband and I said that would not be us. Well, 8 months later and we have gained 10 pounds! We started going to the gym regularly together, cooking healthier, calorie counting, and not eating after 7p.m. We are still trying to loose another 10 for our beach vacay but I couldn’t have done it without my husband doing it with me!
Keep up the great work, love your blog!
What a great opener Erin!! I will wait to share my story until my hosting day, but already I am so excited about this and I know it’s going to be a success!!
The dreaded marriage fat! The funny thing is, in our case, my hubby is the one who is gaining weight, and I’ve stayed the same! I think it’s all my cooking for him, and buying him his fav snacks. Maybe he should join Your Wednesday Weightwatchers.
I’m so glad I’m not alone!!! I always heard about gaining weight after you got married but never really thought it was true – until the day my pants started getting tight. What the heck!?!?!
This is so great! I’m glad you girls are starting this.
This is great. Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve gained back about 5-6 lbs, but at 5’2″ it feels like 50lbs. I successfully lost about 15 lbs for the wedding and got back close to my college weight.
I think I really need to get my butt moving…
I have a good desert recipe for you guys:
“Baked apples”
Cut up one apple into small cubes.
Put in a microwavable bowl.
Cover with cinammon and 1 packet of Equal.
Put in microwave on high for 15 seconds.
Eat over light vanilla yogurt.
DELICIOUS. I make it almost every single night.
We just celebrated our 6 month anniversary, and boy, are our pants tight, too! We definitely have gained the newlywed 10. Hubby lost lots of weight before with WW, and we’ve found that when we work at it together, we get great results! I’m looking forward to WW Wednesdays!
I really wish that I could participate in this…. maybe I still will! Just because I am pregnant, does not mean that I cannot eat WW inspired meals. Count me in!
Great idea. My motivation is sheer vanity – well, that and some health stuff that requires me to keep my immune system kicking.
I am not a calorie counter, having veered a little too sharply in that direction in the past. I personally do best on a “all in moderation” approach, where I try to incorporate fruits/veggies in most meals and cut bad fat/sub in low-fat foods where I won’t miss the real thing.
I’m a newlywed as well..and although I haven’t gained actual pounds..I’m pretty sure I’ve gained some inches around my waist… HOW did this happen? lol Anyways, I love the pepper pasta recipe – we actually make that at our house and it’s on the list for this week. My big problem is chocolate and things in small portions. I eat like a man. LOL It’s true.
your recipe sounds delicious! i have maintained my weight pretty well since high school but all my travelling lately have been the hardest time of my life (as far as food is concerned) – bc I have to eat out EVERY SINGLE MEAL. And I mentioned before that I don;t like to go to real restaurants by myself so I usually resort to fast food. I carry ALL my weight in my bottom and upper thighs … lately when I put on a bathing suit I go around singing “gimme that donkey butt, them big ole legs”! Remember that rap song? My family thinks I am insane!!!!!
wow, good for you! I definitely agree it is so easy to put the pounds on but hard to get them off, I’m trying to be better about working out or doing anything for exercise so I can eat more of what I want!
Weight Watchers Wednesday!?! I love the idea! I’ll definitely be reading!!
What a cool idea!! I’m not on WW, but my fiance and I are cooking only healthy meals because I am doing Operation Boot CAmp! They have pretty strict eating guidelines but the biggest thing is eating small meals 6 times a day! It’s amazing how delicious some healthy food can be! 🙂 IT helps that my fiance is a pretty awesome cook!
what a great idea!
FAB-U-LOUS Erin!! 😉 Great first post! We girls have to stick together to get this “happy fat” off! Can’t wait til next week. SUCCESS!!! 🙂
I love this idea! I found your blog through Kelly Moore. Your wedding was one of the most gorgeous weddings I’ve seen her post. I’ve been reading your blog for about a month and I’m hooked. I’m going to follow you girls so I can keep up with WW Wednesdays. I’m not married, but I do understand “happy fat”. I look forward to hearing stories and sharing stories. 😀
I think you and Mrs. Mojito sound tiny (at least compared to me) but I think healthy eating is great at any size! I’ve been struggling with weight I put on in college and I too was worried about gaining weight after getting married. However, I’ve lost about 15 lbs since moving to Louisiana. I still have about 10 to go though, so I’ll be reading your Weight Watcher Wednesdays for sure!
Sounds great…I think you will reach a lot of people. You have inspired me…I am a personal trainer and I am going to try to post a new move or tip once a week.
great post and great idea! that recipe sounds yummy too! I have always took the “everything in moderation” approach and i am an avid runner and I lift weights 4 days a week. I have 8lb weights and do four arm exersises. arm lifts, arm curls, “love handle” bends and arm raises. I am not sure how to explain them : )
I am SO there. I have been married for 2 years and right after we got married, gained about 10 pounds and have gained probably about 5 more since then. I am not overweight or anything, I just don’t want to gain anymore so I am trying to be good!
I am so impressed! I can’t wait to hear how successful yall are, and hopefully I’ll be able to tell you that I’ve taken of my weight too! 10 pounds is my goal….
I’m so thrilled you ladies are doing this! I’m trying to get in shape for the wedding, but feel like I have already put on the NW10 since we moved in together after our engagement.
Even with a wedding date looming, I’m having a really hard time in the nutrition department. It’s such a relief to have this forum to read and relate to.
I’m looking so forward to your posts! Thank you for starting this.
xoxo
Lulu
I don’t think I gained any weight after I got married, but I definitely noticed a difference after I graduated from college. Sitting at a desk all day is quite a change from walking to and from class, the car, and the library all day…good luck with your weight watchers goal!
The only “plan” I ever lost weight on was Weight Watchers – I still follow so much of their guidelines and receipes.
I read a great article called “The Newleywed 9” about the weight that both in a couple gain after the wedding due to celebrations and pure happiness. We’ve both agreed to make an effort to watch each other with getting in bad habits and if necessary I’m heading back to Weight Watchers!
Ohh.. this is great. I feel like I’ve been talking about weight on my blog non stop for the past two weeks. While I have been doing decently in regards to eating, I definately need to find more motivation for the workouts. I’ll be paying close attention!
Great idea! I am not a newlywed, I have been married 11 years but I have gained weight! I am doing weight watchers and I love it!
I am a WW lifetime member and newlywed too! So I totally can relate to the extra lbs! I do think that WW is the best program; something you can really stick with forever. I think it’s fantastic that you all are starting this blog-support group! What a great idea!
This is such a great idea! I am wanting to shed a few pounds, but have very little motivation to stick with an excercise plan. I look forward to everyon’s ideas and recipes in the weeks and months to come!
hurray! i am so glad y'all are doing this and would love to join in on the action. i'd love to host a wedensday sometime too.
i love sweets, they are my downfall. i found a great 1 point recipe that is sweet and filling!
Haystacks:
1 cup Fiber One cereal
2 oz. chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter
Melt chocolate & peanut butter together in a medium size microwave safe bowl (takes about 2 minutes to hit the melting point). Stir & mix well.
Add cereal.
Stir until each piece of cereal is covered with the chocolate mixture.
On a Silpat mat or piece of wax paper, create 9 "blobs" from the mixture.
Place in freezer for 30 minutes – or until firm.
Enjoy!
Serves 9
1 Points Per Serving
Love it! I am doing weight watchers with a girl from my work! I so want to join in on this and recently made the crockpot cheesy chicken spaghetti! Oh, so far I have lost 3.5 pounds and my friend has lost 24 pounds.
Crock pot cheesy spaghetti:
I really liked it but Mr. Guru hated it. It is 6 points per cup.
Serves – 12 (1 cup each)
Points – 6
16 oz. dry spaghetti, cooked
1 lb. Velveeta Light cheese
12.5 oz. can chicken breast, drained and flaked
10 3/4 oz. can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
10 3/4 oz. can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
10 oz. can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel)
4 oz. can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/2 cup water
1 small onion, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
salt & pepper, to taste
Methods/steps
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to mix well.
Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours. Stir again just before serving.
Nutrition Information per serving:
286 cal., 5.7 g. fat, 2.7 g. fiber
Recipe from http://www.halfmysize.com
Enjoy,
Mrs. Guru
I 100% agree with your post…I feel like I have met a new set of best friends all going things I am going through…sometimes as I am reading a blog I feel like someone is in my head reading my thoughts…I too have the “happy” weight…lots of love, mg
I’m glad you are doing this! I really need the motivation. That recipe sounds delicious!
I’m so glad you’re doing this! I’m not married yet (5 mo and counting!) but I was doing do well on my “engaged diet” while studying for the bar (stress = easy pounds lost!) but now that I’ve started work, I’m starting to feel like a porker sitting my office for 13 hours a day! I LOVE Weight Watchers and ya’ll have inspired me to get back at it again! Keep it up!
I started a WW program at my old company and it was a huge success! I sometimes feel conflicted about WW because the points system tends to endorse copious use of “fake” products. I found myself living off fat-free cheese singles, butter spray and other chemically altered foods.
That said, it works. Here’s my favorite tricks:
Boca Chili from the freezer section over fresh spinach – 2 point lunch, delish.
Fiber One for breakfast – 0-1 points and filling
What a great idea! There are already some great recipes posted. We haven’t gained any weight yet, but with all the work needed on our new house we haven’t had any time to get comfortable! I will have to hold on to these for 4 months from now when we can finally move in.
Thank you! I gained weight after getting married (almost 5 years ago) but then lost it after moving to Shreveport (3 years ago) where I began to drink lots of water. Lately I find myself irritated more often than not because my clothes are beginning to fit a bit too tight. I know I'm not fat (size 6) but could definitely use healthy recipes and support & encouragement to get into a good exercise routine. Thank you SO much!
I love this! I will be reading about your WW Wednesday! I am a newlywed who has definitely gained some happy fat int this first year!! I am embarrassed to say that I think some family members thought I might be preggers! :0 Your goals are inspiring and I will be joining you!
Have a great day!
You inspired me! I gave you a shout out on me blog today.
Are you guys still doing this??
I have started my first Weight watchers wednesday post today, check it out!!
WWW Post <3
I linked my blog back to yours, hope thats ok!
<3 Brittany!
Found it! I got the chills reading this because this is the exact same thing I went/am going through: lost the weight (down to size 4 pants, size 2 tops and I’m 5’6″) and I’ve gained 10 lbs since the wedding. {If I’m being completely honest, its 13.} I’ve lost my “radar” on food–as in I shouldn’t have ice cream, cookies, cokes, cakes, etc. and have been eating whatever I want. Don’t know why, but I have been–and I’m tired of having to go up a pant size when I want to buy new things. Plus I feel like my face is pudgier (is that a word?) when I look in my pictures. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a complex where I need to look like Reese Whitherspoon or anything, but I think all women–no matter what size we are–has an ideal weight they’d like to be at and fights to stay there. While we may look “great” to some, I know I’m not at my best which reflects in all aspects of my life. Ok, sorry for the rant. Thanks for sharing your story!