Freshman Fifteen

So everyone knows that females, in their first year of college, gain 15 pounds -- the wonderful Freshman Fifteen. I was prepared for that, I fought against it, and I succeeded in overcoming that dreaded situation that affected many around me. What nobody told me was that wives, in their first year of marriage, also gain 15 pounds -- some refer to it as "happy weight." I personally, am not so happy (Happy in my marriage, yes! Happy with those extra pounds, NO!).



This vicious weight gain started on my honeymoon (the accompanying pictures are all from our amazing trip to Fiji). We were staying at an all-inclusive resort -- enough said right? I told myself that I might as well get my money's worth. The food was absolutely delicious and they served dessert at every meal! And I mean every meal, there were even cookies for breakfast. I thought, I am on vacation, what the heck. I can relax, enjoy my expensive meal and then when I go back to the real world I will get back on track. Easier said than done. I could continue on with multiple excuses as to why this so-called "happy weight" happened: new job, long commute, cooking and baking for my husband, traveling for work a lot, being forced to eat out too much, a vending machine at the office (where everything in there is only $.25). There are a million excuses, but what it really comes down to is willpower - the ability to exert one's will over one's actions. That is all it is. I want to be in better shape but my actions are not making it happen!

You might be wondering why I am writing about this today. Well, last night was the final episode before the season finale of The Biggest Loser. I am a big (no pun intended) fan of that show. I cry nearly every episode. It is amazing to watch those people completely change their lives. I talk about needing to lose 10 pounds, these people lose 10 pounds in a week!! I find it hard to make it to the gym for 30 minutes a day, these people are in the gym 8 hours a day!! If they can do it, I can do it. I got a hold of the weight gainage about 2 months ago by standing up to the aforementioned excuses. #1 - just because that bag of M&Ms only costs a quarter doesn't mean I should eat them every day. #2 - if the hour and a half commute in the evenings makes me too tired to go to the gym then I should become a morning gym person -- 5:00 am has been treating me well! #3 - there are healthy choices on the menu where ever you go, eating out is not an excuse to eat horribly. The problem is (in my old age - sadly I am getting up there) just eating healthy and working out regularly doesn't seem to be enough to actually lose weight. It has stopped the weight gain, but I am not losing anything! So today, I am pledging to take further action to sincerely commit to losing those 10 pounds (again...sigh) and making myself healthier for my Life As A Wife.