Research shows that many happy couples tend to gain weight, beginning in the early stages of a relationship and lasting into commitment. But it's not inevitable; you can take steps to avoid relationship weight gain.
Interestingly, research co-authored by Novak determined that, among those who had been married for more than four years, happy couples were twice as likely to put on weight than couples who reported not being as content with their relationship. It wasn't a dramatic amount: about five to 15 pounds over four years.
Relationship problems can have a direct effect on your physical health. If you are in an unhealthy relationship, you may be more likely to gain weight due to poor eating habits caused by stress, anxiety, or depression.
In fact, couples who move in together gain about twice as much weight in the first four years as do couples in the first four years of marriage. This effect persists even when important factors such as age, childbearing, exercise, smoking, health, and stress are excluded from the equation.
In fact, the study in 'Obesity' said that women, on an average, gained 24 pounds in the first five years of their marriage, whereas men gained 30 pounds in the same period.
Several factors can contribute to this. Newlywed weight gain can be due to changes in stress levels after marriage, a change in workout plans, post-pregnancy weight gain, and so on. Weight gain during the first year of marriage isn't a problem unique to just women, by the way!
Due to the way toxic relationships can lower self-esteem, plus the stress they cause, this can result in appetite changes and weight loss, Melamed says.
Strained relationships can cause stress, which may drive you to seek the comfort of junk food and alcohol, both of which add calories. Stress can also affect how your body metabolizes excess calories, says Briana Mezuk, Ph.
The stress from heartbreak creates physiological and physical changes that can often result in a loss of appetite. Specifically, the body produces the hormone epinephrine, (also known as adrenaline) in direct response to the onset of grief.
Factors such as stress, overwork or eating on the run can be at the root of weight gain, and so can some serious physical or psychological health issues. Affirm your love for her, and reframe your desire to help her regain a healthy body as loving concern.
Change your diet
Changing your diet is imperative in not allowing those relationship pounds to sneak up on you. Go grocery shopping together and opt for healthier options. If you have no clue what to get, look up healthy recipes online, you can even make a date of it, cooking together can be fun and relaxing.
Regarding your girlfriend's weight gain, it's worth having a conversation with her about it – one that focuses on her feelings, not yours. Trust me, she knows she has put on weight. But a sudden increase in weight could by a side-effect of a few things, including illness, medication, stress or depression, etc.
Blame it on your hormones: In times of stress or tension, your body produces a hormone called cortisol which is responsible for increasing your appetite. Obviously, being so overwhelmed with emotion can make you lose your better sense of judgment, making you crass things to beat that hunger.
Ultimately though it's the person who has gained weight who has to deal with this and all you can do is try to provide them with a warm, supportive, space that makes it easier for them to get motivated to lose weight. As with alcoholics or smokers, the desire for change can only come from the person themselves.
Weight does affect who will date us. Weight does affect how much our partners want to have sex with us. Stick with the lower calorie foods when eating out with our romantic partners. It's attractive that you take good care of yourself.
Some of the common characteristics that are often seen in unhealthy relationships include controlling behaviors, mistrust, disrespect, and poor communication.
When entering a relationship, many people stretch their boundaries, putting aside healthy habits they may have followed in the past. New-relationship behaviors that can contribute to weight gain include: Eating out more frequently: Many couples go out to eat on dates, trying new restaurants and cuisines.
Through the breakup process, the stress and the sadness will come in waves, but it will eventually dissipate. Durvasula says most people start to feel markedly better—or at least see their eating patterns return to normal—in six weeks.
The real reason for this weight gain is that your eating habits are more to likely change after marriage and because you eat more than what you did when you were single. Another reason for this weight gain is caused by the sense of security.
Newlywed couples usually eat outside, relatives, and friends throw parties and this becomes like an everyday routine. It is rare that you have homecooked meals and often go to restaurants with friends and family. This becomes one big reason behind weight gain after marriage.
Physical Body Changes After Marriage
You may experience a slight delay for a month or two, which is also completely normal, brought on by the stress of your first time. You may also notice some changes in your breasts, as they might swell a little, and your skin may become flushed, especially just before intercourse.