Fitness Coach Sheds Light on Post-Wedding Weight Gain in Indian Couples
In India, weddings are famously elaborate affairs, often dubbed 'big fat weddings' for their grand celebrations, lavish feasts, and multiple functions. Brides and grooms typically invest heavily in self-care routines to look their best on the big day, achieving peak fitness and glowing appearances. However, a fitness coach has highlighted a common trend: many couples experience significant weight gain within a year or two after marriage, a phenomenon often dismissed as natural but rooted in specific lifestyle changes.
The Pre-Wedding Fitness Frenzy
Engaged couples worldwide prioritize wellness before their weddings, driven by desires to fit into dream outfits and maintain good health. Fitness coach Sanya Wadhera notes that in the lead-up to the ceremony, individuals often hit the gym regularly, eat clean, and schedule meticulous skin appointments. "Before shaadi (wedding): He’s in the gym. Best shape of his life. She’s eating clean. Best she’s ever looked," she said in a social media post. This dedication ensures they appear in optimal shape during the nuptials.
Why Weight Gain Occurs After Marriage
Wadhera explains that post-wedding, self-care often takes a backseat, leading to weight gain. She outlines a typical timeline: honeymoon weight gain in the first month, gym cancellations by month three due to household responsibilities, late-night dinners by month six, and significant weight increases of 8 kg in the first year and 15 kg by the second year. In Indian households, this is often normalized with phrases like "Shaadi ke baad sab aise hote hain" (Everyone gains weight after marriage).
Key reasons for this weight gain include:
- Merged Routines: Pre-marriage, individuals control their meals, sleep, and exercise schedules. After marriage, routines merge and often collapse as couples adjust to each other's worst habits, leading to shared unhealthy practices.
- Doubled Social Obligations: Social life expands, with weekends filled with visits, dinners, and functions. Couples feel pressured to attend together, doubling food intake and social pressures.
- "Settle Ho Gaya" Excuse: The mindset of "settling down" becomes an excuse to stop training, eating well, and caring about health, with partners enabling each other's weight gain for comfort.
Tips to Regain Health and Fitness
Wadhera offers practical advice for couples to restart their wellness journey:
- Initiate an honest conversation about how both partners feel in their bodies, focusing on emotions rather than diet, to foster mutual understanding.
- Prepare one meal together daily with real, nutritious food, making healthy eating a shared activity that can inspire broader changes.
- Find 30 minutes for joint physical activity, such as walking after dinner or gym sessions on weekends, to build consistency and support.
- Avoid enabling unhealthy habits; true love involves helping each other stay healthy rather than indulging in excuses like "Aaj chhod de" (Let it go today).
Wadhera emphasizes that settling down should not equate to giving up on health. In an era where wellness trends come and go, her message underscores the importance of prioritizing long-term well-being over temporary fixes. By addressing these issues proactively, couples can maintain their fitness and enjoy a healthier married life.
