Since I've gotten married I've gained about 20 pounds? Anyone know why that is? After the first 5 or 10 pounds, I thought it was just my hormones going crazy (I was a virgin before marriage), but I keep gaining weight! Also, most of it is concentrated in the stomach area, but not in the way it happens it most women. Most of the time when women gain weight in the stomach region (at least from what I'm observed), their midsection kind of expands in all directions. Mine is popping out straight forward (as if I was pregnant...but I'm not). It's also hard to find clothes b/c usually women with a big stomach are told to get high-waisted shirts because it accents the thinnest part of their body (right underneath the breast). But, the thinnest part of my body is still my natural waistline, it's just popping forward.

So, I'm asking (1) WHY am I gaining all this weight?, (2) HOW can I get rid of it (is there a special way to target that area?) and (3) WHAT kind of clothing should I buy to accomodate my new body shape?

ChihuahuaMomma

COMFORT!! Did your lifestyle change? Stop working? Stop working out? Is he a good cook?

Simply take a jog with your hubby every day. A mile or two should be sufficient. I like flowy tops!! And I got a front hump! Flowy shirts!!!

Daisy87

My lifestyle hasn't changed at all. The only change I could suspect is that I might eat more b/c I feel like I have to catch up with him. But, we became very aware of that after the first five pounds or so, and I stopped doing it...I've kind of always been thin my whole life, a serious blessing, and now it just seems like that's gone (which sucks). I didn't exercise much before we were married (besides walking up the 100+ step staircase to campus for classes) and I haven't changed anything since we got married. My job changed a couple of times. About two weeks before we got married I stopped working at a fast food restaurant and started working at a preschool/day care. Then just about about three months ago a left the day care for an internship with a small non-profit organization. So the jab changes and the weight changes don't exactly coincide...

ChihuahuaMomma

Stress?? I gained fifty pounds in my current relationship.

ISneezeFunny

ah, everyone gains weight when they're in a relatively comfortable relationship. As a guy, I gained about 20. ...then we ended it and I lost 35. I guess I came out on top there. They either go out to eat more...or they just plain eat more...and it's really hard to accommodate the "healthy eating lifestyle" when you're cooking for someone else as well.

If your user ID says anything about your age...you're 21? so your metabolism should still be good to go.

change a few eating habits...y'know...drop the sodas...chocolate...candy...chips. try to eat small healthy meals...more veggies...drink plenty of water, and as chihuahua says, try to go for an evening jog (or a walk) for 30 - 45 min after dinner with your hubby.

It not only gives you exercise, but gives you two time to talk, catch up about what happened during the day, and will benefit the relationship, I'm sure.

ChihuahuaMomma

Haha good metabolism at 21? That's when mine went away.

Daisy87

I guess there's a couple of things that you should understand about my health. (1) I was born with some birth defects and had a lot of surgeries as a baby. As a result of one of them, my stomach is tied in a knot around the bottom of my esophagus (only way to keep the two attached) and my stomach is only about the size of a medium/large potato. I eat small meals and lots of snacks (another reason I've stayed thin). I also have a deformed sternum that curves in toward my body. I suspect it gives me some respiratory problems because you guys say "a mile or two" and "talk to him while you run" like it's no big deal. No WAY could I do that! When I was 17 I used to jog about a mile three times a week, and that would be REALLY hard for me.

BUT, because of your suggestions I'm going to start to jog around my block (about a third of a mile) at least three times a week. Combine that with some crunches, and snack that are only fresh fruit and veggies I should drop a few in the belly, right?

Any tricks to increasing metabolism?

Daisy87

whoops. I marked (1) and never marked the sternum thing as (2).......I'm awesome.

Diageo87

Hey I am big into the whole weight thing and I have discovered that when I am in a relationship I tend to gain weight as men generally eat more crap than women and we pick at their food however they get away with it as they are allowed to consume more calories than a woman, due to the water levels and metabolic rate in men and women's bodies. However your saying its almost like your pregnant there are a few possibilities either very large fibroids, possibly a tumor (sorry) so maybe consult your doctor if you havnt changed your eating habits. Also, you should be losing weight if your now having sex.

ISneezeFunny

yes. just taking in 500 calories less a day (that's about...a small bag of chips, a can of soda, and maybe a small candy bar), you can lose about 1 - 2 pounds a week.

due to your health history, I don't even suggest jogging much. Go for a walk with your hubby. a brisk walk (a little faster than walking...a bit slower than jogging..you should be able to talk comfortably while doing this) for 30 - 45 minutes a day will do wonders.

Increasing metabolism...eat small, light, meals throughout the day, and exercise.

oh, and don't forget to drink plenty of water.