“Marriage lets you annoy one special person for the rest of your life”
I’m getting married Friday. Unlike most brides-to-be, I’m pretty calm – come Thursday, that could change but, for now, it’s all good.
My “I’m getting married!” face.
Also in non-typical pre-bride fashion, I’m intentionally the same size as when wedding planning began. I had no desire to drop I weight and I did not buy a smaller dress size with the goal to fit into it (as I noted last year in my “Fit Girl Problems” post, I actually ordered one size up to allow for a bigger butt and legs that may have come from spring race training).
I’ve heard numerous stories of brides dieting and working out in the months leading up to their weddings. These range the gamut of minor to extreme. And I have to ask myself, “Why?”
Why do brides put so much pressure on themselves to look a certain way for their wedding? Is it because they think their spouse to-be wants to marry Barbie? Are they obsessed with having perfect wedding photos? Do they want to be the envy of all other Pinterest weddings? What’s the motivation to strive for a body that, for one day, fits into a dress one size smaller than what you’d normally wear (especially considering no one sees that number but you)? And for those who go extreme, why put yourself through all the extra pre-wedding stress only to be extra-stressed, hangry, and unable to breath or dance on your wedding day?
Also worth noting is what I never hear about: brides looking to get fit for their weddings. Even the seemingly “pro-fit” articles that occasionally float across my social feeds are all very cautionary. You know, tone your arms to look good in your strapless dress but keep the weights really light so you don’t get big or look bulky. Don’t even get me started on that (but if you really want to know, read my blog on this very topic).
Here’s why I have not tried to drop weight prior to my wedding.
Can’t imagine missing out on fun like this.
Working out and eating with balance relieves my stress. There has been no “wedding diet” or “bridal bootcamp” as that would only up my stress level.
Also, Chris is marrying Lindsay. Fit Lindsay, complete with some jiggles and lumps, biceps and a booty. Normal Lindsay who loves to eat, drink and be merry. Happy Lindsay, whose only concern is looking back on the day with good, fun memories.
Chris is not marrying Twiggy Lindsay with stick figure proportions. Hangry Lindsay who can’t eat, drink or enjoy a slice of her own wedding cake. Exhausted Lindsay who has no energy to circulate the room or dance til midnight. Sad Lindsay who is so stressed about her looks, actually enjoying the day is the furthest thing from her mind.
Let’s also not forget the mental damage that can come from pressured dieting and exercise. In my case, this is huge. It has taken me years to finally be happy with my body. And not just happy with it, proud of it, both for what it is (an endomorph) and what it has become (fit, strong and healthy). No way would I let any pressure of a perfect Pinterest wedding or flawless Facebook photos take away from that.
Now this isn’t to say I don’t want to look my best on my wedding day. Of course I do! I’m wearing a style of dress I’d never wear in “real life.” I’ve made the effort to hit the tanning bed a couple times even though I loathe tanning. Best of all, I’m getting my hair done prettier than I’d ever make the effort to do on a typical day. What makes a girl feel better than perfect hair?! Even with those little efforts, I’ll still look like me.
Did you (or your wife) diet and exercise for your wedding? If so, was it reasonable and something that stuck – or so extreme, it was regrettable and not worth it? Brides-to-be, are you on a wedding diet or exercise program? Tell me how it’s going in the comments or tweet me @runlikeagirl311 on Twitter.