Health

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Avoiding the ‘Comfort Weight’ of Marriage

Have you heard of the comfort weight of marriage? The weight of a wedding ring on your hand is a wonderful and comforting thing. However…post wedding poundage really isn’t either of those things. There are a few things that might be considered stereotypical, but that do tend to be truth when it comes to the wedding and the days thereafter. Brides (and grooms) tend to want to look their best for their big day. So, part of the preparation for the wedding is often the pre-marriage diet/exercise plan (hello gym membership, body pump classes, spinning etc.). Exercise and better eating combine and will usually result in the shedding of unwanted pounds in time for that final dress fitting.

Yet, when the celebration is over, many couples will let go of the healthy pattern that was developed before their vows. In fact, this phenomenon is so common that many people have come to refer to the pounds gained after tying the knot as ‘comfort weight.’

If you want to avoid gaining the post-party pounds or if you are the newlywed who has suddenly found that the jeans from last year don’t fit all that well anymore, then There are a few changes you can make to keep you at a healthy weight and also strengthen the bond of your marriage.

Invest in a Home Gym – If you have the space in your house or apartment, a home gym – even in the simplest of forms – can serve as a great place to remain thin and trim or to return to that status. Plus, having it right there means that you and your hubby can share in the activity together and keep each other on track.

Take a Nightly Stroll – Many couples have a tendency to lose touch of romance after they’ve wed. A great way to keep connected and get the workout you both need, is through an evening walk. After the dinner table has been cleared, the two of you can set off together. For more athletic couples, this can even be transformed into a nightly run.

Couples’ Cooking – Part of the reason that young married couples have a tendency to pack on extra pounds is because the ritual of nightly dinners hasn’t yet been established. Instead, newlyweds will choose to eat out or order in, which usually means higher fat and calories when compared to a homemade meal. Solution: use the evening meal as a bonding time and work together to create something that tastes wonderful and is good for you.

Remember, sharing in the activities that are good for your health will make it easier for the two of you to stay on track and keep off the comfort weight of marriage. It’s fun to challenge each other and keep in shape as a couple…you’ll both be glad you did!

What ways have you and your partner come up with to stay in shape? We’d love for you to share your ideas with us in a comment!

4 New Reasons Newlywed Sex Rocks!

We all know newlywed sex rocks. But guess what? There’s health benefits for both of you too! Very few women will dispute the fact that newlyweds have a “glow” about them. Is it a reflection of finding everlasting love or the excitement of starting a new life together? Well, one study shows that the number one thing behind the newlywed glow is sex. You got it ladies….lots of lovin’ equals better looks! Here are a few more benefits of a healthy sex life:

Help Your Heart – Not only does sex draw you intimately closer as a couple, it’s good for your heart. Several studies have concluded that a woman’s risk of dying from heart disease decreases as the frequency of her orgasms increase over time. Just one more reason to make sure you get in some QT between the sheets!

Keep Your Spouse Cancer Free – While female orgasms help protect against heart disease, research is beginning to suggest that the frequency of male orgasms can proportionally decrease the risk of prostate cancer. You’re always looking out for your man, and here’s yet another way to boost his health and happiness!

Improve Your Slumber – You know how easy it is to pass out after great sex? It turns out that there’s scientific evidence that sex improves your sleep quality. Now you can feel free to snooze after he puts on the moves. You also have a remedy for nights when you’re having trouble falling asleep.

De-Stress – Guess what? Healthy sex gives the brain the same soothing effects of high sugar comfort foods when it comes to lowering your stress level. Researchers think that this stress reduction happens because the pleasure pathways of the brain are triggered by sex (just as they are by ice cream and chocolate)! Remember this fact the next time that a giant work project has you reaching for the Rocky Road.

So now that you know all of the amazing benefits of a hot blooded romp…feel free to share this information with your spouse. Who knows, you might keep that newlywed glow going for another year or more!

Research information from EverydayHealth.com. Check them out for 4 more reasons newlywed sex rocks!

Say Yes to Your Health

It is incredibly important to say yes to your health. Now that you’re married (and maybe even have children/step-children in the mix) you are faced with the responsibility of taking care of someone else in your life. While this may be true, the ultimate truth is, “The best way to take care of those you care about is to take care of YOURSELF.”

It may sound selfish, but it really isn’t if you think about it. No one benefits from a spouse or parent who is always tired, stressed out, or ill. So let me offer you some of the best ways to make sure you are getting what you need in life to ensure that others will get what they need out of you:

Sleep: You’ve been told this all your life and I’m going to tell you again. Your body needs adequate sleep in order to function, so be sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. If you notice that you are really tired in the morning, try going to bed at least 15 minutes earlier to see if this helps you feel more rested.

Me Time: Be sure to set at least 15-30 minutes (or more) aside each day for yourself. You could read a book, watch your favorite show, sit on your patio and watch the sunset or take a walk…anything that you want to do during that time is for YOU.

Smile & Be Grateful: Try your hardest to smile and think of what you’re grateful for each and every day. Smiling takes less muscles than frowning and makes other people smile too, so just do it! Thinking of your life and everyone/everything in it that you’re grateful for will make you smile anyway.

Simplify Your Life: There’s nothing wrong with making a To-Do List, but recognize the things that don’t really ‘have to’ get done that day. Running around day-in-and-day-out like a crazy person will only drag you down and make you feel exhausted. Remember, your spouse/family will love you just as much if your dinners aren’t always made from scratch or your gifts aren’t always handmade by you. If you have kids in the mix…organizing a carpool to soccer practice so you can alternate days will go a long way!

Learn to when to Say ‘No’ & when to Say ‘Yes’: If you’re traveling every weekend out-of-town for business, or to visit family or college friends you have to realize that turning people down once in a while is exactly what you NEED to do. Obviously, you can’t turn down your boss (in most cases) so unfortunately; your family and friends will need to understand when you need a weekend to relax alone. By saying “no” to another happy hour, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party you are saying “yes” to yourself. You can still show your thoughts by sending a gift when appropriate, but when your body is telling you to slow down, do it.

Exercise/Eat right: You’re not a teenager anymore, so stop eating like one! You only get one body, so think about how the decisions you make will affect your health. It’s impossible to take care of a spouse or child if you are ill, so remember that the next time you opt out of fruits, vegetables and multi-vitamins!

Tell us what you do to put yourself FIRST. How are you saying yes to your health? We love to be inspired by our readers, so leave your thoughts and ideas by commenting below!

5 Fast Healthy Newlywed Dinners

During the weeknights, after getting home from a long day of work, the last thing that I care to do is cook. This has become like a second job, as I often times find myself running to the grocery store every night, grabbing what we need for dinner, and then throwing something together. More often than not, these un-planned dinners are not on the “under 500 calorie” menu either! In trying to eat healthy and maintain weight (which by the way is getting increasingly harder the older I get) I have realized these last-minute-meals are just not cutting it! Not to mention the fact that if dinner is not planned out, the drive-through on the way home looks very appealing and way too convenient! After deciding to try out a new approach and do all of the grocery shopping for the week, on Sundays, my husband and I are not only eating healthier, but we now have more time in the evenings to enjoy one another’s company. I wanted to share some of the simple weeknight dinner recipes that I have tried, that are not only delicious, but calorie conscious and time-savers as well! I believe you’ll love them too!

Beer-Battered Fish Tacos with Tomato & Avocado Salsa – 30 minutes/209 Calories/29 g protein
Skillet Pork and Peppers – 5 Reasons to love this one: 22 minutes/380 Calories/18 g Fat/2 g Fiber/20 g Protein
Spring Chicken Salad – Make sure to let your hubby know that this salad includes meat and potatoes!
Chili-Rubbed Steak and Pan Salsa – 20 minutes/Serves 2/174 Calories
Fettuccini and Sweet Italian Sausage Alfredo – 20 minutes! This recipes give you alternatives for a healthier pasta- 27% less calories, 55% less saturated fat, 27% less sodium, check it out!

With Spring just around the corner, and dare I say it…. swim suit season approaching, it is important to keep up with your healthy living habits! Do you have any healthy, fast dinner tips that you and your spouse practice during the week nights? If you have some interesting recipes that you can’t live without, please do share!

Looking for more newlywed advice? Our experts are her to help

Newlywed New Year’s Resolutions: Do or Don’t?

Are you making newlywed New Year’s resolutions? Many newlyweds start thinking about their New Year’s Resolution in days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. People come up with all kinds of things (i.e. to lose weight, quit smoking, organize their lives, take a dance lesson, earn a degree, etc.). These are all really good things to do to help become a healthier, happier you; so why do many of the people who pledge to do them fail?

Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, led a study to figure out just that. He and his team asked 700 people about their strategies for achieving New Year resolutions. Their goals ranged from losing weight or giving up smoking to gaining a qualification or starting a better relationship. Of the 78% who failed, many had focused on the downside of not achieving the goals; they had suppressed their cravings, fantasized about being successful, and adopted a role model or relied on willpower alone (Source: guardian.co.uk).

Apparently, these tactics simply don’t work. So, what should you do if you really want to pick a goal and stick to it?

Break Your Ultimate Goal Up Into Smaller Steps: For example, if you plan to quit smoking; don’t do it cold-turkey. Try limiting the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day and take one away as you feel comfortable. You are more likely to stick with it, if you move at your own realistic pace.

Tell a Friend about Your Goal: Sharing your goals with friends or family will help you stay motivated to reach them (i.e. joining a gym with someone else and meeting to workout together will keep you on track).

Focus on Benefits of Success: Spend your time and energy focusing on the benefits of what your hard work will do for you rather than the fact that you might fail. Staying positive is motivating, not to mention a healthier way to live your life.

Keep a Journal: Write down your plan in a notebook or diary and keep track of what you do each day. This is a visual reminder of where you started and how far you have come since you decided to change your life.

Don’t get caught up into thinking that if you don’t start on January 1^st that you have to wait a whole year to start. When you are ambitious and ready to make a change in you life, do it! Forgive yourself for setbacks and get right back on track. You’ll look back when you reach your goal and realize you can do anything you put your mind to. Best of luck and Happy New Year!

What’s your New Year’s Resolution this year? Do you have a plan to help you reach your goal? Let us know if you used any of these tips and how they helped you stay motivated to reach your ultimate goal.