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Navigating the Post-Wedding Blues: How Marriage and Fitness Go Hand in Hand
Just four weeks ago, I walked down the aisle and got married. It was a day filled with love, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime. But the strange thing is, once the wedding was over, I felt like my world had flipped upside down. I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions I wasn’t quite prepared for. And you might be thinking, “What does this have to do with fitness?” Trust me—stick with me, and it’ll all make sense.
The Unexpected Post-Wedding Blues
After my wedding day, which was easily one of the best days of my life, I experienced something I didn’t see coming—the post-wedding blues. It’s that strange, unexpected feeling you get after a significant milestone. I’ve heard others talk about it, but I never thought it would hit me quite like this.
It’s not that I wasn’t thrilled to be married—I was! But suddenly, I was left with a big question, “Now what?” The wedding planning that had consumed my thoughts, time, and energy for months was now over, and it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. There was a sudden void where all the excitement, planning, and anticipation used to be. I didn’t know what to look forward to next. It wasn’t the marriage itself that caused the feelings of uncertainty but the fact that such a huge, life-changing event had come and gone in a flash.
This feeling isn’t unique to weddings, though. Maybe you’ve completed a major fitness goal, moved to a new place, or started a new job. The moment you accomplish something big, the initial high can quickly give way to a feeling of “What’s next?”
If you’re nodding along, understanding exactly what I’m talking about, or if you’re hoping to avoid this feeling in the future, don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be all downhill from here. With a few simple strategies, you can bounce back, refocus, and keep moving forward.
Tip 1: Let Go and Embrace the Bubble Phase
After any major life event, it’s natural to find yourself out of your usual routine, especially when you’ve spent weeks or months hyper-focused on that one event. For me, it was all wedding planning—choosing flowers, finalising guest lists, making sure everything was perfect. My usual fitness routine went out the window, and there were days when I barely got any sleep, let alone meal-prepped or hit the gym.
If you thrive on routine, this can feel incredibly unsettling. But here’s my first piece of advice: take a breath, let go, and embrace the bubble phase. This phase is all about the immediate aftermath—those few days where life is a little blurry and it’s okay to be out of sync with your routine.
In my case, my husband and I spent two blissful days doing nothing but enjoying takeout, binge-watching shows, and reminiscing about the wedding. It was a little bubble of peace and recovery. If you can, take a day or two off work to relax, reflect, and recharge.
This time is crucial. It gives you a chance to process the big event, enjoy the calm after the storm, and mentally prepare for your next steps.
Tip 2: Start the Rebuild Phase
Once the initial post-event bliss (or chaos) subsides, it’s time to rebuild. About a week or two after the wedding, I felt ready to get back into movement. The gym, for me, is not only a place to work on my physical health but also my mental well-being. So, as soon as I felt up to it, I started easing back into my workouts.
This phase is all about gentle re-entry. You don’t have to go from 0 to 100 overnight. Listen to your body, and don’t rush into intense workouts. This is the time to rebuild your habits slowly—start with light cardio, some stretching, or low-impact exercises. The point is to get moving, not to push yourself to the limit just yet.
But rebuilding goes beyond fitness. Use this time to catch up on other areas of your life too. For example, I made it a point to get back to healthier eating habits. After all the wedding indulgence, it felt good to stock my fridge with nutritious foods again. I also made sure to catch up on sleep and spend quality time with loved ones—whether that meant planning a low-key date night or grabbing dinner with friends.
Life is about balance, and this is your chance to reset the scales.
Tip 3: Plan for the Future
After achieving a big goal, it’s easy to lose motivation. You’ve crossed that finish line, and now what? The key to avoiding post-milestone blues is to set your sights on something new. It doesn’t have to be a grand, life-altering goal, but having something to work towards keeps you motivated and excited about the future.
For me, my honeymoon is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on my fitness and nutrition again. It gives me a short-term goal to work toward—nothing extreme, but something to channel my energy into. It’s the same principle that applies after completing a fitness challenge. Once you’ve achieved that goal, it’s time to find your next one, whether it’s a new workout program, a personal best, or something totally outside of fitness.
If you have bigger long-term goals—like saving for a home or starting a new career—break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Planning for the future keeps you moving forward and prevents that feeling of being stuck in limbo after a major event.
Keep Moving Forward
Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes it can feel like the highs are followed by disorienting lows. But the important thing to remember is that it’s all part of the journey. You might fall out of your fitness routine, lose motivation, or feel a bit lost after a big event, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bounce back.
The more consistent you are with your daily habits—whether it’s staying active, nourishing your body, or setting new goals—the easier it becomes to get back on track when life throws curveballs your way. As I’ve learned, embracing the quiet moments, rebuilding at your own pace, and planning for the future are all essential steps to moving forward.
So, as I sit here, just four weeks into marriage, I can tell you this: it’s all about balance. Enjoy the bubble, rebuild your routine, and always keep your eyes on the next adventure.
Live in the moment, enjoy the journey, and embrace the challenges along the way. Life, fitness, and marriage—they all go hand in hand in helping us grow stronger, healthier, and more fulfilled.
Coach Daisy