Post-divorce Weight Loss

    Has your divorce left you with the desire to shed more than your ex-partner? You’re not alone. According to a poll commissioned by Divorce360.com, weight loss is the most popular goal for both men and women after a divorce.

But shedding pounds after a separation isn’t easy. Just ask Kim Bibeau, who lost 73 pounds during and after the break-up of her 11-year marriage. Bibeau, who works for the State Legislature in Tallahassee, Fla., originally never imagined that she could become the success story used to encourage others to become healthier. "I had always struggled with my weight,” says Bibeau. “My parents put me on my first diet when I was in seventh grade. It was Atkins -- I still have the book."

Bibeau’s first attempts to lose weight were hampered by the stress of her unhappy relationship. "I was trying to lose weight for all the wrong reasons,” she says. “My husband said that he didn't want to be married to a fat wife." However, as the process of her separation began, Bibeau slowly began to realize that she wanted to lose weight not for her then-husband, but for herself. "As soon as I made the change from diet to lifestyle I started to lose weight," she says.

Bibeau, now a Weight Watchers  group Leader, also enjoyed learning that other people had gone through similar experiences. “When I found out that I wasn't the only person who had eaten half of a pint of ice cream in one sitting, I felt much better."

Bibeau’s story is not unique. According to Dr. Gail Altschuler, medical director of the Altschuler Clinic, the process of separating from a partner often prompts the decision to lose weight. “Weight loss is often triggered by a defining moment,” she says. “While ending a marriage is painful, it is also a new beginning. Many people see weight loss as a way to reclaim their health and vitality.” 

Weight put on during the divorce process may also lead to a person’s decision to lose weight after his or her marriage ends. For these people, inability to control food intake during this difficult time can lead to unwanted extra pounds. “There is an emotional side to eating. Eating can provide comfort, lessen anxiety, and even soften anger. During a time of emotional turmoil and distress, food can seem like a friend,” says Altschuler.

The stress of a divorce may also play a role. “We know that cortisol, our stress hormone, helps the body to prepare for emergencies by storing up energy,” says Altschuler. “Chronic stress can also add to weight gain by exaggerating this response.”

Fortunately, unwanted weight can be lost through a return to healthy diet and exercise. “The key is to recognize the important role that nutritious eating, regular physical activity and a positive mindset play in good physical and emotional health, and to get right back on track in practicing these healthy habits,” says Lisa Talamini, vice president of research and program Innovation for Jenny Craig, Inc.