Do women have greater fluctuations in weight or size than men? Will avoiding chocolate for a week or two really help them get into their dress?
I ask because for a recent wedding, my girlfriend was a bridesmaid and I was an usher. About 6 months ago I was measured up for the hired suit, and she had the dress bought for her. We both fitted in the outfits then. In those 6 months, I didn’t give it a second thought, but she was constantly aware that she would have to fit back into this dress.
I’m no healthy eater, but sure enough, come the big day, I fitted the outfit fine. My girlfriend did too - but in the month leading up to the wedding she was eating only salads and fruits, and doing more exercise that usual (I do none). Did all of this make a difference, or would she have fitted into the dress anyway? Would the chocolate she wanted but refused the day before have made her balloon? It certainly didn’t me.
In short, I ate normally and was the same size I was 6 months ago. She ate normally, then dieted to be the same size. Is it all psychological?
Weight gain or loss depends not on psychology but rather on calories consumed less calories burned, with a pound of weight roughly equal to 3500 (kilo) calories. I know of no reason why this should not apply equally to men and women.
Your girlfriend’s dress was probably a lot more form-fitting then your suit was. A couple of pounds one way or another can make a difference in how a dress fits. It seems it would make less of a difference in most suits.
If a man eats 2500 calories, he might be 300-500 calories above his base need. It would take 7-10 days of eating at that level to add a pound of weight
If a woman eats 2500 calories, she might be 1000-1200 calories over her base need. It would take 2-3 days at that level to add a pound of weight.
As we know 3500 excess calories makes a lb, so you see how much faster it can add up when caloric needs are low. Eliminating high calorie, nutritionally empty foods (like a Snickers/Mars bar at 273 calories) is a pretty smart thing to do if you’re trying to look your best in a slinky dress.