So far wedding planning hasn’t been much fun – we’ve had trouble finding a venue and photographer (the big things!). But this weekend we finally set a date and started talking about something fun: the honeymoon.
I’ve been stalking wedding forums (because that’s what engaged girls do, right?) and have learned a lot of interesting things… mainly that people register for honeymoons nowadays. We came across a suggestion for Honeyfund where you can register for honeymoon items and decided to register there for our honeymoon. We both want to go to Hawaii so we decided on that as our destination which technically is just a stop on the way home. The sample registries gave us great ideas about stuff we can do and after a bit of research we found specific things to do like a bike ride and kayak tour and other fun active things. After adding a few of these fun experiences I realized it would be the most fun vacation I’ve ever had if we get to do it (and if we don’t and go somewhere else it will still be amazing).
Thinking about the honeymoon and all the fun stuff that we will (hopefully) get to do has motivated me to really get serious about knocking out the second half of my weight loss journey. I really wasn’t motivated by any of the wedding stuff but the idea of a awesome vacation afterwards has me fired up. I don’t want to go on another vacation where I’m not physically able to do things. I don’t want to go on my honeymoon being unhappy with my body. I don’t want to go to Hawaii and be unable to be completely comfortable in a bathing suit. I don’t want to go to Hawaii and get tired of kayayking before the tour is over or tired an hour into a half day hike. I want to go on the trip my fittest, best possible self.
One of the things on the honeyfund list is ziplining. I’ve done this before in Honduras and it was amazing fun.
The only problem was that because of my weight I had to have an extra safety harness thing. It was embarrassing and made the experience a little less fun because I had to have extra help. I would like the next time in Hawaii to be an experience where I’m a normal weight and ability that doesn’t require any extra help. At my current size I’m still able to do everything, but I’m still not to the point where I’m completely happy with my fitness level for activities like we would like to do.
So this hypothetical honeymoon planning has got me motivated. I was hoping to be at my goal weight before that time anyway, but now I see the honeymoon as a potential “reward” for it. In my opinion it would be like the ultimate reward for losing weight and getting in shape. It would be a reward to go on a trip without any thoughts about what I could or couldn’t do or about what would be harder because of my weight. It would be nice to go and just enjoy everything because I know I’m capable of anything.
Having a hugely awesome thing like that to look forward to has me so excited that I can’t sit still, but luckily I can use that energy to exercise!
Do you have a huge goal or reward you are working towards?
If you are married, where did you go on your honeymoon?
Related posts:
{ 46 comments }
We were married 2 years ago but because of my back injury we couldn’t go on a honeymoon. Now we are saving to go on a cruise next spring or fall. Just makes it easier all around for us.
My biggest goal right now is working to heal my leg to run my local Turkey Trot. I miss running and taking care of my health all around will help me get to that goal.
Aww. I’m sorry about the timing of that back injury. :( But that cruise will be even more fun when you finally get to go. :)
I hope the Turkey Trot is awesome and your leg is perfect by then!
I love reading about your wedding planning along with your healthy living. We went to Ireland on our honeymoon and it was beautiful! Riding horses on the beach was one (active) highlight. : )
LyndawithaY´s last [type] ..Back to School
We still haven’t decided on honeymoon, but since we’re doing the big vacation (and a few days in hawaii!) this year, we’re thinking of staying close to home. Maybe somewhere tropical – like the Pacific Islands for us?
Aly @ Breathe Gently´s last [type] ..Life in 140 Characters Or Less – Round II
Oh yes, I have a goal… not revealing it! ;-)
I LOVE HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Been going to the different islands since 1982 BUT the past few years.. no money. :-( Which island are you looking at. They all have their “things” We love the Big Island but also Kauai too.
What a wonderful thing to look forward too!!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last [type] ..Happy Labor Day – Fun Pictures!
Yeah we want to go to Kauai. We (well I) also want to go to Honolulu for like a day before we fly back to NZ. It will be nice and I’m really looking forward to it so much I’ve already started saving and working out for it. ;)
My husband and I went to Bermuda for ours because we thought we had free tickets. We didn’t:( But for our 10 year anniversary we went to Hawaii. And a few years ago we went back on a cruise with my family and we did the zipline thing. My husband was very close to the weight limit, so close in fact, that he did not eat lunch that day before the weigh in!
Karen´s last [type] ..Twiddling My Thumbs Again
We have been married for 2 years. We rented a cottage for our honeymoon, it was so relaxing and a great way to reconnect after a crazy week of wedding activities. Our wedding was 6 hours from where we live so we rented the cottage close to our wedding venue, we were able to visit family again on our way back home.
shelly@campinggirlchronicals´s last [type] ..Time In The Kitchen
Tim and I went to Italy for our honeymoon (and we’re actually celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary today!!). We were married in 1997 (9/6) but didn’t go on our honeymoon until the spring of ’98.
Over the years we have done quite a bit of traveling and since 2005 (which is when I lost most of my weight and got active) it has been a lot more fun because I’m afraid or ashamed.
Aw, happy anniversary!! :)
I made the decision to travel despite my weight – I’ve seen a lot of the world at 200-260 lbs. I don’t regret that and I’m glad I didn’t let weight stop me, but I think it could be a lot more fun if I’m healthier and fit.
We went to Hawaii on our honeymoon and loved it. I want to go back so badly!!
Christie {Honoring Health}´s last [type] ..Unplugged in Pictures
Ummm….really, people register for honeymoon gifts, really? I think I must be the only girl in the world who doesn’t get the whole “princess for a day” concept. It makes my head want to explode when I see all the money people spend on weddings and honeymoons. I can’t help but think it’s such a huge waste of money and resources for one day. To me, the money would be much better spent on a downpayment on a house. I seriously do not understand, especially for people who are cash strapped, justifying the expense of a wedding & honeymoon. I can’t comprehend registering for things so other people can spend their hard earned money for my benefit. I was brought up to work hard for the things I wanted/needed in life – I would be completely embarrassed to compile a list of things for people to buy me. Decades ago a girl lived at home until she married and then moved in with her husband and became a homemaker; but now girls have careers, they live on their own or with their boyfriends before they get married. How can people justify asking other people for gifts in this scenario. I have been invited to weddings where the bride and groom are both highly paid professionals in their thirties, I do not understand why I should have to go to the store of their choice and pick out a gift of their choosing when they are more than capable of buying it themselves.
My husband and I eloped so as to avoid the whole wedding/reception/honeymoon thing. Our parents were not too thrilled but they got over it. I married my husband so we could have a life together filled with experiences, to share the good and bad that life has to offer. I wanted a marriage not a wedding. I know my views are not popular – I just don’t understand the mindset.
Yes they do.
I understand your point – I really do. But for me I don’t necessarily agree with it fitting our situation. We are paying for our wedding and honeymoon by ourselves. And starting our marriage I will be a freelance writer and my husband will be in college – we won’t be highly paid professionals who can have that choice to go to the store and buy whatever we want. And if our friends and family attending the wedding would like to share their love in the form of gifts that we would not be able to buy but would use and enjoy then I’m more than willing to let them. I know a lot of people want to just give us cash because it would be too hard for us to bring home a lot of actual gifts and the honeymoon registry just gives a fun way to show what that money would be used for. It’s for fun more than anything else.
I have to be honest, I’m not in the “princess for a day” mentality, if that’s what you think. I’m being practical while trying to enjoy the process as well. Our wedding isn’t going to be extravagant, but it is going to happen. It will be what we can afford and it will be full of family and friends who would be so upset if we eloped. I am getting married to start my life with Kepa too, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a wedding and honeymoon and all the traditional stuff. Just my thought. :)
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
LOL. Just a big, hearty LOL. Good for you for being better than us. Glad you could tell us in great length.
The amount we’d spend on our wedding and honeymoon would come NOWHERE close to a down payment on a house.
Oh yes, I’m not as nice as Mary.
Kepa´s last [type] ..Joining a Gym
Well, that’s not necessarily true. If it was a small house in a very inexpensive place it might be equal. ;) But here? Hahahahahahaha. Not even remotely close. Oh New Zealand, you are a pricey one. ;)
Wow, talk about being a downer. And judgmental.
Everyone’s situation is different. Mary and Kepa are hardly highly-paid professionals asking for handouts. Have you even read any of their blogs before posting this?
I agonised over the wording for my invitations and including information about our registries and asking people to consider that we had to get things home to Auckland. I explained that we valued our guests’ presence over any presents, but if they wanted to get us something, we had some options. I work freelance as well and I moved over here into The Boy’s apartment, where he had very little. Again, we actually NEED things and I’d prefer people to contribute to what we need instead of getting something we don’t need at all. And if money is the thing we need, great.
Gemfit´s last [type] ..Panic Stations
I have to say, I don’t get the princess for a day mentality either and I had a day very similar to what you guys are planning. We were also both highly paid professionals. The cost was kept down because I just don’t understand all that. I did not have a shower, a bachelorette party or any of that nonsense. We also did not register for a thing. People gave what they wanted. Cards were fine, we didn’t get married for people to give us things. The day was about celebrating us being together.
I’ll add, you don’t have to spend money to come across as me me me when it comes to your wedding day.
I
Sarah´s last [type] ..Fat & Lazy
Well I guess we will just be all me me me (well, uh, us, us, us) on our day then and not spend any money. Whatevs guys, it’s up to us. ;)
As far as weight loss rewards go- I’m kind of bad at that. I’ve got lots of things I’d like to do, but don’t really consider them a “reward” for losing weight. My reward is living longer and feeling better. . . . cliche’ I know, but it really does feel like that.
The husband and I got married almost four years ago, and much to my whining and dismay we settled on a cabin in Gatlinburg (I wanted a cruise!!!!). It ended up being a WONDERFUL trip and I can’t wait until we can have the opportunity to go back again.
I get that because up until this honeymoon thing became a reality I never used or thought of anything as a reward besides feeling better. :)
I went zipp lining in Haiti on a cruise over the ocean! It was prob one of the coolest things I have ever done!
Molly´s last [type] ..An hour of running
yeah, when my husband and I got married, we went on our ‘honeymoon’ at cedar point…we had one week to get married and back…our overnight was in cedar point ohio.
too funny.
Have fun. Great goals.
I love that you’re using the honeymoon, and especially the promise of activity and FUN, as a motivation source. It’s such a better way to focus since the process ties in so closely with the payoff. Go Mary!
Karen´s last [type] ..Motivate Monday
Ahhh so nice! We went to Hawaii :)
I am working towards cleaning my eating habits up 100% I want to eat more plant based foods and keep my insides just as strong as my outsides!
Debbie
Debbie´s last [type] ..Burn More Fat – How To Burn More Now
We’re going to Antigua in a little over a month for our honeymoon, and I can’t wait! And I know what you mean about the vacation after the wedding being more exciting than the wedding itself. I can’t wait to be gone for an entire week. :)
Jeremy Logsdon´s last [type] ..May experience some glitches…
That’s awesome Jeremy! Enjoy it! :)
We went to New York on our honeymoon – and ran the Marathon! We wanted to do something we would never, ever do and it was great fun. Afterwards we went to a nice hotel in the Catskills and chilled out and read books for a few days. We had a wicked time and it was an excellent training motivator!
Femme´s last [type] ..Catch My Disease
My mini-goal is to be back to my wedding weight which right now is about 15 lbs – but I was strength training like crazy so I looked a lot better back then. So my mini-goal is to get back into my wedding dress. But ultimately when I get to my real goal (which is about 50 lbs away, maybe more – we’ll see) I want to go wedding dress “shopping” again to try on dresses I never could before. I will also want to take a trip somewhere – something amazing.
We went to Hawaii on our honeymoon and it was amazing. I definitely think going right after the wedding is important – I know it isn’t always possible but I think it would take something away from it. When I was completely stressed before the wedding I had the honeymoon to look forward to.
We spent 1 night in San Fransisco to break up the trip from the east coast. Then 4 nights in Kauai at the Hyatt (the most amazing place ever!) and then 5 nights at the Sheraton at Kaanapali Beach on Maui. We didn’t do as much physical stuff as I would have liked because I was not in the shape I wanted to be in – I concentrated on the upper body prior to the wedding, not the lower body. I also was no where near the weight I wanted to be. We were engaged for 364 days – I could have lost all the weight. But I don’t do well losing weight under pressure for a date – hence I wasn’t able to lose weight between having my kids.
I really want to go right after the wedding, but because the wedding is basically a destination wedding for us we will have to go through presents and sort that stuff out before we leave. Practical stuff sucks sometimes. ;)
Thanks for those hotel suggestions btw. I’ll look into those. :)
What a great motivation! My husband and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon and it was amazing!
Registering for a honey moon is such a good idea. Ours was a gift too. It’s much better than any set of dishes or fondu because it’s an experience!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie´s last [type] ..Pregger Pic Week 40…TMI!!
Mary I love that you’re finding the fun stuff in the wedding planning! The other things will follow I just know it. Very exciting plan for the honeymoon, I’ve heard truly incredible things about Hawaii! Ziplining scares the bejeezus out of me! (I have a fear of heights) but I can imagine how thrilling it out be. Someday I will conquer that fear and give it a go. I’m excited to read about it all unfolding for you and Kepa!
we were married in October of 2007- in my own biased opinion, I think October is the best month to get married, so you guys are going to have a great day! We honeymooned for 5 nights at an all inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was so relaxing. We went to see the Mayan Ruins, but didn’t do much else, activity-wise. I weighed much less then and was more self conscious than I am now. I wanted to go jet skiing then, but was afraid, so I ended up doing it on my cruise last week and it was so exhilarating. I bet ziplining is awesome!
Congrats on setting a date–weddings and all the things that go with starting a new life with somebody makes me smile so hard. Hawaii sounds like paradise; it’s on my “definitely want to go there” list. Registering for a honeymoon is a brilliant idea imo.
We went on honeymoon to my favourite beach on the SE coast of South Africa, a little village called Haga Haga. It was quiet and peaceful and uber relaxing. For our seventh anniversary at the end of this month, we’re doing an AirNZ mystery weekend, which I’m very excited for: we don’t know where we will be spending the weekend until we check in at the airport!
In terms of rewards, I didn’t intentionally reward myself along the way. But I did spend a little extra on things like running shoes and a gym membership and I had to buy a few things for winter because my clothes were all too big. My biggest goal is to maintain my weight loss and to learn to trust myself with food.
Cilla´s last [type] ..Sweet Treat- Lemon Bars
My friend Maegan does beautiful wedding photography and it really affordable.
http://maeganmcdowell.com/
Have a look!
Danielle´s last [type] ..Full-on weekend
We went to Banff, in British Columbia, Canada, for our honeymoon 22 years ago!! It was gorgeous. We hiked, and saw glaciers, and just blissed out. It’s gorgeous there.
Foodie McBody´s last [type] ..Vacation- Holding the Moon
I love that you’re focusing not just on being comfortable in a bathing suit (which is important, but can come at any size really) but also on being strong and physically capable of doing exciting things on your honeymoon. What a great motivator to continue your health journey! Hawaii would be amazing. We went to Costa Rica on our honeymoon and zip-lined.. ahh, memories!
Ashley @ Nourishing the Soul´s last [type] ..End fat talk… like- now
I’m in no way judging you. I just don’t understand it. I can’t even watch the proliferation of wedding shows on TV – I just want to scream at the TV when I see a bride pondering going into debt so she can have a $6,000 dress or an equally expensive and extravagant cake.
I understand you want to share your special day with family and friends and I get that. I know you are not planning an extravagant affair, I was voicing my opinion about those who do. I’m very practical – I’d rather spend my $$$ on a good real estate investment over a party any day. Even if it were only a few thousand dollars, I could put that money to work for me instead of buying a fancy dress and a big cake. Not much of a romantic I guess.
I still don’t understand the concept of a gift registry in modern times, but to each his own. Diversity is what makes the world go round.
Kepa, I don’t think I’m better than anyone – I’m just different. I know my opinion is in the minority. And yes when invited to a wedding I do the traditional thing and buy a gift from the registry even though I think it’s absurd.
I hope you have a lovely day and more importantly a long, happy fulfilling life together.
Gotcha. Yeah, I am with you on those wedding shows. Each time I watch them I’m in awe that people do that. Even if we did have a ton of money I would not buying a dress for thousands of dollars. Yikes!
Different opinions are a good thing. No worries.
Thanks Denise! :)
The stress of wedding planning and trying to make all our family members happy go the best of us. So we said, “Fuck it” and took a cruise to Bermuda, where we got married on the beach the day we docked. We spent the rest of the cruise honeymooning, then had a backyard party for friends and family the week after we returned home. I regret nothing.
Have fun with the planning!
Andrea´s last [type] ..29-100
My big goal that I’m working towards is being able to say that I lost 50 pounds this year. I want to be out this New Year’s Eve (that’s another goal of mine; for whatever reason my New Year’s Eves tend to suck…bad luck, I guess) and look back on the year and think, yep, I did good. I’m pretty much on track to meet this goal since I’ve lost 40 lbs since January….but it’s been getting kind of difficult lately so I’m gonna have to fight for it, I think.
PS: Congrats re: setting a date and picking a honeymoon locale! I’ve never been to Hawaii, even though I’ve always wanted to go.
janedog´s last [type] ..A very busy week
We went to Oahu and Kauai for our honeymoon. (Should’ve gone to Maui and Kauai) But we fell in love with it, have gone back every year (14 years) and I did itinerary planning for Hawaii before the economy tanked. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! ;-)
Aw, that’s exciting! When we are actually planning I’ll let you know if I have questions. ;)
My sister and brother in law went to a sandals resort in jamaica. I think it was partially a present from his family, so they didn’t have much choice in where they were going, but they had a lot of fun. No, I don’t have a goal or reward I’m working towards. I need to figure out a new job I can be working towards so I can get out of cube-land. That would be the best reward ever. But currently, ive got nothing..just living day by day. And, I think a honeymoon registry is a good idea. I like registries in general, because sometimes its hard to come up with an idea that will be useful for people and they’ll like. And you guys deserve a day of fun and celebration with your friends and family! Ziplining looks fun.
merri´s last [type] ..4 Yrs Ago- 9-12-06- Golden Gate Bridge
we registered with honeyfund and it was the BEST idea ever! we got tons of cash to just do what we wanted.. way better than a toaster ;) as you know, we went to cabo san lucas.
my goals right now involve a lot of internal things.. nothing physical at the moment!
janetha´s last [type] ..quality time and cold water
I LOVE ziplining!! I haven’t had a chance to do it in a super cool place like Honduras or Hawaii though.
Drew and I went to a resort in Mexico for our honeymoon. And while we loved the all-you-can-eat aspect, I wish we had done something more active. We were able to visit some friends in the Navy stationed in Hawaii and had a blast hiking and learning how to surf.
If you are on Oahu, the North Shore is GORGEOUS!
I have to say, I agree with Denise. My wife and I stuck to a strict budget for our wedding, and the whole thing cost $6,000. We didn’t go on a honeymoon. The way I see it, the rest of my life with my beautiful wife IS the “honeymoon.”
I don’t want to sound judgemental, but how can a student and an unemployed “writer” justify an extravagant honeymoon in Hawaii? My wife and I are actually going to Hawaii this fall, but it’s for our 10th anniversary, after a decade of hard work, sacrifice, and saving. You say the honeymoon registry is just for “fun” – sure, YOUR fun. How fun is it for your guests, who are being asked to finance your dream vacation (because you can’t afford it on your own)? Don’t you think they’d rather use their money to see Hawaii THEMSELVES, instead of being expected to send YOU?
And finally, why do you need to go to Hawaii for a honeymoon? You’re in New Zealand! I’d LOVE to visit New Zealand someday – it looks amazing! Why can’t you just make a honeymoon out of the place where you already are, where thousands of people TRAVEL to for their own honeymoons? Surely Kepa has relatives and connections all over the country with whom you could stay and make the trip memorable and frugal.
Just my $0.02.