A couple who “locked in” to a weight‑loss journey ahead of their wedding have gone viral on Instagram, earning more than 6 million views.
Newsweek spoke to newlyweds Isaac Anastasiu, 27, and Riley, 30, about their combined 90‑pound transformation.
After the proposal, the couple had a realization. Riley, who goes by @rileezzzz online, told Newsweek: “We weren’t feeling our best physically or mentally, and our habits weren’t aligned with how we wanted to show up for this next chapter.”
The viral clip shows the pair at their engagement party—Riley in a fitted white dress and Isaac in a black suit—both weighing 215 pounds. It then cuts to footage from their wedding on November 21, 2025, where they appear visibly transformed.
Riley said: “Wedding photos last forever and we wanted to look back on that day and feel confident, proud, and fully present, without any regrets, just love for the moment and for each other.”
How Their Fitness Journey Began
In May last year, the couple committed to a shared fitness plan. Isaac took up running, paired with intermittent fasting and a consistent calorie deficit. He now weighs 160 pounds.
Riley, who now weighs 175 pounds, said she followed a similar approach—tracking her calories, staying in a calorie deficit, walking 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day, incorporating occasional at‑home Pilates, learning to better manage her blood sugar, prioritizing quality sleep, and choosing whole foods.
She told Newsweek: “One of the biggest turning points for us was buying a treadmill. Having it at home removed every excuse and made movement a non-negotiable part of our daily routine, it truly changed our lives.”
The Pressure to Look ‘Wedding Ready’
Research on brides and grooms shows that people of all genders often feel pressure to look a certain way before their wedding. Many want to weigh less for the big day and take steps—sometimes healthy, sometimes not—to reach that “ideal” wedding weight.
For women, studies show that most brides‑to‑be want to be noticeably slimmer than they currently are. Many actively try to lose weight and often use several different methods. Some turn to extreme or unhealthy behaviors, and a number buy wedding dresses in smaller sizes as motivation or pressure to slim down.
Men preparing for their weddings show similar patterns, though this has been studied less. On average, grooms‑to‑be want to weigh about 10 pounds less than their current weight. Many say that being a certain weight for their wedding is important.
‘We Felt Proud and Confident’
Riley said: “On our wedding day, we felt incredibly proud, confident, and fully present. The physical changes mattered, but what meant more was how strong, disciplined, and connected we felt after committing to that goal together.
“Standing there, we weren’t thinking about our bodies or second guessing how we looked in photos. We were simply enjoying the moment, soaking it all in, and celebrating the work we put in as a team. It felt like the perfect way to begin our marriage feeling aligned, supported, and confident in ourselves and each other.”
Instagram Reacts
So far, the video shared on January 8 has received more than 300,000 likes and thousands of supportive comments.
“I saw a beautiful woman in the beginning and then I saw another beautiful woman and then I realized they were the same and then I was like whoa, I bet she’ll always be beautiful,” said one user.
“Y’all look great before and after,” wrote another. A third added: “Gorgeous before and after but so happy for you!!!”
References
Neighbors, Lori A., and Jeffery Sobal. “Weight and Weddings: Women’s Weight Ideals and Weight Management Behaviors for Their Wedding Day.” Appetite, vol. 50, nos. 2–3, 2008, pp. 550–54. PubMed, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.11.001.
Klos, Lori A., and Jeffery Sobal. “Weight and Weddings. Engaged Men’s Body Weight Ideals and Wedding Weight Management Behaviors.” Appetite, vol. 60, Jan. 2013, pp. 133–39. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.09.031.
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