Bride and Groom Shed a Combined 95 Lbs. Before Their Wedding, Leaving Guests Shocked by Transformations

A newlywed couple is getting a flood of attention online after sharing a striking “before and after” from their engagement party to their wedding day.

Six months before tying the knot, Riley and Isaac Anastasiu decided to get serious about their health together, aiming to feel stronger, more confident, and fully present on their big day. What started as a shared commitment quickly turned into a transformation that surprised even them.

They said the change wasn’t only about appearances — it was about entering marriage with better habits and a stronger mindset. And yes, they also wanted to feel proud when looking back at their wedding photos for years to come.

Riley, 30, and Isaac, 27, began their plan in May 2025 at 215 lbs. each. By their wedding on Nov. 21 of the same year, they had collectively lost 95 lbs. Riley was down to 175 lbs., and Isaac to 160 lbs.

In January, the couple posted side-by-side clips from their engagement party and wedding day to highlight the difference. Riley captioned the Instagram reel, “What if we absolutely locked in for our wedding,” and it has since pulled in hundreds of thousands of likes.

Online reactions ranged from shock to jokes that the pair looked like completely different people. Some friends and relatives were also stunned — especially by Isaac’s change, since he isn’t very active on social media and many hadn’t seen him in a while.

As for how they did it, Riley said she lost weight naturally by tracking calories, staying in a calorie deficit, and walking 10,000–15,000 steps per day. She also added occasional at-home pilates, worked on blood sugar management, prioritized sleep, and focused on whole foods.

Isaac took a different approach, leaning heavily into running — and he’s now even training for a marathon. He paired high-intensity workouts with intermittent fasting, a calorie deficit, and an emphasis on whole, nourishing foods.

One of the biggest changes, Riley said, was buying a treadmill. Having it at home made daily movement easier to stick with and helped remove excuses that used to derail their routine.

By the time their wedding arrived, they said they weren’t just happy with how they looked — they were even more proud of how they felt.

On the big day, Riley said they felt confident and present, not distracted by how they might appear in photos. More than anything, the couple said the process made them feel disciplined, connected, and aligned as a team — a meaningful way to start their marriage.

Their message for others trying to improve their health is simple: start small and aim for habits you can actually sustain.

Riley encouraged focusing on consistency over perfection, finding movement you enjoy, eating mostly whole foods, prioritizing sleep, and being patient. And if you have a partner or support system, she added, use it — accountability and encouragement can make a major difference.

Most importantly, she said, the goal should be about feeling stronger and healthier — not just chasing a number on the scale.