Andrea Metcalf: 5 Things You Should Do Every Morning
How Exercise Can Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer's Death
Does your loved one dig your diet -- or not?
Posted on Jul 29th 2008 7:00AM by Jacki DonaldsonFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss
When I overhauled my diet a year ago, my husband hopped right on board and both applauded and adopted each healthy habit I introduced into our routine. He lost 40 pounds as a result. Clearly, he was supportive. I'm lucky. Not all spouses dig the diets their partners embrace.
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that when people change their eating habits, spouses and partners often experience skepticism, guilt over their own unhealthy habits, even anger. We're creatures of habit. When one person alters the routine, it can throw things off balance. SHAPE magazine offers these three tips for easing the transition.
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that when people change their eating habits, spouses and partners often experience skepticism, guilt over their own unhealthy habits, even anger. We're creatures of habit. When one person alters the routine, it can throw things off balance. SHAPE magazine offers these three tips for easing the transition.
Prepare your loved one for changes Share your plans a few days in advance and communicate your reasons for making adjustments.
Address concerns Clear the air before the diet starts. Be clear about your expectations too -- if you don't expect your partner to make changes, let him/her know this. Try to circumvent negative feelings ahead of time.
Identify potential stumbling blocks Discuss how your shared meals will go. Will you be eating different meals? Will pizza nights be banned? Bring up all tough questions and come up with solutions.
