Does your loved one dig your diet -- or not?
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-29-2008 @ 8:51AM
kelly.abbot said...
Losing weight as a couple is twice as easy! What really matters is how motivated you are. You and your partner generally have the same lifestyle: you go shopping together, spend your free time together, go out, share meals, or do physical activities. I read about this at http://www.projectweightloss.com.
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7-31-2008 @ 9:38PM
Brian said...
Yes it is twice as easy to diet when you have the support of your spouse & twice as hard to continue when your spouse is critical of your food choice.
I am a man that lives a healthy lifestyle; however, my wife goesback & forth with diet plans. When she is on, she is on. When she off, well that is a different story.
Most important part is that we practice communicating at all times. No matter where we are in a diet, we share how we feel.
See more at www.HappyManOnline.com about diet & relationships. Sign up for the free weekly e-newsletter, you'll enjoy.
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