Is Your Partner Making You Fat?

It's a real life fact that a partner can influence your weight. Now, most of us don't need a scientific study to show this although there are many! We simply know this to be true, based on our own experience. That's the topic for my steemit blog, this discussion makes sense, as I believe that food and emotion always seem to go hand in hand. Do you?

Why does this happen, and when are we most vulnerable? I've seen this most often during several key periods of the woman's life cycle:

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A new relationship
New love is both blind and hungry. Seriously, because we have such a big focus on food in our country, a very typical social activity is eating often. Meals, snacks, late-night you name it.

A show of support
Eating the same foods together is a bonding experience. Often, women take on the eating habits of their significant others. It is unrelated to nutrition, but to a comfort level with the partner.

Post-pregnancy weight gain
Those pregnancy pounds have piled on, the baby's here, and there are 20+ pounds still to lose. Often, the new dad has gained weight in "sympathy," and there's a big barrier to moving to the "pre-baby" eating habits. Fatigue often contributes to this inertia in getting back on track.

Mid-life issues
Beginning in the 40s, as many women are entering the mid-life years, change is ongoing. Whether it's kids growing up, aging parents, career changes, and/or hormonal issues, there's a lot of pressure and stress for most women in this group.

The ultimate multi-tasking woman often feels overwhelmed at times (I know I do), and a loving partner will frequently feel a genuine need to "reward with food." Whether it's a fancy dinner, a box of candy, or a giant sundae from your favorite ice cream store, it's a show of love and kindness.

So, are there any solutions to this problem? Read on. While some couples "wake up" together is this us as the weight creeps up, others turn on the light-bulb alone, and make their partner aware of this.

Watch the video below to see our couple in the TV segment who looked at some recent pictures of themselves just one year after their wedding, and couldn't believe they were the same people as in their wedding photos! For her, a 20 pound gain, and for him, a 30 pound gain! They turned their partnership to weight loss, and have not only lost the extra weight, but have kept it off for six months (and they're still happily married!). Their healthy lifestyle is now permanently ingrained in their relationship.

There are some easy ways to manage this very common problem. The only things you need are a cooperative partner, and some imagination. If you're willing to accept that food has become a little too much a part of your life, it's pretty simple to substitute some calories for other activities both you and your partner enjoy. You can learn to bond with togetherness, not food. We all know what to do. It's implementing these changes that is difficult. That's where your partner can be of particular help if you're doing this together.

Wasn't that marriage vow "in thickness and in health?" Seriously, talk to you partner about this, and come up with a plan. Two brains work better than one, when it comes to partnership weight loss.

I'd love to hear about your own particular "battle of the partnership bulge."

Here are some of my favorite tips, to help with eating, activity, and emotions all important to both starting and sustaining a weight loss effort. They've helped me and my patients - pick and choose what works for you!

EATING

At home:

1. 1. Keep less food at home: plan your meals around lean protein and lots of fruits and vegetables.
   2. Limit the snacks in the house: shop together, or at least make a list together, and agree to one or two snacks in the house at one time. Aim for the 100 cal snack packs.
   3. Cook together, and focus on creative way to lower fat, and use spices. Subscribe to cooking magazines, or others, and check out online low-calorie cooking sites.
   4. Don't "reward" with food, and find other substitutes, like some flowers, a manicure, a good book, etc...

In a restaurant:

1. 1. Share an entree, and each order a salad or clear soup
   2. Split a dessert (agreeing on one is the hard part!)
   3. Avoid fast-food restaurants

EXERCISE

1. 1. Substitute an after-dinner walk for a dessert
   2. Buy a pedometer for each person, and include a daily 30 minute walk together
   3. Take a walk instead of meeting for a coffee and a pastry
   4. Find some physical activities "for two" like dancing.

EMOTIONS

1. 1. Support each other at times of temptation
   2. Reward good behavior and be positive (avoid the "should you be eating that?" query)
   3. Commit to mutual effort
   4. Point out any accidental sabotage your partner may bring to the table
   5. Keep communications open

For those who have been reading, saying "Great, but my spouse won't help" there is still a good plan for you. If you have to go it alone, just ask your partner to be neutral (with your goal to avoid being judgmental the weight of your partner or others). Just do your own thing. Seek support from family, friends, or groups. Online options are also available.