After they’re done with the stress of looking picture-perfect for the wedding, most newlyweds want to spend as much time with each other as possible. With busy work schedules and activities, a lot of that time centers on meals. Whether dining out or eating a home cooked meal, newlyweds tend to overindulge when it comes to dining with their sweetheart.
Statistically, people who have been married for two years are more likely to gain weight than their single peers. Before the five year mark, the average blushing bride gains twenty-four pounds, and her handsome hubby packs on thirty pounds.
Experts cite inactivity as well as being comfortable in the relationship as the reason for the added pounds. Women tend to gain weight when they’re content and secure in a relationship. Once they get married, many couples feel the pressure to impress is gone. Oddly, unmarried couples who live together don’t seem to experience the same degree of weight gain as their married counterparts.
But there’s hope! Just as couples gain weight together, they can get their pre-marriage physique back as a couple, too. Teaming up with your spouse gives you instant support and helps create a no-fail environment. Read on to find out how you and your honey can get your groove back!
Let’s Do This
Getting healthy with your spouse can be a great bonding experience. You need to sit down together and list the reasons to switch to a healthier lifestyle. Now is the perfect time to address issues like smoking as well. Talk frankly and constructively about the health risks the added pounds can cause in the future. List the things you have to gain by adopting a healthier lifestyle. The idea is to work as a team, not play the blame game. You got into this together, you can get out of this together.
See Your Doctor
The first step in any effort to get healthier is to get a thorough checkup, including blood work. Do this as a couple so that you are both aware of your partner’s possible health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. You can also discuss reasonable weight goals with doctors who can offer a wealth of advice and encouragement as you get your health on track. Many clinics offer nutritional consults to get your efforts off to a great start. Adding professionals to your weight loss team gives you both a winning edge.
Come Up With a Game Plan
After you both get the green light from your doctors, it’s time to come up with a game plan. You want this to be a lasting lifestyle change, not just a temporary fix. Your doctor may have given you some ideas, or you can consult a nutritionist. Eating healthier doesn’t have to be hard, but you have to be willing to make changes.
Sit down and make a weekly menu with your spouse. Put together a grocery list so you have everything on hand that you need to succeed. Shop together for accountability. Talk about how you will handle meals at work. Will you pack a healthy lunch or brave the restaurants? Plan to have quick, healthy alternatives on hand to prevent drive thru disasters. Sit down and think of some healthy choices for dining out. Planning ahead means less chance of blowing your new eating plan.
Purge the Pantry Together
Go through your pantry and cupboards and get rid of the junk. If you don’t have it in the house, you won’t eat it. Doing this together ensures that you are both on board with the changes and provides accountability.
Cook Together
Cooking together is a great way to spend time with your spouse and eat healthier. Cooking at home is frugal, and you know exactly what’s in your food. If you’re unfamiliar with cooking figure-friendly dishes, take a cooking class together or scope out healthy cookbooks at your local bookstore. Get creative and revamp old favorites to fit your new, healthier standards.
Make Meals an Event
Take the time to sit down and eat at the table. When you eat in front of the TV or at the computer, you tend to be unaware of how much you’re eating. Eating together can be something you look forward to at the end of a busy day.
Get Moving
Finding a form of exercise you can enjoy together doesn’t have to be hard. It’s as easy as taking a half hour brisk walk every day. Walking is cheap, any one can do it, and it gets results. Look for ways to add movement to your life. Dancing is a great way to spend some time together and melt away the calories. Playing tennis or racquetball can really get your heart pumping. If you love the outdoors, take a hike, ski, or snowshoe. Join a coed sports team if you both like to compete. Run a 5-K together. The goal is to get up off of the couch and get moving!
Stay Positive
There will be setbacks; after all, you’re only human. Don’t let a decadent dessert derail your plan. Shake it off and start over with the next meal. You progress every time you choose to eat healthier or get moving. Come alongside your spouse and be a cheerleader! Remember to celebrate the non-scale victories when the going gets tough.
Reward Yourselves
Set up mini-goals, and reward yourselves along the way to keep the momentum going. Remember, weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. By setting up rewards at different milestones, you won’t get discouraged. Plan a big reward to share when you reach your goals. A romantic getaway for two is the perfect way to celebrate the new you! Indulge yourselves; you deserve it!