When you’re in a relationship, you won’t want to do 100% of everything together. There will be things you’ll do with your partner, while others you prefer to do on your own. Losing weight should be one of the things you do together, if you both need to lose weight. Studies show that when couples lose weight together, they’re more likely to lead to success with their weight loss goals.
Why You’re Stronger Together
Most people have some type of support when they’re trying to lose weight. It’s rare that a person will be doing it completely alone. It could be a friend, family member, personal trainer, mentor, or buddy partner. Either way, they’ll have the support of someone. That’s because losing weight is hard, and it’s not uncommon for people to lose their motivation sometimes.
Having a support system helps to keep you going. Even more importantly, it helps to keep you accountable. Once people know you’re trying to achieve a goal, you’re more likely to stay on track. It would be embarrassing not to meet the goal after talking about it, which is a big motivator.
When that support system is a loving partner, it’s even more potent. If you and your partner have a stable relationship, working together on a daunting goal like losing weight keeps you more motivated than any other relationship. The bond that you have with your partner is the fuel that keeps you going.
Hurdles That Happen When Couples Lose Weight Together
Uncertainty
One weight loss hurdle is uncertainty. When the going gets tough, many people become uncertain about why they’re putting themselves through the torture of all that exercise and eating like a rabbit. There are times it can get downright miserable.
There is no better person to push you past that uncertainty than your loving partner. They can remind you of why the journey is essential.
Insecurity
Another hurdle is insecurity. Let’s be honest. You might feel embarrassed about going to a gym and working out in front of all those fitness nuts. By going with your partner, you’ll be less likely to worry about what the other gym-goers think. You’ll be with someone who loves you just the way you are, so you’ll feel less awkward and less vulnerable.
Staying Motivated
Staying motivated is undoubtedly one of the biggest hurdles that people face when losing weight. Angela Fitch, MD, Director of Medical Weight Loss at the Women’s Center, said, “Whether you’re changing your lifestyle for the better or maintaining it, having someone to encourage and challenge you along the way, really helps motivate men and women.”
There will be times where one of you is feeling unmotivated, but the other person has enough motivation for both of you. The next time, the motivation or lack thereof may be reversed. Either way, at least one of you is going to keep the other on the right track.
Benefits of Slimming Down with Your Partner
According to an August of 2020 article in Science Daily, new research cites the following reasons to join your partner in a weight loss journey.
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You’ll be more likely to implement healthy lifestyle changes.
Losing weight isn’t all about dropping pounds. It’s about keeping them off for the long-term. Doing that requires significant lifestyle changes.
Researchers at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and the Academic Medical Center conducted a study that showed that couples who implemented lifestyle changes together were more successful. While the research didn’t focus on weight loss, it’s clear that making healthy lifestyle changes leads to weight loss. These changes won’t seem so hard when you have someone being as positive about them as you are.
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You’ll spend quality time together.
Any quality time you can get with your partner is a blessing, especially these days when people are always so busy. Achieving a goal like losing weight, plus all the moments along the way, lead to memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll be that much closer to your partner when you share something so significant in your lives.
Of course, losing weight isn’t about romantic quality time together, but the romance is there underneath the sweaty exercise sessions and salads. Romance will likely get more comfortable as you both shed the pounds and feel better about yourselves.
Doctors explain the consequences of leading a sedentary life. -
You can see what you’re both made of.
It can be rewarding to look at your weight loss journey with your partner in a competitive spirit. Of course, you don’t want to be excessively competitive, but studies have shown that a little competition keeps the passion going in a relationship.
By being competitive and pushing each other, you can encourage each other to be the best you can be. Knowing what your partner is made of and how hard they’re willing to work to be the best helps you to see them in a shining light. It also pushes you to do more. Ultimately this competitive spirit will lead to significant achievements along the way.
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Your relationship will stay strong.
Imagine how awkward it would be for one person in the relationship to go through a transformation for the better, but the other person just settles for being unhealthy. You might love each other.
But eventually, the differences in lifestyle choices may drive a wedge between you. To keep this from happening, you both need to lose weight together unless one person is already at their ideal weight.
The good news is that as you both start slimming down, your bond will strengthen, and your relationship can flourish even more. You’ll be more attracted to each other and prouder to be with your partner. Looks aren’t everything, but it sure helps.
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You’ll teach your kids about healthy habits and teamwork.
Kids are impressionable. Even if they don’t say anything, they’re watching your every move and learning from them. If they see you and your partner working together to achieve a common goal, they’ll understand the concept of teamwork, which will help them in school and in life.
When couples lose weight together, they show their kids that living a healthy lifestyle is normal.
If they see both parents agreeing on healthy decisions, they grow up with the concept that being healthy is correct. It will be less of a struggle for them to live a healthy lifestyle because they’ll be used to it already.
Tips for When Couples Lose Weight Together
It’s not always rainbows and butterflies when couples lose weight together. There are going to be some rocks in the road. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t dodge them and keep the journey going. Here are some tips you can use.
- Men tend to lose weight faster than women, even if they both do the same things and eat the same things. If you’re a woman, don’t get frustrated with this. There is really nothing you can do about it.
- While it’s nice to have your partner step in and motivate you when you’re feeling tempted, there are going to be times where you want your partner to back off so you can reward yourself. It’s understandable. After all, you’re human. Just talk to your partner and tell him/her how you feel.
- When you go to the gym together, you don’t have to do the exact same exercises in order to be working out together. The fact that you’re there together is enough.
- Above all, be positive and encouraging, no matter what. If your partner messes up and has a cheat day or they skip the gym a couple of times, don’t get down on them. Instead, find a positive way to motivate them back to the right path.
Finding a Balance Between Working Together and Working Individually
It’s great when couples lose weight together. But just like everything else in a relationship, you need to have some personal time on your weight loss journey too. One big reason for this is that you’re two separate people, and your bodies aren’t going to respond the same way. You may have to change up your routine to meet your own needs, and your partner may need to do the same.
This could mean that one person needs more calories than the other, or maybe one needs more cardio than the other. Perhaps your work schedules don’t match up on certain days. Or maybe one person needs to lose more weight than the other. Differences in goals mean that you’ll need to have times where you’re working towards them individually.
Another consideration is that if you do everything together all the time, you’ll eventually burn each other out. Sure, you love each other, but you each need your own sense of identity. Plan the journey together, but make sure you each get breaks to explore on your own.
Final Thoughts About When Couples Lose Weight Together
When couples lose weight together, they significantly increase their chances of success. The thought of becoming healthier together with the one you love is often enough to keep you motivated. This is especially true when you both start seeing the fruits of your labor. If you find yourself in a situation where your partner doesn’t want to lose weight with you, talk to them and let them know how important it is to you. Chances are they’ll join in more for you than themselves. But as they see the changes, they’ll find their own inspiration. Before you know it, you’ll be a healthy, happy couple.
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