When you have been in a relationship for a while, it’s easy to start packing on the pounds. You don’t have the natural drive to work out, date nights and take-out food lead to bad eating choices, and the added stress can lead to unhealthy snacking. Luckily, it doesn’t take much to combat this slippery slope. With some planning and willpower, you can keep your lean physique – and your partner.
Make a Plan
It may seem tedious at first, but creating a weekly meal plan can help you both stay on track. Sit down with your partner once a week and create a list of the meals you want to make for dinner and the ingredients you’ll need for each of them. Then, go on one big shopping trip. This approach makes it so you are never caught unprepared to make a healthy meal. Remember to give yourself one day a week to go out, if that’s something you both enjoy. “How to Dine Out on a Diet” offers some helpful tips.
Go Out on Activity-Based Dates
Another way to make sure you are burning calories and spending time together is to combine the two in an active date. Go exploring a part of town you’re unfamiliar with, play a game of Frisbee, or try a new activity like rock-climbing. Getting into the habit of being active together is good for the long run, and its promoting good habits in both of you. “Fun Outdoor Exercises” offers some good ideas to get you two moving.
Cook for Each Other
Instead of exchanging gifts like chocolate or candy, cooking a romantic, healthy dinner for one another every once in a while reinforces the idea that the best part of romance has nothing to do with food indulgences, it’s about the two of you! Take each other’s favorite recipes and give it a healthy make-over – the Internet is full of recipes.
Practice Safe Snacking
During movie or game nights, it might be tempting to get a bowl of chips or a bag of popcorn. This type of senseless snacking can wreck a day of healthy eating, so make yourself more aware of how much you’re eating. If your partner is going back for seconds, ask them to grab you water instead. Finally, try buying snack foods in individually wrapped bags to limit portion size. Better yet, drink a whey protein shake before you head out so you don’t feel hungry.
Pay Each Other Compliments
Sometimes when one partner is trying to get healthy, feelings of insecurity can bubble up in the other. Instead of lecturing or complaining about your significant other’s habits, reward the good stuff. Saying things like, “You look so energized and sexy when you are finished working out!” is a lot better than “I wish you worked out more.” By encouraging each other, you’re setting yourselves up for a successful, healthy relationship.
