Weight Loss Goals Define Couple Roles

Reward Each other with Praises

Remember the days when we used to form a group and wait in front of the principal’s office to be reprimanded? Rather than feeling ashamed for our mistake we have never minded getting a lecture for the sole reason that we were together as a group! Its always easier or simpler to fight for justice, do some mistake, experience something new or gain attention when we do it together rather than individually. Weight loss also falls in this category. If you’ve been on a weight loss mission along with your better half its high time that you rethink over it. Now don’t be annoyed that I’m letting you into two different school of thoughts simultaneously. As you read through below things become clearer.
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Two Souls with One Goal
There is a possibility for two different outcomes when couples try to lose weight together: either it could take you to another level where both of you end up losing the desired weight or push you into gutters as your relationship becomes jeopardized. Weight loss is the most-commonly desired New Year resolution but a difficult one to accomplish unless the individual involved is dedicated and passionate about it. A study published in the journal Health Communication has left readers impressed with the fact that couples who exercise together lose weight together.

Weight loss involves creating healthy eating habits, working out together and improving relationships by caring for each other’s exercise routine, supporting each other through the journey, enjoying the company and being outspoken about difference of opinions, if any. The study was conducted on 389 individuals who were living with their partners and focuses on the individual’s partners’ approaches to weight loss. Finally, the researchers identified four different ‘relational environments’ after analyzing the response of the participants. This included ‘synchronized’ where both partners were together as a team and carried a positive attitude towards weight loss, ‘lone battlers’ where both the partners executed least team efforts and were facing greatest relationship strains (this group mostly never discusses about weight loss), ‘contentious cooperatives’ were those who were in between ‘synchronized’ and ‘lone battlers’ and these couples face conflicts sometimes and finally the ‘autonomous’ individuals who receive irregular encouragement from their partners without any other interference from them.
Most common weight loss strategies practiced by these couples included:

• Encouragement in the form of appreciation and reassurance
• Influencing their partner motivating them to perform better and make healthier choices
• Coercion practice where one partner denies affection and makes the other feel guilty for not practicing fitness routines
  
  

Results showed that synchronized partners whose common goal was weight loss were interested in all the above three weight loss strategies which included coercion too. The spouses did not consider coercion as a negative element but rather accepted it with positivity as a concern for the partner’s health. Relational environments affect partners acceptance and pursuance of strategies. For example, if one of the partners wants to focus on diet and the other partner on exercise the former one would consider a suggestion to walk or run outside as a hindrance to his/her weight loss strategy. Whereas spouses whose intentions and thoughts are similar would welcome both strategies warmly.

Competition is a great motivator, but it should be focused and not leave the relationship strained. There are other studies that show that when one of the partners try to lose weight the other too ends up losing a few kilograms though he/she might not be actively involved in the process. But couples who wish to lose weight together must be cautious in their attempt. It is advisable to align your approach with the relational environment otherwise there is a lingering danger of unrest. Couples who workout the best relational environment and support techniques from their partners made effective progress comparatively. Such an effort helps the couple improve their relationship as well their weight loss efforts.

Quick Tips for the Couples

1. Encourage each other. A quick comment such as ‘Excellent workout’ or a ‘high five’ will do the trick
2. Make simple recipes, cook together and spend time planning your week’s meal together
3. Have fun. This is extremely important to avoid frustration and a sense of burden. Besides focusing on weight loss try to engage in activities such as going for a movie or enrolling in a cooking class together
4. One diet doesn’t fit all. If the diet requirements differ make adjustments and ensure that it seems suitable to each individual. If your goals and schedules don’t match it is ok to pursue what feels right to you even when your spouse doesn’t agree to it initially.
5. Don’t scrutinize your spouse too much. While your intentions to help might be genuine the method used might irritate your better half. Have an honest conversation and come to an amicable conclusion
6. Believe in each other. This is extremely important while working together as you will definitely need each other’s help to achieve weight loss successfully.
   
   

If you are interested in going for a weight loss program together as a couple, dietitians and nutritionists at www.firsteatright.com can help you in this endeavor in a healthy and nutritious way.

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