Ripple Effect

Spouses Mutually Benefit from Each Other’s Weight Loss Goals

Spouses might be poles apart when it comes to fitness and weight loss, but a new study has proclaimed that when one of the spouses embraces healthy habits and tries to lose weight, there is a maximum chance that the other spouse too will lose weight. This is popularly termed as the ‘ripple effect’ and weight loss instructions given to one spouse has automatic positive effects on the other spouse too.

The study looked into 130 married couples and in every pair one of the spouses was enrolled in a weight-loss program for a duration of six months. At the end of the six-months tenure, the surprising discovery was that the non-dieting partner also experienced a modest weight loss. Almost 32% of the non-dieting spouses lost 3% of their initial body weight in this period. This is appreciable as losing about 5-7% of the initial body weight can reduce the risk of a number of diseases.

While previous studies have indicated that weight loss or weight gain is affected by the people surrounding us, spouses of course must have a greater impact on our weight changes as we spend most of our precious time with them. Strong evidences do exist depicting that weight gain is contagious among spouses and friends and the latest study proves that weight loss is contagious too! In fact, it affects the entire family as any household changes are sure to impact every person residing in the house:

1. When you start eating healthy, your spouse starts eating healthy too
2. If you are responsible for grocery shopping, you would obviously buy healthy food and your spouse too benefits from it as he/she might lose weight as they are surrounded by nutritious foods only.
3. Buying colorful produce and stocking your kitchen cabinets with them provides your family members with no other option but to eat them.
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Bread is not bad, when you choose the whole grain one. Instead of stocking frozen desserts in your freezer you can invite your spouse to join you for a walk to the ice cream parlor nearby. Apart from getting to spend time together you get to do some physical activity too! If you would like to order some pasta at the restaurant, order fresh garden salad as sides along with it. Aim to eat healthy food instead of trying to lose weight. When you eat healthy and stay active, weight loss will automatically happen. If you would like to seek professional help to lose weight in a healthy way and change your lifestyle for the better, please get in touch with a registered dietitian nutritionist at www.firsteatright.com.