So you’ve found the one. They are perfect. In your eyes, they can do no wrong. You two have settled in together, and you couldn’t be more comfortable. You wake up in the morning a little later to stay in bed with them and you come home straight from work to see them.
As you make more time for your significant other, however, your focus on yourself and your fitness blurs. Suddenly, you’re happier than you’ve ever been emotionally, but physically, you’ve become complacent. That’s when you notice them—the love pounds. The pizza-and-movie nights have finally caught up to both of you.
Staying in shape and eating right often gets thrown by the wayside when couples settle into a long-term relationship, but there are plenty of ways to make sure both you and your significant other avoid gaining unwanted weight.
Talk about it.
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The first step to shedding your newly discovered love pounds is to realize a change needs to be made. It can be hard to talk to your significant other about this, because you don't want to sound like the bad guy when you're both so happy with each other, but try to explain that you think you could both be doing more to live healthier in your day-to-day.
Plus, healthy changes also mean longer and happier lives together.
Go on a healthy eating plan together.
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Anyone who has tried to diet alone knows that it can be difficult to stay on track without support. Dieting with your significant other is even better than dieting with your friends, because you eat the majority of your meals together and you can encourage each other to make healthy choices.
Keep your approach realistic and sustainable—no crash diets. Nothing can start a fight quicker than two grumpy, food-deprived people.
Take a fitness class together.
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Trying new things for the first time with your significant other is a great way to build your relationship, and that's no different when it comes to fitness. Tell your partner that you really want to try a class, but you'd feel a lot more comfortable if they went with you.
Struggle through eight rounds of tabata together or laugh as they attempt yoga for the first time. You'll not only bond, but you can use these experiences as cute anecdotes later.
Go running together.
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Running with your loved one is another great way to get back in shape while still hanging out (and getting outside every once in a while). Leaving Netflix and going from literal Couch to 5K with your significant other can be one of the most rewarding things you do as a couple.
Working together towards a goal and pushing each other will teach you a lot about being a team.
Don't base your health off your partner.
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Fitness and nutrition are two very personal goals and not everyone has the same mindset when it comes to how they want to live their life. If your partner is satisfied with how they eat, look and feel, don't try to change who they are. If you're not happy with that, then maybe that's not the kind of partner you want in your life. Also, beware of mimicking your partner's habits. Just because they want to get dessert doesn't mean you have to help them eat it.
This also applies if you're the half of the couple that has more progress to make. If your partner is fit, and it only took them a month to get back in shape, don't feel bad. Work at your own pace and eventually you'll get to where you want to be.
Set goals and track each other's progress.
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If you and your partner both decide to get fit together, it helps to set joint goals like going to the gym four days a week. Try making little bets with each other and whoever wins gets a treat.
Hold each other accountable but always be encouraging if your partner is having a tougher day than you are.
Limit eating out.
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When you're in a relationship, going out on restaurant dates becomes second nature. It's the easiest option if you're deciding what to do together, and it's a great way to catch up on each other's day. But if you start doing it too much, you'll probably end up eating more calories than you planned, not to mention you'll spend a ton of money.
Set a limit on how many days a week or month you're both comfortable eating out.
Cook together.
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Grocery shopping and cooking together can be a lot of fun, and it's one of the best ways couples can manage their health. Planning healthy meals and cooking them together will ensure that you're making the best choices, and you'll both gain a new skill set that will be even more valuable down the road.
Show the love.
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One of the best way to improve your well-being as a couple? Get physical! Touch—whether it be hand-holding, kissing or, uh, a little something more—increases your level of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that reduces pain. Physical affection can also minimize stress and help lower blood pressure.
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