Those small indulgences may start causing the scale to tip in the wrong direction. When you’re in a committed relationship, it’s important to remember to stay committed to your own goals as well. This includes taking care of your health.
If you want to keep your relationship alive and keep your skinny jeans in the regular rotation, then start by taking small steps to avoid that dreaded relationship weight gain.
10 Steps To Avoid Relationship Weight Gain
Cook Together
When you are having a meal together, date night doesn’t necessarily have to mean wallet-draining dinners and calorie-ridden dishes. Switch things up and cook at home together. When you cook for yourself you’re better able to control portions and you know exactly what you’re eating.
Split Your Meal
If going out to eat is what you look forward to every weekend, you don’t have to give it up completely—just modify your orders. Agree to share each course so that you can still order what you want without worrying about it showing up on your waist next month. Even better, this way you and your partner can have some fun together testing out new dishes and critiquing them. If ordering dessert, always split it.
Pass on the Doggy Bag
Try to avoid bringing home leftovers whether its form your favorite restaurants on Sunday dinner at Grandma’s. Though the take-home goodies might be convenient and lessen your food prep for the week ahead, they’ll also take the place of healthier items you could and should be eating to stay on track with your weight goals. Be in the present and enjoy the meal as it happens, but politely decline the take-home bag.
Order a Glass, Not the Bottle
If you order a bottle of wine, chances are you will finish the entire thing. If you order one glass of vino, you’re more likely to stick to and savor that one glass. Alcohol can be a major setback when it comes to weight loss, so keeping portions under control is key.
Skip The Bar
Going out for drinks doesn’t have to mean a night at the bar. It’s hard to watch how much you drink when you are hanging out at a bar and socializing. Instead, try sitting down to have a cup of tea or just having a conversation. Hit up your local coffee shop, brew your favorite tea at home or simply cuddle up on the couch for some good old fashioned one-on-one time
Work Out Together
Here is an activity that allows you to spend time together and stay in shape. Join a local sports team or head to the gym together. Partnering up on weight and health goals will help you accomplish it more easily.
Non-Food Date Nights
Suggest non-food date nights. It’s so easy to go out for dinner, but make it more interesting with something like laser tag, bowling or something along those lines where the food is not necessarily the focus. Even taking some cooking classes together can be really fun.
Indulge Your Other Senses
Though the intentions are good, sometimes it can be sabotaging to regularly buy food treats for your significant other. Rather than bringing home cookies or muffins for your love, try treating with non-food delights. Give each other a back massage or draw a bath for them. Do something that isn’t food focused. Get to know each other’s favorite non-food based treats that you can give to one another.
Go to the Ice Cream Place
Going to the Ice Cream Shop is a sweet old fashioned date idea. Keeping ice cream in the house is just another way of sabotaging yourself when you are trying eat healthy. Don’t have it in the house to begin with and instead go out for ice cream. This gives you something to do while allowing yourself an occasional treat.
Speak Up
Of course communication is key to a successful and healthy relationship, and that especially rings true when it comes to reaching personal goals such as losing weight. Focus on what you can do for each other. If you are in a committed relationship that may mean talking to your partner about how they can support you in your activity—whether that means going with you on a hike, a bike ride, a jog, or whatever your preference.
