My Mate is Making Me Fat

Many couples find that after a few years they look in the mirror to find that they have gained a lot of weight. It happens gradually, so gradually that often pants sizes change as the pants themselves wear out. We tend to blame the change in size on the manufacturer. ("Oh every designer makes pants in different sizes.") or on the time of the month. ("It must be water weight.") but in reality it is our exercise and eating habits that have caused the changes in size and that moment of realization that we have become portly without even trying.

It is easy to put on weight without realizing what we are doing. We eat out more as couples, we exercise less. As evenings dancing with friends in clubs give way to evenings cuddling on the couch, and a salads with a date gives way to home-cooked meals of meat and potatoes we grow less aware of what we are doing to ourselves.

Here are some things to consider adding to your life if you see that one or both of you are putting on weight.

Dust off your bicycle.

A long bike ride has several advantages to staying at home: it keeps you out of the kitchen away from snacks and leftovers, you can take along the children; very small children can ride along on back of your bicycle, and older children love to race along beside you, you and your mate can talk as you take in fresh air and sunshine, and it's great exercise.

Add fruits and vegetables.

Start meals with a salad or slices of apple or pears. The fiber will fill you up faster and the vitamins will give you energy to live a more active lifestyle. Drink a glass of water too to help you digest and make your skin glow.

Turn off your television or computer.

Time you spend sitting staring at a screen is time you are removing from your relationship and adding to your waistline. Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. Middle aged spread happens across couches and desk chairs!

Don't buy new clothes.

If you are forced to fit into the clothes you own or buy the same size you will be motivated to make them fit. Every time you buy a larger size you are giving yourself permission to fill it out.

Kiss more.

Instead of eating that cookie, wrap your arms around your mate and taste something sweeter. The best thing about a kiss is when you give one you get one...if you are lucky that kiss may lead to more interesting exercise.

Talk out problems.

Some relationship weight comes from emotional eating. Be aware of problems and work them out instead of burying them under a cake.

By being aware of the possibility of relationship weight we can stave it off and even reverse it. Remember, you can not blame your weight on your mate, we are all responsible for our own bodies. You can choose to fall into bad habits or improve your lives together!