Couples on a Diet

I know that most or all of you are either in a relationship or married. Trying to lose weight is difficult, but can become even more difficult if not done together. We have three couples that are on this weight loss pool together. Here are some hints about dieting together...
Dieting together rather than going it alone has three major bonuses:

> No-one's left out. What could be more frustrating than watching your other half wolf down a plate of chips while you pick at your steamed green beans? You're bound to give in eventually! This is the kind of cycle that leads to bad food habits, and won't help you lose weight.

> You support each other. You'll find you're far less easily discouraged. If one of you starts to waiver, the other is there for support and motivation.

> Eating healthy becomes easier. If you've both made a conscious decision to lose weight, you'll find it easier to cook healthier meals and remove blacklisted foods from your cupboards!


Unfortunately, the hard fact is that Mother Nature didn't make it easy on us. Women find it naturally harder to lose weight (life just isn't fair, is it?). Here's why...

> Men naturally burn more calories than women. They have more muscle and less fatty tissue than women (men have 10-15% fat and women 20-25%), and muscle mass uses up more energy than fat. Unfair? Yes.

> Men lose weight more quickly than women. Men lose weight 25% more quickly than women.

> As a rule, men diet less than women and as a result they lose weight more easily. When we diet, our bodies become more resistant to restrictions.

> Few men suffer from eating problems (bulimia, anorexia, comfort eating and snacking). As a rule, their relationship with food isn't as psychological.

> It's easier to lose weight from your stomach than it is from your thighs, hips and butt, where women tend to store fat. So there are no excuses for a beer belly.


Science also dictates that women have different nutritional needs then men:

> Men are bigger and more muscular than women, so even when they're trying to lose weight they shouldn't reduce their calorie intake lower than 1600-1800 a day.
Women who want to lose weight can go down to 1200-1400 calories a day.

> Women are greatly affected by their hormones and have to make sure they get enough iron, calcium, zinc, copper, Vitamins D, B6 and B12 to maintain the right balance.
Men need to vary their diet as much as possible to ensure they get enough fiber, carotene, magnesium, selenium, Vitamins B9, C and E, which many don't get enough of.

> Another big difference is that women are naturally less muscular than men and have to eat enough protein (meat, fish and eggs) to keep their muscle mass. And to avoid snacking between meals, women need to make sure they get enough carbs, especially at breakfast and lunch.
Men need to allow themselves a good solid portion of meat or fish and enough carbs to satisfy their appetite, but should avoid sauces and other added fat. Men should also up their intake of fruit and veg in a big way, as most men don't get enough.


Here are some hints to being a dieting duet:

> Set down the rules. Once you've set your targets together, make a pact to take your diet seriously, not cheat and not hide any evidence of cheating if you do give in to temptation!

> Don't compete. A diet isn't a competition - men lose weight more easily anyway! You'd be fighting a losing battle trying to lose weight at the same rate, so take things slowly but surely.

> Eat together. The whole point of dieting together is you can eat the same meals! Even if you can't eat the same quantities, you eat the same dishes, so cook and enjoy your healthy meals together.

> Support each other. You'll find it hardest to resist the call of chocolate or cheese when he's not there. If you're on the brink of caving in, give him a call to help you keep temptation at bay!


Stabilizing your weight after a diet is the key to keeping the pounds off! Here's how to make sure you keep them away...

Her:
-don't try and lose weight too quickly. Those pounds you lose too quickly are always the first to creep on again! Take your time, even if your diet lasts a little longer than his.
- carry on eating lots of fruit and veg.

Him:
- even if you lose weight easily, don't stop your diet too quickly. You need to reintroduce fatty cheese, fatty meat and sauce-based dishes gradually back into your diet (don't have them more than once a week to start with!). You need to change your overall eating habits both during and after a diet, not go back to your old unhealthy ones. Keep your cheese, cake and alcohol intake down, and keep drinking lots of water little and often, even if you're not used to it!

Both of you: the best thing to help your stabilization phase is to exercise, together if you're at the same level, and separately if not. And set aside some time each week for exercise, otherwise you'll always find something more urgent to be doing!


Losing weight is difficult. It takes healthy eating, exercise, commitment and support. Couples support each other through all sorts of lifestyle changes, such as marriage, a career switch and childbirth, but what about dieting? Dieting together can be a great way to bring you closer to your partner while achieving a healthier body, but if you don't keep the lines of communication open and support each other, it can also break apart a shaky relationship. Working together as a couple can create even greater results than going it alone, if you're both ready.