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Staying healthy is hard. Being in a relationship is hard. Staying healthy and being in a relationship at the same time? Really hard. That’s why these four tips strategies for getting in shape with your partner are so valuable. Read on for more.
How to Not Get Fat in a Relationship
Cook
We know–with work, your relationship, and trying to keep a semblance of a social life, taking the time to cook proper meals feels just about impossible. But what if cooking could actually become a way to work on your relationship… and get healthier at the same time? There are several benefits to becoming a co-chef with your partner. First of all, when you cook, you know exactly what’s going into your meals–and your body. Whether you start a ritual of making dinner together after work or set aside time for Sunday evening meal prep, cooking will help the two of you save money on restaurant food and also take more control over what you consume. And remember, this is an activity that requires teamwork—which is a positive for any relationship. Sometimes it can be easier for people (ahem, men) to talk honestly when they’re semi-engaged in something else and not looking straight at you (think teenagers opening up to their parents during car rides). You might be surprised by what comes up in conversation during your cooking sessions.
Skip the Screens
As a general rule, screens are not the best for your health. More time spent in front of phones, computers, and televisions is associated with all sorts of negative ailments including obesity, sleep disturbances, and mental health challenges. Getting some time away from those screens, then, can only be a good thing. It’s not easy to change habits, though, so taking on the task with the support of a partner can really make a difference. Together, create some sort of agreement about when you will and, more importantly, won’t use your screens. Maybe that looks like putting phones away during meals, or closing computers by a certain hour each evening. Presumably, spending less time in front of screens means that you’ll have more time and attention for each other.
Work Out
It’s no secret that working out is good for both your physical and mental health. But what you might not realize is that exercising with your partner–whether that looks like taking fitness classes, going for a run, or playing tennis together–is even more beneficial. When you’re trying to start or change up an exercise routine, accountability is essential. Knowing that someone else is counting on you to get to the gym makes it that much more likely that you’ll actually show up. And in addition to giving you a reason to spend time together, jointly exercising can actually shift the way you feel about your relationship. Working out revs up your nervous system, which puts your body in a state of arousal and, as studies have shown, can make you feel more attracted to your partner.
Need help getting (or staying) motivated? Sign up for Noom! It’s an online weight loss program based on cognitive behavior therapy that matches each member with a personal coach and grants you access to the Noom support community. Even if your goal is only to exercise more (not necessarily to lose weight), Noom can help shift your mindset to help make fitness a priority in your life.
Explore Your City
For some people, working out can sound pretty intimidating. But exercise doesn’t just mean going to the gym. Even just increasing the number of steps you take each day can make a huge difference in your health level. So try taking the focus off of the exercise element entirely. Instead, think about things in your city you’ve never seen but are interested in–cute little neighborhoods, museums, natural features, and anything else that requires a bit of walking to explore. Set aside some time on your calendar to check them out as a couple, and watch yourselves get healthier without even feeling like you’re “exercising” at all.
The editors at SheFinds wrote this article in partnership with Noom.
