Dieting and the Unsupportive Partner

How to make a life-long change with your partner's cooperation

You have decided that it is time to get in shape and eat healthy, and you're excited about transforming your life for the better. However, your partner is not sharing your enthusiasm. The two of you are slightly overweight and really enjoy eating food together, so he feels a little insecure because you want to better yourself, while he wants to keep everything the same.

So how are you supposed to diet when your partner is taunting you with fatty foods? Can you possibly work out when your partner is telling you that you shouldn’t? Yes you can! Get your butt into gear and turn your unsupportive partner into your number one fan.

Separate tables for separate diets
If your partner is taunting you with your favorite McDonald’s cheeseburger while you are nibbling on your dinner salad, you need to explain to them why this is not right. Tell your partner that you are trying to eat healthy to stay healthy so you will be able to live a long and happy life. Then tell him that if he does not support your new life changes, you will not sit with him while you eat any meals. There is no law saying that you have to sit with the person you came into the restaurant with, so let your partner eat the cheeseburger alone for a few days and see how that works.

Gym buddies
Or say you just got back home from work and quickly change into your gym clothes. You are tired and all you really want to do is sit on the couch and watch a little TV. Your partner is already there on the couch, telling you that you should skip the gym and sit with her instead. Although it may be tough, you have to ignore the temptation and head to the gym anyways.

This is the time when you need to assert yourself with your partner. Tell her that you are going to the gym, no matter how tempting it is to just sit on the couch. Then discuss why you want to get in shape and the benefits that you are excited to receive once you have achieved your goal. Explain to her that she can live the way she wants and you expect the same.

Hang tough for health
Dealing with an unsupportive partner is never easy, especially when you are trying to better yourself. Your partner may feel left out of the loop and may feel jealous. When this happens you need to be direct with your partner and explain that you will not stay with someone who is not supportive. Tell your partner that if they do not come to terms that you want to be in better shape and health, and continue to taunt you, then you will be forced to make one more healthy life change by leaving them.

Sometimes all it takes is a little reality check for your partner to realize that their playfulness is actually very hurtful and can cause a break in the relationship. If they do not realize this, then perhaps they are just not for you anyways. Who wants a partner who is not supportive about their health and fitness? If they cannot be supportive about this, can they really be supportive about anything? It may be in your best interest to just remove yourself from the negative environment that you are in and focus more on the positive things you want in your life.

But most times, your partner will come to see the wisdom of your new lifestyle and get on board. Then look out - before you know it, they may be urging you to leave the dressing off that dinner salad.