Turns out all the hard work you’ve been putting into shedding pounds may have a ripple effect.
The decision to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle holds many benefits. Obvious ones include feeling more attractive and confident. But a recent study from the University of Connecticut reveals that if you stay focused on healthier living, your efforts may be contagious – at least to your partner.
Quick Take-Away
Investigators used a randomized, controlled design to monitor couples weight loss progress. In this line of research, one person (as part of the couple) was active in some type of weight reduction program. The other was not.
What they discovered was that when the individual who was focused on their weight-loss plan was successful, their significant other also lost weight.
So you may be wondering how much?
Well, according to the study, a third of the people who were not actively part of a slim-down program lost an average of 3% of their body weight.
Deeper Look
Curious about how weight-loss efforts by one person in a relationship can impact a mate, Guy Counseling spoke to Janis Evans, a D.C. based licensed psychotherapist. Evans specializes in couples issues and shared the following observations.
“It’s not uncommon for weight-loss to happen for both people in a relationship where one person is really focused on slimming down. Because couples tend to share many of the same eating habits, it makes sense that each person would benefit,” said Evans.
Apparently, diet isn’t the only thing couples share. Increased physical activity can also be part the dynamic.
“With couples, the decision to lose weight usually means becoming more physically active. For example, if you have one person who begins taking a nightly walk after dinner, there’s a good chance that person’s mate is going to join them. In this way, the focus on slimming down can be contagious,” remarked Evans.
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So if you need additional motivation to stay on course with your weight-loss program, think of your partner. If the research is accurate, both of you will likely benefit.
