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Receiving Weight Loss Support from a Spouse
Thankfully, my wife supported me as I was losing weight.
Shortly after I started losing weight in 2009, my wife gave birth to our daughter, our first child. Even through the turmoil and life change that a new/first baby can bring, I had permission to go to the gym whenever — and however long — I liked.
As I eluded to yesterday, many other husbands/wives I hear from don’t have that luxury. Unfortunately, I hear about a lot of bitterness and resentment.
In addition to being able to head to the gym carte blanche, my wife was also there to encourage me as the weight flew off in those first six months. Hitting weight loss milestones on the scale was just as exciting for her as it was for me.
None of my wife’s support should’ve come as a surprise, though. She “bugged” me for years about the importance of me needing to lose weight so I could stick around for our kids. In early 2009, she had finally gotten through to me.
Becoming active, counting calories, losing weight, and becoming interested in fitness is a very admirable thing. I encourage it wholeheartedly and wish everyone I know would take an interest in bettering their health.
With that said, remember that as with everything, moderation is key.
Most people you meet aren’t going want to keep hearing about how many calories their food has in it. Your co-workers don’t want to hear about how much you lifted in the gym or how fast your ran every sales meeting. Your family and friends don’t want to lose you yet another Saturday to yet another race.
While sharing your life with your partner is no doubt important, be careful not to suffocate them and make everything about you and your weight loss goals.
Find a balance between your friends, family, and fitness.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on May 3rd, 2013
Lack of Weight Loss Support from a Spouse
Losing weight can come with unintended consequences.
While the pros of losing weight greatly outweigh the cons, there can definitely be some cons. Let me pitch a completely hypothetical, yet common scenario to you.
Holly marries David. When they marry, both are slightly overweight, enjoy the same gamut of sedentary of activities, and neither care about the amount or quality of the food they eat. Waistlines are of no concern to either of them.
Let’s fast forward a few years into the marriage.
Holly decides to lose weight. She starts counting calories in an effort to lose 40 pounds. She puts down the remote and starts walking around her neighborhood after work. She meets her girlfriends at the gym in the morning. She starts limiting portion sizes and gets rid of a bunch of junk food hanging around the house. Her whole life and a lot of the things that made up her life before suddenly change.
Fast forward six months later. Holly has lost 40 pounds, runs half-marathons, and has a completely new life. She’s found a whole new set of activities and has a new outlook on eating and staying active. However, David hasn’t changed at all.
Holly loves David, but grows resentful. She wishes he’d become “healthy,” too. She wishes he shared the love for the same activities she does. She wishes they’d spend time together again — being active, not sedentary. She wishes David would care about his body, health, and appearance.
On the other hand, David wishes Holly never changed. It’s her fault for rocking the boat. Everything was fine before she decided to change her life.
…
Personally, I’ve experienced the above scenario in a very limited fashion over the last few years. Overall, my wife was/is very supportive of my attempt to lose weight. Alternatively, I’ve heard from many spouses who have encountered, and are encountering, most of the scenario that I described above.
Don’t let it deter you from losing weight — just be prepared.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on May 2nd, 2013
Hearty Breakfast Under 500 Calories
I’m not a fan of your typical diet food.
This biscuit, scrambled (3 whole) eggs, and two pieces of bacon are 480 calories.
Most mornings my wife and daughter get a hot meal. Breakfast usually varies between a mix of pancakes, french toast, eggs, biscuits, waffles, sausage, and bacon. By the way, don’t listen to my wife — bacon tastes better than sausage.
My day always starts off better when I have a big, hearty breakfast. I have more energy and I feel full for hours. When I was 344 pounds, I rarely ate breakfast and if I did it was usually cereal or fast food. I’d feel hungry again in an hour or two.
A hearty, “manly” breakfast doesn’t have to be low in taste or high in calories.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on April 24th, 2013
Blog
Receiving Weight Loss Support from a Spouse
Thankfully, my wife supported me as I was losing weight.
Shortly after I started losing weight in 2009, my wife gave birth to our daughter, our first child. Even through the turmoil and life change that a new/first baby can bring, I had permission to go to the gym whenever — and however long — I liked.
As I eluded to yesterday, many other husbands/wives I hear from don’t have that luxury. Unfortunately, I hear about a lot of bitterness and resentment.
In addition to being able to head to the gym carte blanche, my wife was also there to encourage me as the weight flew off in those first six months. Hitting weight loss milestones on the scale was just as exciting for her as it was for me.
None of my wife’s support should’ve come as a surprise, though. She “bugged” me for years about the importance of me needing to lose weight so I could stick around for our kids. In early 2009, she had finally gotten through to me.
Becoming active, counting calories, losing weight, and becoming interested in fitness is a very admirable thing. I encourage it wholeheartedly and wish everyone I know would take an interest in bettering their health.
With that said, remember that as with everything, moderation is key.
Most people you meet aren’t going want to keep hearing about how many calories their food has in it. Your co-workers don’t want to hear about how much you lifted in the gym or how fast your ran every sales meeting. Your family and friends don’t want to lose you yet another Saturday to yet another race.
While sharing your life with your partner is no doubt important, be careful not to suffocate them and make everything about you and your weight loss goals.
Find a balance between your friends, family, and fitness.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on May 3rd, 2013
Lack of Weight Loss Support from a Spouse
Losing weight can come with unintended consequences.
While the pros of losing weight greatly outweigh the cons, there can definitely be some cons. Let me pitch a completely hypothetical, yet common scenario to you.
Holly marries David. When they marry, both are slightly overweight, enjoy the same gamut of sedentary of activities, and neither care about the amount or quality of the food they eat. Waistlines are of no concern to either of them.
Let’s fast forward a few years into the marriage.
Holly decides to lose weight. She starts counting calories in an effort to lose 40 pounds. She puts down the remote and starts walking around her neighborhood after work. She meets her girlfriends at the gym in the morning. She starts limiting portion sizes and gets rid of a bunch of junk food hanging around the house. Her whole life and a lot of the things that made up her life before suddenly change.
Fast forward six months later. Holly has lost 40 pounds, runs half-marathons, and has a completely new life. She’s found a whole new set of activities and has a new outlook on eating and staying active. However, David hasn’t changed at all.
Holly loves David, but grows resentful. She wishes he’d become “healthy,” too. She wishes he shared the love for the same activities she does. She wishes they’d spend time together again — being active, not sedentary. She wishes David would care about his body, health, and appearance.
On the other hand, David wishes Holly never changed. It’s her fault for rocking the boat. Everything was fine before she decided to change her life.
…
Personally, I’ve experienced the above scenario in a very limited fashion over the last few years. Overall, my wife was/is very supportive of my attempt to lose weight. Alternatively, I’ve heard from many spouses who have encountered, and are encountering, most of the scenario that I described above.
Don’t let it deter you from losing weight — just be prepared.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on May 2nd, 2013
Hearty Breakfast Under 500 Calories
I’m not a fan of your typical diet food.
This biscuit, scrambled (3 whole) eggs, and two pieces of bacon are 480 calories.
Most mornings my wife and daughter get a hot meal. Breakfast usually varies between a mix of pancakes, french toast, eggs, biscuits, waffles, sausage, and bacon. By the way, don’t listen to my wife — bacon tastes better than sausage.
My day always starts off better when I have a big, hearty breakfast. I have more energy and I feel full for hours. When I was 344 pounds, I rarely ate breakfast and if I did it was usually cereal or fast food. I’d feel hungry again in an hour or two.
A hearty, “manly” breakfast doesn’t have to be low in taste or high in calories.
Posted by Shawn Tyler Weeks on April 24th, 2013