Couples diet: the 10 rules to follow to help each other and lose weight together
Lose weight as a couple? It's possible. If you think a diet is tough, it can probably be easier for two to tackle it: each helps the other, encouraging him not to give up and helping him stay on course. If your intent is to start a diet with your partner, here are ten. tips and things to keep in mind to be successful in the business!
1. The starting point is different for him and for her
Before starting a diet, you must always consider the premises. A diet does not have to be the same for everyone, so even in that of a couple you have to keep in mind the different characteristics of him and her. To begin with, the energy needs of men and women are different: the adult man needs about 2,200 calories a day, the woman 1,800. On the basis of this, the diet must be calibrated for one and the other.
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To avoid temptations, and perhaps give in to them, it is better to always go shopping together: the presence and gaze of one of the two partners will help the other to self-discipline, and so the starting point is the best. is for real, and does not go wrong!
© Istock3. Learn to compensate for your old eating habits
The eating habits of men and women are different. Usually women eat in a more varied and "healthy" way, while men tend to eat large quantities of a few things they are passionate about: pasta, fries, sweets ... The principle of a diet is to compensate in some way the old eating habits to abandon: girls, eat more starchy to avoid the occurrence of small cravings, and advise your companions to consume more fruit and vegetables!
© Istock4. Combat temptations together by confessing them
Confessing to each other the small temptations of every day can help a lot: the other will surely understand, and will be able to help precisely because he will need the same help. Try an experiment: lock everything that tempts you, whatever it is, on a shelf. both, chocolate, snacks, snacks and so on. Give the key to your partner, and he does the same to you. In this way each will be the guardian of the other, and if there is to suffer, at least two will suffer.
5. Adopt the carrot and stick mechanism
Use the carrot and stick mechanism together, reward yourself when you have been good, and punish yourself when you have failed. In more scientific and less sadistic terms: find a positive reinforcement when things are going well and you are disciplined, a small harmless concession, a reward that gives you satisfaction and the desire to continue. Instead, find negative reinforcement when you break some diet rule, put yourself "in detention". If one does it to the other, with the preceding principle of the guardian, the functioning is assured!
6. Have fun cooking together
Mind you, it is a diet, not a torture, and this mechanism of the guardian of the other may have scared you ... It is good to control each other, but try to transform the diet into a two-person experiment: for example, when you cook, do it together, it is more fun and even preparing boiled vegetables can seem like a game.
© Istock
7. Make a deal
Make a verbal agreement, say aloud what commitment you are making. It can help to formalize the matter, to make it more "serious" and to treat it accordingly. It is also an effective psychological reinforcement: who in a couple wants to be the one or the one who broke the pact? Nobody! Done.
8. Beware of moments of loneliness
Be on your guard when you are left alone. Not only because you might give in to some hidden temptation, but also because being alone can make you feel a void that you want to try to fill by eating. While this is normal behavior, dieting can be a step backwards, so seek company. Not necessarily that of the partner, but even being on the phone for a short time, while not together, can help to keep the agreement.
9. Play sports together
This is almost obvious: find a sport that you both like and do it together. Running, cycling, swimming, whatever you like. Dancing is fine too, and the lesson should be a minimum of 30 minutes a day. After all, it's about doing what couples do anyway: having fun for two!
© Istock10. Avoid the competition
During a diet for two, the greatest risk in addition to giving in to temptation is entering into competition. The race for a healthy weight is a competition that should actually be avoided: jealousies and envy can be unleashed between those who are seeing results and those who are not, despite the same efforts. We must support the other, whether he is seeing more results than us or not.
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Improve your fitness, see life with different eyes and it's good for your heart: 7 reasons to start running and be happy
15 rules you need to follow when starting a diet
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