Your Love Handles: On Love and Weight Gain

A relationship provides may things…a partner to bounce ideas off of, unconditional support, snuggles on a cold night, love in sickness and in health…

…and a few extra pounds?! 

I hate to break it to you…and right before Valentine’s Day…but your relationship status may be to blame for new love handles, your sluggish energy levels, and constant yawns. 

Relationships, especially in the first year, make it easy to throw your healthy exercise, eating, and sleep habits out the window. Serotonin, your feel good brain chemical that is also a natural appetite suppressant, is present in greater concentrations when you’re in love. Despite an advantageous shift in brain chemistry when we see hearts, let’s be real…it’s all too easy to skip your 6:30am spin class in favor of more snuggles or go slice for slice on pizza night. Falling in love can make your pants a teeeeensy bit tighter than they were, say, two months ago.

But before you even commit, your quest for love may lead to unwanted love handles! Dating can be hard on your waistline as well. If we’re being honest, your after-work gym sess may be replaced by extra cocktails, meals out, and other decisions made through rose-tinted glasses.

We’ve all been there. Love really can do crazy things! But we CAN stop this cycle before it spirals out of control…without sacrificing your relationship. 

For my tips on how to stay healthy at all stages of a relationship, read on…

Single guy or gal dating?

Follow the 2 drink maximum rule. In the words of Patti Stanger [the Millionaire Matchmaker], there’s a “2 drink maximum!” Not only does limiting your alcoholic intake reduce any possible sloppiness, but it will also help you watch your waistline. A single gal can go on a few dates per week or none at all, but calories can total quickly. A glass of wine or light beer contains about 120 calories, your average mixed drink at least 300 calories, and a margarita upwards of 400 to 600 calories! Guzzling more than two drinks on a date, times multiple dates per month can lead to thousands of extra calories consumed…and tighter jeans! {P.S. It’s also OK to just order club soda or tea!}

Make gym time social time. Regardless of your relationship status, it’s always important to make time for your girlfriends (or guy friends!). I like to kill two birds with one stone, sort of speak, and try new boutique workout classes with my girlfriends on the weekend (and then brunch, of course!). This way, I’m spending time with my ladies, getting a great workout in, and offsetting any extra calorie consumption during the week! 

You’re in a relationship? 

Congrats! You found someone worthy of you…but it’s easy to get into a rut. Between work, drinks with coworkers, dinners out or in with your S.O., and lazy Sundays in bed, there’s little time left for your health. Just as it’s important to be true to yourself in dating, don’t sacrifice your healthy habits [too much] for someone else either. Try to encourage your partner to be healthy with you!

Do active things together. I once dated someone who wasn’t too into the gym, but for me, he made it happen. You don’t even have to hit the gym…just focus on being more active. You can even make it romantic…go for a long walk, hand-in-hand, after dinner, go ice skating, take dance lessons, or climb an indoor rock wall…the possibilities are endless! 

Order [food] separately. Sharing is caring, and one of the best parts of dining out (or ordering in), but there comes a time where you just may not be able want to keep up with your significant other. It’s OK for the two of you to order two separate meals or order in from different restaurants. Leave splitting a pizza to a once in a while-type thing. 

You’re engaged?

Let the wedding diet begin? I’ve seen SO many young brides do two a day workouts and nearly starve themselves for their wedding day. I’ve also heard of girls faint at their wedding because they’re undernourished. It’s not a good idea. You’re engaged to someone who loves you unconditionally and just the way you are! If you want to look fabulous in your wedding dress, be sure to avoid extra stressors and focus on toning…not losing exorbitant amounts of weight in an unhealthy way. {For personal diet advice, please seek out a registered dietitian in your area!}

Post-marriage comfy pants?

Avoid falling into bad habits. While I can’t speak from personal experience, I’ve seen friends go from one extreme before the wedding to the polar opposite after. You may go a little overboard on your honeymoon — it’s your honeymoon after all — but as a whole, try not to fall into bad habits. Your health is just as important as keeping the spark alive! Try a healthy cooking class together so you can whip up healthy home cooked meals!

Make health a priority…together! Now that you’re committed to someone for the rest of your life, make sure it’s a long life! Keep all of the above tips in mind and be each others’ cheerleaders!

Congrats new mom & dad!

Make time for yourself. Again, I can’t speak from experience, but one piece of advice I think is worthy is to make time for yourself. Whether it’s exercising for 15 minutes while your toddler is napping or walking around with your newborn, try to establish an exercise routine as soon as you can. After all, you’re setting a great example for your child to be healthy in the future!

At all stages of relationships, our weight fluctuates. It’s simply a part of life. Dating is hard, getting comfortable in a relationship is a whole new stage of life, and preparing for and surviving marriage has its own intricacies. The most important thing to remember is that it’s all about balance — in health, life, food, and love!

Wishing you a love-filled Valentine’s Day with those who are most important to you! 

XO