How to Deal With a Partner Who Does Not Want To Embrace Your Healthy Lifestyle

Hello and welcome Vida Juicer! It’s “Wellness Wednesday” an our topic for today is:

How to Deal With a Partner Who Does Not Want To Embrace Your Healthy Lifestyle

When it comes to making choices to live a healthier lifestyle, rarely will both partners share the same ambition, especially at first. This could be challenging to both your relationship and your progress. Your significant other might not be ready to make changes, but you should not give up on working towards your goals. The following pointers detail how you should approach the issue with your spouse and encourages compromise so that you both stay happy while you get healthy!

1. Have a Conversation
This is the best place to start if you are trying to get your partner to see why you want to make healthy changes. Begin by explaining why you are choosing to embrace a new eating plan (you may want to avoid calling it a “diet”) and/or exercise program and outline any specific goals. You will want to discuss how things will change, being sure to steer clear of any negatives and focus on the positive impacts your new, healthier lifestyle will have. This is also a good time to ask your significant other for their support and make clear just how important it is for you to feel that they are behind you.

2. Be Reasonable
If you do a total about-face you might encounter some resistance from your spouse or partner. Be reasonable, be realistic, and be willing to meet them in the middle. You will still want to do things or go places that you and your significant other have previously enjoyed. For example, you do not have to quit going out to eat. Perhaps you will visit restaurants less frequently, but when you do, be sure to choose a restaurant that has something you both will enjoy. You can plan what you will order ahead of time so that you do not make poor choices.

3. Clarify Dietary Changes
When you embark on a healthier lifestyle, typically your relationship with food changes dramatically. Your partner will need to understand that you will be making different decisions with regards to grocery shopping and preparing meals at home, but only you have the power over what you consume. To establish boundaries and make things easier, you could have a specific shelf in the pantry and/or refrigerator reserved for your significant other’s “unhealthy” options and this will be an off-limits zone for you. Your mate also needs to recognize that you will be politely declining any of their offers of desserts, treats, or anything that throws you off of your game plan. You can, and should, cook meals for the two of you to share, just be sure to prepare and eat larger portions of the healthy foods. Your spouse may be craving fried fish or a cheese-filled casserole, go ahead and cook it! Then, fill your plate up with a large portion of fresh vegetables or a tossed salad and have a smaller portion of the less healthy entrée. Cooking separate meals should be a last resort.

4. Try Something Together
If things go your way, then your partner will want to get on board with your healthier lifestyle. Perhaps you can encourage and speed this process along by suggesting that you try something together. You could try a new vegetable that you have never eaten before (like jicama or something else unusual) or look for different recipes and cook a dish together. If your significant other is still resistant to dietary changes, choose to be active together instead. Go for a hike, take a dance class, or train for a 5k. You could set goals together, make it fun, and even inspire some friendly competition.

To wrap things up, here are two final tips:
Do lead by example and be a role model. If your significant other is able to see and understand the benefits you are experiencing, they might decide to join you and make some changes too.
Do not pester, pressure, or harass your partner in hopes that they will conform to your lifestyle. This behavior will only lead to resentment and that is something you want to avoid. If someone wants to live healthier, they have to make that choice on their own.

Now go have that talk with your partner tonight and remember juice strong to live long!