An Iowa Avenue member, Julie, and her husband are engaged in a Domestic Weight Loss War, meaning that for one month, they are competing with one another to literally see who will lose the most weight.

After reading her story, I became quite curious about the issues of couples and weight loss and/or gain. So I did some research to find out the facts.

Can marriage cause a weight gain?

Indeed, couples do tend to gain weight together; in fact, newly married women average a 24 pound weight gain over five years; newly married men gained 30 pounds in the same time period.

In a related study, newly married couples tend to have similar BMI’s and if their domestic home lifestyle habits encourages weight gain, they’ll gain weight and are more likely to become overweight.

Why Does this Happen?

Marriage and relationships tends to allow for people to let their guard down in how they look, because they have a long term relationship, which can equate to lowering the need for a healthy body weight. It doesn’t have to be that way but its prevalence is problematic.

In addition, marriage means starting a family. Frequently, a pregnant wife who gains weight will result in the husband gaining weight also.

Can Couples lose weight together?

Yes, and they can usually accomplish it better than they could alone.

A research study in Australia investigated new couples who participated in a 16-week lifestyle modification program. The research revealed that couples who worked together as a team were able to lose more weight, and improve their eating and exercise habits.

More importantly, the couples were able to maintain their new healthy lifestyle.

Will doing this lower coronary risk?

Yes, it can.

Mutual motivation and support that helps couples achieve healthy lifestyles, leads to lower risks of heart disease and heart attacks.

On the other hand, couples who enjoy little or no lifestyle benefits have a partner who shares the same small benefit.

What about Couples and Exercise?

Couples that exercise together, get healthy together.

The researchers discovered couples that participated in an exercise program together had significantly higher attendance and a dramatically lower dropout rates than the married people who only had one spouse participate. Only 6 percent of the married couples “dropped out” compared to 43 percent of married singles.

Even better, the fitness and healthy lifestyles were maintained 16 months after the study was finished.

What do you think? Would having your partner or spouse join you help you to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight?

What do you consider the upside or downside to losing weight together? Is there even a downside? How do you feel about this? Let’s discuss it.

As they say, the facts speak for themselves.

In the Iowa Avenue spirit, why don’t you invite your spouse or significant other to join you here at Iowa Avenue? Maybe even a family member or friend.

We are all about helping each other so if you have a life partner, both of you can have a healthy house together, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

© Iowa Avenue

Photo courtesy of mikebaird