The "Relationship Weight Gain" Phenomenon
Entering a new romantic relationship often brings profound happiness. Those butterfly feelings of fresh love can make life feel rosy, leading to more frequent date nights out and cozy nights in. However, these habits can unintentionally cause the so-called "relationship weight gain."
When those loving feelings result in less attention to healthy habits, the numbers on the scale might slowly creep up. One study found that both men and women gain an average of 15 pounds after starting a new romance. This phenomenon even has nicknames like the "love chub" or "cuffing season weight gain."
Why It Happens
There are a few key reasons why "coupling up can lead to weight gain," as the old saying goes:
- More dining out. New couples often enjoy dating over delicious dinners out, which tend to have heavier calories and bigger portions than homemade meals.
- Increased alcohol intake. Date nights might involve more drinks than usual, which is easy extra calories.
- More snacks and dessert. Staying in for movie nights could mean frequent snacking or sharing bowls of buttered popcorn.
- Decreased exercise. When the early relationship excitement hits, new couples often ditch the gym in favor of more time cuddling together at home.
- Changes in sleep habits. The early days of a romance can lead to less sleep due to staying up late talking. Lack of sleep is linked to weight gain.
Avoiding Unwanted Weight Gain
While it's normal to gain a few pounds during the honeymoon phase, unwanted weight gain can put a damper on self-confidence in a blossoming relationship. Here are 5 tips to keep your weight on track.
5 Solutions for Avoiding Relationship Weight Gain
1. Set Date Nights That Involve Activity
Rather than always defaulting to dinner and a movie, get creative with active date ideas a few times a month. Go for a hike, bike ride, dance class, swim, or couples sports like tennis. You'll have fun together while burning extra calories.
2. Split Dessert Instead of Each Getting Your Own
It's understandable to want to indulge in something sweet on a special night out, so try splitting a dessert instead of overdoing it. Some restaurants might even allow you to order two half-portions of different desserts, so you can each try more than one.
3. Enlist Your Partner to Help with Meal Planning and Prep
Cooking healthy homemade meals will be easier and more sustainable if you do it together. Sit down over the weekend to collectively menu plan for the week ahead. Then have set nights for grocery shopping and prepping recipes to cook or meal prep.
4. Set a Weekly Fitness Goal to Accomplish Together
Rather than fully abandoning your usual fitness routines, set a goal to incorporate one active outing together per week. It could be training for a local 5K race, joining a recreational sports league together, or setting weekly gym "dates." You'll motivate each other to stick with it.
5. Be Mindful of Portions and Snacking Habits
When spending more evenings at home together, be cautious of easy over-snacking. Portion out snacks before sitting down to prevent mindless overeating. Stock up on healthy snacks like fruits and veggies too.
Make Weight Management Part of Healthy Couple Habits
It's common for new relationships to impact eating, drinking, exercise, sleep and other weight-related habits. While it's OK to indulge in vacations and special occasions, pay attention if your normal habits get too far off track.
Making healthy couple habits part of your regular routine can help minimize unwanted swings in weight. Meal planning, preparing food, exercising, and discussing portion control can actually bring you closer together.
Focus on developing sustainable healthy habits that you both feel good about. This will set you up for success in both your blossoming romance and feeling comfortable in your own skin.
FAQs
Why is relationship weight gain so common?
There are a few key reasons why new relationships often lead to weight gain: increased dining out, greater alcohol intake, frequent snacking and desserts, less exercise as couples stay in more, and changes to sleep habits which impact weight.
How much weight do people usually gain when entering a new relationship?
One study found that on average, both men and women gain about 15 pounds after starting a new romantic relationship. This phenomenon is why phrases like the "love chub" and "cuffing season weight gain" exist.
What are 5 actionable solutions for avoiding weight gain when entering a new relationship?
5 proven strategies are: planning active dates, splitting desserts when dining out, enlisting your partner to meal plan/prep, setting a weekly couples exercise goal, and being mindful of portions and snacking when spending nights in.
How can couples make healthy habits part of their relationship routine?
Cooking nutritious meals together, exercising together, discussing portion sizes, doing joint meal prep and planning, grocery shopping together, and supporting one another in lifestyle changes can help couples form sustainable healthy habits.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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