Moving in with a partner is an exciting milestone in a relationship. You get to share your life, space, and routines with someone you care about. However, many people notice an unexpected side effect of living together — weight gain. It’s often joked about, but there is some truth to it. Couples who move in together can experience changes in their lifestyle that lead to gaining weight, and several factors play a role in this.
1. Shared Eating Habits:
One of the main reasons couples tend to gain weight when they move in together is the blending of eating habits. Before moving in, each person may have had their way of eating. Some might have been health-conscious, while others enjoyed comfort food or indulging in snacks. When you start living together, these habits blend. If one partner loves pizza and ice cream while the other is more of a salad and smoothie person, they will likely begin influencing each other. Over time, people often adopt each other’s eating habits, and this can lead to more frequent indulgences.
Sharing meals also becomes a bonding activity for couples. Cooking together or ordering takeout can become a routine, and often, the focus is more on enjoying each other’s company rather than paying attention to calories or portion sizes.
2. Increased Portion Sizes:
When you live alone, you tend to focus on your own dietary needs. However, when living with a partner, the amount of food cooked often increases. You might start cooking larger meals to accommodate both appetites, and that can lead to larger portion sizes. Without realizing it, both partners may start eating more than they used to when they were single, simply because more food is available.
Additionally, when sharing a meal, there’s a tendency to match each other’s portions. If one person serves themselves a big plate of pasta, the other might follow suit, even if they weren’t as hungry. Over time, this can add up and contribute to weight gain.
3. Relaxed Routine:
Before moving in together, individuals might have had a more structured routine. For instance, someone might have gone to the gym regularly, cooked healthy meals, or stuck to a specific exercise schedule. However, once you move in with your partner, routines tend to shift. Some people get comfortable and relaxed, which is natural, but it can also mean skipping workouts or choosing convenience foods over healthier options.
Living together often brings about a sense of comfort and coziness. Many couples find themselves spending more evenings on the couch watching movies, snacking, and cuddling rather than going out for walks or engaging in physical activities. This relaxed routine, while enjoyable, can reduce physical activity and contribute to gradual weight gain.
4. The “Happy Weight” Phenomenon:
There’s something often called “happy weight,” where people gain a little extra weight when they are content in their relationship. Being in a committed, loving relationship can make you feel secure and happy, and that sense of contentment might lead to less focus on maintaining a strict diet or exercise regimen. You’re more focused on enjoying life with your partner than worrying about your weight.
Being happy and comfortable with your partner often means that external pressures to maintain a specific appearance diminish. The need to impress your partner might decrease, and with it, the motivation to stay as physically fit as you were before moving in together.
5. Emotional Eating Together:
Relationships come with ups and downs, and during challenging times, many people turn to food for comfort. When you’re living together, both partners might resort to emotional eating as a way to cope with stress, disagreements, or external pressures like work or family issues. Eating as a way to bond during stressful times is common, but it can lead to poor food choices and overindulgence.
Ordering food or having treats together can feel like a way to support each other during tough times, but it can also lead to overeating unhealthy foods as a source of comfort.
6. Social Eating:
Living together often leads to more social activities as a couple, whether that’s hosting dinner parties, going out with friends, or celebrating milestones together. Social gatherings often revolve around food and drinks, and it’s easy to overindulge in these settings. Whether it’s wine nights, barbeques, or birthday parties, the extra calories from social eating can add up quickly.
Couples may also find themselves dining out more frequently once they live together, which can result in larger portions and richer, more calorie-dense meals compared to what they would cook at home.
How to Prevent Weight Gain After Moving In:
It’s important to acknowledge that gaining a little weight when you move in with your partner is not the end of the world, and it’s common for many couples. However, if you’re looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle, there are some strategies you can follow:
- Communicate About Your Health Goals: Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about your health. Discuss how you can support each other in maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Cook Healthy Meals Together: Instead of relying on takeout, try cooking nutritious meals as a team. It can be a fun bonding experience and ensures that you’re both eating healthy.
- Be Mindful of Portion Sizes: Just because there’s more food doesn’t mean you have to eat more. Serve yourself smaller portions if you’re not that hungry.
- Stay Active Together: Incorporate physical activities into your routine. Go for walks, try couple’s workouts, or play sports together to stay active and healthy.
- Indulge Occasionally: It’s okay to enjoy treats or comfort food, but try to make it an occasional thing rather than a daily habit.
By being mindful of how living together can affect your lifestyle and making small adjustments, couples can enjoy their new life together without worrying about the extra pounds. It’s all about finding a balance between enjoying your relationship and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
