Has your partner got chubby over Christmas? Here’s why you should ALWAYS tell them
Research suggests that as we get older we tend to give up worrying about our appearance, men in particular
WE all gain a little weight over Christmas - it's hard not to with all that delicious food around.
But what is hard is telling your partner if they have gained a pound or two too many.
It might seem like a mean thing to say: "Honey, I think you've put on a bit too much weight", but it might just be the best thing you can do for them.
Research suggests that as we get older we tend to give up worrying about our appearance, men in particular.
And we are even more likely to let ourselves go a little if we are in a long-term relationship.
Around the age of 46 men tend to think it is OK to let their waistline and eating habits go a bit, but it can have a serious impact on their health.
But according to Sam Yassin, a personal trainer and founder of Back2Fitness telling your partner they are getting too chubby can give them the support they need to lose weight.
"Support from family and friends is often cited as the difference between success or failure when it comes to making sustainable healthy lifestyle choices, such as giving up smoking and losing weight," she said.
"Sometimes it takes plain-speaking from someone we care about to help us to see when we need to take action."
And former England rugby player Ian Hunter agrees.
HOW YOU CAN TALK TO YOUR PARTNER ABOUT THEIR WEIGHT ISSUES
- Be constructive: hearing criticism is tough, particularly about our appearance. So be tactful in the way you approach the subject, remind them their wellbeing is important and tell them their great qualities too.
- Be supportive: praise them when they get more active and if it helps to motivate them, join in.
- Use New Year's resolutions to encourage them: if they have vaguely mentioned losing weight in the New Year, take them at their word. Try treating them to new gym gear or planning a workout schedule with them.
- Be honest: if they ask whether they are looking out of shape, don't be afraid to tell them the truth. Telling them what they want to hear won't benefit their health, but remember to do it tactfully.
- Set an example: take up a healthy eating approach and exercise plan yourself, that way your partner will feel more like they can do it because they have your full support.
Ian tipped the scales at 19st 7lbs before his wife encouraged him to overhaul his "bad eating habits".
"My wife was fed up with my bad eating habits,"; he said.
"She sat me down and told me it was time to act- not only was I piling on the weight, but I lacked energy and I wasn’t myself."
Following the tough wake-up call from his wife Ian joined Back2Fitness and dropped four stone to weigh a healthier 15st 4lbs.
Obesity levels in the UK have more than trebled in the last 30 years and, on current estimates, more than half the population could be obese by 2050, according to the NHS.
About 27 per cent of the UK population is considered obese and a further 34 per cent are considered overweight, according to the latest Government statistics.
Being obese greatly increases a persons chances of developing deadly diseases like type two diabetes, 11 different types of cancer, stroke and heart disease.
World Cancer Research Fund estimates 25,000 cases of cancer could be prevented every year in the UK alone if everyone was a healthy weight.
MORE ON DIET AND NUTRITION
According to the World Health Organisation heart disease was the biggest killer in 2015 followed by stroke, both of which were responsible for 15 million deaths worldwide.
Your risk of both heart disease and stroke is greatly increased if you are overweight or obese.
In 2001 the then and called for action to prevent it.
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