Gaining and Losing Weight at the Same Time 2

Couples are also vulnerable to weight gain after starting a family. This is especially true for women. Several studies have found that childbirth is the primary time of weight gain by women. However, men are also vulnerable to weight gain at this time of life. In one study conducted for Weight Watchers, men between the ages of eighteen and forty-four reported that the birth of their children was a period for significant weight gain.
The evidence is clear: couples who live together tend to gain weight together. That does not mean, however, that the answer to being slim is to avoid marriage! Just as there is research showing that couples tend to gain weight together, there is also evidence that people who share a home are more likely to lose weight at the same time, too. Living in a shared environment in which couples are conscientious about achieving and maintaining a healthy weight often results in a commit- ment to keeping the kitchen stocked with wholesome, nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low- and nonfat dairy products, and whole-grain breads and pastas. Likewise, the weight-conscious couple is more likely to participate in regular physical activity, either as a couple or singly. This supportive environment is important for both partners, as it creates an atmosphere in which weight loss is encour- aged, enabled, and achievable with a minimum of effort.