Has Losing Weight Hurt Your Marriage?

It may be hard to understand, but there are spouses who have mixed feelings when their mate loses weight. Subtle sabotage and attempts to undermine any weight loss success can happen.

An intimidated, jealous, or threatened spouse may have feelings of:

• Envy.
• Fear and jealousy.
• Anger.

"For many who lose a significant amount of weight through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise or through weight-loss surgery, the life-changing effects reach beyond improved health and quality of life, experts say. The basic dynamic of one's relationships, including friendships and marriages, can change drastically as one's habits, self-esteem and self-perceptions change, said Dr. Jean Cates, psychologist at the Chattanooga Lifestyle Center."
Source: "Drop in Weight Can Change Relationships." ThirdAge.com. 10/27/2009.

If you find yourself without a supportive spouse during or after weight loss, confront your mate about the negative behavior that needs to stop. Don't let his/her lack of support or negativity or attempts to control you convince you to not live a healthy lifestyle. If your spouse continues to undermine you, you need to seek professional marriage counseling.