If both of you are making the decision to get fit together, the journey is supportive and enjoyable. When only one partner makes the choice to improve their health, it can be problematic.
I have worked with many a client where the opted out spouse not only doesn't support but does everything to sabotage fitness efforts. This environment can get ugly and it takes strength, calm, and lots of self-love to handle this scenario. It will require getting healthy while still loving your spouse just as they are. What?!
But I Want Support
You have made an important life decision to get healthy and want to feel supported by your partner. The truth is all you may receive is an eye roll and avoidance.
If you're sitting home waiting for your spouse to make fitness happen for you, it will never happen. Waiting often keeps you from being the person you dream of being. You may very well be in a situation where you receive no support at all.
It's time for you to start thinking realistically. It's up to you to achieve your own goals. True happiness, success, and complete health come from each individual person. So, why keep looking on the outside for someone or something to make it happen for you?
This means your support may not come from your spouse. You may need to enlist help from a friend, join a gym, or even a college physical education class. You may also discover an inner strength and motivation to do this on your own. Whatever it takes to keep your promise to yourself to get healthy is what matters.
The best you can do is live a healthy example. Hopefully, you will inspire your mate to appreciate and desire what they see in you. This takes patience and lovingly saying 'no thankyou' to the cake and icecream.
If you are the type of person that likes a workout partner, check out a few online fitness meet up groups in your area. Focus on group physical activities that sound fun and non intimidating at first. This is a great way to meet people who more than likely feel just like you. You will discover new friends and gain a support group from others who do want to get fit.
Health and happiness is contagious. What you are doing is making a positive difference for you and your spouse. Even if they are unwilling to admit it.
We each decide how to live life and it comes down to personal choices. We are also responsible for how we respond to life’s circumstances and people. This includes those near and dear.
Take a look at your parents, grandparents, children, etc. Are you angry with them or do you accept them as they are regardless of the quality of their health. This stance needs to be taken with your partner as well. Your choice to improve the quality of your health belongs to you, not your spouse.
In a perfect world, we would all be healthy and happy. However, we are on our own time clocks for life transitions. The very best you can do is enjoy your journey to good health, and be a walking example for your spouse.
So, grab an apple, give a kiss to the couch potato and go for a walk/jog.
If you're sitting home waiting for your spouse to make fitness happen for you, it will never happen. Waiting often keeps you from being the person you dream of being. You may very well be in a situation where you receive no support at all.
It's time for you to start thinking realistically. It's up to you to achieve your own goals. True happiness, success, and complete health come from each individual person. So, why keep looking on the outside for someone or something to make it happen for you?
This means your support may not come from your spouse. You may need to enlist help from a friend, join a gym, or even a college physical education class. You may also discover an inner strength and motivation to do this on your own. Whatever it takes to keep your promise to yourself to get healthy is what matters.
Doing It Alone Sucks
Making the choice to get healthy is awesome but can feel very challenging when you're married and doing it alone. Your day to day routine will differ from your spouse and even change your marriage. You find dinner means eating salad and chicken while your partner orders in pizza. It will take awhile to adjust to this new healthy life. It will also take all the strength you have not to give into temptation.The best you can do is live a healthy example. Hopefully, you will inspire your mate to appreciate and desire what they see in you. This takes patience and lovingly saying 'no thankyou' to the cake and icecream.
It Feels Scary Getting Fit Alone
Getting fit means doing new things. When you're married, you often depend on that together shelter to help reduce fear and anxiety. When your partner opts out, it is up to you to go solo. It may be a scary thing, but walking through a bit of fear and insecurity will be necessary to start your journey to getting healthy.If you are the type of person that likes a workout partner, check out a few online fitness meet up groups in your area. Focus on group physical activities that sound fun and non intimidating at first. This is a great way to meet people who more than likely feel just like you. You will discover new friends and gain a support group from others who do want to get fit.
Setting an Example in Your Marriage
Getting fit alone can feel weird but it also allows you to set an example in your marriage. This means you are taking yourself back and not dependent on your spouse in a negative way. You are now a motivator and feeling great about that.Health and happiness is contagious. What you are doing is making a positive difference for you and your spouse. Even if they are unwilling to admit it.
Change With a Positive Attitude
Are you changing and getting healthy for yourself? Saying yes to this question is key. Getting fit is not about changing for someone else, or hoping that the one you're with will change. Sometimes this doesn't happen and acceptance of this truth is crucial. Regardless of anyone else, it's you who controls your health, happiness, and life.
You have a positive attitude about getting healthy because it's a choice that you made for you.
You have a positive attitude about getting healthy because it's a choice that you made for you.
I Feel Angry at My Spouse
Are you getting healthy and feel angry at your mate for not going along with the program? Why?We each decide how to live life and it comes down to personal choices. We are also responsible for how we respond to life’s circumstances and people. This includes those near and dear.
Take a look at your parents, grandparents, children, etc. Are you angry with them or do you accept them as they are regardless of the quality of their health. This stance needs to be taken with your partner as well. Your choice to improve the quality of your health belongs to you, not your spouse.
In a perfect world, we would all be healthy and happy. However, we are on our own time clocks for life transitions. The very best you can do is enjoy your journey to good health, and be a walking example for your spouse.
So, grab an apple, give a kiss to the couch potato and go for a walk/jog.
My Spouse is Sabotaging My Efforts
Your decision to get healthy is being met with sabotage from your spouse. You find they are bringing home pints of icecream, burgers and fries to share all in the name of love. Well, at least that's what they're saying. This is not love but manipulation and an attempt to derail your fitness efforts. Not accepting their gesture usually leads to making you feel guilty for not partaking. Don't fall for it nor get in a fight about it.
It can feel difficult for the opted out spouse to suddenly be alone in their unhealthy habits. Just as you felt uneasy about getting healthy alone, now they are alone. Each of you need to work through these feelings without trying to change the other.
Sabotage will require loving strength. You will need to develop the art of healthy communication. Appreciate the thoughtfulness of your spouse, but also let them know the reason why you are unable to accept the pies and cake. All this is communicated calmly but with confidence.
You can't waiver from your promise to yourself to get fit. If the opted out spouse sees a soft spot, they will go for it. Stay strong, calm, and be able to say no thank you with a smile.
You may think it's your spouse sabotaging your efforts, but it is you making the choices. You can give in and eat the fries or choose to eat the quinoa bowl waiting in the refrigerator. The choice and control is yours.
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