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Written by Julianne Keu | Do you remember the days when you were single, free, and guiltlessly self-focused? You had more time to plan healthy meals and set afternoons aside for yoga. You were strong and independent, and certainly didn’t need anyone else. Then you meet Mr. Right and everything around you freezes. Soon you find yourself spending a good chunk of time with him. Nightly phone calls last an hour. His business becomes (partially) yours. Months later, you step on the scale to find that you’ve gained 10 lbs since the last time you checked. How did this happen? Little do you know, falling in love can knock you off the wagon.
Beware of these 5 subtle ways your relationship can make you gain weight:
1. You eat out… constantly
Let’s face it. Unless you live in a parallel dimension in which new things happen everyday, you’ll quickly run out of interesting activities to do with your date. One thing that never gets old is dining at new or delicious (or new and delicious) restaurants in the city. A date never seems complete without a meal anyway. Needless to say, restaurants usually pack on the calories. Even the salad packs over 1/2 of your day’s allowance… somehow.
2. You never have time to work out anymore
Between spending time with your love and everything else in life, working out can fall behind on your list of priorities. Besides, why exercise when he already thinks you’re the most gorgeous woman ever? (Which brings us to our next point…)
3. Stars, stars all around
If your partner is everything you deserve, he should shower you with complements. This is great and all, but when they start to enable you to make unhealthy dietary choices, you should probably be aware.
4. You have what he has
No one likes to order leaves in a delectable burger joint. It becomes even harder when the person sitting across from you is having an entree loaded with quantity, flavor, and fat. Perhaps you’ll let yourself have what’s he’s having just this once… or twice… or three times…
5. Stress, eat, repeat
Sometimes love isn’t all lovey dovey. Couples go through periods of strife, and this can take a huge emotional toll on you. When things aren’t looking bright, it seems that tub of Ben & Jerry’s is the only thing that’s glowing.
There you have it: reasons you gain weight when you’re in love. Fortunately these slip-ups can be remedied with a simple dose of awareness. Decide if you want to start leading a healthy, active lifestyle again, and find ways to incorporate it into your schedule. Your beau may even want to join in too!