For couples who take on the challenge of trying to lose weight together, the shared experience can mean twice the work \u2014\u00a0and twice the reward. Get a peek into real-life, weight-loss success stories and how they navigated this important health experience together \u2014\u00a0what they learned, what they loved, and what weight-loss tips worked for them.<\/p>\n
1. You\u2019ll have an in-house support system.\u00a0<\/strong> Countless studies have shown that\u00a0support from others is an important part of weight-loss success<\/a>, which is why having a built-in support network is one of the biggest perks to losing weight as a couple. Just ask Jen Aiello, a 34-year-old woman from Gloucester, Mass., who lost 100 pounds alongside her fianc\u00e9, Joe Wilson, 40, who dropped about 75 pounds. \u201cWhen one of us doesn\u2019t feel like\u00a0working out<\/a>, we are always pushing each other harder and remind each other that we will regret it if we don\u2019t,\u201d she says. \u201cWhenever we go\u00a0out to dinner<\/a>, we help each other to make the right, healthy choices.\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Your relationship will become a priority again.<\/strong>\u00a0When you and your spouse are working together to accomplish something, you\u2019re essentially bonding \u2014\u00a0maybe in a way you haven\u2019t before. That was true for the Carters, Leann and Joe, from Riverside, Rhode Island. A pregnant Leann encouraged Joe to slim down so that he’d be a healthier dad for their soon-to-be-bigger brood; she joined him in the mission a month after the baby was born. \u201cWith four kids, we were not focusing on us as a couple at all,\u201d remembers Leann. She has lost 44 pounds and he has lost 88 pounds. \u201cNow we\u00a0cook together<\/a>, eat together, and work out together. It’s definitely brought us closer. We also argue less, and have become a happier couple.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. You\u2019ll create new healthy habits together.\u00a0<\/strong>The Ugliettas, from Peabody, Mass. who have lost more than 300 pounds together, now have more time and energy for activities. \u201cWhen Chuck was very heavy, he was always tired and never wanted to leave the bed except for work,\u201d Uglietta says of her husband. \u201cNow he can\u2019t sit still so we\u2019re always out and about, or taking turns giving each other free time to exercise. Before, we would just be sitting at home.\u201d For the Carters, Sunday is grocery shopping and food-prep day, a routine that has been crucial to their success. \u201cA new habit for us now is that we never skip breakfast! We take turns making each other breakfast,\u201d says Leann Carter.<\/p>\n 4. Someone will lose weight faster.\u00a0<\/strong>Men tend to lose weight faster than women, and for heterosexual couples trying to\u00a0lose weight<\/a>\u00a0together, uneven progress can lead to frustration. Adding to the resentment can be comments from outsiders who make unfair comparisons, say hurtful things, or even point out the difference in results. \u201cBefore [I joined my husband in his weight-loss effort], people would ask him if he was concerned he would change. I took this to mean would he leave me because he was this new skinny person and thought he could do better,\u201d remembers Uglietta.<\/p>\n 5. Losing weight could get competitive \u2014\u00a0and that\u2019s a good thing.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThere are plenty of days we both want to say no to doing anything \u2014\u00a0we\u2019re tired and sore. Those hard days when I know Jen is working out, it makes me get off my butt,\u201d says Wilson. \u201cI almost feel bad if she\u2019s putting in the work and I\u2019m not.\u201d<\/p>\n 6. It might be easier than you think.<\/strong>\u00a0Think you’ll be at each other\u2019s throats if you try to take on such a challenge as a duo? Reality may prove to be not so bad. \u201cWhat has surprised me the most through this journey is how well we actually worked together,\u201d says Joe Carter. \u201cI thought it was going to be difficult. But right from the start, we were really there for each other. The bond between us has also grown; there is just something about a husband and wife going through a test every day. I wouldn’t trade a second of that time,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n 7. Your entire family will reap the benefits.<\/strong>\u00a0When family and friends start noticing your results, the positive influence can spread. \u201cEveryone is so proud of us and is always asking us for\u00a0tips and tricks<\/a>,\u201d says Aiello. \u201cMost of our friends and family are now on the same journey of becoming healthier after seeing how much better we feel, and knowing that you can do it and still live a realistic life.\u201d<\/p>\n 8. The changes to your health can have life-altering effects.<\/strong>\u00a0For the Ugliettas, losing weight not only meant they both saw their health improve \u2014\u00a0it also allowed them to face their fertility challenges head-on. \u201cWe were having trouble getting pregnant and went to see a fertility specialist, who told me I had to lose 30 pounds before he would even consider doing anything to help us,\u201d says Uglietta. \u201cSo through taking\u00a0barre classes<\/a>, diet, and walking, I lost the weight.\u201d With the help of an IUI, the couple got pregnant and now has a son. \u201cDominic will be 1 next week,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n