Dudes & Your Diet: Relationship Weight Gain

In the beginning, it's all fun and games. You have romantic dinners, late night cocktails, and dessert seems so innocent when he's feeding it to you. Not to mention, your appetite may be naturally suppressed by those feel good hormones that are secreted in the beginning of a new relationship. Fast forward six months down the road. You're sleeping in through yoga, drinking Jaeger with the guys, and practically up to your ears in nachos and Amstel Light. Not to mention that extra five pounds. At that point, the need to impress him has probably diminished somewhat, and you just feel loved and "comfortable." So why do women tend to "let themselves go?" Most of the time its completely by accident. For one reason, when you're single and on the market, you take great pride in your appearance. Also, being around your man might lead you to think you have the same metabolism as him. You don't! You seem him inhale a bacon cheeseburger and fries, as you foam at the mouth over your salad, and think next time, you may just give in. I've been in the position where I thought I could out-eat and out-drink a guy, or at the very least go round for round. Men have faster metabolism and more testosterone, which helps maintain muscle mass, whereas our estrogen is practically a fat magnet. But there are ways around boyfriend fat. Limit your drinking to just a few nights a week. Stick to one or two glasses of red wine. Be snobbier about what you eat, and don't eat anything unless you absolutely love it. You deserve the best, after all. Jump out of bed in the morning and get the exercise you know you deserve. Even if it's just a 20 minute meditative walk, where you visualize the healthy day ahead, it's sure to help you at those moments of weakness. And always always remember: beer & shots are for frat boys. You my dear, are a lady.