by Kellie Davis

You’ve committed to your diet all week long and didn’t miss one day at the gym. Heading home from work on Friday, you glow from ear-to-ear with pride over your accomplishments. As you unlock the front door, you smell something eerily familiar.

On the counter lay a large double cheese, extra pepperoni pizza with a six-pack of beer to wash it down, and a carton of Chubby Hubby to boot. Your man didn’t even wait for you to get home before he dived into his first slice.

We all face those inevitable challenges when committing to a fit lifestyle. However, not everyone will be on board with you, and learning to overcome obstacles set forth by your husband or boyfriend may be the largest challenge yet.

Keeping a few simple guidelines may help you avoid facing a fall-out over lifestyle choices:

Always Plan Ahead

Weekends are certainly the toughest times when dieting. Usually, your groceries are low and cooking is less appealing when you know this is your time to relax. Always plan your menu out for the entire week as to avoid temptations. If you arrive home to find pizza, you can reach in the fridge and pull out a grilled chicken salad prepared earlier.

The same goes for events and holidays. If you don’t want a surprise birthday cake, let your decision be known far in advance. He may be disappointed, but at least you won’t face staring down a triple layer caramel fudge disaster.

Schedule Your Cheat Meal Together

Making a date together will allow him to satisfy his hunger, and you to choose something that fits your diets. When you do cheat, be sensible about what you choose. The worst part about cheating is the guilt you feel afterward for over-indulging. Remember, you don’t have to order the largest meal, lick your plate clean, and then eat that brownie sundae.

Listen to your body. When it tells you it’s full, time to stop.

Keep Him Involved as Much as He Wants To Be

If your man is all about your goal, then by all means, let him in on the details. However, don’t overburden him with too much information. If he’s not interested, don’t force him to take your progress pictures every other day or listen to your daily gym routine. Remember, he did not choose to makes these goals, so don’t force him to be held accountable for every minute detail.

Don’t Drag Him in With You

If he’s not a willing participant, don’t force him to go to the gym everyday, balance his macronutrients, or count his calories. He is perfectly capable of making decisions for himself and hassling him about his own choices will cause you more harm than good.  Leave the man alone and let him eat his burger.

Don’t Forget About Him

Ask him to write a list for your weekly grocery trips and pick up his favorite eats. He may want boiled chicken breast over a bed of raw spinach for dinner, but chances are that isn’t his first choice. Cook for the man! The extra effort is worth its weight in gold.  Cook for yourself in bulk, and make him a separate meal; or spice his portion of the meal up a little bit to make it special. (Check out the healthy recipes right on this site for inspiration!)

Also, don’t forget about him physically. We spend plenty of time examining ourselves, asking how we look, and working our bodies beyond a point of exhaustion. That doesn’t mean he is willing to put his own physical needs on the back burner.  Tell him how good he looks. Make him feel desired, and make sure his desires are fulfilled. After all, you have this gorgeous new you.

Remember, committing to your new and improved you is not only a self-challenge.

It involves every part of your life. The easier you make it on your significant other, the more supportive he will be in helping you reach your goal. Though he may not be on board with you quite yet, the more attention you give to his needs, the more likely he’ll be to just go out and buy his ticket.

About Kellie

Kellie Davis is a graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University with a B.A. in English. She is now a freelance writer, contributor to the Olicious Life, and NPC figure competitor. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband and two young children.

For more relationship advice, browse our relationships section.