This is a guest post written by my awesome boyfriend of three years, M! He was willing to write a special post today for Tiny Glow about his experiences so far during my lifestyle makeover. Enjoy!
So, I got on the scale the other day. The last time I did so, I weighed a little over 160 lbs. Hilary just reached 160, so she wanted to see if she’d passed me yet. To our surprise, I weighed in at 144 lbs! I lost about 15 pounds and I’m not really sure how. But looking back, I can guess. . . . It probably started with the diet soda.
I used to drink a lot of regular soda. Hilary used to drink a lot of diet soda. When she and I first moved in together, I tried some of hers and it was okay. Since it’s easier to just buy one kind of soda at the store, I started drinking the same kind she did. As time went by, she drank less of it and somehow, so did I. When she started on the Tiny Glow project, I wanted to be supportive. I encouraged her as best I could, and I helped her think of solutions when the planning got difficult.
I started thinking about what people eat a lot more than I ever had before. Food choices were heavily on her mind, so I made it part of my mind, too. We had discussions about eating during the holidays, whole foods versus processed foods, and different approaches to diet in general. We talked about protein, fiber, carbs, and the importance of plenty of water.
Somewhere in all that, I started eating differently. We stopped eating out as often, since it was hard to figure the calories for her meals if we didn’t make it at home. I stopped eating candy as often, since there wasn’t any in the house (and I didn’t want to buy any for myself and make her unhappy). I started eating more healthy foods, since they were in the house. I started increasing my protein and fiber, just because it was on my mind. I started drinking water at work instead of soda. I didn’t snack as often, because I didn’t want to eat in front of her if she was hungry but didn’t have calories to spare in her plan.
So I guess that I lost weight just because she was. Being surrounded by healthier options caused me to choose them more often, mostly because it was easier than leaving the house to seek out an unhealthy option. Maybe you can improve your loved ones’ lives simply by improving your own. It appears to have worked on me!
4. March 2010 at 6:22 AM
Way to be supportive of Hilary and congrats on your loss!
Now, if only my quest to eat healthy could rub off on the rest of my family! My life would be so easy…. sigh ;)
6. March 2010 at 8:11 PM
Part of getting your family to eat healthier is just having the right choices present and available. Sadly, I suspect the other part is entirely up to them. Subtle – and I cannot stress subtle enough here – encouragement might help, but who can say? :)
4. March 2010 at 6:45 AM
You are an awesome man to be so supportive!
It is great to hear that all of the little changes can add up and make a difference in the health of those you love.
You two are just such a cute couple :)
6. March 2010 at 8:14 PM
Thanks! We try…
The funny thing is that I don’t feel like my diet changed all that much. I still eat junk on occasion, but the occasions seem to be less frequent. I guess I just choose healthier options if they’re around, but I tend to purchase mostly junk if it’s up to me.
Most of the time, I’m more conscious of what she’s eating than what I’m eating. So when we go to the store, I’m thinking about things she can eat and that’s what we buy.
4. March 2010 at 9:22 AM
M! Congratulations! And kudos to you, too, for being such a great support system for Hilary.
My husband Dave is super, ridiculously, awesomely supportive, too, and as I’ve lost weight and gotten stronger and fitter, he has, too. Neato!
I wonder how many other Austin couples are superheroes?!
6. March 2010 at 8:17 PM
I’d guess a lot of couples in Austin are superheroes. It tends to be a very “fit” town (health food everywhere and exercise is encouraged by the environs). And it only takes one half of a couple to start…
Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a cat in a tree somewhere that needs rescuing! (Cue exciting theme music.)
8. March 2010 at 4:49 PM
Congrats on your loss, M! And thank you so much for your constant support of one of my best friends! You guys are great!
Madubby, I need to make it to Austin soon so that I can meet this incredible man of yours! I’ve known you since what, ’97 and I can’t believe I haven’t met him yet. Must take care of that post haste!!! :)