It’s no secret that millions are affected by the unhealthy results of being overweight, but few people recognize the strain it puts on close relationships.

Competition can be a great motivation, but perhaps not so much when it’s against your significant other. Everyone’s body operates differently. Men and women lose weight in different areas and weight proportion looks different depending on height and body type. If your partner loses more weight than you, it’s possible to have feelings of anger and jealousy.

Is there a balance between getting healthy while also staying happy?

Focusing on losing weight can cause some unwanted (and most importantly, unnecessary) tension between you and your significant other. However, what if you and your partner created a plan about living and aging well with one another?

The most important step of doing this with your partner is getting on the same page. What are your goals? Why do you want to lose weight?

Your initial thought may be that you want to fit into your skinny jeans again; but the bottom line is you need to live healthier.

What are some of the biggest challenges you might run into with your partner?

Sometimes without even realizing you’re doing it, you are giving your partner negative feedback. Critiquing your significant other for having a second bowl of ice cream isn’t going to help him feel better about himself or help in the long run. Instead, share your compassion with one another and always promote positive feedback.

Dr. Russ L'HommeDieu discusses why you shouldn’t just be losing weight as a couple but instead getting healthier together, as well as the pros and cons of doing it as a team.