Dealing w/ an exercise-hating boyfriend/girlfriend

How was every one's weekend?  Mine was filled with food, family, friends, football and feeling WAY to stuffed WAY too often!

Saturday
Workout: GAR training + 15 min. step-mill HIIT
Happy belated birthday lunch with family from out of town.  So much good food, but even better company!

 Ahi poke avocado "stack".

 Seafood pasta with garlic bread for Anthony.

Ahi fish tacos for me.

Wish I got pictures of every one's food cause it all looked good.

Sunday
Workout: Full-body weight day + 20 min treadmill run
If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know if there are no food pictures, it's because I was busy enjoying the food in other ways - ie. stuffing my face with it.  Let's just say there was all-day grazing on Korean bbq, chips, homemade dips, brownies, cookies, drinks and so much more.

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With all this eating and semi-exercise going on I thought it'd be good to address another issue that can challenge us when we're trying to get healthy:

the "I-hate-exercise" significant other

I had several emails ask me about where Anthony stands in all this exercise and nutrition obsession and even though he supports me in everything I do, making healthy eating choices and exercising are not his thing.

So how do I deal?

Well first of all, if losing weight and getting healthy has taught me anything, it's that the person has to want to do it for themselves.  No amount of doctors' orders, family comments or significant-other nagging would have kept me on this journey.  The decision that I was doing this for me has kept me here.

And since I'm a sucker for bulleted lists, here are some things that worked for me:

• This should be a no-brainer in any relationship but do things that interest them so they're more open to doing the things you like.  For Anthony, that means I spent some time learning video games and he won't ever admit it, but I can kick his @$$ in some of them!  In return, we get up early on Saturday's to exercise and hit up the farmers' market.
• Ask what he wants to eat for the week and find healthy recipes/alternatives for the meals he suggests. 

• When it comes to going to the gym, I always ask Anthony if he wants to join me, but I never make him join me.  If he says no the first time, I leave it at that.  I'm actually surprised how often he'll say yes.  Like last night... after Superbowl... with bellies super full... and at 8:00 at night... we were at the gym.  WIN!
• With completely opposite working schedules (he works night, I work days), finding something we both like to do is super important since we have such limited time together.  For us, that's hiking.  And our doggies love us more for this too!

• Who says shopping is only for girls?!  It's amazing what a new workout outfit or shoes will do to remotivate anyone.  Did I ever mention that Anthony's now a fan of Lulu?
• I'm a biggie for grab-and-go snacks so I prepare enough for both of us.  That way we both have healthy options to snack on and more times than not, Anthony ends up eating the stuff I prepare over the prepacked crap that's been in our pantry for months.
• Introduce and encourage them to new fitness things/equipment.  The other night we were at the gym and I decided my current boyfriend (Anthony) should meet my new love.  It was love at first one-legged-burpee for him!

 (source)

• Do the old "okay, we'll just stay at the gym for 20 minutes" routine.  Chances are, once you guys are there and working out, he won't want to leave after only 20 minutes.
• And if all else fails, bribe him.  The first time I got Anthony to wake up at 5:15am to go GAR training, I bribed him with Denny's breakfast - my treat - after the run.  Worked like a charm because he liked the training so much, he ended up going to several more on his own!

What are some of your tips to getting family and friends more active?