Weight loss is not easy on its own. But with a little help from your friends, or more likely your partner, since most friends aren't that into you, losing weight and keeping it off can be easier.
No, it doesn't involve a lot of vigorous sex, although that will also help you burn calories and feel better overall, so don't let us stop you. But if you have a significant other or a close friend who is happy to help you on your weight loss journey, a recent research presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology 2020 establishes that, «weight loss is more successful«.
This research was actually conducted on heart attack survivors, so the desired outcome was more serious than just wanting to keep wearing old jeans. A total of 824 patients were randomly assigned to the 'intervention group', which included lifestyle programs in addition to usual care, or to the 'control group': people who received usual care alone. People in the intervention group, 411 people in total, were referred to up to three lifestyle programs for weight reduction, physical activity and smoking cessation, depending on their needs and preferences.
How does having a partner influence weight loss?
The partners of the patients who were in the intervention group could attend the programs free of charge and the nurses encouraged them to participate as well, so there was some social pressure on the partners to participate. Almost half (48%) of the couples participated in the lifestyle interventions, although it is worth mentioning that 'partner participation' was defined as attending these programs at least once.
The results speak for themselves: "Compared with those without a partner, patients with a participating partner had more than twice as likely to improve in at least one of the three areas (weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation) within a year.» Of the three groups, the most significant results were seen in the 'weight loss' subgroup: «patients with a participating partner were more successful in losing weight compared with patients without a partner«.
Study author Ms. Lotte Verweij said: “Couples often have comparable lifestyles, and changing habits is difficult when only one person makes the effort. Practical issues such as shopping come into play, but also psychological challenges, where a supportive partner can help keep you motivated.«.
The main conclusion here is to consider the social aspect of dietas well as the biological Following a special diet often means that people will eat different foods at different times, all of which can affect those around them. A supportive partner and social environment could result in a smoother transition to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.