How to Inspire Your Spouse to Lose Weight
- Sue Brown
- Nov 6
- 3 min read
As a Registered Nurse and Board-Certified Coach, I've had the privilege of guiding many people on their journey to better health. I started my own weight loss journey several years ago and eventually lost 120 lbs. by making meaningful changes. What I didn’t expect was the ripple effect it had on my husband.
Without consciously "dieting," he has lost over 50 pounds. My husband has always been my biggest supporter, but he wasn't following a structured eating and exercise plan like I was. His weight loss began as a natural consequence of the shifts I made in our meals, snacks, and quite simply, my example.
This experience taught me invaluable lessons about how to inspire a loved one to embrace healthier habits without nagging, demanding, or creating hard feelings. If you're hoping to inspire your spouse to improve their wellness, here are the strategies that worked for us.
Be the Change:
This is the cornerstone of inspiring your spouse. Your actions speak far louder than words. When I started prioritizing my health, my focus was on my journey. I prepared my healthy meals, went for my walks, and made conscious choices about what I put into my body. I kept my eyes on my own plate. My husband observed my transformation.
Actionable Tip: Don't try to change your spouse's habits directly. Instead, focus on your own. Let them see you enjoying your healthy meals and feeling great after a workout.
Make Healthy the Default:
When you're the cook, you have immense power to shift the nutritional landscape of your home. As I changed my eating habits, our grocery list changed too. Instead of soda, I drank only water.
Our pantry no longer had cookies. I made sure that healthy alternatives were readily available. He ate them because they were there.
Actionable Tip: Rather than announcing a new diet, consider subtly integrating changes. Gradually introduce more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Experiment with healthy recipes. Have healthy snacks available.
Lead by Example:
There's a fine line between inspiring and imposing, and it's crucial to stay on the inspiring side. My husband knew I was on a specific food plan, and he told me he did not want to follow it, which was fine. However, he would often try a new dish I made, but it was always his choice. This autonomy is vital. People are far more likely to embrace change when they're making their own decisions.
Actionable Tip: Avoid making critical comments about your spouse's food or exercise choices. Instead, offer invitations, for example, asking if they want to join you for a walk. Respect their decision if they decline.
Celebrate Progress:
My husband was genuinely happy for me as I lost weight, and my positive attitude was contagious. When you're feeling good about your transformation, your energy naturally rubs off on those around you.
Actionable Tip: If it resonates with your partner, talk about your progress and how good you feel. Let your enthusiasm serve as evidence of the results of your consistently healthy choices.
Patience and Unconditional Support:
My husband's weight loss was a direct result of the shift in our environment and his exposure to my healthy habits. There will be days when your spouse makes choices that aren't aligned with your health goals, and that's okay. Mine still does; it’s a balance.
Your role is to remain supportive while consistently demonstrating your commitment to your own well-being. My husband would like to lose another 20 lbs., but if he doesn’t, it’s fine. He's changed how he lives.
Actionable Tip: If your spouse expresses interest in making changes, be their biggest supporter. Offer practical help only if they ask.
Inspiring your spouse to lose weight isn't about control; it's about influence. It's about the joy that comes with a healthy lifestyle and creating an environment where the easy choice is a healthy choice.
Just as my husband was inspired by my journey, you have the power to be the leader that inspires your loved ones to follow their own path to better health.
Sue Brown, RN, MS, MPA, NBC-HWC is a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach who specializes in working with people in their 50s and beyond who struggle with their weight. She's worked in a variety of clinical and leadership positions over the years, but it was first after losing and maintaining a 120 lb weight loss that she found her calling as a coach.
Ready for lasting change?
You don’t need another diet; you need a lifestyle that works for you.
and find out if the Real Food Lifestyle is the next step in your journey
to become and stay more healthy.
Comments