Many men and women are always trying to come up with thoughtful gift ideas and fun plans to celebrate the holidays. Chocolates, flowers, and dinners out are nice and all, but one of the best things you can ever do for your partner is to set a good example of what it looks like to live a healthy and natural life.
Here are some ways to encourage your partner to be healthier without coming across as overbearing or judgmental!
Plan Activities in the Outdoors
Going to the gym together as a couple may work for some people, but for others, the idea sounds downright miserable. However, there are lots of ways that you and your partner can get active while seeking out new adventures and making memories together instead.
Check out local state parks and forest preserves for hiking trails in your area, or perhaps paved bike trails that you could check out on a weekend afternoon. You might also head to a neighborhood park to shoot some hoops, kick a soccer ball around, or throw a football back and forth to indulge your inner sports fans. Getting active outdoors can also be as simple as going for a walk together after dinner (perhaps hand-in-hand?) for some quality time and exercise instead of plopping down in front of the TV or getting back to work on the computer.
Offer to Cook More Meals
Switching up your normal menu routine might result in a disagreement with your partner, but then again, maybe not if you’re the one doing all the cooking. If you are trying to get your partner to eat healthier, do some research on your own and come up with some ideas of things to cook and recipes to try. Take things slow and introduce just one new healthy food at a time to complement household favorites. Examples to start with include quinoa instead of rice, yogurt or smoothies instead of ice cream, and tasty soups that are packed with flavorful vegetables and herbs.
Go Grocery Shopping Together
Another idea is to include your partner in the grocery shopping experience so that he or she can learn more about making healthy eating in a casual way. Get your shopping list prepared in advance and introduce some new items to your diets while steering clear of processed foods and convenience items as much as possible. Shopping together allows both you and your partner opportunities for equal input when deciding what to buy and how much to spend on food.
Find a New Shared Hobby or Meetup Group
Many couples get stuck in a rut over time and find themselves doing the same things over and over again every day. To break out of a rut, search online or in local newspapers for special interest groups or hobby meetups in your area. Look for options that will get your bodies moving and your minds stimulated to learn something new. Ideas to consider include taking an introduction to rock climbing class, joining a mountain biking meetup group, finding group exercise classes at a local gym, or volunteering to help build hiking trails to give something back to your community.
Are you ready to set some healthy goals with your partner to kick off Valentine’s Day? What are your favorite ways to stay healthy and be active with the love of your life?