How can I have a good relationship with my partner while I'm losing weight?

The following are suggestions of what to do if you are in a relationship and want to lose weight:

• Communicate honestly. Tell your partner what you are trying to do, but don't expect an immediate buy-in. Just because you are calling steamed veggies your dinner, he or she may not feel the same -- don't push your agenda.
• Continue eating together. If you are eating little pre-packaged meals and your partner is not, that doesn't mean you can't eat together. Create something like a salad that you can eat together, and then you eat yours and your partner eats what they want.
• Try to be active together. If you are taking a walk on a weekend, ask him or her to come along, but don't guilt your partner into being active. (Additionally, vigorous sex is actually a good source of aerobic exercise -- so consider suggesting that.)
• Don't do a cupboard purge without asking. Your better half is going to be mad as hell if he or she comes home from work and finds that the goodies are missing. This goes back to communication; this is your decision to lose weight, ideally you are on the same page -- but give your partner time to adjust.

Change is always good, but never easy -- don't let your partner's fear of change (or love of carbs) keep you from becoming a better and healthier you. Try to keep it collaborative; don't get preachy. By taking care of you, you are, in theory, taking care of the relationship. And if it does end after the pounds are shed -- it probably wasn't working in the first place.