Being in a relationship can have side effects. You may feel the warmth and fuzzy feelings when you fall in love. You might hear the birds sing a lot louder. You might even notice your health habits go out the window and gain weight.

Surveys have shown that couples may not feel the pressure to look good. Angel Planells RDN, a Seattle-based registered nutritionist and national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says they may eat out more often or order takeout more often and have less time to exercise. He cites an Australian study that was published in February 2018. Although couples were more likely than singles to adopt healthy lifestyles (e.g. not smoking, limiting fast food intake), they were still less likely to be at a normal weight.

5 Examples Where Being in a Relationship Might Lead to Weight Gain

This is a good time to get your diet and exercise back. They’ll make you feel great, even if they don’t help with weight loss.

You have abandoned your wellness routine

You would eat at home and bring your lunch to work in the past. Planells says that your lunch routine might be disrupted, and you may go out for dinner. It’s amazing how caloric restaurants can make simple meals. He means: Eating out will result in more sugar, fat, salt, and sodium.

You are unintentionally adopting your partner’s unhealthy habits

After mastering your food preparation and eating habits, you met your partner. Your choices about what and when to eat changed. The new partner can sometimes influence your eating habits. You might try new foods, eat more often, or eat later in the day [like them],” states Mascha, RDN. He’s based out of Los Angeles.

Going on dates with friends means you’re drinking more alcohol

Davis says that it’s fine if you feel that dating involves meeting up for drinks. Davis states that as long as you stick to one or two drinks for men and women. According to June 2015 in the Appetite, moderate drinking before meals increased calories by 11%, and people were more likely to crave high-fat food.

You’re more social, and now your fitness regimen is in the back seat. According to a study published in September 2017 in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, it does bring you closer. Planells says that you might skip yoga after work to spend more time with your S.O., so you are less active.

You Share a Bed, and Your Sleep is Suffering As a Result

You won’t get the same shut-eye if you are a sleepover. According to the National Sleep Foundation, having a partner in bed can cause nighttime disturbances to rise by 50%. According to the foundation, bed-sharing problems are more common in women with a male partner who snores. According to the National Institutes of Health, losing sleep can lead to weight gain because it can affect hormones that regulate hunger and Appetite.

How to get your healthy habits back on track

Keep your head in the game and revert to your old ways

It’s understandable if you have fallen off the healthy living path due to a new relationship. You can still get back on track, even if your partner eats an unhealthy diet. Ilyse Schapiro RD, coauthor of Should I Spike Out My Bagel?, says, “Just follow what you’ve always done and recognize healthy eating makes your body feel better.” certified nutritionist in New York City.

For date night, make a healthy home-cooked meal together

It’s fun to go out for dinner or try new restaurants. But if you’re getting bored, it’s time to get back to your kitchen. Have date nights when you make healthy meals together. Davis says that this allows you to enjoy a meal still together, but you also know what you are eating. In a study published in June 2015 in the Public Health Nutrition, it was found that those who cook dinner every night consumed fewer calories, fat, and sugar than those who only eat out one or two times per week. Are you unsure what to cook? You can feel extravagant with meal delivery kits.

Get Your Sweat on at the Gym

You may not want your partner to go to the gym. Instead, it would help if you were focusing on your behaviour. In a study published in March 2015 in JAMA Internal Medicine, it was found that if one partner makes a positive change in their health (for example, begins exercising), then the other will follow their lead. Plan more active dates such as a hike or bike ride.

If you’re looking for a restaurant with healthy options, it’s worth checking out

While eating in can be a wonderful, bonding and healthy experience, it’s not always possible to eat out. Schapiro suggests that you have a few restaurants in your repertoire that offer healthy options. You can plan by looking at the menu before the date. She says it is easier to make healthier decisions when you have a plan.

Encourage healthy eating habits in your partner

You can share your vegetable preferences with your partner, even if you are a vegetable lover. You might be able to swap out some of the more objectionable options (such as kale) for something friendlier. “Get creative. Schapiro says that you can cover broccoli with Cheese or buffalo cauliflower. Schapiro says that the more they are exposed to healthy eating, the more noticeable.