You love to get break a sweat, but your partner doesn’t? Here is what you can do about it.
When you’re a fitness buff, it can be frustrating to try and get your partner to work out with you and have them refuse. Maybe they’d rather sit on the couch and watch Neflix than do cardio with you. Perhaps they’re not into going to the gym, but you love to get your blood pumping. Though it’s frustrating to try and get your partner on board with your game plan, you can’t force them to be into staying healthy as much as you are. However, there are things you can do together to bond as a couple and stay healthy; thus setting the foundation for a strong family.
Have them watch you at the gym
Just because your partner doesn’t want to exercise doesn’t mean they can’t appreciate your love for it. Maybe you take them with you to a class; they can watch you excel at working out. It may be that they’re nervous to try a spin class or take a chance at martial arts. But seeing you do your thing may inspire them. There could be a number of reasons why they’re fearful to work out, and it might not be that they’re “lazy.” Sure there are some people who don’t like physical activity, but there are others who haven’t been exposed to it. Try taking your partner to a class where they can see why you love going to work out. Here’s your chance to show off what you can do.
Talk to them about working out
There may be a reason that your partner doesn’t like the gym, and you can uncover that. They might be uncomfortable working out in front of others. Maybe they’re uncomfortable with their body, or perhaps they’re inexperienced at using the different machines. Whatever the case may be, talking to them can help you better understand why they don’t like to exercise, or they’re afraid to go to a place where many people are engaging in physical activity.
Find out what they like to do
One of the great things about being in a long-term relationship is that you know your parnter well. You understand what they like and don’t like, and it’s fun to discover things that make them happy. YThe longer you’re with someone the better you get to know them. Maybe the gym isn’t for them, but they might enjoy taking walks in nature. If that’s the case, take advantage of what they like to do. Schedule time together where you can take a walk in the park. Maybe you can find a restaurant that is a mile or two away from where you live and walk to dinner instead of driving or taking public transportation. You don’t have to go to the gym to get exercise!
Couples counseling can help
In every relationship conflict will arise. You can work hard to resolve your disagreements on your own, but there’s no harm in asking for professional help if you need it. Mental health professionals such as counselors and therapists can support you figure out how to communicate with your partner. If you find that there’s a serious issue between you and your partner involving physical activity, you can talk it out with a trained couples counselor. Whether you work with a mental health professional in your local area or talk to a couples therapist online like the ones at Regain, it’s a great chance to work out your differences. You and your partner will disagree on some things, and working out may be one of them, but couples counseling can help you two see one another’s point of view and become closer.