Help your partner lose weight this Valentines

Do you live with an overweight partner or somebody who wants to lose a few pounds but simply never stick to new diet regimes? It can be challenging on several levels, especially if they complain about their weight to you and is affecting your social life, love life and your happiness as a couple.

You want to try and change him or her—especially because excess weight puts your loved one at risk of heart disease, diabetes and strokes. But nagging and criticising doesn’t work. It's more effective to let your partner know that you love and support them, and that you hope for a long, healthy, adventure-filled life together. Here are eight secrets to help your partner adopt a healthier lifestyle.

1. Change what's in your kitchen. Get rid of temptations. Fill up the fridge with ready-to-eat fresh fruit—apples, strawberries, red grapes and pineapple chunks. Popcorn is great for mindless TV munching. Low-cal frozen dinners are a must for emergencies.

2. Workout together. Whether it’s at home with Fitness TV or at the gym, working out together gives your partner a workout buddy and somebody to support them. Your relationship as a couple will also benefit from it.

3. Convert favourite dishes into healthier versions. Make sure you still have favourite meals—only healthier versions of them. If you're not the chief cook and bottle washer in the house, tell your spouse you want to help. Steam, bake or boil instead of fry. Use non-fat chicken broth to cook with instead of butter. For every unhealthy ingredient, there is a healthier option.

4. Eat out less. When changing eating habits, it's easier to control portions and ingredients when you prepare the food yourself. Cook at home, and encourage your partner to take healthy food from home to have for lunch and snacks during work.

5. Give him or her positive affirmation. Once a day, make your spouse feel valued. A small gesture such as a spontaneous kiss or a squeeze of the hand acts as an enormous psychological boost, and sends your partner the message they are loved and supported.

6. Get blood tests. If you two haven't done it in the past year, get complete blood tests done—including diabetes and cholesterol tests. If there's a medical issue, pledge to work on it together. Health threats make good motivators.

7. Compliment your spouse on his/her progress. Let your loved one know that you notice and admire the hard work he or she is doing to change. Don't overdo it, but do remind your partner that you're still there rooting for their success.

8. Be a role model. If your loved one is overweight but you're not, you'll inspire him or her by looking great, feeling sexy, being energetic and following the same eating and exercise habits you'd like your partner to adopt. Seeing your healthy behaviours and their positive results will make them want to emulate you.