In this testimonial, MyFitnessPal member Katie F. answers the question “Can couples lose weight together?” by sharing her weight loss experience with her husband.
Matt and I met 24 years ago—in 1999—when we both hitched a ride to a mutual friend’s house after school one day. I was a sophomore in high school; he was a senior. And little did we know the journeys we’d embark on together.
I was a varsity athlete at the time. None of my health issues had been diagnosed yet, but as many high schoolers are, I was a picky eater.
Matt, on the other hand, was already in the thick of his health journey, trying to find the right combination of medicines for his epilepsy. Something that started when he was [age?] and impacted his activity levels, nutrition, and weight.
As our relationship evolved through the years (and decades!), our health naturally did, too. I went from being an athlete to gaining over 200 pounds and having to sleep in a recliner because of body pain. I was diagnosed with a number of chronic conditions, including hidradenitis suppurativa—a medical condition that affects the skin and painful lumps where sweat glands exist like the armpits and groin—Rheumatoid arthritis, and type-2 diabetes.
Matt was diagnosed with an incredibly rare-in-adults cancer called Ganglioneuroblastoma and suffered a mini-stroke.
Needless to say, we knew we needed to make some lifestyle changes.
I first heard about MyFitnessPal through YouTube. Multiple health and wellness channels talked about it, piquing my interest. Then, my diabetes coach provided tool recommendations and information to help me along my health and nutrition journey—MyFitnessPal included. Recognizing the name, I decided to give it a shot. To show his support, Matt did, too.
When I started, I just wanted to get as healthy as possible before an upcoming surgery. (I didn’t do well under anesthesia.) And I wanted to learn how to eat better so that I could stay on top of my blood sugar management.
As I tracked my food and learned to make healthier choices, I saw my (and Matt’s!) health start to evolve. I began challenging myself to do one intentional exercise every day—because earning exercise calories is where it’s at. And I watched the weight (150 pounds) slowly but surely fall off.*
Matt got into the habit of doing weigh-ins on the same day each month, which is now an exciting and motivating ritual. So far, he’s down 20 pounds.*
While the weight loss in and of itself is great, the impacts the journey has had on our relationship may be ever greater.
Aligning on goals made our bond even stronger. We started cooking together, dancing together, and learned how to better support each other.
We learned to throw embarrassment to the wayside (ahem, dance workouts being one of them) and embrace the moments we share in this life.
When we face tough choices, we’re there to remind each other that it’s the hard choices, not the easy ones, that catalyze change.
And as time goes on, our dynamic continues to change for the better. By prioritizing our health, we’re able to make room to enjoy each other more. We’re closer and our union is more solidified than ever.
I truly believe that using MyFitnessPal to track my food and gain better insight into how I was eating (amongst other strategies!) contributed to changes that helped me save my life. And having a partner to go on the journey with? I couldn’t imagine anything better.
So, if you’re considering using MyFitnessPal—solo or with your partner—I say DO IT! It made my health journey more enjoyable, alleviated stress and confusion, and made it easier to share progress with my partner. I can’t tell you how many times a day I’m showing Matt something in the MyFitnessPal app…
Lastly, I just want to say thank you to Matt. You are so effortlessly inspiring. I just look at you and feel like trying harder. If I don’t have the energy or will to exercise, you exercise alongside me. You remind me of how far I’ve come and that, as long as I’m trying, that’s success. And, most importantly, you loved me through it all. I always knew you were strong, but now I know just how resilient you really are.
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- How MyFitnessPal Helped Change Shameika’s Relationship With Food
- For RC, Food Logging Paved the Way For a More Active, Healthy Life
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*Weight loss involves a healthy diet and exercise. You can expect to lose up to 1-2 lbs per week. Results may vary.
