By Jennifer Gregory

While dieting at any time requires planning and willpower, dating while on a diet can pose some extra challenges. Many dates revolve around dinner or drinks, and once you hit it off with someone it can be easy to spend time with your new partner instead of heading to the gym. If you aren’t careful, you can quickly gain back the five pounds you spent the last month working so hard to lose.

But don’t despair, it is very possible to both date and continue to lose weight by following a few simple tips:

Plan Active Dates

Instead of meeting for a meal, suggest a date where you both get moving. “Dieting is not all about food, it’s about being active, too,” said Kenzie Harrick, Certified Health Coach at KHolistic.com. Some ideas include a bike ride, kayaking, hiking, roller skating or even throwing football in the park together. “Active dates are a creative date idea, a way to exercise and a way to test your connection with more than dinner conversation,” said Harrick. During dates where you do eat out, suggest an after dinner walk to work off the calories and get some fresh air.

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Dating – either as a single person or half of a committed couple – can make for a very exciting time. When you think of going on a date, most often you might envision dinner, maybe a movie, or coffee and dessert.

New relationships always seem to pack on the pounds. Many experts say it is because once you are comfortable, happy and secure in a relationship, you are not as diligent about your physical appearance. While in the beginning it is a nice feeling to be able to relax in a new and exciting relationship, a few months in, you may look in the mirror and wonder where all your hard work went.

Especially in the summer, dating can often involve activities and foods to keep your temperature down, but summer time dating doesn’t have to be a body buster. Instead of curling up with your cutie in a dark room, some ice cream and watching TV, here are some terrific summer date activities that will help you keep your cool, but won’t leave you running for a mu-mu to cover up your not quite ready for close up body.

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One common concern I hear about dieting is how to maintain both social relationships and weight when so many social gatherings include food.

Sometimes to obtain weight loss goals, you need to separate yourself from certain people, at least when food is involved.  The conundrum here is that dieting is tough work and a stresssor that requires physical, mental, and emotional energy. In the midst of such an undertaking, you need support more than ever. Often even our biggest cheerleaders are not confident in how to best support us when we travel roads they have not. While it can be difficult to ask for help, both you and your friend will be glad you did.

1. Accountability – Many people have a hard time doing things for themselves alone, but are more likely to follow through if they know someone else cares – or sometimes simply if someone else will know. Friends can join you in your exercise routine or ask you about how you are doing with your meal plan. You are much less likely to hit snooze if you know your friend will be waiting for you to workout at 6am. If you share your journey electronically, make sure you ask friends to specifically comment on your tweets or posts, so you know someone is paying attention and supporting you.

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Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., is a San Diego based Clinical Psychologist in private practice, best-selling author, regular guest on national television and radio, lecturer and authors the long-running weekly column, “Dr. San Diego” for San Diego Magazine’s website. He is also the Fitness Psychologist for The Sporting Club in La Jolla, California and serves as a member of the research and development team for Lululemon Athletica.

Want a sure-fire way to create a better environment for weight management, relationship enhancement and healthy well-being? Work out with your partner.

If you are concerned about your own or your spouse’s weight, health, fitness and well-being, recent research shows that setting time aside to exercise and lose weight together may be just about the best thing you can do to ensure that you’ll both be around for each other for a long time.
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With the Bachelorette just wrapping another season of what will no doubt end in tabloid headlines of broken hearts and promises, the Biggest Loser is announcing another match made in weight loss heaven.

From the recent season nine, Ashley, a finalist, and Koli, the at-home winner, have let the public know that they are in love. A little surprised? We were too! A lot of fans, including us, were anxiously waiting to hear that season nine winner Michael Ventrella had won not only the $250,000 but also Ashley’s heart. Michael has confessed in the past that he and Ashley are nothing more than very good friends.

Ashley’s Facebook album is stocked with photos of the happy, beautiful couple. And while there is not a relationship status set, her profile image is a self-taken photo in the car of the two together.
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