A Healthy Marriage - How To Keep Your Marriage Fit

A Healthy Marriage - How To Keep Your Marriage Fit
By Richard Hamon



If there is a sad reality about all relationships, especially marriages, it is simply this: When you let go of a relationship, or neglect one, you are sure to lose it . . . in time.

Sadly, many people neglect their health, and it only hurts their marriage. Stress, poor eating habits, hectic schedules, a lack of sleep and other factors often contribute to the decline of one's health and his/her relationships.

If you want to enjoy the best possible marriage, you must give your marriage and yourself the best possible care. And you can only be at your best as a spouse, partner and friend if you are doing your best to take care of yourself!

Seven Dynamite Tips

The benefits of keeping yourself in excellent health are many: you'll feel better, you and your spouse will have more fun together, you'll both remain youthful and energetic, while staying attractive to each other, not to mention enjoying a more vibrant romantic life.

Try these seven powerful tips for boosting your health and building a rock-solid foundation for your marriage - a marriage that will stand the test of time and reward you and your beloved a thousand times over.

One: Exercise Regularly

Nothing takes the place of good ole' exercise, which supports the body in many ways, such as strengthening the heart, boosting the immune system, combating stress and giving us more energy.

Try exercising together. It is a great way to spend more time together, and it will help keep you motivated to exercise.

I recommend designing an exercise program that motivates both of you. Have FUN exercising, and you'll do it more often.

Two: Eat healthy meals

A problem area for some couples . . . this is where all couch potatoes get their start: eating an unhealthy diet or eating too much and too often. Eating on the go or stopping at fast food outlets compounds the problem.

Eating a healthy diet is essential to living a good, healthy life. Most of us need more fruits and
vegetables in our diets. More whole grains, beans and nuts, and less processed food. Fresh is
best. Learn to prepare your nutritious food creatively, and learn together.

Three: Avoid Cigarette Smoke

Smoking is a tough habit to break, but you can do it. It's actually easier to quit if you've
tried to quit several times before and failed!

Yes, if you've failed, you are that much closer to success.

Clients who have come to me for smoking cessation are always surprised when I tell them the more times they have failed the better.

By learning from your mistakes, and figuring out what went wrong last time, you can put together a smoking cessation program that actually works. Consult your doctor or other healthcare professional for assistance. Remember, too, second-hand smoke is dangerous.

Four: Keep Your Weight Respectable

Even mild obesity makes it more likely that one will get heart disease, have a stroke or develop diabetes. It's a significant risk factor in developing a variety of diseases. Controlling one's weight may seem hard, but it's no harder than being overweight and having to suffer from all the consequences.

Can't seem to drop the pounds?

You will lose weight, in time, if you follow the first and second tips of this article (exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet). Losing weight is easier when a person makes lifestyle changes. These include adopting a more active lifestyle and making permanent changes to your diet, such as eating smaller portions. Doing your own lawn mowing and gardening, as opposed to hiring someone to do it for you, can help.

Beware: get your spouse (and doctor) to work with you on this. It is very hard to lose weight if only one spouse is making dietary changes.

Stay with it. Just don't give up. Remember: slimming down can work wonders for a marriage.

Five: Get Regular Medical Exams and Screenings

Annual check-ups help detect problems early. Keep tabs on your blood pressure, blood sugar, the health of your skin, eyes and ears. Women should have regular breast cancer screenings. Men should get their prostrate checked (prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men). Early detection may save your life.

Six: Customize a Realistic Stress Management Program That Works For You

Remember . . . stress is a silent killer.

But if you have a stress busting system, you'll be able to deal with the stress you carry around
with you a little at a time. You won't allow stress to build up.

De-stress on a daily basis, and you will keep yourself healthy and strong.

My personal plan involves going to the mountains now and then to clear my head. I love going, and so I do it as often as I can. I exercise by hiking, biking, fishing and skiing. And I feel more at peace in the rugged and beautiful mountains.

If you need help, contact a professional trainer or a coach who can help get you on track.

Seven: Pamper Your Marriage

Take the time to pamper yourself and your mate.

When you're tired and stressed out, take a bubble bath, go fishing or take the dog for a walk in
the park. Enjoy hobbies, watch movies, relax while listening to music. How long has it been since you've taken a shower together or treated your partner to a lavish full-body massage?

Pampering means going above and beyond the call of duty.

Other Tips

Saving more money is a wonderful way to decrease stress and invest in a worry-free future, making your retirement years truly special.

Balancing Your Life will make you feel less stressed and boost your immune system . . . and your relationships will thank you.

Slowing Down and Driving More Safely will reduce your stress, increase your family's comfort, set an example for young people and save lives.

Positive Change Strategies

1. Talk about it with your spouse first. Get cooperation.

2. Explore your options and discuss possibilities.

3. Think creatively and do something different. Otherwise you'll get the same results.

4. Work and decide as a team. Stand together.

5. Give each other plenty of TLC and lots of emotional support. Be tolerant and understanding, and slow to judge.

6. Stop and think about your relationship potential. Aim higher than a run-of-the-mill relationship. You can have a special and extraordinary marriage if you try.

7. Be positive in discussing the need for change in your marriage. Don't point the finger at your spouse. Accept mutual responsibility for making your dreams come true. Act together to make your problem-solved future a reality.

In A Nutshell

You can improve your marriage by taking care of your health and helping your partner to be healthy. Don't fall prey to the temptation to neglect your health or your marriage will suffer.

Follow the seven dynamite tips for strengthening your marriage: exercise regularly, eat healthy meals, avoid cigarette smoke, keep your weight respectable, get regular medical exams and screenings, manage your stress, and pamper your marriage.

Follow these guidelines, stay with it and you'll soon notice a big difference in your marriage!

Richard Hamon is a professional therapist and coach with over 25 years of experience. His business, Relationships For Success Coaching, helps people to improve their relationships and enjoy success in all areas of their lives.

Richard has written a unique eBook, "The Ultimate Relationship Solution: How Secrets Discovered From A Near Death Experience Can Help You Ignite Passion and Realize Success in All Your Relationships." The eBook tells about an actual Near Death Experience the author had in 2003, which transformed his life and led to a series of insights, revelations and secrets about relationships.

Labels: successful marriages

posted by Robert Heard at 2:47 PM