How to Lose Weight With An Unsupportive Partner
Trying to lose weight is hard enough without someone waving a doner kebab under your nose at 10pm like it’s some kind of romantic gesture. If your other half thinks “supporting your weight loss journey” means ordering an extra portion of chips so you don’t feel left out, this one’s for you. Whether they’re a snack-pusher, a takeaway enabler, or just flat-out in denial about vegetables, navigating your slimming goals with an unsupportive partner is a full-time sport.
But don’t worry — this post isn’t here to tell you to leave them (tempting as it may be when they show up with donuts). It’s here to help you stay on track, stay sane, and maybe even get the upper hand when their greasy burger starts looking less appealing than your air-fried masterpiece. Let’s dive into the laughs, the struggles, and the surprisingly satisfying world of being the healthy one in a house full of sabotage.
You’ve prepped your tomorrows overnight oats and batch-cooked your Slimming World-friendly chilli. You’re feeling in control. But then in walks your beloved other half — carrier bag in hand, that familiar glow in their eyes, and the unmistakable scent of a full-blown Chinese takeaway wafting behind them like a personal attack.
“I got you your usual!” they chirp, holding out sweet ‘n’ sour chicken balls like some sort of sabotage-y bouquet.
Sound familiar?
If you’re trying to lose weight with a partner who thinks ‘syns’ are something you do in church, you’re not alone. Whether they mean well or are just resistant to change, losing weight with an unsupportive partner can feel like running a marathon with a Greggs steak bake tied to your ankle.
So let’s break it down, one Slimming World-friendly tip (and snarky comment) at a time…
1. Get Your Head in the Game (Not the Takeaway Menu)
First things first — you’re not doing this for them. You’re doing this for you. So while they’re face-deep in a kebab, remember your why.
Weight loss isn’t about punishing yourself or saying no to everything fun. It’s about finding balance, fuelling your body, and fitting into jeans without having to lie flat on the bed like you’re doing CPR on yourself.
Your partner doesn’t have to understand your journey — but they don’t get to derail it either.
2. Have “the chat” with your partner…
If your partner often brings home takeaway without checking in, it might be time for a gentle conversation about your goals. Let them know that you’re making a positive lifestyle change and that their support can really make a difference.
You could try saying:
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“I’d really appreciate it if you could support me by avoiding food that might tempt me while I’m trying to stay on track.”
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“I don’t mind if you still enjoy your takeaways — maybe we could time it so I’ve already eaten and feel less tempted.”
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“I’m working hard on making changes, so it would mean a lot if you could help me stick to it.”
If they’re not quite on the same page yet, that’s okay — they don’t have to change their own habits, but it’s important they respect yours. A bit of understanding and compromise goes a long way.
3. Prep Like a Pro (and Make It Look Tastier Than Their Grease Box)
Let’s be honest — half the battle is when their food looks better than yours.
So make your meals look and smell amazing. Throw in herbs, use your spices, plate it like you’re on MasterChef Slimming World Edition. Suddenly their limp cheeseburger won’t seem so glamorous next to your garlic mushroom chicken with roasted baby potatoes.
Bonus tip: Batch cooking means you always have something quick and satisfying. Because it’s a lot harder to give in to temptation when there’s a homemade lasagne in the freezer calling your names instead of the Just Eat app.
4. Create “Me Time” Without Them (Especially If They’re a Snack Pusher)
If your partner has the magical ability to appear with biscuits during your weakest moment, distance yourself.
Go for a walk. Do a solo food shop. Watch an episode of something inspiring while they inhale their snacks. Use your alone time to re-focus on your goals — or just dance around in the kitchen while air-frying some chicken. Whatever keeps your head in the game.
5. Don’t Fall Into the “Well, They’re Eating It So I Might As Well…” Trap
This is a common one.
They’re tucking into takeaway and suddenly you feel like you’re missing out. So you think “Oh sod it!” and dive in headfirst.
But remember — your body doesn’t care if your partner was eating too. That pizza doesn’t turn into a vegetable just because you didn’t order it.
Give yourself permission to enjoy treats when you choose to — not just because someone else has no self-control and you got peer pressured by a naan bread.
6. Make Takeaway Alternatives So Good They Want Yours
The secret weapon? Fakeaways.
Think Slimming World-friendly Chinese chicken curry, air fryer chips, kebab-style chicken, or a homemade burger stack that won’t clog your arteries.
There’s nothing more satisfying than when your unsupportive partner looks at your plate and says, “That actually looks better than mine…”
Suddenly, you’re the bad influence. Victory!
Check out my huge selection of FAKEAWAY recipes here
7. Celebrate Non-Scale Victories Loudly (Even the small ones)
Lost an inch off your waist? Shout it from the rooftops.
Zipped up a pair of jeans without assistance? Parade around the living room.
Refused a takeaway and made a banging chicken tikka salad instead? Take a photo and make it your screensaver.
Your partner might not understand your excitement, but you do — and that’s all that matters.
8. Seeing It From Their Side: It’s Not Always Malice (Sometimes It’s Just Habit)
Before we declare our partners the enemies of weight loss everywhere, let’s take a moment to see it from their perspective.
They’re used to sharing treats with you, bonding over Friday night takeaways, or showing love through food (because nothing says romance like a surprise McFlurry, right?). For some, the idea of changing those routines can feel a bit confusing or even threatening — especially if they think you’re suddenly rejecting the traditions you built together.
Some partners might worry you’re changing in ways that will leave them behind. Others might just not realise how difficult it is to resist temptation when it’s being delivered to your door with extra chips and a smile.
And let’s be honest — they probably don’t understand how the Slimming World plan works, what a syn is, or why you now weigh cheese like it’s gold dust. They might even feel a bit guilty eating their favourite foods in front of you and not know what to do about it.
So, a bit of patience (on both sides) can go a long way. Open, honest chats — without blame — help them understand that this isn’t about rejecting them, it’s about choosing you. And when they realise how important this journey is to you, chances are, they’ll want to get on board — even if it’s from the sidelines with a bag of crisps in hand.
