Women Weight Loss Partners  

She's the best thing that ever happened to you in more ways than you might think. Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., M.A., R.D., coauthor of Your Diet Is Driving Me Crazy, has these suggestions for dieting duos.

Show affection without food. "We've been taught to feed people to show them we care," says Sass. Don't give your mate chocolates or ask for your favorite brownies. The new currency: foot rubs and massages.

Keep secrets. "Never compare weight loss," says Sass. "It's a huge risk." Men are likely to lose more weight than women do in the same period of time. Frustration (hers) or smugness (yours) can derail the dieting.

Find foodless activities. "A lot of relationships wind up revolving around food for entertainment," Sass says. Eat healthfully at home and head out to a movie afterward.

If you're on different diets . . . eat before she does. "When she has her meal, sit with her and have coffee or a diet soda." You'll both enjoy the proper meal without being tempted to eat foods you shouldn't.

Stick together. "If one partner feels coerced, he or she won't take it seriously and may sabotage the other's diet," Sass says.  

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