When your spouse or significant other isn’t into fitness

Hi friends! How’s your day going so far? The Halloween bug is slowly taking over our house and I’m so excited to get up some holiday decor.

I spent last night drinking a glass of wine and painting pumpkins:

Pumpkins  1 of 1 2

(I have awesome plans for the last pumpkin.. just need to replen my puffy paint supply)

Funny story: Liv and I were walking through Target last week and checked out the dog Halloween costumes. I said, “Look, Livi, Bell could be a hot dog!” Apparently, she got a kick out of it because ever since, she’ll randomly say, “Bell-bell HOT DOG!”

Sorry, Bell. You may have to wear a hot dog costume on Halloween.

Bell 2

I also wanted to tell you guys about the shoes Reebok sent per our partnership: the new CrossFit Nano Speed. They are SUPER light, and feel like they propel you in a forward motion– just wearing them makes me want to run! They’re the first shoe designed for running-based cross training -awesome for my weight and cardio circuits- and I’ve been wearing them to teach bootcamps and Tabata classes. I especially love the bright, funky colors.

Crossfit speed  1 of 1

So, this weekend, I got a question in the comments section that I’ve been thinking about:

Kristina said,

“Just kind of curious…does the Pilot with his busy schedule make gym time? Is he as interested in health and fitness as you?

How do your perspectives affect one another? I’ve been in two previous relationships where the guy just didn’t share these passions and eventually things didnt work out…”

I replied, “He hasn’t until the past couple of weeks and started running again. We actually had to have a long talk about it… not because i wanted him to start teaching classes or anything crazy, but because i want him to live for a while”

and Jessica said, “This would make a great blog topic, my husband and I often struggle with this. He goes in spurts of working out and eating healthy. It can also be I motivating for me when he doesn’t exercise.”

The Pilot and I used to work out together all the time. When we first got married and were living in Fayetteville, he’d join me for a weights session or would be pumping iron while I took a class. This was also during a huge transition time with the squadron -we were all getting ready to move to Georgia and out of Pope- so his schedule was pretty low key. Then we moved to Georgia and that’s when his schedule changed dramatically. He was constantly going through flight upgrades, gearing up to deploy, or deployed. During his deployments, he worked out a lot since the gym was one of the few things to do there, but when he was at home, he was working like crazy without room for much else. He has an incredible ability to pick up where he left off, so he’d occasionally join me for long runs or weights sessions. Even if he hasn’t been running, he can easily do 8+ miles and has always rated “Excellent” on his PT tests.

The pattern has kind of continued from there, and it’s something we’ve talked about. I’ve seen how much of a stress reliever exercise is for him, and told him I wanted to keep him around for a while. He can defy nature in the sense that the man can eat a dozen donuts and get another chisel in his 6-pack abs, but on the inside, I was concerned about his heart health from rarely doing cardio. We’ve been doing family walks together, a fun race with Livi in the jogging stroller

5k  1 of 1 2

and trips to Sabino Canyon, but there’s something to be said about the endorphins and benefits from a consistent routine.

Then, out of the blue, he started training for a marathon with a group of guys from work. He still works long days, but we’ve been able to work it out with our schedules so that he can train while Livi and I hang out. The Pilot and I each ran 10 miles this weekend, and while it was on separate days, it still kind of felt like we were working out together. We could complain about our sore legs to each other 😉 It was kind of nice, too, because Livi and I spent Sunday morning at the market together and then the Pilot met us there for crepes.

I definitely feel like having an interest in fitness can be a great bonding experience for a couple, but I don’t think it’s totally necessary. Fitness is something I do for health, but it’s also one of my hobbies, as I really enjoy it. In the past, I dated guys that were really into fitness (bodybuilder-type dedication), and some who never set foot in a gym. In the end, the fate of my relationships had little to do with our hobbies. 

In your spouse or significant other into fitness? Have you had a relationship where your hobbies were entirely different?

What’s your favorite fitness date?

I think a hike and picnic is the perfect fitness date 🙂

Hope you have a wonderful night <3

xoxo

Gina

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83 Comments

  1. Kate @KateMovingForward on September 30, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    My husband has never really been into working out, but just recently has started doing it more often. Last week he actually exercised more than me! His style is completely different though–he likes to play for exercise..so he’ll organize a football game, do pick up basketball or pickleball while I prefer to go run alone or go strength train alone or go do really anything alone. Haha!

  2. Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on September 30, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    My husband & I both enjoy working out — we often go to the gym at the same time, but usually to do our own workouts. it’s nice because you’re doing it together, but not smothering each other, you know? Plus it makes the times we actually work out together more special 🙂

  3. Christina R on September 30, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    I’m so happy you did a post on this! I actually saw this in the comments section and was hoping you would write about it. This post is great because I am really into fitness and I love the feeling I get from working out but my boyfriend never sets foot in a gym and at times I wish he did. I love that last sentence where you said in the end the fate of your relationship had little to do with your hobbies because I can see myself spending the rest of my life with my boyfriend and I can relate. Thanks Gina!

  4. RachelG on September 30, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    My fiancé is at the gym right now (while I’m home with a stuffy head). I’m really glad that he’s into fitness because like the pilot, his ability to morph into a bottomless pit is astounding. His interest in eating healthy has also increased since he’s started getting more and more into fitness. It’s fun to go to the gym together even though we usually do different things. 🙂

  5. Jamie on September 30, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    My fiance is the stick thin kind of guy who can eat whatever he wants without it showing on the outside. We’ve had a few conversations over the years of us cleaning up our diets and working out, but it never lasts long (for either of us.) Unfortunately now we don’t see each other through the week due to our work schedules, but on the weekends we at least take the pup for a walk. As I’m trying to ease my way into a fitness routine and clean up my eats, I hope that I can motivate him to do the same! I know it makes a world of difference in my motivation if he’s on board!

  6. Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite on September 30, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    Personally my hubby and I will motivate each other to work out a lot. If one person doesn’t feel like going to the gym the other one will be able to convince us to go. Lately we have been taking a cardio class together a couple of days a week and it’s a fun way to spend more time with him and get closer honestly. Even if he didn’t workout though, I don’t think it would be a dealbreaker…it’s just personally more fun for us that way since we both enjoy working out.

  7. Samantha B. on September 30, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    This post really resonated with me. I am in nursing school and very passionate about health and fitness for a million reasons other than the obvious health reasons. My fiance isn’t really into that sort of thing even though he somehow has stayed in great shape. I would love for him to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, but I am mostly concerned about the fact that I’d like to grow to be 80 with him and not worry about a heart attack. I have been in the habit lately of ‘nagging’ him about it, and your post has really made me realize there are so many things about him that I’m grateful for, I don’t need to push him to be like me. He is so supportive of my running and yoga, he’ll eat anything healthy that I make for him, and I should be so happy for that!! Thanks Gina, your blog continues to inspire me on the daily!

  8. Lindsay on September 30, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    It would be really hard to date someone that didn’t support my healthier habits – as I discovered in the past. I will say, that my boyfriend (now fiance!) did help me to have a healthier relationship with food by helping me realize that I could splurge every once in awhile and still fit into my skinny jeans. We recently joined a new gym that offers amazing bootcamp classes – he goes every morning, I go a few times a week at night. Even when we don’t go together, it’s exactly how you said that it’s like working out together because you can be sore together. We go on Saturday mornings and it’s nice to just be there together. A hilarious story, we don’t always talk much before class starts…. well, one morning we had to do an ab exercise where one person would squat above the other person and throw the other persons legs towards the floor while the other person laid on the ground and held their ankles. Obviously, we partnered up… during the exercise, the girls next to started whispering “Oh my GOSH! do you think they know each other?! That would be SOOOO awkward if they don’t”. It was hilarious. I had to contain my laughter!

    • Colleen on September 30, 2013 at 7:11 pm

      Hope no one ate a burrito earlier that day!

  9. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food on September 30, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    So glad you wrote this! Sadly, my husband’s only real form of exercise is golfing. Some days it does honestly bother me because working out is such a big part of my life! Ultimately, however, I love him for who he is, not because he has the same interests as me.

  10. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on September 30, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    I have the opposite problem, my husband is crazy obsessed with fitness. Well really only running. I love it though – I am proud of him and I know he is healthy. It does sometimes take him away a lot though. He is working hard to qualify for the Olympic Trials in 2106 for the marathon. He runs 120 mile weeks, which means he spends a lot out of time running! I have been with him for 8 years so in a lot of ways I used to it by now, but sometimes I just want to say “hey stay in bed don’t go run right now” haha.

    When I was running it wasn’t a big deal, but now that I am injured that time where he is running and I can’t do anything is tough!

  11. Amber on September 30, 2013 at 7:13 pm

    I am so glad that you decided to talk about this subject. My husband grew up playing basketball, and continued into adult rec leagues up until he decided to pursue running his own business. He now travels so much, he doesn’t have time for those leagues anymore. He’s put on quite a bit of weight (but he has always been a skinny string-bean type of a physique, standing at 6’2″), so he actually looks healthy with a little “meat” on his bones. But I, like you, worry about what’s on the inside. We’ve tried running together, but discovered it doesn’t work out–we pace totally differently with his long legs and my very short ones (I’m 5’4″), and he gets frustrated with me.

    I wish we worked out together–I love the endorphins I get from exercising, and I wish them upon him to help with his stress from the business.

    Another factor is a healthy diet. I make healthy substitutions for myself while he is on the road, but he tends to despise anything from “the real thing” (i.e. he HATES when I substitute ground turkey for beef, whole wheat pasta for white, and brown rice for white). He complains about the weight he’s put on, but I just can’t seem to inspire him to change his habits. I would definitely benefit as well if we could BOTH enjoy the same healthy foods and exercises.

    None of this has a negative affect on our relationship, thank goodness. But eating healthy and living a more active lifestyle would definitely be more enjoyable (and easier) with a supportive partner.

  12. Taylor @ Single-tracked Mind on September 30, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    My boyfriend and I co-write our health and fitness blog, and it’s something we really bond over and something that initially peaked our romantic interests in one another. Our favorite fitness date is a trail run followed by a delicious lunch and maybe a beer or two.

  13. Colleen on September 30, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    I wish I could convince my husband to exercise! He’ll get really motivated and overdo it, then be really sore and give up after a week, then put on 5 more pounds. I know a lot about fitness, so I try to “help,” but I think it always comes across as nagging to him. He’s not getting any younger, and his blood pressure is starting to creep up, but nothing has really pushed his motivation button yet. =(

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2013 at 11:01 pm

      i’ve noticed with friends and family, they have to decide for themselves. there has to be a personal turning point for them, so it’s not even worth saying anything. the best thing you can do is lead by example and then cheer them on and support them if/when they decide they want to change

  14. Megan (The Lyons' Share) on September 30, 2013 at 7:17 pm

    This is a great topic – I can’t wait to read all the comments, too! My husband was actually the one who got me into running – he was on the track and cross country teams in college, and I had recently stopped dancing many hours per week and was looking for something to help me feel good about my body. It must have been hard for him at first because we were SO different – I couldn’t run for a whole minute (literally) and he was a very accomplished runner. I’m still far behind in terms of pace, but it’s so nice to be at the place where it’s very important to both of us, and we understand that it’s just part of our lives that makes us healthy and happy. We never run TOGETHER, but often run at the same time, and “commiserate” about our experiences like you and the pilot did for your 10-milers!

  15. Jacqueline on September 30, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    My recently-ex and I (ended on good terms with nothing about fitness involved) started running together around the beginning of this summer. I’ve been an “on-again off-again runner” for years, and he’d always played sports but never just went out on a run, so it was a fun fitness/hobby compromise we could enjoy and improve on together. When one of us didn’t want to, or “forgot,” the other would remind them, and there was never a sense of annoyance about it– just gratefulness that the other was keeping them on track and accountable. To us, it kind of showed that a) we cared about each other’s health and b) we cared about spending time together and doing different things with that time. I really enjoyed it because while neither of us were amazing runners, we each had our strengths– I could sprint short distances pretty well, but he had a lot of endurance from sports, so we could challenge each other in different ways depending on the run. We also had some of our best talks during runs (between breaths, haha)… and getting to relax, put our feet up, and cook dinner together afterwards was a nice bonus, too. I seriously miss it!

  16. Nikki on September 30, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    Sadly, one of the many reasons my engagement fell apart was because he was not as supportive as he could be. No show to races (he would say “no, I want to sleep in. that’s silly”), wouldn’t go on even a walk with me, etc. etc. While it wasn’t THE reason, it played a factor. 🙁

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2013 at 11:00 pm

      aww man!
      i feel very fortunate that even if tom doesn’t do all of the same things i do, he always supports them and cheers me on
      hope you have a great night <3

  17. Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine on September 30, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    Interesting question, indeed! I love working out and being active, so hopefully one day my significant other will be interested in being active as well. I have enjoyed reading the other comments to find out what to do in this situation. Your pumpkins look awesome!

  18. Hillary on September 30, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I workout regularly (5-6 times a week) not only to stay healthy and in shape, but for the stress relief, too. Nothing feels better to me after a long, frustrating day than a good run or weights session. My fiance, on the other hand, barely works out…ever. He does some pull ups and push ups and will usually join me on a walk if I ask him to, but that’s about it. He is one of those guys who has an incredible metabolism, so he doesn’t “need” to work out, at least to maintain his weight—but like you pointed out, I would really like him to get in some cardio just to stay HEALTHY. It doesn’t put any strain on our relationship (I have my hobbies, he has his, we share some others, no big deal), but I would definitely like to start working out together (I think it would be super motivating for me!), and I would like him to start working out for himself and his health.

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2013 at 11:00 pm

      sounds like we have very similar situations 🙂

  19. Kimberly on September 30, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    My fiancé and I actually had a discussion about this last night! He was the one who originally wanted to get active and join the gym. Then, after we joined I fell in love and kept going and he slowly tapered off. It doesn’t bother me from a mutual passions/interests aspect, but I do want him to stay healthy so I can keep him around (especially since he has Type 1 diabetes and frequent workouts help stabilize blood sugar levels). He eats really well and wants his health to be a priority so he finds a little nudging from me motivating. I try to do my part and help motivate him without overdoing it and nagging. I’ve dated guys who weren’t interested in physical fitness/health at all, and it’s definitely nice to be with someone who finds it important!

  20. Caitlin @PieceOfCait on September 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm

    my hubby goes thru spurts too { and can eat 12 donuts } but I noticed when he does like to join in.. we have more ” date days ” a bike ride and lunch, a hike and ice cream.. I love it for health and it keeps me sane! but you truly can bond over it 🙂 I hope he keeps it up, because I like having a buddy!

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2013 at 10:59 pm

      i like having a buddy, too! and the donut thing… i just don’t understand haha

  21. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on September 30, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    Did you just crawl into my brain and write this post!? My husband is almost exactly the same as the Pilot in terms of working out. He was so active and played a ton of sports but when he started working in finance, he worked such crazy hours that there was no time for the gym. Like you pointed out, you are more concerned with his health than his abs, I feel the same way. At our wedding we promised each other to live to 100 (super corny, I know), but I seriously want him to be healthy enough to make it that far. I really push him to do healthy things as much as possible. Luckily he really enjoys being active, it’s just a matter of finding the time!

  22. Elle @ The Clean Project on September 30, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    My husband is also into working out but we don’t usually do it together usually because of schedule but also because he wants to spend far longer at the gym than I do. I like it when we work out together because it inspires me to workout harder and longer. It’s so nice to start our days off with a workout because then were both in a better mood and energized to have a productive day. That doesn’t happen often though.

  23. Crystal on September 30, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    My hubby hates “working out” but he likes being active and doing things like biking, kayaking, etc. so we usually go hiking or other stuff like that together, that way we’re getting exercise and having fun too

  24. Norma M.A. on September 30, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    I think many of us girls can relate to your story. My boyfriend is totally into fitness and most recenlty started caring about nutrition as well. I have always been into fitness and nutrition for health and because it’s a hobby, especially as I get older. I have always dated guys who were into fitness. I could not date someone who is not active.

  25. Lisa on September 30, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Love your pumpkins! Did you use stencils? And you did puff paint not regular paint? They’re exactly what I want to do for our front porch!

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2013 at 10:59 pm

      thank you! no i used acrylic paint for those ones 🙂

  26. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy on September 30, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    My husband is the same way — naturally athletic but he doesn’t always work out consistently. Last spring, we trained for a half marathon together, which was a great way to exercise together. Lately he’s been working 12 hour days because his company is on a deadline, so unless he sacrifices sleep (and I wouldn’t want him to), he doesn’t have a ton of time to work out. I’m hoping that once the overtime goes away, he can join me at the gym again. Like you, I want his heart health to be good for many, many years!

  27. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles on September 30, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    This is an interesting topic for sure! My boyfriend has absolutely no interest in fitness – he was weightlifting a bit when we started dating, but that petered out quickly. Sometimes I wish that he would pick up the habit so we could go to the gym together, but it’s absolutely not a deal breaker that he’d rather sit on the computer than head to the gym. I can get him to take walks with me and the dog once in a while, which is nice and that much more appreciated. He does eat pretty healthy though, thanks to my cooking 😉

  28. Shira on September 30, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    Great topic!
    My boyfriend (we’ve lived together for about 3 years now) doesn’t really work out. He will go on walks or hikes with me, will do athletic things on vacation like canoeing, and we will play tennis together during the summer. He also plays recreational baseball/softball and soccer during the summer. But winter, just walking. I too, wish he would for the health aspect of things, but I would never force it on him. He has been saying he is going to start working out for a Long time, so I kinda wish he’d get on it, for the mood boost and stress relief it would offer him. He has a tendency to get stressed and down when he puts too much pressure on himself, I know regular exercise would help.
    He is very supportive of me working out.. I often do yoga while he watches football 🙂 I also agree that hobbies don’t make or break a relationship. He’s a sports nerd (it’s also his industry for work) and really into documentaries and things about space and the earth etc, and I have some isports nterest but not much. I love yoga, cooking, design, and bad reality tv( it’s the truth) and he’s a good sport about it all!

    …also, I wish donuts chiseled my abs?? 😉

  29. Katie @ Live Half Full on September 30, 2013 at 9:06 pm

    My husband isn’t a runner, but he’s done a 5k with me before. He loves cycling, so this summer I got a new bike and we started doing that together. We also get into swimming together in the winter and I’ve even brought him to yoga before!

    The hardest part for us is our schedule, because my husband is not a morning person and I like to go before work. We’re working on that!

  30. Chrissy on September 30, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Favourite fitness date – snow shoeing! It’s what my husband and I did on our first (blind) date and it always brings me back to that special day. Our winters are long & it makes them more bearable if you get out and enjoy them.

    We tag team healthy meal preparation and are supportive of each other getting our workouts in. We want to be around for as long as possible. 🙂

    • Rebecca on September 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm

      Snowshoeing is fun!! Can’t wait to go again this upcoming winter!

  31. Renee on September 30, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    The hike + a picnic sounds like a really good fitness date for me and my boyfriend this fall 🙂 Before the weather gets too cold here in New England! lol

    It is hard to motivate my boyfriend to work out even though I’m super into fitness.He sees my progress & how much I love it, but whenever I ask him to workout with me, he always says no. I feel like he’s embarrassed or doesn’t want to feel like he doesn’t know what he’s doing? I don’t know. I’ll have to just start sneaking in more activities together that don’t seem like working out 😉 haha

  32. Cassie on September 30, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    My hubs is former army and currently a student at law school. He also has spurts, but mostly he enjoys really high impact workouts. While I prefer more low impact workouts. So mostly we exercise apart, but we do love to walk and hike together.

    Plus I cook him healthy meals for dinner. 🙂 It works for us as long as we’re supportive of the time the other takes to be active.

  33. Rebecca on September 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    My husband hates the gym and won’t go – he used to be way more fit then he is now. He likes doing stuff like mountain biking, hiking and adventure racing. But that stuff takes time and he is really busy with work, so going to our local park for an 8 hour hike is just not going to happen (he could go if he wanted to, it just takes time). He also wants to do things together – but certain things (say mountain biking) are impossible until Tator Tot is older. We have gone on hikes though! But hikes do nothing for me….

    He has entered a few races with me, but hasn’t done one in awhile. Running isn’t really his thing.

  34. Cassy on September 30, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    Early in our relationship my husband and I started running together on the weekends. Six months after we were married he started law school and I found out I was pregnant with our first. I tried to work out during that pregnancy but working full time to support my husband I was just too tired and we stopped working out together. Now 7 years and four kids later we each work out seperately but support each other in our efforts to maintain our physical fitness. It is harder for my husband since he has to balance long work days with spending time with the kids but we try to go for weekly walks or bike rides with the the kids. We often talk how we would love to go for a long run together again, alone, just the the two of us, early in the morning….six more years and our oldest will be old enough to babysit.

  35. JennP on September 30, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    I’m a runner and a gym rat. My husband stays in shape by playing on a work softball team and doing hours of yard work on weekends. Since we have toddlers, it actually works to our advantage to have different modes of exercise. It’s nice for me to escape to the gym by myself!

  36. Alissa on September 30, 2013 at 10:21 pm

    When I first met my husband he was training daily with the Navy seals & was in AMAZING shape. I on the other hand was working a million hours & my goal was to just survive. Then we were both in Texas and gained the Texas 20, has he coined it. I started going to the gym & doing body pump 3x a week, then when were going to get married I started TurboFire & he did Insanity.

    Now that we are again moved (Yeah VA!) we have a more regular workout routine. I am the kickboxing, cardio DVD girl while he is the let’s go run 7 miles for fun guy. I have been training for a half marathon for 12 weeks now & two weeks he signed up for a marathon in less than 45 days!

    A couple of guys at work talked him into it. I am excited though because we are both doing the Electric Run next Friday & my goal is to keep up with him. 🙂 It’s our date! The last couple times we did a run together though he just leaves me in the dust, so I run by myself. Let me tell you the half marathon alone was a learning curve!

    I wished we did workout more together but the workouts we each enjoy are completely different, so I understand.

  37. Liz on September 30, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    I understand the basis of the question but am confused about the basis of your worry considering he excels on PT tests in the military. Not everyone can (and most shouldn’t) run 10 miles, teach 4 fitness classes, etc. in a day. That should take an extreme amount of energy and a high calorie diet to keep weight on. Obviously you keep yourself very fit but are easily able to through your work schedule, among other exercise, and it seems as if the Pilot isn’t letting himself go by any means. I’m glad you’re looking past the “6 pack is healthy” idea because the opposite is true in many cases (6 pack is there but to get it was unhealthy!) but I feel like your large amount of exercise might cloud your judgement. I’m not trying to be judge-y but just think your idea of exercise is more extreme than others due to your job maybe?

    • Fitnessista on September 30, 2013 at 10:51 pm

      the PT tests are maybe twice a year, so working out twice a year, even when you test well, isn’t really a healthy lifestyle. there’s no way i think people should have to do what i do -my job requires it, and the long run + teaching day is less than ideal- but i do think it’s important for heart health to get at least 2-3 workouts in each week.
      like i said, appearance is no indication of overall health. the pilot has always looked amazing, even though he eats whatever he wants in large quantities, but i want us to be able to live long and healthy lives together.
      i think if anything, teaching fitness has changed my view of others’s exercise habits in the best way possible. i’ve been able to see so many struggles and successes, and it makes me so excited to see people being active and doing what they enjoy. i’ve seen that the pilot enjoys exercising on a consistent basis, but it’s hard for him to make time for it. i just thought it was worth a post to see what everyone else’s experiences have been, and i’ve really enjoyed reading the comments on this one.
      thanks for chiming in 🙂

  38. Danica @ It's Progression on September 30, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    It took a couple of years of me being interested in fitness before my husband seemed to try it out for himself. We now do 5ks together each week and enjoy going to the gym regularly, too! I’m so thankful that he takes better care of his health.

  39. Angelena Riggs on September 30, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    My husband works out with buddies, but we never really workout together. When I first became a personal trainer he let me train him once, but never again…I guess my workout was too hard! I think it’s ok to have your own workouts, likes and hobbies. I wish that he liked to hike or trail walk outside because that would be a fun family activity with our 20 month old. And while he likes to power lift I prefer circuits and HIIT training. As long as you support each other in whatever you love I think that is what is important.
    An ideal fitness date would be a trail hike and a picnic lunch by the beach with us and our daughter. I want her to grow up with a love of the outdoors and for fitness.
    Great topic!

  40. Megan on September 30, 2013 at 11:03 pm

    My husband’s work schedule is less flexible than mine and he’s more apt to let working out slip after a long day. Training and running 5k races is something we enjoy doing together 🙂

  41. Lauren on September 30, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    My boyfriend of 5 years played soccer at high altitude for years and years so he is just like your husband in that he can do nothing at all for months and then just go outside and run 8+ miles (of hills!) like it’s nothing. Right now he is in a PhD program and ridiculously busy, so he bikes to campus but otherwise doesn’t get much exercise. He is on board with eating healthfully, though. I think lifestyle choices like health and fitness (etc.) are incredibly important in a partner! I truly don’t know how people with totally different eating and exercise habits coexist.

  42. Kristen on September 30, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    Wow what a great question! That is very interesting to hear how you and the pilot mix fitness in. In more recent years I have sort of become a health nut. My husband seems to be similar to the pilot in that he can just pick back up out of no where. He has always been crazy athletic but us both having desk jobs always plays in the back of my mind with how healthy we are on the inside. Although my husband seems to go in spurts of working out I like to hope that my health consciousness rubs off on him just enough 🙂

  43. Emily @ Emily Rocks the Road on September 30, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    My husband has always been the fit one, pushing me to exercise more. Back in the day we would do bike ride dates together, where he’d show me a new route then we’d stop for coffee on the way back.

  44. Leanne on October 1, 2013 at 12:15 am

    How long will the painted pumpkins keep for? I love the idea but would hate to see them get all mushy!

  45. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on October 1, 2013 at 12:37 am

    Josh and I are both really into getting fit and motivating each other as we work towards our fitness goals. We both just ran two 5ks together that I blogged about. He’s my biggest motivator. I’m really thankful we’re both into fitness or I could see it being hard for me to reach my goals. I have low willpower so if he was laying around eating cookies and cake all day it’d be hard for me not to do the same.

  46. Kristina on October 1, 2013 at 1:16 am

    thanks for posting on my question!!

    so helpful reading your response. and all the comments for that matter. one day My prince will come too…=)

  47. Eve on October 1, 2013 at 3:42 am

    My boyfriend is in the (British) army and is massively into fitness. He usually trains a few times a day and also coaches CrossFit in his spare time. He’s recently got me into it and I love it too – while he’s away I go on my own (the endorphin rush and the social side of the classes definitely help when I’m missing him) and when he’s back we often go together. It’s so much fun doing CrossFit together as we’re both doing exactly the same thing (and feeling the same pain!) even though we’re obviously at completely different levels. Working out together is definitely something that bonds us as a couple but I certainly wouldn’t say it was vital for a happy relationship! I do think it’s important to have some hobbies in common though x

  48. Laurie on October 1, 2013 at 5:06 am

    My hubby and I got engaged during a run up a mountain in Switzerland… that was a pretty perfect fitness date!

    We both love sport and we both turn into gremlins if we don’t exercise for a few days, but he LOVES rugby and weights, whereas I love running and triathlons and tennis. We recently found common ground over the Insanity workouts and do them in the back garden at 6am every morning before work – it definitely helps to keep us both acountable (we’re both far too competitive to stay in bed while the other gets up and gets a great workout), and it’s way more fun suffering through the pain together than alone!

  49. Jessica on October 1, 2013 at 6:28 am

    I actually have the opposite problem, my husband is obsessed. 🙂 He’s training for a 2,700 mile bike ride and puts in looooong training rides on top of his already busy life and career. I’m generally supportive, but sometimes I feel a little bit unhappy that I’m doing more of the work at home, but also that when he gets home he’s sometimes too tired to play with the kids.

  50. Annie @ Annie Get Your Run on October 1, 2013 at 8:42 am

    I was just thinking about this the other day! I’m currently single and my friends laugh when I tell them that a requirement for my future husband is that he is active. It’s really important to me! I am a runner and a swimmer, but I don’t care what he does as long as he’s moving. I’d like to keep him around for a long time.

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