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Last week I discussed one way I had become a bad influence on my husband, even though it didn’t really constitute as bad. I simply got him slightly addicted to the wondrous world of coffee drinking. You’re welcome, Honey. But after reflecting on last week’s post, I thought it would be important to discuss a much more common way newlyweds encounter spousal influence.

Since living with Marshal, I’ve noticed we’ve begun to pick up certain bad habits. It isn’t that we each brought these poor habits to the relationship. Getting married and settling down just brings with it a certain level of comfort. Sure, it’s wonderful to be completely and totally yourself with your spouse. It’s what we all look for in someone we want to share our lives with. But with this level of comfort comes a certain amount of laziness if you’re not careful.

After Marshal and I moved in together, our healthy eating habits fell by the wayside. And I know we’re not the only ones. We ordered out a little more, ate dessert a little more, and constantly justified “just one more scoop of ice cream.” First of all, I have no right to consume as much as my husband when he’s nearly a foot taller and weighs about 100 pounds more than I do. Second of all, this behavior is a recipe for disaster for both of us. We are supposed to be there to support each other to make good decisions, and when laziness teams up with frosting and chips, it can be detrimental to your efforts – and your health.

We have to remind each other that we need to maintain our healthy habits so that we can not only live a long and healthy life, but so that we can set a good example for our future kids. The phrase “’til fat do us part” wasn’t in our wedding vows. It’s important to establish certain habits with each other when you move in together, and cooking together is one of them. Cooking at home is not only healthier than dining out, it also helps us save money and spend more quality time together. So when you take the steps to start your lives together and begin to lay your foundation, make sure you don’t lose sight of making smart decisions as a team.

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