Finding a weight-loss buddy is key to success. Image courtesy of mrpuen and freedigitalphotos.net.

I’m convinced. “Going it alone” to lose weight doesn’t work. At least not for me. My biggest success came when my husband followed the program. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he stopped eating low carb at about the same time my plateau started.

For whatever reason he stopped eating healthy and ended up unconsciously as my saboteur.  When doubts popped into my head, he didn’t realize that telling me I’m looking great one minute, then saying, “Hey let’s order pizza tonight” a minute later wasn’t the support I needed.

Yes, we’d discuss it. Yes, he said “I’m sorry. I’m an idiot. I’ll do better.”

No, he didn’t do better.

I tried getting my diet buddy back, encouraging him to eat right and start back up with the gym. He’d try, but then always fell apart at work. Apparently, all the office pizza, donuts, cookies, brownies and other delectable treats ended up next to his desk.  The more food that appeared in his office, the stickier his fingers became.

As for going to the gym, I think writing his first novel took precedence.

Clearly, he wasn’t ready to start losing the weight again.

Flash forward to our weekend early morning excursion to IHOP. After eating a lot of pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs, he pronounced, “This is ridiculous. I’m too fat.”

This morning, I caught my husband reading one of my low carb eating “how to” books and fixed himself a low carb breakfast (eggs, bacon and tomato).  He pulled the workout bag out of the closet. He asked if he can go to grocery shopping with me – he plans to drink coffee and read the low carb book while I shop.  All the things he did when he lost his 60+ lbs (much of which he gained back) last year.

I’m expecting him to drive me nuts in the next few weeks. Peppering me with a question every 10 seconds, talking nonstop about the office food he refused, how much he can bench press…on and on and on.

Will it get on my nerves. Yep, but that’s OK. My job?  Keep calm and cheer him on.

I stumbled across the 10 Ways to Help a Loved One Lose Weight. The advice is solid. I think I’ll share with the old ball and chain. I’m convinced the more we work on each step, the more pounds will fall off.

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• Boost Your Weight-Loss Success With Spousal Support (Prevention)