The Cincinnati study team tracked the diet and exercise habits of 50 couples and conducted 100 in-depth interviews with the study participants. What did they find out? Among heterosexual couples, only 10 percent said they were equally involved in promoting healthy behaviors. In most other cases, it was up to the woman to take on the role of “health advocate,” according to the study. 7 Marriage Mistakes Even Smart Couples Make But playing that role is easier said than done, says Karen Sherman, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make It Last. “Guys can be really sensitive, and this type of subject has to be dealt with gingerly,” Sherman says. She and other relationship experts offered Prevention the following tips for talking with your man about his health habits: Accentuate the positive. Broach health topics by focusing on his positive behaviors—not what he’s doing wrong, Sherman recommends. Wait for a time when he’s eating healthy or working out, and then tell him how much you like seeing him taking care of himself. While you may feel like you’re infantilizing him, experts suggest you’ll have better results and face less resistance if you avoid complaints and accusations. Approach him from the side. Women tend to prefer face-to-face conversations, says Ian Kerner, Ph.D., a relationship counselor and bestselling author of She Comes First. But men often find this type of interaction confrontational, add Kerner, preferring side-by-side chats instead. “Unless you want your words to send him into battle mode, talk with him while you’re taking a walk or driving together,” Kerner advises. Take the lead. “From exercise to eating well to cutting back on alcohol, men will often follow the lead of their partners,” Kerner explains. When he looks at you, he should see the positive changes he can make in himself, Kerner adds. How to Talk to a Man
