Does Marriage Make You Fat?

Yeah, it is your spouse's fault. We don't mean getting lost for hours on vacation. Or burning out the clutch. We mean that little bulge you've noticed over your waistband, or the little extra jiggle that's following you around.

When it comes to obesity, researchers (and, well, pretty much the rest of us) have long noticed what they call "spousal concordance," one part of which is otherwise known as "he's fat and she's fat." And a recent study backs it up. Couples who lived together more than 2 years were significantly more likely to be obese than those who had been together for less time. Commitment-phobes, stop smirking: Couples cohabiting without a marriage certificate also packed on pounds. (Trying to get your spouse to be healthier? Try this communication strategy.)

What's so fattening about relationships? Might be more social obligations, meaning more regular meals than you're used to. Could be less concern about maintaining weight to attract a mate. Why it is, however, isn't as important as what you're going to do about it.

While a shared space seems to attract pounds, it's also a great place to start losing them. That's because you have a built-in weight loss weapon: A buddy (the best ones are those you care generously and genuinely about). Walk together at least 30 minutes a day.(This video shows you how to do an easy and effective walking workout indoors.)

Even better, walk to the farmers market and kick-start your healthy eating. Commit to this, too: Have no product in the house with any of the five waist-enlarging (and aging) ingredients in the first five spots on the label: saturated fats, trans fats, simple sugars, syrups, and any grain that isn't 100% whole.

Try RealAge's fastest and most effective plan for losing a few pounds in a flash.