Yes your bum does look big in that...
Magners reveals that nearly half of those in Plymouth think their partner is overweight
45 per cent of people surveyed in Plymouth in a relationship have admitted to thinking their partner needs to lose weight, but one third (33%) are too scared to say anything to their other half, it emerged yesterday.
The study of 2,000 Brits, commissioned by Magners Orchard Berries Light, reveals that over a fifth (22%) of people in a relationship in Plymouth try to encourage their partner to shed a little timber by putting them on a secret diet.
Half of respondents from Plymouth (50%) confess to subtly suggesting physical activities to get their spouse up off the sofa and burning calories compared to only 27% in Gloucester.
27% of those asked have drawn up a healthy eating plan in an attempt to get their partner in shape compared to just over a quarter (27%) in Gloucester. Over a fifth (22%) of those living in Plymouth suggest walking over taking the car and 23% admit to secretly swapping the mayo for a low calorie alternative.
Across the UK, more women are dissatisfied with their man’s weight than vice versa (52% versus 48%) and 40% of those admit to putting their fella on a diet compared to just 25% of the boys – shattering the myth of the ‘shallow man’. However, the men are more scared of having the awkward conversation (40% compared to 24%) and resort to far sneakier ways of encouraging their wife or girlfriend to shave a few pounds off. Devious tactics include:
• Suggesting more ‘sexercise’ (17%)
• Complimenting the looks of female friends of their partner, in front of her (6%)
• Buying clothing for them a size too small (3%)
• Shifting the scales into a more prominent position in the bathroom (2%)
• Leaving magazines open on the table to highlight celebs with great figures (2%)
British women are less underhand and more practical with their methods and tend to focus on straightforward diet plans and low calorie alternatives; although a fifth of girls believe that their partner breaks his healthy eating plan by snacking in secret. As such, they resort to:
• Hiding treats / food in the house (21%)
• Offering to cook dinner but secretly using healthy/low calorie alternatives (20%)
• Using reduced salt baked beans (20%)
• Buying low calorie drinks or alcohol (7%)
• Put skimmed milk in full fat milk container (8%)
Karen Crowley, Brands Marketing Manager at Magners said: “People from Plymouth are on the right track here but perhaps they need to use a little less of the sneaky, underhand tactics. Swapping favourite food and drink for a lower calorie version rather than drastic cuts or big lifestyle changes is the key to sustainable change. Magners Orchard Berries Light, at only 103 calories, is a great way to save calories if you’re trying to retain a healthy BMI.”
Magners, the premium Irish cider brand, commissioned the research to support the launch of Magners Orchard Berries Light and other intriguing findings in Plymouth revealed:
• Over half of people in Plymouth are consciously trying to watch what they eat (57%)
• 58% have started walking more in a conscious effort to get more healthy
• 12% have put on a weight loss / body shock TV programme in the hope it might inspire partner
• 15% have secretly used a low fat recipe without telling their partner - check out Spice N Tice for some fantatic slimming recipes.
• 8% have bought their partner a gym membership
At only 103 calories, Magners Orchard Berries Light contains 30% less calories but retains all the flavour and alcohol content of regular Magners. It is available in 4x330ml pack from selected Tesco, stores.
Top 20 tactics for slimming partners in Plymouth:
1. Using half fat/light mayonnaise
2. Suggesting you walk somewhere instead of going in the car etc.
3. Using a slimming / low fat recipe
4. Offer to cook meals using healthy alternatives
5. Hide food/treats in the house
6. Using reduced salt baked beans
7. More 'sexercise'
8. Buying de-caf tea/coffee - giving it to them to see if they notice
9. Offer to make them pack lunches whilst using healthy alternatives
10. Using meat substitutes without telling them it's not real meat
11. Put skimmed milk in full fat milk containers
12. Booking an active holiday
13. Buy low calories drinks or alcohol
14. Buying them low calorie alcoholic drinks
15. Sacked the cleaner
16. Buying them a gym membership / exercise classes
17. Refusing to pick them up so they have to walk home etc.
18. Move the bathroom scales to more prominent positons
19. Arrange their clothing in the wardrobe so the more of the tighter ones are easier to get to
20. Strategically leave open pages of magazines showing people with great figures
