Overweight Marriage Problems

Love is gone when we become ashamed of husbands and wives. We live in a show-and-tell society, not like in countries where women and men wear long robes in public.

"Meet my wife."

"Your wife?"

We envy lions because of a common goal. The next meal. That is the only answer an adventurous Tik Toker looking for a million views will get, if he survives that interview.

Humans share a common space because of marriage, love or circumstances but they seldom share common goals like lions. Fitness can be an issue. One comedian made a joke about him and his wife at the gym. He heads for the irons while she goes to aerobic classes. We won’t write the whole joke here, but what is important is that they go to the same gym.

Fitness can cause friction at home. Example. She runs around the park every morning for four days. She goes to the gym five days a week, belongs to a cycling club and takes part in summer marathons. He is over weight, calls the kids to pick up the remote if it falls, has trouble breathing and holds on to walls on his way to the bathroom. She tried recruiting him for some exercise but he is attached to his phone. The park run is out of the question because he says it’s too cold in the morning.

She gave up trying because it creates tension, but they cannot hide it because it spills over to the public. He proudly introduces her as his wife and people stare at the contrast. She feels the silent questions, he doesn’t. The two people know it’s not about fitness, but they don’t want to discuss the underlying reasons for her determination to maintain her health, and his reasons for letting himself go.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Executive Blogger