It was in the beginning of December, on a crisp, blue-sky day. The kind of weather that makes you want to curl up on a sofa with a hot chocolate and a plate of warm cookies. I discovered my favourite pair of going-out trousers no longer surpassed my thighs. In fact, half my wardrobe looked like it didn’t belong to me. I had gained weight – my unhealthy lifestyle had caught up with me and my boyfriend. Together, we decided we needed to learn how to get in shape as a couple.
Before we started dating, we both had fairly strict routines. While for many years I’ve tried to maintain a balanced lifestyle, it was when I had an iron deficiency that I began to really understand the importance of taking care of myself. I suffered from bad exhaustion and fatigue. When I finally recovered, I invested more time in working out, taking vitamins, eating well. The Covid pandemic further encouraged this behaviour.
Our first dates took place when we were unable to eat indoors. We ended up spending a lot of our evenings dining on wine, more wine, takeaways and sweets. I’m not suggesting we were linked up to sugar – we also ate good meals and tucked into well-rounded breakfasts. My partner managed to continue to exercise while I practically gave up. But overall, it became obvious that the balance had tipped. We needed a reset – something to make us feel healthy again.
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How to get in shape as a couple
It’s important to note that you cannot force your other half to commit if they’re not invested. Becoming healthy as a couple means equal willingness. I recommend sitting down together to discuss your fitness goals. Perhaps you want to reach a set weight or you might be like me and my partner, wanting to feel healthy again. Publication UC Health reported on a study that found we’re ‘more likely to becoming healthier’ if our ‘partner makes a healthy change as well.’
In addition to going shopping together with food lists, planning our exercise schedules in a diary and increasing our nutrition, we decided to start taking a daily protein shake – which come with multiple benefits. Medical News Daily, for instance, reported on a study that found protein supplements may help you feel fuller for longer. A piece on Healthline describes how “protein shakes provide amino acids” which help to build muscle and aid workout recovery.
Why we chose dare Motivation protein shake
There are numerous shakes on the market that promote muscle gain. For us as a couple, we wanted something that additionally offered other advantages. When we came across dare Motivation, we felt the shakes as well as the company ethos suited us.
Run by a small family (two parents – an A&E doctor and another in finance), the brand wants to support others at living and feeling their best by focusing on core nutrition. Rather than emphasising macros or weight loss, their shakes are tailored to meet nutritional needs and fitness goals, as well as increase mood, emotion, mental and physical performance.
I like that dare doesn’t promote itself as a meal replacement shake or some kind of magic fix that will automatically whip you in shape.
Here’s what you should know about the brand’s core product, the Motivational Shake:
- 26 essential vitamins and minerals.
- A plant-based, low sugar, vegan blend of seeds, superfoods, herbs, phytonutrients, pre-and probiotics.
- Each serving size contains an ideal balance of complete protein, essential fats, Omega-3, fibre and slow-releasing complex carbs.
- One serving of the shake contains 2100mg of naturally occurring Omega-3 – which is equivalent to 100grams of salmon.
- Each serving also contains 20g of complete protein, using several plant-based sources to create a complete protein profile.
- 12-month shelf-life, low carbon footprint ingredients, 100% vegan.
- Over one million shakes have so far been consumed.
dare Motivational Shake Review, flavour and overall thoughts
The shake comes in three different flavours: Cocoa Vanilla Frosting, Cocoa & Jaffa Orange and Cocoa & Peanut Butter. I have to say, the orange is my least favourite while I love the peanut butter.
Ideally, I like taking straight after a workout as my boyfriend does but sometimes, I take when I’m sat on my laptop all day and unable to leisurely prepare something healthy. It’s really handy to have midday when you’re stuck working and don’t fancy just a sandwich or a salad.
One of the key benefits for me is the nutritional value. Having the Motivational Shake means I don’t need to keep stocking up on different vitamins (which I’m terrible at remembering!) The ingredients the shake contains are all things I use to go out and buy individually, such as pumpkin seeds, Matcha green tea, spinach powder (they have amazingly managed to make this taste good). The shakes couldn’t be more ideal for my boyfriend who doesn’t like fish and isn’t keen on me sprinkling seeds on his meals. And believe me, I’ve tried before to add chia seeds to his cereal and it didn’t go down so well.
Should you purchase the shake, you will notice the protein has a much creamier texture compared to pea or rice protein. Which means, adding to porridge/oatmeal or using in brownies is much easier and more appetising.
Overall, dare’s Motivational Shakes are not the be all and end all to get in shape as a couple in 2022. We still need to commit to regular exercise, be mindful of our eating habits, make better lifestyle choices while still enjoying ourselves and letting our hair down at the weekend. But with the shakes, we can go about these changes knowing we have already consumed the vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein, fats etc., required for our bodies to optimise as efficiently as possible.
Click to shop the dare Motivational Shake range. Please note, the company does not currently ship outside of the UK.
FREE DELIVERY on all orders over £20. Use code AWESOME20 for 20% OFF. T&C’s apply.
Have you and your partner decided to work on fitness together this New Year? Do you have any other tips on how to get in shape as a couple?
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