Vitality reveals couples hidden health secrets
This Valentine’s Day, new research from Vitality Health Insurance has revealed that over a third of Brits in a relationship (35%) confess to telling white lies about making healthy lifestyle changes to their partner. The biggest ‘fitness fibs’ include denying snacking between meals (28%), drinking more alcohol than they said they did (27%), or that they have stuck to a meat-free diet (16%).
Over half (58%) of Brits in a relationship surveyed say they have committed to make healthier lifestyle changes to their partner, with a whopping 63% stating they find their partner most attractive when they’re taking steps to look after their health. Taking "in sickness and in health" to a new level, 43% of couples make health commitments to improve the overall quality of their lives together, while 39% do so to prevent future health problems that could impact their time as a couple.
However, sticking to these health promises and turning them into long lasting habits proves to be the real challenge. Over a third of those who have broken a health promise (32%) admit to breaking them after less than a month, with almost one if five of all those surveyed (19%) losing motivation if they don’t see quick results, and 17% not having enough time to stick to their health goals.
Some healthy pledges are trickier to keep than others, such as sticking to a veggie diet (34%). Slipping back to their old ways, a further 38% failed to improve their sleep routines by going to bed earlier, and 33% gave up on their running routines.
Of the third (35%) of Brits in relationships who confess to telling white lies about keeping a healthy lifestyle, three in ten do so to avoid disappointment (29%) or due to feelings of guilt (30%). A further 26% say they lie because they don’t want to admit it to themselves, and 21% hope to restart their fitness promises after, without their partner realising.
When it comes to these white lies, more than one in ten (13%) have pretended they were heading to the gym only to skip it, whilst others sneakily opt for public transport but say they walked (15%). And it’s not just exercise fibs that we’re telling, as 18% claimed that they ate their packed lunch, when really, they bought food out, and 17% admitted that they’ll say they’ve eaten their five a day, even if they haven’t.
Top 10 fitness ‘fibs’ Brits in a relationship have told their partners
- Denying snacking between meals (28%)
- They drank less alcohol than actually consumed (27%)
- They ate their packed lunch but instead bought food (18%)
- They ate their five a day (17%)
- They quit smoking/vaping but really didn’t (16%)
- They haven’t eaten meat (16%)
- They walked, but instead got public transport (15%)
- Exaggerated their daily step count (13%)
- They went to the gym, but really skipped it (13%)
- They went for a run, but just walked (13%)
And while 49% of those who made a promise to their partner understand that these fitness commitments are for their own good, 27% are struggling to motivate themselves when it comes to keeping a health lifestyle.
Dr Katie Tryon, Chief Commercial Director, Vitality Health comments: "Supporting each other in small lifestyle changes helps to turn them into healthier habits that can last a lifetime, and have a significant impact on your long term health and wellbeing. The most enduring habits are formed gradually, and by starting with an achievable goal, whilst having the added support of a loved one on the same journey as you, can really help you to stay on track, sustain your goals and transform your life. Finally, it’s important not to feel guilty if you do not reach a target you have set, as this can be very demotivating. Therefore be honest with yourself and those supporting you, to help you get back on track.”
When it comes to sticking to health pledges, having a supportive partner does make a difference. A third of Brits in a relationship (30%) feel more motivated to stick to health goals if their partner makes healthier food choices with them, and for those that have hit a wall, 26% say having their partner exercise with them makes them more likely to work out. What’s more, 15% claim that if their partner helped to free up time for them to exercise, they’re more likely to do so.
And whilst 56% feel their relationship is at its best when making healthy choices together, almost half (48%) wish they knew how to support their partner better in order to achieve these goals.
Notes to editors
Research was conducted by Opinium among 2,011 UK adults in a relationship in January 2025
*2024 Vitality Research, ‘The Habit Index’