... in response to How has your RW changed your lifestyle?, posted by Pordzhik on Jan 13, 2003Good topic :-)
OK... some of my experience is the same as yours, but some is much different.
(BTW, Victoria is reading over my shoulder and she says that different women will change it differently... and even more with different men!)
But...
Yes my diet has greatly changed. Before, I ate at home twice a week. The rest was all "fast food".
The other day, we were driving somewhere, and Victoria looked out the window and said: "Look, there is McDonald's. Probably I will make you forget even how to get there..."
I have not, it should be noted, visited McDonald's since she has arrived in Texas.
It was weeks before we ate anything even resembling fast food. And even then it was just because I wanted to give her a sample of a burrito, and it was easier to get it at Taco Bell's.
(Side note: She loves the food here. Especially Mexican food, which is a very good thing considering where we live...)
The other big change (along the same lines) is breakfast. I actually eat it now. I used to grab a doughnut or something fast. Now its a sit down breakfast.
Her first day here, she asked me: "What should I make for breakfast tomorrow?"
I said, "Whatever you want. Eggs, french toast, cheese, meat and bread...whatever you want."
The next morning, we had all three.
Since then, she only makes one thing a day. (which is good because I am gaining weight rapidly!)
WHen I am sick, I am no longer allowed to drink anything with ice. That takes some getting used to. Although, I have won her over to the point that she no longer asks a restaurant to bring her drink with no ice. (In fact, In Warsaw, she had them bring a drink with no ice AND a cup of hot water, so she could raise the temperature of the Pepsi.) But now she drinks cokes with ice and (although I don't think she would EVER admit it) she likes it that way better... (And, Victoria amends, the ice leaves if ever I have a sore throat... so I think I shall never admit to her again when my throat is sore!)
Other things: I actually NEVER went to clubs before, and now we go every week. It is one of the few places that Victoria can dress up (and dress sexy) and not feel out of place.
As for me, I never enjoyed dancing before. But that is because I always felt the expectations were too high. I am a typical "white boy dancing" kind of a guy. I move like a rock. But Victoria tells me that this is not important. She thinks the man should move just a little, and she should do the "real dancing."
With that as a guideline, I have grown to LOVE dancing. It is amazing to be on the dance floor with her, and watch the lights sparkle in her eye as she dances. I used to hate dancing. Now I love it.
The house is now organized and clean. She is not a fanatic about it, but she has definitely imposed order here.
Whenever we go out, I am learning to dress up. I've noticed that my torn jeans seem to not be in my drawer any more. Even T-Shirts get ironed now. I tried to talk her out of this. She yielded until the first time she saw me leave the house in a wrinkled shirt. She was willing to go along with the "don't iron the every day shirts" until she saw that I sometimes go outside in them! Now, she irons everything. Better to iron them all and be safe, than to have her husband seen in public in a wrinkled shirt! (Victoria ,who is still reading over my shoulder, points out that it is much more pleasurable for her to see me without wrinkled shirts...)
The biggest change has been having someone like her just walking and moving in my house. The other day, my father was over, and we were watching TV, and Victoria brought us something to drink, kissed my on the forehead, and went back to the kitchen.
She was just like she usually is, which is to say gorgeous. (She wears make-up even at home.) I caught my father doing a double take as she walked back to the kitchen. And I said: "Yeah, I know. It's like living with a supermodel. It takes some getting used to.
Of course, the nights are much different, as well. But, perhaps I should not go into that in any more detail right now. I will just say that I have never been happier. (My bill has never been greater at Fredericks or Victoria's Secret... but I NEVER mind writing that check. Actually, Victoria is severely disappointed because the store that bears her name: Victoria's Secret, has such boring clothes...)
The changes have not just been for me.
My dog is a much different beast now. He eats something like fifty times a day, and follows her around, constantly. The sun used to rise and set on me... but now it is like I don't even exist. She has pretty much completely stolen his heart. It is probably true that the way to a dog is through his stomach.