Weight Watchers is Sabotaging My Marriage

Organizational Behavior 201: The Adams’ Equity Theory is named for John Stacey Adams, a workplace and behavioral psychologist, who developed his job motivation theory in 1963. Much like many of the more prevalent theories of motivation (e.g. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Theory), the Adams’ Equity Theory acknowledges that subtle and variable factors affect an employee’s assessment and perception of their relationship with their work and their employer. The theory is built-on the belief that employees become de-motivated, both in relation to their job and their employer, if they feel as though their inputs are greater than the outputs. If an employee is working just as hard as their co-worker [INPUTS], but they receive (or perceive) the rewards (pay, recognition) to be less than the co-worker in question [OUTPUTS], that employee will become disgruntled and even disruptive.

So you're probably like... what the hell are you ranting about now? I'll tell you. This is how Weight Watchers is sabotaging my marriage. Adams' Equity Theory not only applies in the workplace, but it also applies in ordinary life. When you start the flex plan, you are assigned daily food points based on your physical factors. One of these factors is sex. So even if you and your wife have exactly the same weight to lose and may even have the same height and weight, she will have fewer points. It's something to do with metabolism.

Whatever. Translated: every day my wife is just a little angrier with me because I get 5 more points than she does. It may not seem like much, but it means I can eat just a little bit more, maybe a little bit better. Add an extra snack, or a more robust lunch. And although we are a team on the plan, she begrudges me those points. I don't blame her I guess... it's not like I came up with the plan. But nonetheless, it is subverting our relationship. If she doesn't see equal or greater results (outputs) for her greater daily sacrifice (fewer points = greater input), I fear she is going to blow a gasket. Thanks for nothing, Weight Watchers!