Do you have special plans this Valentine’s Day?

Do you have special plans this Valentine’s Day?

It’s only a few more weeks until Valentine’s Day! Are you expecting to receive flowers and chocolate? Planning to celebrate with cheesy fondue and a gooey dessert? Or perhaps you’re the one planning to give tasty treats to your special someone? Valentine’s Day is a day for love… but, as you know, the way to your man’s (or woman’s) heart doesn’t have to be through his (or her!) stomach. Particularly if you and your partner are watching your weight this year, try to think of ways to celebrate the holiday, as well as your affection, with no-calorie sweet luxuries. Here are a few ideas:

*Get your hearts healthy! If you have fallen off of your new year’s resolution wagon, or if you didn’t start an exercise program at the start of the year, now’s a great time to give yourself and your sweetie the gift of time spent on working out. This doesn’t sound romantic to you? Consider creative ways to get your hearts pumping, like ice skating, or on a sled built for two (race each other back up the hill). Remember that exercising now can mean more years for the two of you to grow old together.

*Give the gift of life. 
In many areas, blood banks are reporting severe shortages in the amount of donor blood available to those having surgery or involved in accidents. Every blood type is needed! Make a date with your spouse or partner to go together to give blood. You do need to be in good health, have low risk factors for carrying certain communicable diseases, and must weigh at least 110 lbs. You can safely give blood every two months or so; what better time to start than on Valentine’s Day?

*Give the gift of relaxation and stress reduction. Join a yoga class, get a couples’ massage, or just spend an evening together unwinding and watching a funny movie. Laughter truly is the best medicine, after all, and stress reduction can reduce your risk of developing ulcers or of having a heart attack.

*Splurge on a special experience. Whether that means spending an evening at the theater, enjoying a weekend getaway to somewhere warm and tropical, or getting his-and-her tattoos, consider saving up some cash now so you can pamper yourselves in the middle of chilly February.

Your Valentine’s Day festivities don’t need to include high-calorie, heart-unhealthy foods. Challenge yourself to think out of the box this year, and don’t pick up the box of chocolates!