Not Your Typical Valentines Day Blog

This isn't your typical Valentines Day blog.  I'm not going to suggest you go buy flowers, chocolates or a fancy dinner out at an overpriced restaurant for your partner.  These presents are well meaning but incredibly short sighted and only meant to placate your partner in the short term. If you really love your partner, then give them a gift that shows you really care about them - give the gift of fitness.

By exercising with your partner, it shows that you want to live a long and healthy life together. You're in it for the long haul.  That you want to do exciting things together, heart pumping activities that make you happy to be together.  By staying fit, you'll both stay healthy for the long term, reducing your chances of obesity, heart disease, cancer and other debilitating illnesses that reduces the quality and longevity of both of your lives.

So find your favourite activity and go do it together as a couple. For those who don't play regular sports, it might be something as simple as going out for a night of bowling. Have you been curious about that axe throwing league? Give it a go!  Already play some team sports in college? Continue in an adult league such as soccer, ultimate frisbee or volleyball.  Up for a bigger challenge? Why not sign up for your first sprint triathlon and motivate each other to the finish line?  Or why not just go on a lovely hike together.  It doesn't have to be complicated.

Working out together will tighten your bond, give you a chance to learn even more about each other, work on communication, trust and team-work skills, oh and not to mention, realize how great your partner looks all sweaty and pumped up!

If the gym is more up your alley, I've been doing couples workouts for several years now, and they've been a big hit.  Workouts can be tailored to both persons abilities, with the stronger partner helping the weaker partner in lifts, which really helps cement the relationship in the area of reliability and trust.  Fun contests, such as the popular who can plank the longest? or who can row the fastest in 5min? inspire the couples competitive nature, especially since the loser often has to do the laundry for the next month (or other agreed upon wager of their choice).

If you love your partner, workout with them, in whatever activity you both enjoy.  It will increase your bonding time, enhance your life and ensure you both stay healthy for yourselves and your family.  Don't you want a partner with a strong back, amazing glutes and a healthy heart?  Of course you do!

Remember - the couple that sweats together stays together.  Celebrate your love and life with a fun workout today!  Don't forget to use the post workout time to nourish each others cravings.   Snack on some sweet dates, a tasty Larabar, or sliced sweet fruits like strawberries and bananas to refuel after the workout for a healthy and sensual snack.

And hey, if you are single, go workout to show how much you care about your own health and celebrate what a fantastic person you truly are.