4 Fit Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day lovers and friends! What, you don’t like Valentine’s Day? Blasphemy.
I know, I know. All of the hearts and doilies and PDA’s and little chubby, sexualized babies with weapons can get a little obnoxious.
Well, how about this…
How about instead of focusing on all the annoying things about this day, you focus on the most important part of this greeting-card holiday: love.
I’m not talking about love for others (although that is important), I’m talking about love of oneself. Why not use this holiday as an excuse to do something healthy and positive for yourself?
As the saying goes, if you can’t love yourself, how can you love anyone else?
Ok, that’s all the mush you’ll get from me today.
Here are four fab ways you can celebrate this day that honor your body. Bring a lover or friend along… if you want.
4 Fit Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
1. Try Partner Yoga.
I know I said this was about activities you can do whether you’re single or attached, so give me a chance to explain myself. Yoga is a great way to not only appreciate your body, but also foster love and positivity.
A lot of yoga studios offer classes designed to teach you moves that you can do with a partner. This doesn’t have to be your significant other, but it could be. It could also just be a friend. And, if you come to a class solo, they’ll pair you up with someone. Can you think of a cuter “how we met story?”
My fav studio, Aura Yoga on Sunset, is offering a Partner Workshop on Saturday morning for $30 a pair or $20 for singles.
2. Do a Charity Run.
Show some love for your body while showing love for your community, by giving back to others in need. A bunch of cities offer Valentine’s weekend charity runs for a variety of great causes. Here in WeHo, they’re putting on an “Undie Run.”
Yes, you read that right. Cupid’s Undie Run requires participants to strip down to their skivvies and run wildly around the city, all in the name of charity. Sexy.
The Undie Run will be held Saturday morning in 30 different cities nationwide to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
3. Make a Healthy Meal.
This one is a no brainer. Love your body with some delicious, but healthy food for your belly.
Instead of dropping big bucks at some fancy restaurant where you’re going to be squished into a tiny table, mere inches away from some cheesy dude and his trophy wife, why not make a fabulous meal in the comfort of your own home?
Almond-Crusted Pomegranate Sole
Single? Throw a Galentine’s or Bromace Bash. Have each of your friends bring their own healthy snacks.
Low-Cal Chocolate & Coconut Covered Strawberries
Or just make a delish meal for yourself and catch Season 2 of House of Cards on Netflix. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright will make you glad you’re not attached.
4. Dance Your Booty Off.
Grab your man or some girlfriends and hit up a salsa class to get a little sweaty while learning some sexy moves. On our first Valentine’s Day together, the BF and I took salsa lessons at The Conga Room downtown. We drank, we danced, and we got our hearts-pumping. It was a blast.
Cold temps have you barricaded inside? Have a dance party in your living room!
I recently tried the awesome dance fitness DVD, Soli Beat, from Gina of The Fitnessista and Sasha Price of Sage Dance Fitness.
It was so.much.fun.
I was actually friends with Sasha in high school and we took dance together, so it was really cool getting to relive that experience by dancing along with her from home.
Their DVD has some really cool moves, and even if you aren’t the most coordinated person in the world, you’re going to get a great workout as long as you keep moving.
Obviously, it’s too late for you to get this DVD delivered to your house in time for tonight’s dance party, but you can try a few of their quick online videos for free.
Try their fun dance cardio routine to Britney Spears’ Work B*tch or a hot belly dancing combo.
The best part about this is that if you’re shy, you don’t have to worry about anyone judging your sweet moves.
If you’re not shy… let your man watch, it’s pretty sexy :)
I hope these Valentine’s Day activities give you some fun ideas of how to enjoy the holiday while appreciating the true message of the day: loving yourself is just as important as loving others!
Kristina @ Damn Ten Pounds says:
Happy Valentine’s day, girlfriend!! I can’t deal with trophy wives. It’s probably a worse epidemic up there so good call on staying home with your honey. There’s no undie run in San Diego! WTH?! You think I can run virtually without getting arrested?
Whitney English says:
Aw, sad! I’m sure you could get away with starting your own undie run in SD. You’ll just have to run very fast… away from the police :)
Lisa @ The Skinny on Health says:
Happy Valentine’s Day love! Spending Valentine’s Day cooking a delish healthy meal and going to yoga with the bf (if I can convince him to come with me…)!
xo
Whitney English says:
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too! I almost had the BF convinced to come to the couples workshop I mentioned above but now he has to work tomorrow. We did a sweaty workout this morning though :)
Ashley @ Brocblog says:
Happy Valentines Day! I love the fitness ideas especially since a home cooked meal and dancing can be super romantic AND healthy!
Whitney English says:
Thanks girl! Hope you had a wonderful day yesterday!
GiselleR says:
Awesome ideas! I really like the Dance option. I think I’ll try to convince my friends to give it a try during our No Valentine celebration tonight – after a couple glasses of wine ofc ;)
Happy Valentine’s Day! :D
Whitney English says:
Great idea!!! It really is fun and the wine will loosen you up so you’re not too nervous to let it all hang out :)
Tatum says:
eeek I’m pretty sure I would love that dancing DVD!!
celebrating today with home made pizza + home made raw chocolate + WINE
xo happy vday day girl
Whitney English says:
That sounds perfect! I assume Big Carl will be making an appearance?!
Kim says:
We are lame (and old) and just hanging out watching the Olympics (and being on our laptops!!).
That lamb ragu looks tasty and my boys love lamb – gonna try it soon!
Whitney English says:
Haha so are we! We watched House of Cards and I fell asleep. I did make a pretty fab meal beforehand though.
Let me know how you like the ragu!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says:
Partner yoga sounds pretty cool- and restaurants seriously make SO much coin on V day for perhaps the most sub par service in their entire year! Love the idea of making something home made with real love- which I will do solo haha.
Whitney English says:
No shame in that! I’m sure you made something absolutely delicious :)
Tonya@Healthy, Fit, and Frugal says:
“Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright will make you glad you’re not attached.” Ha! So true! I’m single and don’t get too up in arms about the “holiday.” I guess that’s a good sign, right? :)
Whitney English says:
That’s definitely a good sign :) And I’m so lame, I fell asleep half way through the first episode last night!
Natalie @ lovenataliemarie says:
These are some great ideas! Yoga, cooking, dancing, and running all sound like great partner activities. :)
I hope you had an amazing Valentines day!
Jody - Fit at 56 says:
Great ideas!! I am not going to do an undie run! ;)
Jeremy says:
Valentine’s Day is my favorite day of the year. I like to spend it with a different girl every time. That way I can make all the girls happy, not just the one. Usually on this day I meet some single girl on one of these dating sites, blog here. I sincerely recommend you to read the information on this site if you are still single.