Tips to keep Valentine's Day (relatively) healthy

by Sarah J. Gim, Posted Feb 6th 2006 @ 9:07PM

In case you're wondering why everything around you has suddenly turned every shade of pink and red, Valentine's Day is next week. And if you haven't already been, then for the next seven days, you're going to be attacked with fat and sugar from every angle: pink-iced sugar cookies, cupcakes with fluffy frosting and red sprinkles, heart shaped candies, and probably more than one box of chocolate. Remember your new year's resolutions? You made them only five weeks ago!

Instead of wrapping yourself up in you blankie and hiding out in your apartment like a freak from all that fat and sugar, embrace Valentine's Day with your sweetheart, just be smart about it:

Every expert for fitness, health and weight-loss says to start your day with breakfast to avoid over-indulging later in the day, and February 14 is no different. In fact, if you've been cheating yourself, now is an easy way to start - have breakfast in bed. Just remember, fried eggs and bacon and hard to eat in bed, so stick with yogurt and granola.
Instead of spending the night in on the couch watching a romantic DVD, go out dancing for your Valentine's Day date! An hour of very active dancing can burn up to 300 calories; an hour watching a DVD burns...your brain cells. If the clubs are too crowded, what's stopping you from clearing the furniture out of the living room and throwing your own private dance party? Hey, and I wont' tell you what other romantic activities burn more calories than watching tv.

Mention that you'd love fresh flowers for the house instead of candy on Valentine's Day. Better yet, mention how much you love jewelry.
If you go out to eat, split everything (except the check - ha!). Portion sizes in restaurants have gotten out of control, and one entree is often enough to feed three people. Valentine's Day is the perfect time to share. Don't ask us about feeding each other in public, though.
If you have a sweet tooth, let yourself have a few of those little candy hearts - much lower in fat than chocolate.
If you're a chocoholic (I am), then pop a few Hershey's Kisses to kill the urge to dive mouth-first into that box from Godiva.

Am I missing anything that could help us save our waistlines?!

Filed Under: Vegetarian, Lists, Ingredients, How To
Tags: america, breakfast, candy, chocolate, dieting, diets, dinner, food, food and drink, healthy living, Valentine's Day, Valentine'sDay

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-06-2006 @10:15PM Bear Silber said... I say it's Valentines day and you shouldn't be worried about your waistline. Enjoy the time with your significant other, don't get caught up in signifigances.

Just as any other day, run for 30-60 minutes, take the stairs, park further away, walk when you can, etc. Most importantly stop eating when your stomach says that it's full. Watch your calories earlier in the day too so that triple fudge chocolate cake doesn't feel so bad.
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2-06-2006 @11:04PM Lesley said... Valentines Day comes but once a year! Your healthy resolutions may ultimately last longer if you allow yourself to indulge a bit on special occasions. If you are living a healthy lifestyle in general, one day of special treats should not derail your efforts. Enjoy love and chocolate!
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2-07-2006 @12:34AM angie said... It's valentine's day for pete's sake. My fiance and I eat healthy and exercise ALL the time. (it's like we're obsessed). We love V-Day because it's an excuse to get an expensive box of chocolate and splurge. We do spend the day at the zoo or walking around a museum however, so we get some exercise.
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3-15-2006 @5:58PM john said... yeah but Valentines Day comes but once a year! and you know it very well that Your healthy resolutions may ultimately last longer and makes the difference you know.
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