A heart healthy Valentine's Day for singles and couples

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Bring your girlfriends to a yoga class at Fitness 101 to wind down after an intense cardio workout.

Let’s face it, Valentine’s is an occasion for the females. And for the approximately five per cent of the male population looking forward to it too. This can go both ways.

If you are single, don’t sweat it or spend hours online looking for a mate. Turn the day into something positive: grab your single friends and spend the day doing happy, healthy things that fill you with positive endorphins. For instance, your day could look like this:

8 a.m.

Friends arrive for a heart healthy breakfast of oatmeal, berries, yogurt and egg whites.

9:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Get your cardio on at Super Circuit, followed by stress-relieving yoga – 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – at Fitness 101, which is only $5.50 if you don’t have a membership.

12:45 to 3 p.m.

After a hot shower, meet up now for lunch at the mall – try some heart healthy fare at Cultures – followed by a couple hours of power shopping and trying on fun outfits. You can burn as much as five to 800 calories in this time frame if you keep your body moving.

3:30 p.m.

Pick up your heart healthy smoothie and discreetly take it in to the movie theatre for the latest romantic comedy. You could also head to a salon or spa for some well-deserved manicure/pedicures or a massage. This is a good time to let your body rest, because you need that too.

5:30 p.m.

Take a 20-minute a walk down to your favourite restaurant for your 6 p.m. reservations. Choose dishes such as baked or grilled chicken or fish – without creamy sauces – steamed veggies with whole grains. Opt for lighter calorie drinks or stick to water with a slice of lemon or a slice of strawberry.

8:30 p.m.

Regroup at someone’s house for a games night: could be an hour or so of Wii Sports or Just Dance or just relax and play the Game of Life.

10:30 p.m.

If you still have some energy left, head out on the town for a couple hours of dancing.

For the couples, your day could look pretty much the same but with a few twists: Book an afternoon at the spa, where you can have lunch and get a couples’ massage. Then you can either cozy up at the movies or go for an outdoor skate or ski together. The after-dinner fun is up to you: wink, wink.

Karen Nixon-Carroll is the Program Manager at Fitness 101, Fanshawe College Professor, YMCA fitness course trainer & examiner, Fanshawe FHP grad and holds many fitness certifications for personal training, group fitness and wellness. Email her at karen.carroll@fanshawec.ca.