| 5 Fun & "FIT" Ways to Spend Valentine's Day By Maria Marmo | 
|
| “Valentine's Day can be a dieter’s worst nightmare,” says Glenda Cato, co-owner of FIT. “Candy is there everywhere you turn, in every store. Also, there are all kinds of emotions, good and bad, tied to eating on Valentine’s Day.” Boxes of heart-shaped chocolates, decadent dinners and flowing champagne are traditional ways to celebrate Cupid’s arrow – but you can choose do things differently. “You don’t have to rely on unhealthy food to say ‘I love you” says Stephanie Jansen, FIT co-owner. “One of the best ways to show your love is to stay committed to taking care of yourself.” And with a little imagination and effort, Stephanie further explains, you can have a more meaningful holiday than can be contained in a box of chocolates. Here are some healthy alternatives to make this Valentine’s Day the date to remember: |
1. Plan a scavenger hunt:
Put a little mystery in your Valentine’s Day by planning a scavenger hunt around town. Leave creative clues for your valentine like a note tied to a balloon or a cute message in an envelope that leads to different places around town or around your house. | 
|
| Make it an unforgettable experience by finding areas meaningful to both of you. The final clue could take the two of you to a nice park in town, your front yard, or even FIT’s doorstep! Have the two of you been discussing how you need to lose weight? FIT caters to women and men – and couples who lose weight together are more likely to stick to their plan. |
| 
| 2. Have a picnic in a park or in your front yard Grab a blanket and your picnic basket! For many of us, going on a picnic during a nice, sunny day is the perfect idea for a summer date. Bring summer to this Valentine’s Day and have a wonderful picnic for two with your sweetheart. Ditch the box of chocolates: the average box has about 1400 calories. Instead, include healthy sweets like fresh strawberries or sugar-free chocolate pudding. Try healthier alternative to traditional picnic foods like FIT’s new recipe for the delicious Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese for a twist on an old favorite. Click Here For the Recipe. |
| 3. Stay active
Who said riding bikes, rock climbing, or going kayaking together couldn’t be a romantic date? If anything, it is an opportunity to have fun and become closer. Try some of Tallahassee beautiful public parks such as the FSU Reservation, Lake Ella or Tom Brown Park. |  |
| Better yet, take your Valentine out dancing: Start ballroom dancing lessons, or just boogie the night away! 4. Make a healthy dinner together
Why take your sweetheart out to a restaurant to be “alone” with other people when you can stay home and be alone with each other? Portion sizes in restaurants have grown steadily in the last few decades, and studies show that people consume more calories and fat when they eat in a restaurant. So why not just stay in and cook a meal together? It is a great way to build closeness, promote teamwork and create passion. CLICK HERE for some of our "Be FIT Recipes" you can use. |
| 5. Stay In
Bring out the kid inside of you and make the evening a “game night” for two. Take out all your dusty board games you haven’t played in a while and let the flirtations begin; nothing says “I love you” like competitive game of Twister! Or break out the Wii and challenge one another on the virtual tennis court. Make it romantic by lighting some candles or play some nice background music. |  |
| Inspiration, like love, starts from within. It isn’t found in a box of chocolates or on a restaurant menu. This Valentine’s Day, look at yourself in the mirror and decide that “Inspiration Starts Here.” |
| FIT Weight Loss and More is dedicated to providing inspiration -- through a plan that works -- for everyone we encounter. Visit Us Online at FITWeightLossAnd More.com to learn about our medically monitored weight loss programs. Or give us a call at (850) 385-1105 LIKE us on FACEBOOK Inspiration Starts Here | 
Read More Inspirational Weight Loss Stories Here! |
