That's Fit

I haven't been eating chocolate or other sweets for a while now. So I didn't get any gooey delights on Valentine's Day. I did get a pretty decadent and mouth-watering gift, though. I got a gift certificate for a shopping spree. Why?

"For more reasons than I can fit on this coupon," wrote my husband on his fancy handmade treat. "For one, you deserve it," he continued. "Most of all, three guys' lives would not be so bright, wonderful, and loving. Happy Valentine's Day."

At the bottom of my gift are three very important words: "No questions asked." What a gift. I get to shop with all my heart and answer to no one. In my book, there's nothing better, not even chocolate.

New research shows that when it comes to building intimacy as a couple, it's not only important to plan time alone together, it's also important to try new things. That's because when we try something new and exciting, happy chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine flood our brains, the same chemicals that give you that butterflies-in-the-tummy feeling when love is brand new.

Recent studies have shown that when couples try something new together that they both enjoy, they report more satisfaction in their marriage than people who do the same activities over and over again. New activities may include taking a class together, or trying a new sport like skiing or hiking. Researchers theorize that it's the boost in brain chemicals that allow spouses to feel some of those "puppy love" feelings that inevitably fade over the years.

I've no idea if trying a new restaurant will make your heart beat faster this Valentine's Day, but getting out and being active as a couple is certain to boost your physical health and it may even bring you closer together.

If you've forgotten that it's Valentine's Day (don't worry, I won't tell) and still need to run out to get that fitness-minded someone a special gift, you might be inspired by these Valentine sneakers from Reebok. They're the perfect way to say, "I love you," or "I'd like to go for a run with you." Because sharing your heart with someone means watching over their heart health as well.

And if you're not currently in a relationship, it's ok to show yourself some love with a little Valentine's fitness fun. A new pair of shoes, some workout wear, or even a heart monitor might bring a little motivation to your workout routine!

In last week's post I talked about ways to pamper yourself or someone you love on Valentine's Day. In one of the paragraphs I discussed gifts for men, including a short bit on grooming gifts. This week I thought I would elaborate on it because, to me, Valentine's Day often seems to be more about gifts for women. I know this may come too late for today -- or not, depending on how organized you are -- but here are a few of my favorite companies that do great grooming products for men.

Aveda is easily my favorite place to buy any kind of beauty product. I don't get to shop there often as I find it a bit pricey, but it is still great for a treat. They have a good range of items for men including hair care, skin care, body and shaving products. If your guy is mane-obsessed, you can try the pomade, grooming clay or cream, or if he's looking for face care, Aveda offers the All-Sensitive Cleanser, All-Sensitive Toner and All-Sensitive Moisturizer.

Busy schedules, full time jobs, child rearing -- it's no wonder that over time, your sex life can fizzle. CNN tells us that more than 40 million Americans are living in a "sexless marriage" -- defined as having sex fewer than 10 times per year, and that women in the 1950s had more time for sex then women do today. Some of the reasons that your sex drive may have gotten lost in the shuffle include:

• Technology in the bedroom
  
• Lack of time and too much stress
  
• Weight gain
• Partner's loss of libido
• Peri-menopause
  
• Depression
• Underlying disease, such as a thyroid disorder

While it may seem easier just to let this part of your life go, studies show that an active sex life leads to a long list of health benefits, including greater intimacy and the release of feel good endorphins that can fight off depression. Not only that, sex is exercise and an enjoyable way to burn off calories. If you can find your way over the hurdles listed above, sex can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

I may be stating the obvious here, but tomorrow is Valentine's day. Are you all set to woo or swoon over your sweetie? Have you purchased the pre-requisite cards, flowers and chocolates? No? Well, you should get on it. Either that or forget about it all together.

Well, ok. I know you probably can't forget about the holiday without risking severe backlash from your significant other, but consider this: How many calories are consumed in giving your loved one a long, passionate kiss or a warm, loving hug? How much does it cost? The answer to both is a big fat zero, and yet it's still far more meaningful than anything you can buy in the store.

So this Valentine's day, save yourself money and calories by giving real kisses instead of Hershey ones. Why? Well, consider this:

Not only should you dish out hugs and kisses on Valentine's Day. You should dish them out every day, because these natural signs of affection -- holding hands counts too -- can really do a body good.

The reason most of us reach for a hand, cuddle our loved ones, and smooch sweet little babies is because it feels good. I guess that's because it is good.

Researchers are now looking deep into the brain to explore how these loving practices help the heart, boost the immune system, and lower blood pressure. What they're finding is that human touch triggers a cascade of events inside the body, reprogramming heart rate, blood pressure, and certain mood-altering brain chemicals. Consider this:

• Couples in one study who held hands for several minutes and then hugged for 20 seconds experienced an immediate drop in blood pressure and heart rate. Couples with no close contact had no such benefits.

• A Japanese researcher found that when men and women with chronic skin allergies or hay fever spent 30 minutes kissing their partners, blood levels of immunoglobulin E, a compound that triggers allergic reactions, plummeted. Those who spent time cuddling, but not kissing, did not reap the same reward.

• When deep in stress, women who hold hands with their husbands gain quick relief.
  
  

The point of this post: To urge you to not just celebrate Valentine's Day tomorrow but to celebrate it all year long. You might be a happier, healthier person if you do.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to tell you partner you love them. Did you know, however, that how you act the rest of the year can have an impact on your partner's health? For instance, Bev recently told us that a spouse's personality can have an effect on how well you recover from surgery. And Adams shared a study with us that found that fighting (or sharing your feelings, at least) in a marriage can prolong your life.

In that vein, Forbes recently put into pictures several ways to help your spouse live longer. Studies have found that when one spouse kicks a bad habit, like smoking or binging on Doritos every night in front of the TV, the other is more likely to follow suit. Another study found that when one spouse is healthy, the other is more likely to be in good health as well. Finally, when one spouse is obese, the other's chance of obesity goes up 37%.

Oh, and men? Researchers found a nearly instant decrease in the flight or fight response among women when they held their husband's hand. Such a simple gesture, really.

So go ahead and buy those roses, but if you think of your spouse's health the rest of the year, you just might have them around a little while longer.

Valentine's Day is not for everyone. Some people love it and some people loathe it. I don't think that whether or not you're a fan of Cupid's big day necessarily has anything to do with your dating/marriage status. Sure, there are single people who hate it and attached people who love it, but I also know happy couples who feel that any time is a good time to let their other half know that they love them and single people who consider the day a great time to let their friends and family know that they care.

I don't think that you should need an excuse to pamper a loved one (or yourself) but, let's face it, sometimes we all need a reminder. If you're an annual celebrant of Valentine's Day and can't wait to spoil a loved one (or spoil yourself for the benefit of a loved one!) check out the sites that follow for a range of ideas on how to do it. And if you're normally anti-February 14th, why not try altering your thinking slightly this year and use the day as an excuse to take a break and pamper yourself?

As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

Tonight, my husband and I are going on a date. To Home Depot. To look at new kitchens. Ah, romance -- it changes as you get older. Lingering over romantic dinners has led to lingering over oak cabinetry and arguing over whether we really need to replace the floor, or not. But hey, if we're fast, we might get to catch a movie when we're done, so there's that.

Though I joke, I know that without care, day-to-day life can have a negative impact on the relationship between two people no matter how much in love they might be. Though grand romantic gestures aren't required or even really necessary after years of marriage, the little things really do count. So with Valentine's Day just around the corner, here are the blogosphere's tips for spicing up your love life, whether your relationship is brand new, or you just want it to feel that way.

Healthbolt's Quick Tips to Fire Up Your Love Life

The New Homemaker's Fifteen Ways to Spice Up Your Love Life

Our own Laura Lewis's 10 Tips for Fabulously Fit Sex

Looking to spice things up this Valentine's Day? A good place to start may be what you have for dinner, and despite what you may think it's not all about foods with aphrodisiac properties. It's also about avoiding foods that are going to do nothing but make you feel sleepy and sluggish, because feeling like a bloated whale is just not sexy.

Foods like salmon and other seafood are good choices for the Omega-3 fatty acids, and also things high in L-Arginine, like many kinds of nuts, garlic, and ginseng. Whatver what you decide to have, just be sure you don't overstuff yourself. Eating too much of anything can put a serious kink in your plans, romantic or otherwise!