10 Valentine’s Day activities that will burn calories - WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports

Perhaps one of the most popular New Year's resolutions is to get more active and improve one's health. So this Valentine's Day, spend some time doing these activities to improve physical health, emotional health and have a little fun at the same time.

1. Romantic Hike

What better way to spend time with that special someone than a romantic hike through a beautiful location, especially if that special someone prefers to spend time outdoors instead of in front of the TV or computer. Hiking is a great way to build muscle in the lower body and increase heart rate, and the more varied the terrain, the more challenging the workout is on the body. For an extra touch, pack a picnic along so that when the hike is over, you can refuel and spend some time appreciating each other and their mutual accomplishment in completing the challenge.

2. Beach Yoga

Aside from the beach being a calming place for many, yoga on the beach has a number of health benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic, yoga reduces stress and increases fitness through greater strength, better range of motion, better flexibility and improved balance. Yoga can also help manage some health concerns and aid in weight loss. Yoga on the beach makes the yoga practice more challenging (it's harder to maintain balance in the sand) and also more peaceful and romantic, especially when done at sunset.

3. Love Tag

This one is great for the whole family. It doesn't matter if the weather is good or bad, although if the weather is good it can certainly be played outside. It is a simple game of tag with a twist. When someone is caught or tagged, whoever caught them gets to give them hugs and kisses. Playing these types of games is a great way to be active and spend some quality time with the family, which is so important in the busy world we live in.

4. Dance Party

This is another great way to be active with the entire family, and the little kids usually find it fun. It's really simple. Put on some music and get up and dance. To keep it interesting, try some fun or goofy music, play dress-up or pretend to be a silly dancing character. All that matters is that the family gets moving. On average, half an hour of dancing will burn about 150 calories and strengthen the cardiovascular system.

(To learn more about dancing and exercise, read The Health Benefits OF Using Dancing For Exercise.)

5. Sweet Peas In The Garden

It may be surprising to learn, but gardening is a great way to be active, and it can produce healthy fruits and vegetables to eat. Gardening actually provides cardio benefits, strength training and improves flexibility. If the plants are edible, they can improve the diet by adding extra flavor, thereby reducing the consumption of salt and sugar, and increasing the consumption of nutrient rich fruits and vegetables.

6. Paddling With The One You Love

Any sort of water sport that requires a paddle is a great way to be active. It takes a significant amount o effort to paddle a kayak or canoe, and it's also a great way to see some beautiful scenery with that special someone. Paddling sports are a great form of cardiovascular exercise, as well as increasing range of motion and working most of the muscles in the body. Just be sure to follow safety guidelines to ensure that the paddling experience is a positive one.

7. Take A Dip

While some people may be a little reluctant to swim due to weather conditions, swimming is a great way to get active. If it is too cold on Valentine's Day, look for an indoor pool or any outdoor pool that's heated. Swimming is a low-impact form of cardio and is great for those who have problems with their joints. The motion involved in swimming can also increase flexibility and range of motion as well.

(Get more swimming pool tips from Swimming Pool Workouts That Are Easy And Fun.)

8. A Labor of Love

Believe it or not, everyday housework is a great way to be active. Things like sweeping floors and hauling laundry up and down the stairs are great ways to increase activity in one's life. While it may not be as strenuous as other forms of exercise, housework is something that people have to do anyway, so doing it vigorously can provide cardio and strength benefits while crossing things off the to-do list. In addition, families can bond with each other while doing the housework together, and then have more time to do some other activities.  

(For more ideas on how to burn calories with chores, read Household Chores That Burn The Most Calories.)

9. Whirl Around the Pond

Ice skating is a great way to be active outdoors in the winter. Ice skating is a cardiovascular activity that also increases endurance and muscular strength. It's also a lot of fun for the whole family. Because ice skating is done in a cold environment, it's important to dress warmly and be mindful of how much time is spent outdoors to prevent hypothermia, even though it's easy to lose track of time when having that much fun.

10. Sex

This may be every adult's favorite physical activity and the reason why is fairly obvious. But there is also a number of health benefits associated with sex. Multiple studies point to sex helping people stay healthy by boosting the immune system, helping people look younger, and helping people slim down. Sex burns about five calories per minute, so 20 or 30 minutes of loving could burn off breakfast. Sex could also help people live longer as well. Whatever the physical benefits are, the emotional benefits of sex are just as great, and those with a healthy sex life often have a better quality of life.

Better physical health, mental health and emotional health is as simple as being active with the ones we love. So spend some time with loved ones, get moving and, most importantly, get healthy.

Sources: