Here how you two can celebrate the day of love!
Are you and your partner fitness freaks?
Here's a perfectly fit way to celebrate love. A partner workout, partner stretches and a make-it-together healthy breakfast…
Begin your day by having a glass of honey and lemon water and a fruit (strawberries and yoghurt in keeping with the theme).
Step out for a morning walk -- for 20 to 30 minutes.
Pick a park full of greenery or the sea side. Breathe in the fresh air. Walk hand in hand or make it a race!
Put together a romantic healthy breakfast.
Choose from the two recipes below with your cup of tea or coffee:
Apple cinnamon porridge
A warm comforting breakfast, full of goodness!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of oats
- 1/2 an apple grated
- 1/2 apple cut in small squares
- 1 tablespoon of raisins
- sugar/honey to taste
- 1/2 tsp powdered cinnamon
- Toasted almonds, crushed roughly.
Method
- Put the oats in a pan, along with the grated apple, sugar/honey, raisins and cinnamon.
- Add water till it is about 1/2" above the oats mix.
- Bring to a boil. Allow it to simmer for another 10 minutes. Add more water if it gets too dry.
- Turn into bowls and serve with a sprinkling of toasted almonds.
Vanilla French toast with strawberries
Enjoy the flavour of a donut with this breakfast!
Ingredients
- 4 slices of wholegrain bread
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- Few drops of vanilla essence
- Honey
- Strawberries, chopped
- Toasted almonds, crushed roughly
Method
- Beat the eggs and milk in a wide bowl till well combined.
- Put in the slices of bread, one at a time; flipping over to cover both sides with the egg mix.
- In a pan, heat some olive oil.
- Put the slices of bread in, cook for 2 minutes and flip over. The colour should be a golden brown and, look slightly crisp at the edges.
- Turn into a plate.
- Drizzle with honey, chopped strawberries and toasted almonds.
Workout
Depending on your work schedule, slot this fun partner workout as your main event!
You will need:
- 2 resistance tubes or bands
- A mat
- A football or any other large ball
- Fun, motivating music
- Sexy workout clothes!
Push Ups with hi 5's
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
Hold yourselves up facing each other in a plank position.
You can modify it to make it easier by being on your knees instead of toes. Place your hands wide apart.
Bend the elbows to lower your chest, abdominals and hips towards the floor. Now push up by squeezing your chest, and as you come up hi 5 your partner with one hand.
Repeat the push up and this time hi 5 with the other. Go on till one of you gives up! Rest, and do another set.
Rows & Squats
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
Stand facing each other holding on to one end of each of the bands.
One partner should cross the bands over so that there is a cross in the middle of the bands, between the two partners. Step away from each other till your arms are extended straight out in front of you.
Bend your elbows and pull your elbows back, past your waist. Simultaneously go down into a squat, pushing your hips back, ensuring your knees stay in line with the ankles. Press your heels into the floor and push yourself up to standing without locking your knees ; and at the same time, extend your arms forward.
Both partners must move in tandem.
Do 20 repetitions. Rest and repeat!
Flyes & Lunges
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
With the bands crossed in the middle; both partners face away from each other. Hold on to the band ends.
Step away till the band is taut. Take both arms out to the side, in line with the shoulders, with the band coming from under the arms.
Bring your hands in together and as you do, take a large step forward with the right leg, sinking into a lunge by bending both knees.
Take care to make sure your right knee stays in line with the ankle. Come up and step back; while you take your arms out to the side.
Repeat, bringing the left leg forward this time. Keep your upper body straight all through, without leaning forward.
Both partners must move in tandem.
Do a total of 24 repetitions. Rest and repeat!
Crunch ball throws
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com
Lie face up, facing each other on a mat with your knees bent and feet touching your partners', who is lying in the same position.
Hold onto the ball. Squeeze your tummy muscles and get your upper body off the ground as you toss the ball to your partner.
Both partners keep going up and down to throw and catch the ball.
Do a total of 20 repetitions. Rest and repeat!
Rider back hyper extensions
One partner lies face down on the bed with their torso hanging off and hip joint at the edge of the bed.
The other partner sits on the thighs of the lying down partner, holding on to their ankles.
The Lying down partner places their hands across their chest, bending at the elbows.
Now raise the torso as high up as possible by squeezing the back muscles. Slowly lower down all the way.
Do 15 repetitions. Switch partners. Rest and repeat!
Stretch
These stretches feel wonderful after a workout
PLEASE READ: 6 partner stretches to make fitness fun
Cook dinner
Make anything you love. Here is a suggested menu:
Soup of your choice served with heart shaped cut wholegrain bread
Pan roast chicken with gravy, brown rice and sautéed vegetables or a wholesome chick pea tagine with warm whole wheat bread/couscous and salad.
Chocolate fondue with fruits OR Honey almond cake served with fruit & cream
Treat yourselves
Go for a couples' massage or have two therapists come over for a massage session at home.
Hop in to the steam room.
Shower or enjoy a tub soak.
Dress up! Get into your sexiest best.
Sip on a glass of red wine together and relish your healthy home cooked dinner.
Lead image: Courtesy The Solana Club/Rediff Archives
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