Valentine's Day is the best for single girls!!

A few weeks ago, a girlfriend of mine invited me and several other single ladies out for Valentine's Day dinner downtown.  Some fancy restaurant was hosting an "Anti-Valentine's Day" dinner that included a 3 or 4-course meal for $40.  I was less than enthused about this invitation for two big reasons:  1.) The menu didn't look like my cup of tea, and, if I'm spending a lot of money on a fancy meal, or any meal for that matter, I get a bit particular about what I'm being served. And 2.) The last thing I think I would enjoy doing on Valentine's Day is sitting around drinking (and commiserating about past romantic decisions) with the same ladies I drink with at least every other week anyway.  Not that I don't adore these gals or enjoy their company, and I readily admit that this type of romantic holiday can be difficult and trying for even the most contented singleton.  But this year, I would prefer to take advantage of my single-lady status on Valentine's Day and do something completely positive and self-indulgent.

When viewed from a certain perspective, single ladies are actually quite lucky to be spending Valentine's Day without a partner.  For one thing, we have no need to worry about twisting our ankles or ruining our knees from having to jam our feet into sexy high heels to go out to a fancy dinner!  Can't risk [yet another] injury this close to the spring racing season!  For another, we are not clogging up our arteries with unhealthy saturated fats from a delicious rare buttery steak from BLT or Ruth's Chris.  (especially BLT with their amazing and fat-laden popovers.)  Think of all of the calories we're saving, simply by not having to endure this large holiday meal, not to mention boxes of chocolates we would have been sure to have indulged in!  Phew...we have avoided diet disaster, simply by not dating anyone on this tricky holiday.

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, fearing you will be alone forever, why not head to the gym and start (or continue) working on a body that will turn some heads! (Or, if you must, feel free to wallow and listen to lonely-sad-gal tunes as you zip along on the treadmill, melting those calories away.)   It is  "Heart Day"--and it's STILL Ab-Month--and what better way to celebrate than with some cardiovascular fitness? Besides, presumably you will not be working out between the sheets.  Nor will you be burdened with the heavy weight of new jewelry or expensive gemstones, so you will not doubt need to squeeze in some other form of strength training.  Besides, as one hopeless romantic once wrote, "It helps to be in good shape, so you can chase after guys when they runaway from you."  How is that for motivation?  Doesn't that truly capture the real meaning of Valentine's Day? 

In all seriousness, since Cupid's arrow seems to have missed again this year, I really do want to go to spin class on Valentine's Day.  And possibly BodyPump class as well, if time permits. It's a Monday and I'd like to start the week off right (re: not hungover/tired/bloated/etc.)  I have eight days until I leave for Miami and I want to get in a few extra workouts before I leave.  After the gym, I plan to stop by my local sushi restaurant on my way home, order carry-out of my favorite rolls, then have an in-my-condo-picnic-for-one in front of one of my favorite girly movies--either Casablanca or It Happened One Night, I haven't decided yet.  I plan on delighting in the fact that I can watch girly movies (or my DVR full of "My Fair Wedding") without having to worry about annoying (or terrifying) my significant other with my choices.  I also will revel in the fact that I do not have to share any of my meal with a hungry boy. (I'm not the best at sharing sushi and I hate when boys think they get 4 out of 6 pieces of sushi and I'm content with just two.) I'm really looking forward to my healthy(ish) plan.


Maybe next year I will have a Valentine and be subjected to melt-in-my-mouth steak dinner.  Maybe next year, I'll more money and be able to be in New Orleans for the Rock and Roll Mardi Gras Marathon, which I was not able to afford this year. Maybe next year Valentine's Day & Superbowl Sunday will be on the same weekend. (It might happen if the labor talks aren't resolved in a timely fashion...wouldn't that make for a number of either overbooked or disgruntled couples? hmmm....) Who knows?  This year, I'll be content to start my week off healthy and relaxed, with a positive outlook and love for the world.

***By the by, my plank this weekend was over 2 minutes: 2:03:63. Just barely over two minutes, but over! Happy Ab Month!!