Do Couples Who Play Together, Stay Together?

In honor of Valentine's day, I'm re-posting an article I wrote a few years back. I'd love to hear your stories. Do you and your partner "play" together when it comes to fitness/sports? Does it help or hurt your relationship? Would you like to do more activities with your partner?

Do Couples Who Play Together, Stay Together?

Since February is the month of romance and love, is seems appropriate to examine how fitness fits into all of this mushy stuff. How do couples balance exercise and romance? What if one part of the couple is active and

the other is not? What if you’re both really active, but enjoy different activities? If you are single, do you seek out mates that are active and enjoy the same activities you do? Do couples need to play together to stay together?

For me activity level is absolutely an important part of a relationship. I’m a very active person, and what I like to spend my free time doing is hiking, biking, kayaking, running, camping, etc. So ending up with a couch potato would make for a difficult relationship. My career is based on fitness, so finding someone who lives a fitness-focused life was kind of critical. I'm lucky, because at 38 I married a man who was very like-minded. We love to go camping and enjoy many outdoor activities together. Most of our vacations are built around the adventures we can have while on them. Although our run paces are different, we still sign up for many of the same races. And we'll head out on the same run, we just don't run together very often. Sometimes we'll run the opposite way on a loop so we can pass each other--kind of check-in--during our runs. (Okay, okay, I'll admit deep down I have this goal of training, training, training--secretly--until I can beat his pace--and then just pulverizing him in a race...but I digress). Personally, I just can't imagine ending up with someone who doesn't enjoy many of the same activities.


How do other couples fit exercise in with love and romance?

Dawn of Virginia:
My husband and I take yoga

classes together on a regular basis, at least 2 to 3 times a week, and we begin our morning routine with a meditation together. I would say that we're on equal ground when it comes to fitness levels. Since I teach yoga on a daily basis, I have the luxury of getting exercise in daily. My significant other makes time during his lunch hour or after work (while I'm away teaching class!). We place exercise and fitness high on our priority list. Some of our "dates" have included taking yoga classes together. Incorporating fitness activities into our relationship has definitely made the relationship stronger. I would have a hard time staying in a relationship with someone who was not physically active.

Debbie and Steve of Maryland:
Steve and I had gotten out of the habit of exercising due to our busy schedules and severe migraines on my part. We both wanted to get back in shape and find something that we could do together and to support each other. That is when I learned of the Train To End Stroke marathon program.

Steve went to the info session and when he got home he was very excited. I asked him if he signed up and he informed me he had signed us both up. I was shocked and almost speechless and decided to give it a try.

There have been times during the training where one of us had to miss a run due to illness or work and we have encouraged the other to go on the planned day or have made arrangements to go the following day together. We work at being flexible with each other so we can train together as much as possible.

Steve's athleticism has been a positive influence on me, he has taught me how to roller blade, how to ski and gave me his old mountain bike when he got a new one. We have been out on the milder trails with them and look forward to doing more biking on the trails when the weather gets nice again.

I think the fitness activities are a positive impact on our relationship. We agree most of the time and when we don't we can discuss and see the others point... sometimes it may take a bit of convincing! We learn from each other and our performance improves with the encouragement that we give each other.


Laurie of Maryland:
My husband is less active than I am—and sometimes we don’t do a very good job of balancing fitness and our relationship. I don't feel that fitness hurts the relationship, but I do feel that the potential is there to strengthen the relationship. My husband and I have a very independent relationship, and he respects and admires my running adventures. I am currently trying to recruit him to run/walk a half marathon and he is working on it. For us at least, competition also plays a part - he wants to be able to beat me - so if he can't he would rather stay on the couch!

Dan of Maryland:

We don't exercise together but pursue recreation time together. i.e. a long slow bike ride on the bike path is a common evening together. We swim together at least once a week. But gym time is separate. We train differently for different goals. We play softball for the same league on different divisions for different teams.

I am more structured about training. I try to hit the gym before work or during lunch to avoid taking up our time with my activities. A couch potato will never be an option for me again—it’s too contagious.

It strengthens it in someway and weakens it in others. We spend some great quality time together as a result of our active lifestyle. My s.o., however, does not understand the importance that races play in my life. For example, when traveling to a city for a race he doesn't understand the need for avoiding alcohol, sleep, etc.

Deborah of California
Since I value physical fitness as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, physical activity is an important factor in determining my compatibility with prospective dates. Foremost, fitness is an important factor because it indicates the stamina, strength and appearance, which are a part of any woman’s basic attraction to the male gender. Secondly, since exercise encompasses a wide-range of enjoyable pastimes, it is necessary that dates are able to participate in a wide-range of physical activities. Sports such as gun shooting, kayaking, backpacking and paint-balling require a lot of flexibility, cardio and muscular endurance which must be invested in before the event. Although my mate/date does not need to be a “Schwarzenegger” of masculine fitness, a man who is strong enough to be confident of his physical prowess, capable of being competitive and who’s health is mentally and physically boosted by activity is ideal to date. Whether I’m having fun or in a serious relationship, my dates must be physically fit in order for me to appreciate the quality of time we spend together pursuing pastimes or pleasures.

So whether or not you and your spouse “play together,” a healthy body is key to having a healthy mind. Maybe your fitness time is YOUR time and not together time. Experts do say that exercise leads to a much

better sex life. If that's not encouragement to be active, I don't know what is! Regardless, you and your partner will enjoy each others company much longer if you both make time to play at the physical activities you love.

How a love affair saved me from winter

Confessions of a former winter curmudgeon

I use to hate winter. I hated it with a passion. I was always cold. It seemed like the days--although short--were always dreary. By the end of February, I was one cranky girl. In fact I despised winter so much that I moved to California for the year-round warmth! (What I didn't count on was the crazy cost of living and how hard it would be to live 2000 miles away from everyone I loved).

I use to like snow. I figured if it was going to be cold outside, we might as well have snow. At least it's pretty. (And there was always the chance they'd close the office and I'd get a free day off). But after awhile, I would even get sick of the snow. I was seriously one of those people who would benefit from a SAD (seasonal affective disorder) light. In fact, last year, rather than purchase a SAD light, we purchased tickets to Puerto Rico. Now THAT helped make February a little brighter (although it made March really tough).

But then at the end of last year something happened. I met a new love--and that love's name was skiing.

I was a resistant skier. Ask my husband. He tried to get me to go the first winter we were together. I said, "No thanks. Skiing is not for me!" I had my reasons. I tried it once in my early 20s. A friend talked me into going. I borrowed some skis from my aunt (the old, long straight kind). The boots didn't fit quite right, but I figured they would do, and save me $20 in rental fees. I went to Mad River Mountain in Zanesfield, Ohio with a friend and her boyfriend. She gave me a five minute lesson on the bunny hill, and then left me to my own devices while she went to conquer the bigger hills. I managed the bunny hill for awhile. I wasn't comfortable, but I did it without killing myself. So I decided to try one of the other green runs they had.

During my five minute lesson I learned to snow plow. That's the only way I knew how to slow down or stop. This hill was quite a bit steeper than the bunny hill. I started going too fast and panicked. I then tumbled head over heels down the hill, leaving one ski up near the top somewhere. I twisted my knee and had to stay off of it for six weeks (which knocked me out of karate lessons for six weeks). That was it. I had tried skiing. I hated it. And, I was never going to do it again.

The transformation

Last winter I relented. I promised Mark (husband) that I would give it a try. He tried to convince me to go before our February trip to Puerto Rico, but I bailed. I wasn't about to break my leg and ruin all of our Puerto Rico adventures. But when we returned, with a good month of winter left, I agreed to go skiing.

It was much better this time. Having long boards attached to my feet still felt very foreign and uncomfortable. But skis had changed a bit in the fifteen years since my last attempt. They weren't as long. I could actually turn myself without falling down. I brought a friend along (another ski virgin) so she could feel awkward with me. Together we learned the basics. Mark was a very patient teacher. He started me on one ski and I learned to push myself around with a ski and a boot. He taught me how to control my speed by turning. He coached me down the bunny hill by skiing from side to side, slowly. By the end of the night, I could conquer that hill that defeated me fifteen years earlier. And by the end of the night I was hooked!

We only managed to get one more ski day in last winter before Spring arrived and melted the snow. But when winter rolled around this year, I was actually excited. I was going to become a skier! Mark (sweet husband that he is) took me to the ski swap at the beginning of the season, and got me all geared up. Now I looked like a skier! I had my own skis, boots that actually fit and poles (and of course, I had to find a jacket, hat and gloves--all color coordinated--to complete the ensemble).

The rest is history! I LOVE skiing. And because of skiing, I LOVE winter. Yes, I said it, "I love winter!" Instead of moping over the fact that we still have over a month of cold and snow to go, I'm moping over the fact that ski season is almost over!

I love skiing through the snow. I love the snow in the trees. I like warming up by the fire with some hot chocolate in a ski lodge. I like winter vacations to cold places! I love having a winter sport that keeps my legs strong and muscular. There's just only so much training you can do on a treadmill. Skiing has been a great supplemental workout for me. And the better I get, the more I like it. I've now conquered all the green slopes I've come across, most of the blues and even a few black diamonds (the more mild black diamonds).


Skiing has changed my entire outlook on winter. So when I hear fellow Ohio friends saying mean things about Winter, I feel the urge to defend her! "Learn to ski!" I want to shout. Or if skiing isn't your thing, try ice skating, ice climbing, sledding, tubing, build a snowman, go on a snow hike, have a snowball fight, build a snow fort. Just do something that allows you to embrace winter. Make your winter fun! Because folks (at least many of you reading this), you live in Ohio (or some other snowy place) and winter isn't going anywhere!

Recipe Post: Stovetop Chili (vegetarian)

I have tried many, many vegetarian chili recipes. Most are good, but this one was fantastic. It will become a standard in our household. It has a kick to it, but you could forgo the jalapeno if you're not a fan of spice (however, I think the spice is part of what makes this chili so good). This is another recipe from Good Housekeeping's Vegetarian Meals: Meatless Recipes Everyone Will Love. It's a one-pan meal--which I'm always a fan of.

Prep: ~ 20 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes (we actually left this cooking on the stove while we went for a glass of wine. So it cooked for about an hour with no problem)
Makes about 11 cubs or 6 main-dish servings.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion (I like red onions best)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2 garlic cloves, crushed with garlic press (I always up the garlic. I used three cloves)
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 can whole tomatoes (we always use the sodium-free, organic variety)
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut in half (I didn't measure the beans, just grabbed what looked like a good amount from the produce section)
3 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and cut into 1.5 inch pieces
1 tsp sugar
2 cups water
2 cans black soybeans or black beans, rinsed and drained
Can be served with sour cream (I used plain yogurt. I typically replace sour cream with plain, low-fat yogurt in recipes)

1. In nonstick 5 or 6 quart dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, coriander, garlic, and jalapeno; cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. Add tomatoes with their juice, green beans, sweet potatoes, sugar, and water; heat to boiling over medium-high heat, breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.

3. Add soybeans/black beans and heat through, about 2 minutes longer (we just added the black beans in step #2 with no problems).
Serve with low-fat, plain yogurt.

Each serving: About 275 calories, 14g protein, 45g carbohydrates, 5g total fat (1 sat), 0 mg cholesterol, sodium depends on your canned goods.

Recipe post: Couscous with Garbanzo Beans

I have another recipe post for you. This was a quick, tasty, healthy dish. I post it mainly because it is so quick and easy. And I love a quick and easy healthy recipe! This is another recipe from my Good Housekeeping Vegetarian Meals: Meatless Meals Everyone Will Love book:

1 box couscous with toasted pine nuts (now normally I don't promote cooking out of boxes, but that's part of what makes this dish so easy. I used Near East couscous with toasted pine nuts. You could easily substitute some whole grain couscous and pine nuts)
1/3 cup dark seedless raisins
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 garlic clove, crushed with garlic press (I used two. I love garlic)
3/4 tsp ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (I used a teaspoon--we like things spicy!)
2 cans of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drain (the organic ones have less sodium)
1/2 cup salad olives, drained, or chipped pimiento-stuffed olives (I don't like olives, so I left these out)
1/4 cup of water

1. Prepare couscous as label directs, except add raisins to cooking water.
2. Meanwhile, in nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, coriander, and red pepper and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add beans, olives, and water and cook, stirring often, until heated through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add cooked couscous to bean mixture and toss gently. Spoon into serving bowl.

Each serving: About 555 calories, 20 grams protein, 101g carbs, 10g total fat (1g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 1,110 mg sodium (leaving out the olives will cut both sodium and fat)

Sometimes you need a do-over

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Life doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes the greatest intentions just don't work out. And there is simply nothing that states you can't take a "do-over."

Tonight, for instance, my husband and I are having a New Year's Eve re-do. For our original New Year's we went to New York for three days of skiing; however, on day #1 I came down with a horrible flu and spent the next three days in bed. So tonight, it's dinner out, champagne at midnight and a re-declaration of my New Year's resolutions. (Since I spent the first week of the new year under the weather, my planned New Year's resolutions have yet to begin). But that's okay!

Rather than just give up on the resolution--figuring we're a week into the new year and I have yet to start them--I'm re-declaring them tonight. My resolutions are as follows:

1.) I will be following a fairly strict half-marathon program that I created myself (for a client). The program requires six days a week of steady exercise--both cardio and strength training.
2.) I will eat a salad at least four times a week (either for lunch or with my dinner) in order to increase my intake of raw vegetables.
3.) I will expand the garden this year, and work harder to preserve (can and freeze) the organic vegetables that come out of it
4.) I will continue to strive to eat pure (no preservatives or chemicals). I may not be perfect, but I will do my best.
5.) I will try to be more content--perhaps even happy--with my 40-year-old body, realizing that I am not in my 20s anymore.

So if you find yourself a week into 2011 and either you've already let your resolutions slide or you never started them--how about a re-do? It's not too late. Only one week has gone by. So go ahead, have your New Year's Eve all over again. Re-energize and re-motivate. Make 2011 your best year yet!

Recipe Post: Moroccan-Spiced Sweet Potato Medley

It's been awhile since I did a recipe post. I guess I haven't had a new recipe worthy of posting lately. But this one definitely is! It was delicious (and nutritious)! This is from Good Housekeeping's Vegetarian Meals: Meatless Recipes Everyone will Love, except I left out the salt and added up'd the red pepper by a 1/4 teaspoon.

Moroccan-Spiced Sweet-Potato Medley

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed with garlic press
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium potatoes), peeled and cut into 3/4 in pieces.
1 can stewed tomatoes (salt-free)
1 cup bulgur (cracked wheat)
2 1/4 cups water
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup dark seedless raisins
1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (I probably put a little more than that in there. I love cilantro)!
Plain, low-fat yogurt (optional)

1. In a nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, and ground red pepper and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. Add the potatoes, tomatoes, bulgur, and water; heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in beans, raisins, and cilantro; heat through. Serve with yogurt if you like.



Each serving: about 525 calories, 16 grams of protein, 109g carbs, 5g total fat (1 saturateed), 0 mg cholesterol.

How about a half?

So, what are your goals for 2011? Did you resolve to kick up your running program? Expand beyond the 5k? Or maybe you'd like to ramp up your overall fitness with a day by day program?

One of my clients has decided she would like to run a half marathon, and she asked me if I would run it with her. Mark and I were planning on doing a Spring half anyway, so I said, "Sure!"

We decided to aim for a May marathon, giving her four full months to train. The Capital City Half Marathon in Columbus fit the bill.

So the reason for this post? Well, I thought maybe you'd like to join us! If not in person, maybe you can cyber train with us!

Below I've posted the training schedule I created for us. Follow along, and let me know how you're doing. If you have any questions, please leave a comment or email me at jj@thefitlife.us

It starts the Monday after New Year's! Happy training!

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Jan	1-mile warm-up run Weights – full body Stretch	30 – min run (int) Abs Stretch	1-mile warm-up run Weights – full body Stretch	30 – min run	Warm-up walk (5 min) Weights – upper body, abs Full stretch	3 – mile run (week 1) 3.5 – mile run (week 2) 4 – mile run (week 3) 4.5 – mile run (week 4)	Rest
Feb	1.5 – mile warm-up run Weights – full body Stretch	35-min run (int) Abs Stretch	1.5 mile warm-up run Weights Stretch	35 – min run	Warm-up walk (5 min) Weights – upper body, abs Full stretch	5 – mile run (week 1) 6 - mile run (week 2) 7 - mile run (week 3) 8 – mile run (week 4)	Rest
March	2 – mile warm-up run Weights – full body Stretch	40 min run (int) Abs Stretch	2 – mile warm-up run Weights Stretch	40 – min run	Warm-up walk (5 min) Weights – upper body, abs Full stretch	9 – mile run (week 1) 10 – mile run (week 2) 11 – mile run (week 3) 12 – mile run (week 4)	Rest
April	1 – mile warm-up run Weights – full body Stretch	45 min run Abs Stretch	1 – mile warm-up run Weights Stretch	45 – min run	Warm-up walk Weights – upper body, abs Full stretch	8 – mile run (week 1) 13 – mile run (week 2) 10 – mile run (week 3) 14 – mile run (week 4) 8 – mile run (week 5)	Rest
May	1 – mile warm-up run Light Weights—especially on legs	30 – min easy run Stretch	1-mile warm-up run Easy weights – no legs	30 – min easy run Stretch	Complete stretch	Race Day!	Celebrate!!!