Story by Meredith Nelson / February 23, 2021
Show Your Heart (and theirs) Some Love!
February is a month to celebrate the heart . . . . not only do we have Valentine’s Day, but it is also National Heart Month. What better time to show appreciation for those you love, but also for the ticker that keeps you going … your heart!
This February marks the 56th consecutive occurrence of National Heart Month, established by Lyndon B. Johnson nine years after suffering a heart attack. Although the focus of this national designation is on awareness and prevention of heart disease, the American Heart Association encourages everyone to take care of their hearts all year long. And then of course there’s Valentine’s Day – an opportunity to proclaim and show our love for that special someone. But why save it all for just one day? There are plenty of ways you can show your loved ones how much they mean to you, and at the same time, give your heart a little attention as well, any day of the year. Take, for example, the following heart-healthy activities . . .
Splurge on some heart-healthy indulgences.
Go on an online “love me, love my heart” shopping spree – and shop local!
Treat yourself and your loved one to some things with which might motivate you to exercise and improve your heart health, such as:
Some of my favorite local places to shop – masked in-person, or even on-line at most places, are Play It Again Sports, Fleet Feet, Charleston Fitness Equipment, and Blue Sky Endurance.
Get some exercise together!
And now that you’ve gotten the gear… put it to use! We are so fortunate to enjoy mild temperatures year-round, which makes it ideal for most of these activities:
Take a walk. Enter a local socially-distanced race (there are a handful that have not been Covid-cancelled) together. Go for a bike ride. Spend an afternoon in a state or county park, exploring the trails by foot or bicycle. Learn to play pickleball or disc golf (YouTube offers excellent tutorials). Go for a swim in the newly renovated Martin Luther King indoor pool downtown. Make love (talk about burning calories!). Kiss (it’s actually good for your teeth – I’ve heard that kissing stimulates the production of saliva to wash food from your teeth, and also lowers the level of acid that causes decay).
And of course, with so many personal trainers WFH these days, it’s easier than ever to find a trainer who is compatible with you and eager to help you meet your fitness goals. .
So this month, take some time to show your loved one how much you really do care . . . about them and their health. Remember, a healthy heart is a happy heart!
Meredith Nelson, M.Ed, is the owner of PrimeTime Fitness, LLC. Meredith has spent more than 20 years in the fitness industry, from owning her own gym, to acting as Director of Training at the local Gold’s Gym Mt. Pleasant, and now offering her private training services in her home studio or virtually. Providing private and small group training, outdoor boot camps, TPI Golf Fitness, and yoga (both traditional and Yoga for Golfers), Meredith is ready to help you achieve your fitness and nutrition goals. She can be reached at Meredith@primetimefit.net.