5 Valentine's Day gift ideas for your health-conscious sweetheart

When you think of Valentine’s Day, romance and indulgence in rich and sweet treats may come to mind, but what if your honey is a health nut?

It’s become increasingly common: Since 1997, the number of people meeting minimum recommended physical fitness requirements has increased from about 43 percent of adults to nearly 50 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Of course, everyone is different. Many of those people are only starting out on a fitness journey, and some are lifelong athletes. Some will take a break from their healthy routines on Valentine’s Day, while others wouldn’t even consider it.

Wherever your sweetheart falls on the spectrum, and whatever his or her fitness level, here are 5 gift ideas that won’t hamper their progress:

1. Massage or spa treatment

If your partner is very active, consider a spa treatment. For someone who pushes her body to the limits of fitness, a day of pampering is a great alternative for losing some of that stored-up tension.

If facials and mudbaths wouldn’t suit your mate, consider a massage specifically designed for athletes and gym lovers with tight muscles. Not only can it be a great way to help someone active relax, but it might actually reduce some muscle tension and help improve his or her gym performance.

2. Personal trainer sessions

If your partner isn’t quite an athlete but still takes workouts seriously, “a few personal training sessions can be the perfect thoughtful gift,” says Kimberly Gomer, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition at Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa.

You don’t need to register your partner for a long-term commitment here. Just three to five sessions with a professional can be enough to learn some new moves and tips about how to make the most of workouts. For the gym lover, that’s the gift that keeps on giving.

3. Fitness tracker

Someone who’s just starting out on an exercise program may be interested in a fitness tracker, but might not want to purchase one for herself, so this makes a great gift. If you’re on a budget, several models are available for less than $50.

Make sure you’re sensitive to your partner’s goals if you’re going for a fitness tracker. For example, a model that focuses on steps taken for someone who’s focusing on walking, or one that can measure calorie burn for someone who is trying to lose weight.

4. A new couple’s adventure

If you’d really like to bond with your active partner on Valentine’s Day, a non-food-related couple’s activity is the way to go, says Alexandra Miller, registered dietitian and corporate dietitian at Medifast. She suggests renting cross-country skis or snowshoes, and getting outdoors for active couples, or a mini road trip (a few hours’ drive) to somewhere new nearby.

If you’re not the traveling types (or you don’t have a car), a class for two is a fun option. You can sign up for a healthy cooking class, a painting class or even trapeze lessons. This may be a perfect opportunity for the two of you to bond while learning a new skill together.

5. A romantic (but healthy) dinner

Speaking of cooking, who doesn’t love a beautiful home-cooked meal prepared just for them? If you’re up for it, cooking your healthy honey a nutritious but romantic meal can earn you a lot of brownie points, while still leaving her some wiggle room in her diet to enjoy a dessert.