fitness date

Whether you're completely single, dating, living with your love or married, any semblance of a social life makes staying fit and maintaining an exercise routine that much harder. Directing your body to the gym or trail when your heart wants to gallivant with lovers or friends (or your children need your time and love) just isn't an easy task. I typically scoff at articles pegging weight gain to relationship status, but the data can't be ignored. One study found women who were dating gained an average of 15 pounds over five years, those living with a romantic partner gained 18 pounds, and the newly married women gained an average of 24 pounds.

No mater what your Facebook relationship status states, fitness and activity dates are a fun and wholesome way to get to know someone and a nice way to reconnect with someone you already adore — while working off that hearty brunch. Here are a few handy guides to inspire you to take time for yourself and to care for your body no matter who you're walking or running with these days.

1. Date Without Breaking Your Healthy Resolutions — Those delightfully decadent appetizers, simmering entrées, cocktails, and desserts add up quick, and it's hard to hit the gym afterward when there's fun to be had out on the town. Stay on track despite tempting invitations and fondue towers with these tips.
2. How to Avoid Gaining Weight While Dating — Being in a relationship is so exciting, but when you spend so much time together, your healthy lifestyle can fly out the window. You may even adopt some of your partner's unhealthy habits. That can add up to some extra pounds on the scale, so here are some guidelines to help prevent weight gain while dating.

Keep reading for more helpful tips.

While indulging in my guilty pleasure of this week's episode of 90210, one scene hit close to home. One character, Naomi, has no idea how to surf but agrees to a surfing date with a guy she has a crush on, pretending she knows what she's doing. "How hard can it be?" she says. You can guess how this worked out, and it wasn't pretty.

While this plotline has probably shown up in most comedies and dramas to hit the airwaves, it's so laughable because it's actually happened to plenty of people, including me. At the risk of complete embarrassment, check out this real-life example of why you should always know what you're getting yourself into after the break.

Even if you know how to maintain your healthy lifestyle no matter what day of the week it is, busy weekends can get the best of any of us. In the midst of taking care of the kids, going out with friends, or just running errands, your health may take a backseat. So here are three great tips to keep in mind this weekend.

• Get in a long social workout. Weekends are the perfect time for a longer workout like a hike or bike ride. Or, go with friends and take a class you've been eyeing. Mixing exercise with socializing means you can spend quality time with friends and family without having to give up your fitness routine.
• Make your drink last. If you're headed for a night on the town, keep in mind these tips on limiting your drinks, like ordering a wine spritzer instead of wine to make the drink last longer or ordering a drink meant to be sipped. This way you can still enjoy your night out with the girls without all the empty calories.
• Eat a healthy snack before a big restaurant meal. Eating a small but filling snack before going out will help with your hunger and also keep you on the right track at the restaurant so you won't order too much.

In the Sweet on Biking community group, FitSugar reader GirlieGossip posted about the fun weekend she and her girlfriends had renting bikes.

A few months ago I went on a girl's weekend with friends in Hermosa Beach and we wanted to cruise the waterfront, but didn't have bikes at the house we rented. Luckily, we found a great cycle shop and rented bikes for less than $20 for the day. We leisurely cruised 11.6 miles to Marina Del Rey, which was beautiful. I had no idea biking was so much fun! I finally get what all these hipsters are talking about. The wind in your hair. The ocean. The cruising. The ease. It's marvelous. We celebrated our accomplishment with tacos, margaritas and ice cream. And it was good. And the ride home was even longer.

See the route they took when you read more

Women That Rock (Climb) community members Spacekatgal and her husband Spacekatdude give you their take on why indoor rock climbing makes a perfect fitness-inspired date.

Spacekatdude and I are married, so we're always looking for fun new things to do. Recently, we decided to give indoor rock climbing a shot! We totally loved it! We wanted to post a bit about it for newbies.

We each signed up for a $160 class, which included gym membership for two weeks. We got free equipment rental and a really great instructor named Nate that taught us the basics, focusing on safety. We were taught to tie our own knots and how to "belay" your partner safely, meaning how to catch them if they fall off the wall.

I will be honest and say it's a real trust building exercise. I love my husband dearly, but I also know it's in his nature to be distracted. It was a little hard for me to put my life into his hands and trust him to catch me if I fell. Throwing myself off the wall for the first time was very scary — but I quickly learned that I could count on him for this. Working as a team to guide the other person up the wall is both fun and good for your relationship!

It's also a great workout. Within a few weeks of rock climbing, I've greatly increased my upper body strength. If you have moxie, I would definitely say it's a sport you should try!

To hear Spacekatdude's perspective, read more