This is my thirteenth holiday season with the North Sac News (started with the North Highlands News) and if you’ve read any of my articles, you know that Christmas is a very special time of year for me. In the Shields’ household, the holiday season begins sometime in early October when I gently ask my husband to get “the totes” down from the garage rafters.
NOT FOUND: merry fitness.jpgWhen we bought our home in 2006, one of my most favorite attributes was my garage rafters. This would become the perfect home to my dozens of color- coordinated and labeled harvest and Christmas totes. I believe my husband counted them last year, but I think he was exaggerating when he said I had over 40 totes. While I may write about the rudiments of holiday decorating and storage someday, I have something different I would like to share with you today.
Every year I attempt to encourage you to consider eating a little healthier and fit in some sort of exercise during this season in order to prevent the 10 pound holiday weight gain and the post-Christmas sludgery. (That’s the “ate too much, sat around too long, I’ll start my diet in January” feeling)
This month is somewhat different. Combining the spirit of giving with health, we’re going to talk about giving gifts. One of the best gifts you can give is your time. There is something very special about you taking the initiative and time to motivate a loved one, co-worker or friend to feel better about themselves and have a healthier, energy-filled Christmas season by giving a healthy gift.
Healthy Cooking/Eating
Collect healthy recipes and make a personalized recipe book for someone who wants to eat better. There are dozens of websites that you can visit that have healthy sections for you to download (allrecipes.com, foodnetwork.com, tasteofhome.com). If you prefer old school, how about a magazine subscriptions to Cooking Light, Eating Healthy or Taste of Home? How about a gift certificate to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s?
Exercise Encouragers
Pedometer, Yoga mat, gift certificate for gym membership (you can buy one month on their existing membership or a trial membership for your gym), bicycle helmet, workout gloves, subscription to Prevention magazine, Shape, Walking, Runner’s World, reflective vest for your walking/running friends who workout in the early morning hours, alarm clock, fitness diary, personalized workout t-shirt, Nike ID shoes with personalized colors, name, slogan, etc. (nikeid.com)
The Gift of Accountability
Make a commitment with a family member or friend to be a walking, running, workout buddy.
Call your friend on a regular basis to find out how their program is going.
Send regular emails with fitness tips or motivational quotes.
Pick them up to go to the gym.
These gift giving ideas are meant to help you get out of your box and encourage those around you to live longer and live healthier. If you join them in their quest for a better quality of life, you will have some great stories to share next Christmas.
Have a marvelous holiday season this year. Consider the importance of family and friends. Make this your most memorable one yet. Merry Christmas!