Smart Choices: Healthy gift ideas

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Posted 3:56 PM 12/15/2011 : Smart Choices: Gifts for the fitness-lover on your list

TUCSON - Giving the gift of health is a gift that keeps giving.

Everyone has a fitness-lover on their list, and on today's "Smart Choices," our contributors Hana Feeney stopped by with some gifts ideas for that person.

Here are some her ideas:

Pedometer

A pedometer is a little device that you stick on your waistband and it counts every step that you take. I recommend them as a way to monitor your physical activity and to help motivate you to move more. The goal is to take 10,000 steps per day to reach a level of physical activity that minimizes the negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle that lead to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer's, etc. Striiv <http://www.striiv.com/> is a nifty little device that does more than traditional pedometers. It has a touch screen, a built-in interactive game and the ability make donations that will provide clean water to families in South America, polio vaccines, and help save the rainforest, based on the steps you take each day.

Shoes and socks, sport bra

These are the essentials for working out-good shoes, socks and a sport bra for women. To keep you comfortable and injury free, you need to be fitted properly for each of these. Give a new exerciser a field trip to the store for these fittings or a gift card so that they can be properly fitted. Fleet Feet's FITLOSOPHY will take time to determine which shoe is best for you. They will examine your feet and your old running shoes, along with video taping you walking on an in-store treadmill and talking about your goals to determine which shoe is best for you. Read more at: <http://www.fleetfeettucson.com/community/footwear>
Socks are another essential. You wouldn't think that they make such a big difference, but the right socks can keep your feet cool, comfortable and blister free. The last thing you need just as you get into your workout routine is a blister on your heel!

Fleet Feet is super-unique in its commitment to being the premier resource for sports bras. They are committed to carrying the largest variety of sports bras in Tucson applying their FITLOSOPHY to fitting bras as well as shoes. Many women have shared with me how limited they are by ill-fitting sports bras that leave them feeling uncomfortable during exercise. I recently had a client that wanted to progress from walking to running, but felt so uncomfortable in her sports bra that she thought she "couldn't" run. She looked teary when I told her that Fleet Feet could hook her up with a sports bra that actually fit her. Read more at:
<http://www.fleetfeettucson.com/community/sports-bras>

Other gear - water bottles, hats, visors, shirts, etc

Once you have the basics, other get movin' gifts can expand to cover all the little things that keep us happy and comfortable. Simply things like a new hat or a shirt can keep us motivated and engaged in exercise. A gift like this is perfect for someone who has isn't necessarily new to exercising, but may need a little help reinforcing his or her routine. Something special that makes them feel a little more comfortable while exercising can keep them on track. Not only does Fleet Feet have all your essential workout gear, they also have training programs that you can give as gifts. Read more at: <http://www.fleetfeettucson.com/training-2>

Home workout equipment

Having a home gym may sound like a luxury, but it doesn't have to be. Just a few sets of dumbbells and a mat would allow you to do a full-body workout in the comfort of your home. This would be the ideal gift for someone who dislikes going to a gym or who is too busy to get there. I have a few resources at www.nourishingresuls.com <http://www.nourishingresuls.com> for buying home gym equipment and for exercise routines you can do at home.