Want to get that special someone the perfect and inexpensive holiday gift this year? How about a pedometer? This is the perfect holiday gift for anyone who has had trouble losing weight using multiple methods that never seem to work out.

These small gadgets are known in exercise circles as "step counters," and they'll let the wearer know how many steps they've taken in an hour, day, etc. Some folks who like to burn weight by the simply activity of walking use pedometers to measure progress.

A new report from Stanford University said that the pedometer caused many wearers to lower their blood pressure and lose a few pounds. That is, if it was worn regularly and viewed daily.