The days before Christmas are winding down. If you're in need of a quick gift, a DVD is a good choice. While a couple of hours plopped on the couch certainly doesn't do anything for fitness, many sports-themed movies have an inspiring message. So, when picking out a flick for your favorite movie buffs, why not choose one that motivates them to become more fit? Check out the gallery for some ideas.

I remember watching Ice Castles as a kid and wanting nothing more than to be an ice skater. (Preferably without a terrible accident that caused blindness, though.) So maybe the movie is a bit cheesy and admitting that I had a little crush on Robby Benson certainly dates me as a child of the '70s, but it motivated me into trying something I'd never tried before. And that's exactly what a great sports movie can do.

FitSugar recently asked readers what their favorite motivational sports movies were... and they came up with a great list. Some of the picks are:

• Remember the Titans.
  
• Million Dollar Baby
• Miracle
• Rudy
  

Click over to FitSugar for the full list. A couple of my favorites that didn't make the list are Hoosiers and The Rookie. What other sports movies have inspired you?

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A few months ago, Patrick Swayze announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which is one of the deadliest forms of the disease. As we all knew he would, he's been fighting it aggressively, and this past weekend the world saw a healthy and happy looking Swayze at LAX airport.

Smiling and giving a thumbs up sign, the actor told photographers, "I'm a miracle, dude. I don't know why." He's been undergoing chemotherapy, and was at the airport to catch a flight to Chicago to work on a new drama for A&E called The Beast.

The battle certainly isn't over, but it sure is heartwarming to see our favorite dirty dancer looking so good!

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I think most of us can say that at some point in our "weight loss lives" we've fallen for at least one gimmick and/or over-hyped health claim of some kind, whether it was in a small way or a big way. I know I have! Truth is that not only do some of these products not work, but many of them are downright dangerous.

Now we are all ultimately responsible for what we put in our own bodies, so if you're going to go out and buy miscellaneous herb concoctions and mix them all together with each other well, then, that's your choice. Good luck. But there is also something to be said for the trust we all have in the media and in advertising, however misplaced it may be. Being honest with yourself about whether the claims a certain product is making are realistic or not is the key, and educating yourself on how the product really works.

I am a big believer in different things working for different people, so in some cases I still try different things. But I don't expect miracles, and as I get older I'm more and more careful!

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