gift-related stories
STOTT PILATES Toning Ball Power Pack
Looking for a simple and fairly easy workout to incorporate into your at-home fitness routine? The STOTT PILATES® Toning Ball Power Pack could be just the thing. It's easy to follow, the equipment (two weighted balls) takes up very little room, and it's just over half an hour long, so you can work it in easily.
When I say it's easy to follow, I mean that in a couple of ways. The instructions are clear and simple -- as was the case with the STOTT PILATES® Mini Flex Ball, there is someone demonstrating and someone instructing at all times, so you can watch or listen (in English or French, for that matter). The transition from one exercise to the next is quick but very manageable. In fact, that's how I could describe the whole workout -- as very manageable, and I think it would be for any level of fitness. I received the Power Pack to review, which includes two one-pound toning balls. To be honest, if I had my choice, I would probably opt for a heavier weight for more of a challenge (and they do offer two- and three-pound toning balls separately, so that's definitely an option).
Fit Gifts for Last Minute Shoppers
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
We've all been there. At this point, you may not have time to purchase one of our favorite fit gifts, but there are still plenty of health-promoting gifts you can pick up on the way to your Christmas celebrations. Check out the gallery for ideas.
Fit Gifts for Movie Lovers
Give a Non-Fattening Hostess Gift
I'm not going to lie -- if I'm attending a party, it's pretty likely I'm bringing a bottle of wine. I like wine, I know wine and I like to think I'm pretty good at picking out something the host or hostess will enjoy. However, some folks don't drink, and it's easy to pick out something they like, too ... although some of the first things that come to mind are gourmet goodies like chocolate, nuts or cheese.
If the hostess in question is watching her weight, though, or if she just follows a really healthy lifestyle, I'm not about to sabotage her choices with a bad move on my part. However, I want to make sure I'm still showing the same amount of thought and care. Fortunately, there are plenty of fat-free, healthful options -- check out my top picks in the gallery below!
Fit Gifts for Stockings
Check out this gallery for some stocking stuffer ideas for fitness fanatics. Want more ideas? Check out Bethany's suggestions from last December.
Bake Up a Hot Body in 7 Steps
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Baking up goodies for parties, gifts and Santa is a terrific part of this festive holiday season -- even for me, your loving fitness trainer. Baking doesn't have to be bad for your body though, nor does it have to contribute to that traditional December weight gain.
If I weren't a fitness professional, I'd be a baker. It's fun and allows me the ability to be creative while making people happy. I love making people happy. I don't, however, enjoy putting fat on my hips or the hips of others. This has lead me to be really creative.
I've got a few suggestions for you to follow and a link here to my favorite baked treats in my online recipe book at Fitzness.com.
- Substitute eggs for an egg substitute like Egg Beaters.
- Substitute butter/oil for a sugar free syrup like the ones sold a DaVinci Gourmet. (Use equal amounts as the ones given for the oil/butter.)
Fit Gifts for Vegans
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
If you have a loved one who is a vegan, you may be stumped about what you can buy for them. Luckily, there are plenty of health and wellness gifts that mesh with the vegan lifestyle. Check out the gallery for some ideas.
Giveaway - Win Some Cool Shoes From KEEN Footwear
KEEN Footwear offers some of the coolest most comfortable fashions for everything from long hikes to date nights. KEEN shoes are fun, sporty, and versatile and you may just be able to score yourself a free pair! In fact, if you win the giveaway, you could win anything on the KEEN website. Socks, shoes, purses, laptop bags and backpacks are up for grabs.
Oh ... and entering is ridiculously easy. All you have to do is visit KEENFootwear.com and decide which pair of shoes you like best and then write in this comment section which style you love and what you would want to go do in them.
And just so nobody walks away feeling like a loser, KEEN has offered That's Fit readers a special promo code to get free shipping on anything you purchase. That code is FITFREE and you deserve every penny that you save!
Keep reading for official Giveaway Guidelines ...
What to Do With Those Sweet (and Calorie-Laden) Gifts
There are a million ways the holidays can trip up your diet -- overeating at a party, drinking calorie-laden drinks, sampling the baked goods you're making for others. But, the gifts you get from others can also create a problem.I've definitely been guilty of giving a less than diet-friendly food gift to people, although I try to avoid giving such a thing to anyone I know is watching his or her weight. But what about that plate of (delicious) cookies your neighbor brings you? Or the freshly baked pie your aunt drops at your front door?
In my experience, if it's in the house, it's going to get eaten, which leaves one solution -- get it out. Take the naughty treat to your local police or fire station, or if you have a favorite charity in town (American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association), take it there. The workers (and residents) in your local nursing home would appreciate a sweet treat, as would nurses and doctors in the hospital. In these places, it's not just one or two people snacking -- lots of people are sharing, so it's not as damaging a gift.
Fit Gifts for Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Fitness can be fun, and it's a great way to spend time together. So think about the different activities you enjoy and find a way you can do them together. Check out the gallery for some ideas.
Fit Gifts for Tweens and Teens
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
When choosing active gifts for the younger set, keep fun in mind. While a pedometer might be a great tool for kids of any age, it's not exactly thrilling for a teenager to open a handsomely wrapped gift and find a pedometer inside. So look for items that not only promote physical fitness, but also generate some excitement. Check out the gallery for some activity-inspiring gifts for the tweens and teens in your life.
Calorie Free Cakes and Cocktails
Healthy Habits, Womens Health, Cellulite, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
There is more in the world than sugary treats. If you're one of those folks who has no interest in indulging in the traditional not-so-good-for-you birthday celebration ... 1-800-FLOWERS has come up with an adorable alternative. They've made beautiful cakes and cocktails out of flowers! The arrangements are beautiful, fun and absolutely guilt free!
Now, I'm not a girl who brings cake into my home or even orders it at a restaurant. I am, however, someone who enjoys a piece on my birthday. If true cake is a special component of your big day, than by all means ... have some! But if it's not, I think these cakes made of flowers make a wonderful celebratory substitute.
The other thing that struck me is that they'd make an incredibly thoughtful gift as well. We've all had the standard bouquet brought to our door, but these little masterpieces are the kind of flowers that would make me squeal! As a fitness trainer, I hold myself to a very high standard. I want to be a role model and I'd never want to contribute in an unhealthy way to a friend. I personally could never just grab a basket of chocolate and give it to someone I love. How contrary that would be!
And the Smoothie King winner is ...
Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
Thanks to all 29 of you who shared some pretty scrumptious smoothie creations. Some of my favorites:
- raspberries, strawberries, banana, apple juice, and cranberry nectar
- strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, vanilla yogurt, and flax seed
- strawberry, vanilla protein blend, chocolate whey, and almonds
- ice, mangoes, strawberries, bananas, fresh squeezed Orange Juice, a sprinkle of flax seeds for omega-3s, and a tsp of Agave Nectar as a natural sweetener
Perfect Father's Day gift for the sports fanatic: Send your guy to Man Heaven
Healthy Home, Healthy Places, Healthy Relationships, Stress Reduction, Womens Health, Celebrities and Entertainment, Healthy Kids, Cellulite, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
A few months back I went to a place I like to call "Man Heaven" and wrote a few articles about it. Man Heaven is also known as ESPN: The Weekend at the Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida. The event was jam packed with dozens and dozens of your sports lovers' heroes from today and yesteryear. Football, basketball, baseball, tennis, hockey and golf stars flooded the theme park with ample opportunity for each Disney guest to get up close and personal with the athletic love of their life.
Of course, there were also a ton of female fans decked out in their team jerseys, but truly....this event was for boys. Young boys, elderly boys, and every boy in between. I saw big groups of men in coordinating jerseys riding the tram to the park, and then I saw tons of father/son duos shooting baskets with their favorite hoops star.
The event isn't until early next March, so you'll have plenty of time to book your air, hotel, and ticket reservations. He'll have lots of time to squirm with anticipation for the big event. Trust me.....if your guy loves sports, he will love ESPN: The Weekend and love you even more for sending him to it.
Give mom a whopper on Mother's Day
Healthy Relationships, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
I'm already thinking about it: Mother's Day. Are you? The big day -- Sunday, May 11 -- arrives in less than one week. Which means you've got not quite seven whole days to think up a whopper of a gift for your mom -- or anyone who serves as mom to you. By "whopper," I mean not something big, expensive, or extravagant -- and not something that hails from your neighborhood McDonald's. I mean this: Thoughtful. Something that tells mom you know her, love her, and appreciate her.For me, a candle fits the bill. I love candles. And my little boys know this. Every time we pass the Yankee candle shop in the mall, they ask me if I want to stop in for a visit. When we stroll the scented store together, they love finding fragrances and running them over to me. They also know I like quiet time. Once as they were backing out of the driveway in route to a guy's weekend getaway, they spotted me shedding a few tears as I waved them goodbye. "Enjoy the quiet, mom!" Joey shouted from his open window. He knows me well.
What do you know about your mom? Does she love the outdoors? Enjoy a home-cooked meal? Seek thrill and adventure? Give it some thought. And try to translate it into a whopper of a gift -- like a home-made gift certificate for an afternoon hike -- with you. Or a feast made by your own two hands with only the healthiest of ingredients. Or a zip-line excursion at a local ropes course location.
It really is the thought that counts. So start thinking now. And make your gift one that really matters.
