We all want our workouts to be fun, but in order to get a senior citizen without much of a fitness routine interested in fitness, you'd better have something really interesting. And, one group of senior citizens in Miami definitely got an interesting workout from the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus clowns.

The clowns came to the YMCA's Silver Sneakers program and showed the group of grandparents how they could use circus tricks to stay fit. They balanced peacock feathers (for improved alignment) and juggled scarves (to improve hand/eye coordination and balance as well as mental fitness). They also used the hula hoop -- something "kids" of all ages can enjoy.

Smartly, it sounds like the gray-haired group avoided a few tricks, such as the unicycle, but they all went home with some great new views on staying fit as seniors. For other fitness tips (that don't involve creepy clowns), be sure to check out America Takes it Off!

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Once, I was at my son's school during recess and noticed that (other than a few exceptions) it was mostly boys playing kickball and girls sitting in small groups around the jungle gym chatting and playing cats cradle. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but I was reminded of it the day when I read an article about how young and old females aren't as active as males.

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University followed 10 and 11-year-old children during recess and found that boys tend to engage in more active play than girls. On the flip side of the coin, another study found that women over age 70 are less likely to be active than men.

It's important for everyone to be active. But it's certainly important for girls (during the formative years when their bones are growing) and older women (who need to maintain bone density) to be physically active.

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So you bought a healthy gift for your boyfriend, your sister, your mom ... why stop now? Resist the temptation to buy Grandma yet another holiday sweater and give her something that will contribute to her overall fitness instead.

Why? Because when it comes to fitness, age is just a number. Just like you need to get out and move at least five days a week, so do your parents and grandparents. Staying healthy and fit is a lifelong goal, and balance and flexibility become especially important as a person ages.

So when you go shopping for Gram and Pop-Pop, keep your eye out for one of these fit gifts.

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THE USDA Food and Nutrition Service administers a program where low-income seniors can receive coupons for shopping at participating farmers' markets. Currently, there are nearly 3,000 markets that participate in the program.
Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are among the foods that are covered by the coupons. State agencies can impose restrictions where the coupons are only good on foods that are produced locally. Certain foods -- such as dried fruits, potted plants, and honey -- are not covered by the coupons.

Personally, I think this program is a great idea. While the traditional food stamps are still available for low-income citizens, they don't cover farmers' markets. Giving people greater access to fresh, locally-grown foods is not only good for their health, it's good for the local economy and for the environment.

The USDA also has a farmers' market program for WIC (Women, Infants and Children).

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