The Gift of Fitness (Part 1)

Well, it's that time of year again - the holiday shopping season will soon be upon us. Have you thought about what you are going to give those people on your "hard to shop for" list? Instead of another tie for your dad or music CD for your sister, why don't you give them a truly unique and invaluable gift? Give them the gift of improved health and fitness.

The gift of fitness is something that you can give to virtually everybody on your shopping list -- from your parents, to your spouse, a friend, your siblings, an employee or co-worker, even your children. And it's a gift that is invaluable. After all, who doesn't want to look better, feel better, and be healthier?

And, it's a gift that you can truly feel proud to give. When you give someone the gift of fitness, you are helping him/her open a door to better health (both physically and mentally). It's a gift that genuinely shows the recipient how much you care about their well-being. By giving the gift of fitness you are providing them with unlimited health benefits.

Of course, we all know that exercise can help people stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the other great benefits of exercising? Daily physical activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better. Fitness has been linked to reducing the risk of many diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers believe that strength training can help prevent osteoporosis. Not to mention that exercise also improves self-esteem and increases stamina.

Certainly many people on your shopping list would find these fitness benefits incredibly invaluable. If the people on your list are like most of us, they've probably even mentioned how they want to drop a few pounds or just get in better shape. In fact, experts say that about 62% of North Americans are currently on a diet. By giving the gift of fitness you are helping provide them with extra motivation (which is one of the biggest obstacles in getting fit). They'll be more motivated to start an exercise program when given a gift that helps them immediately take action to kick-start their workouts (personal training gift certificates and gym memberships are especially good for helping with motivation).

Even if they are already fit and healthy, there are still lots of options for new and exciting gifts to add variety to their workouts or exercise regime!  And of course, these are gifts you can give all year round too!

While fitness gifts are incredibly valuable, they don't have to be expensive. Gifts can cost as little as $5 or range into the $100s of dollars.  Tomorrow I will show you some examples of what you can purchase!