Still looking for a unique gift to give your health-minded Baby Boomer and senior friends and family this holiday season? One that’s not sugar-coated or dripping with chocolate?
Here’s my annual gift-giving guide–updated for 2018: 13 ideas, most under $150, that say both “I love you” and “to your good health!”
- Pedometer. Although there’s nothing new about a pedometer, it’s an excellent way to track your activity by simply counting steps. The beauty of this device is that it’s easy to use, helps you monitor activity, and allows you to set and achieve reasonable exercise goals.
- Activity Tracker. For those who prefer a more techie device, try an activity tracker. Examples include FitBit, Jawbone, and the Apple Watch (warning: the latter will blow your $150 budget). These wrist-worn mini-computers let you monitor steps, exercise, and calories burned, along with the quantity and quality of sleep.
- Foam/massage roller. These funny looking “worms” offer a self-administered deep-tissue massage. Great gifts for people who complain about “knots” and tight muscles, investigate density, surface texture, and size and shape before you buy.
- Exercise bands or tubing. The perfect exercise modality for those who can’t lift much weight or have difficulty holding dumbbells, you can’t beat these for ease of use and travel-ability (they scrunch down into a virtually weightless coil that fits into any tight suitcase corner). These exercise companions come in differing resistance levels, so be sure not to purchase ones that are too easy or too difficult.
- A gift basket of fresh produce, whole-grain crackers, and herbal teas. Nothing says ‘love’ like wholesome food!
- Gift card for a facial or massage. Give the gift of indulgence and relaxation at a local day spa.
- A gift basket of fruit and vegetable seeds specific to the region and the season of planting, along with an attractive set of garden gloves, a mini-garden shovel, and sunscreen. The heirloom version of many vegetables provides a welcome variation in color, appearance, and flavor.
- Plastic blender water bottles. These clever items can be used as a plain water bottle without the round wire whisk. Insert the blender ball, and you have a portable way to prepare protein drinks or smoothies, as well as salad dressings, pancake batter, and scrambled eggs.
- Wireless earbuds. These little devices are perfect for the fitness-minded. They eliminate all wires and neckbands of traditional earbuds and headphones; they are convenient, lightweight, and offer flexibility. The best part: exercising to music or a podcast will allow users to go longer and harder without noticing they’re working more.
- Spiralizer/ribbonizer. Your friends can use this awesome kitchen gadget to transform those vegetables their kids don’t want to eat into colorful, tasty, and healthy “noodles!” Do a little research before buying, as machines vary in ease of use and clean up.
- Gift card for a great set of new shoes. (Splurge on this, because your friends won’t!) Most people don’t replace their shoes often enough or take the time to look at important features (for example: insole cushion, width and length of shoe, gel pad, grooves, and traction).
- Subscription to a favorite health, exercise, food, or travel magazine. Remind friends you’re thinking about them year-round as they receive a monthly dose of healthy reading!
- A great read for those who want to start the new year with a framework for excellent health is my book, Building Your Enduring Fitness. It provides dozens of strategies to help people take control of their aging, available on my website or Amazon.
For more ideas about giving the gift of health, give me a call!
We can discuss some practical tips and discover if any of my programs or classes are a good fit for your friends or family.
If you’d like to schedule that call with me, just CLICK THIS LINK, and let me know in the message that you would like a 1-on-1 call with me right away and I will be in touch to schedule that—oh, and leave me your phone number in there too since email is not as reliable as it used to be! Thanks.
Lisa Teresi Harris is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, and author of the book Building Your Enduring Fitness. A certified Geri-Fit Instructor, she helps Boomers and seniors to regain and keep muscle strength, mobility, and energy.
Contact Lisa to inquire about a customized, in-home fitness program for you or a loved one.