Holiday Health: Give Get-Fit Gifts

'Tis the season to celebrate -- and a time to eat! Most of us gain a few pounds during the holiday season. With family dinners, holiday parties and gift baskets loaded with goodies, who thinks of staying fit?

Instead of giving a pyramid of chocolate, a basket of tempting treats or a bottle of bubbly this year, why not be different? Give your loved ones a Holiday Health Kit to start out the New Year right.

With so many inexpensive or low-cost fitness products available, it's easy to combine several items into a customized Get-Fit Gift. Louise Roach, marketing director at SnowPack, a New Mexico-based company that manufactures ice therapy kits, has several suggestions:

"If you have someone on your Christmas list who likes to walk or run, think of items like a pedometer, a gift certificate to your local running specialty store, energy bars, a water bottle, a portable CD player, books on stretching, sunscreen, and lip balm. Plus an ice pack just in case they overdo it. Put it all together in a nifty duffel bag and you have a very thoughtful gift.

"Maybe someone you know needs motivation to get up and get going. Why not give a 'home gym in a bag'? A few suggestions to include are: free weights, a jump rope, resistance bands, workout videos, a yoga mat, a BMI scale, a heart rate monitor, sport drinks, and protein bars. Of course every home gym needs first aid in the form of an ice therapy product to take care of strained muscles. Then wrap it all up in a bright tote bag for giving.

"Several other themes for Get-Fit Gifts could be biking, hiking and backpacking. A visit to your local athletic store can offer many ideas such as a day pack, water carrying system, socks, hats, compass (or GPS system), utility tool, first aid kit, a spa product and destination books."

With a little creativity, you can put together healthy, useful gifts that will be well appreciated throughout the New Year.

About The Author

Louise Roach has been instrumental in the development of SnowPack, a patented cold therapy that exhibits the same qualities as ice. SnowPack offers two Body-n-Ice Kits that make perfect Get-Fit Gifts by themselves. They're a great idea for soccer families and active Baby Boomers, plus everyone in between. For more information visit: http://www.snowpackusa.com

snowpack@ix.netcom.com

ITN
Times are tight – but there’s always cash for a holiday
Independent, UK - 14 hours ago
There may be trouble ahead, but they aren’t keeping holiday-makers at home. In fact, the the travel business is reporting continued growth. ...
Hard-Pressed Brits Holiday At Home Sky News
all 9 news articles

Home swapping provides a break from pricey holidays
Scotsman, United Kingdom - 14 hours ago
By Emma Lunn FANCY a week in a villa in Florida or a cabin in the Swiss Alps but can't afford peak season prices charged by holiday companies? ...

The Maddie factor that will haunt this year's family holidays
guardian.co.uk, UK - 14 hours ago
We needed to book a holiday suitable for small children. Which is how I came to be scrutinising an internet site for a family holiday company. ...

Meanwhile, look who's heading off on holidays
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 23 hours ago
... work was going on as normal, it appears Ms Neal, who last Thursday finally agreed to a police interview about the dinner drama, is planning a holiday. ...

Farm holidays put vacationers in touch with the land
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - Jul 5, 2008
But that's exactly what TLC's upcoming farm conservation holidays are all about. You can sign up for holidays at Duck Creek Farm on Saltspring Island from ...

Budvar Beer to be launched at ‘ZOO goes Holidays’
Malta Independent Online, Malta - 5 hours ago
Budvar Beer, the Czech premium lager that is produced by Budejovicky Budvar, will be the official beer at the forthcoming ZOO Goes Holidays production, ...

Ask Dave Taylor: Learning about holidays online
Daily Camera, CO - 7 hours ago
By Dave Taylor, For the Camera Q: What are the best sites to visit to learn about holidays like Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. ...

Cost Of Life Hurting During the Holidays
WTOV9.com, OH - 8 hours ago
People say that now on the holiday of the red, white and blue it's the red they're seeing most, because their in it! They say this Fourth of July weekend ...

Santa’s Helpers getting early start on holidays
Huntsville Item, TX - 11 hours ago
... primarily a youth ministry at Wesley Memorial UMC, and the youth of the church will be involved in the collection of toys through the winter holidays. ...

Gas Prices Keep People Grounded During Holidays
WHSV, VA - 10 hours ago
You could very well call it the pain at the pump these days, but did it have an affect on whether people in your community stayed close to home for the 4th ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Easter Traditions: Seven Ways To Add Meaning To Your Family Celebration