FitSugar

What Fitness Gift Did You Receive This Year?

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Retails sales are down this holiday season, so the headlines keep telling us tell us. Shoppers have been working with tight gift budgets this year. This spending decrease means that expensive gadgets, even health-promoting fitness ones, were less likely to appear under the tree. There are a lot of fitness junkies on my gift list, so while I gave no heart rate monitors or bike computers this year, I want to know if you received a groovy fitness gadget or any fitness gift for that matter. So tell me . . .

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Fit Gift: Fitness Challenge for the Fit Wannabe Couple

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Looking for a game that will get fitness wannabes moving?

The Fitness Challenge ($29.95) combines playing a board game with the benefits of an exercise and fitness program. Designed for two players of any age or ability to compete, The Fitness Challenge uses rewards in the form of star points along with cute coupons (make the other player organize your drawer or clean out your cat's litter box) as prizes to motivate players to exercise consistently and lose weight for eight weeks.

The best part is that you it doesn't matter what kind of shape you are in, anyone can play. The game is eight weeks long and the rules are designed to motivate you to exercise at least three days a week, every week. From walking to mountain climbing, the range of workout choices accommodates any lifestyle.

This is a great gift idea for any twosomes you have on your list. Buy it online at The Fitness Challenge site.

Fit Gift Guide: Fitness Newbie

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:00:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

If you have someone to buy for that is just starting out a new fitness plan, an assortment of essential gifts will keep her motivated to stick with it. So here are a few ideas for the fitness newbie on your list:

For anyone wanting to get in shape, this Workout Mini Journal is the perfect companion. Filled with motivational quotes and pages for mapping out your fitness goals, this journal is designed for logging in your reps, sets, and other essential details about your workout.
Nike's Essential Crew Tee Shirt is a must for anyone's gym wardrobe. This great little shirt wicks away moisture, minimizes chaffing, and fits comfortably on almost anyone. Even with all the fancy bells and whistles, it still looks like a classic tee that never goes out of style.
This Polar F1 Heart Rate Monitor is a great way for any fitness newbie to jump-start their fitness plan. This simple and easy to use gadget will become a vital part of getting fit for anyone who is just starting out.

My Workout Mini Journal ($8.00)

Nike Women's Essentials Crew Tee Shirt ($25.00)

Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor ($59.95)

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Fit Gift Guide: Gym Rat

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:30:00 -0800

If someone on your holiday gift list has found a second home in the gym, then it's safe to say you have a gym rat on your giving hands. A buff bod can never get enough fitness accessories, so why not enable their healthy habit with these gift ideas?

Power Block: Help your gym rat get lifted even when he can't make it to the gym. These compact weights take up little space and can replace up to 37 pairs of dumbbells.
Perfect Push-Up: Always striving to get the maximum out of every workout, any gym rat would appreciate this gadget that puts less stress on joints during push-ups while engaging more muscles.
Nike Running Shoe Wallet: Anybody who runs to the gym, likes to travel to the gym relatively empty handed, or wants to avoid the locker room, will appreciate the ease of a shoe wallet. It holds essentials like keys or cards and simply clips on to shoelaces.

When and How To Give a Fit Gift

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 17:30:00 -0800

I remember one Christmas my mom was hoping for some diamond earrings as a gift from my dad. Boy was she disappointed to find an exercise bike under the tree with her name on it.

Needless to say, the bike didn't get used much. Jazzercise was more her thing.

Anyway, I still think giving the gift of fitness is a great idea, but just make sure your friend or loved one has expressed interest in the subject. Folks tend to drop hints on these things or at least ask for advice on what gym to join. If you have heard someone say how much they would love to try a private session of Pilates - get them a gift certificate. If your sister thinks having a personal trainer sounds cool - purchase a session with a trainer at her gym for her. If your best friend keeps saying she wants to go to yoga with you, buy her a package of classes at your favorite yoga studio.

Gift certificates are an easy gift to buy, especially for folks out of state. Plus they always fit.

Fit Gift Guide: Healthy Cook

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

Hopefully, we all have a healthy cook in our lives. Someone who can whip up an egg white omelette that not only tastes divine, but that is low cal and heart healthy. Here are a few ways to show some love to the healthy cook in your life this holiday season.

Misto Olive Oil Sprayer: The most affordable way, calorie wise, to make sure your sauté doesn't stick is the Misto. You can fill the canister up with your favorite cooking oil to lightly mist your cooking surface. To avoid over dressing your greens, you can mist salads too. Plus the Misto is reusable so you also create less landfill.
"Bite Me" Apron: Keep your healthy foodie dressed for the role with a healthy message apron, part of the FoodTee line by Diet Detective. Chomping on a carrot is definitely a healthy kitchen activity.
Cast Iron Skillet: Cooking with cast iron means crazy chemicals will not leak into your food, but iron will! Plus lifting this roomy skillet is also a great arm workout.

Misto Olive Oil Sprayer ($9.95)

Bite Me Apron ($20)

15" Cast Iron Skillet ($49)

Fit Edible Gift: Dressed-Up Oatmeal

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:41 -0800

I'm trying to save a little money this holiday season while striving to give gifts that everyone will love. Edible gifts are always a treat, but the people on my list would be shocked if I brought them a tin of homemade fudge - not to mention they're probably on sugar overload from all of the seasonal treats.

I'm putting a little of my FitSugar self into my homemade gifts this year by assembling containers of dressed-up oatmeal for my neighbors and friends. Find out how to put together these inexpensive, edible gifts when you read more.

Find a jar or container to hold the oatmeal and add-ins. If you don't have any lying around, consider heading to a local thrift store to pick up a bunch of unique mason jars that won't cost much.
Use steel cut or five-minute oats as your first layer.
Include any add-ins that you please! Mine is made with dried cranberries and walnuts, but the combinations are endless. This is a great way to use extra ingredients you may have leftover from holiday baking, like pecans or raisins.
Be sure to attach a card that explains how to make the oatmeal, even if you think it's obvious.
Add a ribbon, and you're finished!

The recipients of your dressed-up oatmeal will surely appreciate the gift of a healthy, warm breakfast treat during these cold months. For more gift ideas, don't miss all our great holiday gift guides.

Fit Gift Guide: White Elephant

FitSugar — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:49:49 -0800

Fake mustaches are always a crowd-pleaser in white elephant gift exchanges, but they don't exactly allow a fit lady to express herself through the gift she brings to the table. White elephant parties are all about having fun, so let's have some, shall we? Instead of going all-out wacky, I chose gifts that are lighthearted but might actually be put to use by some party guests. Don't forget to check out all of our gift guides for inspiration as we inch closer to the holidays.

Salad Wrench: This uniquely designed kitchen accessory will give some lucky recipient the tools she needs to kick start a healthy diet. It would also make a good conversation starter at the dinner table!
Potty Putter: OK, so I had to include one true gag gift. A golf enthusiast can multitask by using his time on the pot to practice his putting skills. The man demonstrating the product looks like he's having so much fun, doesn't he?
Richard Simmons: 80's Blast-Off: The master of fun fitness videos, Richard Simmons has a big following, and you might find a few fans fighting over his '80s-themed tape.

Can't Miss Ideas For Fit Holiday Gifts

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0800

If you are still looking for a healthy gift to give the active folks in your life, take a gander at these FitSugar-approved gift guides. You're sure to find the perfect present in one of these guides. You might even find an item or two to add to your own wish list.

Healthy Cook	Healthy New Mom	Yoga Lady
Gym Rat	Health Nut	Stocking Stuffers

No matter how hard I try, I always have some last-minute shopping to do. If you are in a pinch too, check out these gift guides from all the Sugar sites. Happy shopping!

Fit Gift Guide: Pilates Lover

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:15:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

Since Pilates is practically a household word these days, chances are high you have a Pilates lover in your life. It is a great form of exercise and I have found some great gifts to go along with it.

Pilates Deck in Motion: These cards are a great way to make a game of exercising. Pick a card, any card, and do that exercise. The cards include really great jargon-free descriptions of many popular Pilates exercises.
ExerSocks: These seem silly but are a great for keeping your tootsies warm and your moves skid free. Since they come in a three pack, your Pilates lover will always have a clean pair for class.
Body Bands: Adding body bands to a workout means adding extra resistance for a little more work. Light weight and good for travel, these bands are easy to store and use.
Bamboo Pilates Pants: Everyone loves fitness wear by lucy and these bamboo pants are no exception. Flattering, comfy, and body conscious, they're perfect for a Pilates session.
IQ Reformer: This mini Reformer may cost a pretty penny, but it is a fraction the cost of a studio Reformer and it can become a fraction of the size as well. It telescopes down in size to fit under a bed.

Pilates Body in Motion Deck ($13)	Non-Slip ExerSocks Value-Pack ($25)
Pilates BodyBand by Gaiam ($30)	Bamboo Pilates Pant lucy ($54)	Pilates IQ Reformer ($1500)