FitSugar

Fit Gift Guide: Healthy Toddler

FitSugar — Wed, 14 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.

Now, if you happen to be looking for a gift for a toddler, I have three suggestions that not only get the toddler moving but also gives her mom a few moments to breathe when the child is occupied. Here are three great ways to help a mommy out by encouraging health and fitness in her child, which we all know can be tough with a stubborn toddler ruling the household.

What a better way to get your toddler moving than the YogaKids 2: ABC by Gaiam. The DVD provides a nice introduction to yoga philosophy. It is a wonderful and physical way to hang out with your kids.
Hullabaloo gets kids thinking fast while bouncing, twisting, spinning, high-fiving, and even dancing. The Hullabaloo DVD Game celebrates animals from all over the world and provides hours and hours of play-along fun.
The Smart Cycle is a stationary bike, a learning center, and an arcade game system - all rolled into one! As your toddler pedals, her favorite character friends guide her through learning discoveries, games, and even exciting races.

Gaiam YogaKids 2: ABC's ($11)

Hullabaloo DVD Superpack ($25)

Smart Cycle ($100)

Source

Gifts That Move You

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 10:45:00 -0800

If you're like me you're right in the middle of figuring out gifts for the long list of people you love (or don't totally love, but still are obligated to buy for). I hate buying people gifts that I know are going to promote them being sedentary. It is hard when it comes to games but there are some games that really get you moving.

Wii. We love the Wii ($732 was the best I could find) because people are seriouly getting moving playing this video game -- Not just adults but kids as well. Check out geeksugar to see a very cute kid playing Wii. Buy it on Amazon.com.

Cranium. There are so many Craniums out there. I love them all but for getting moving, I like Pop 5. Pop 5 ($34.98) is one of the newest additions to the Cranium family fun and you have the option to act out every play. Get Pop 5 on AreYouGame.com. For kids, go with Hullabaloo ($19.98) which is sure to get the kids in your life moving. Get Hullabaloo on AreYouGame.com.

Twister. Twister (12.99) is a tried and true game that gets anyone moving. If you don't sweat while playing Twister, then you're doing it wrong. Buy it on eToys.com. Now Twister has Twister Moves (19.99), which is a way to get kids moving to the music. Buy it on eToys.com.

Dance, Dance Revolution for Playstation 2 (though they have it for xBox as well). DDR ($29.95), as the serious players call it, is a game that can be a serious cardio workout and it might even teach you how to dance! Buy it at Toys R us. For the kiddies, try Dance Dance Revolution with Stawberry Shortcake ($29.99). Buy it at Toys R Us.

Cool Fitness Gadget: Agility Dots

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Recently during one of my visits to the gym, I broke out the Agility Dots ($34.95 for 12) in hopes of breaking the boredom of yet another leg routine. Agility Dots are basically flat, nonslip rubber discs that you lay out in a way so that you can hit (or touch) them during agility training - we used them a lot in gym class in high school. I placed them in a clock like pattern (12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock), stood in the middle and did some dreaded round-the-clock lunges. The dots made keeping form a little easier since I knew exactly where to lunge each time, and it kept me from lunging too far or not enough. It was actually fun and I almost felt like I was playing a game of Hullabaloo, instead of doing a strenuous leg workout. If your gym doesn't have Agility Dots but you would like to try them out on your own, you can buy them here.