Buying gifts is stressful, especially as shopping days wind to a close. But never fear: OMRF offers some last-minute tips for gifts that will keep your loved ones healthy in 2012.
1. A pedometer
For as little as $10 or so, this device will count your steps. If you aim for 10,000 steps a day—about five miles for most people—it’s a great tool for maintaining fitness.
2. Fruit-of-the-month club
With a new batch of fruit arriving each month, those who receive the gift will have a fresh supply of low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods to eat instead of the usual greasy, fried fare.
3. For new parents: a jogging stroller
This gift will help get new parents out of the house and back into shape. As an added benefit, the gentle jostling and the rush of air can help put some babies to sleep—a much-needed respite for the parents.
4. For kids: backyard toys
Exercise isn’t just for parents. “Whether it’s something big like a jungle gym or small like a soccer ball or a croquet set, outdoor toys give children a reason to go outside and play,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. “If they make physical activity a regular part of their lives, they’re more likely to stay fit even after they’ve outgrown the toys.”
5. For anybody: Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall
This tale about a lost tribe of Mexican endurance athletes started the “barefoot revolution” that’s swept the world of running. And even if the folks on your holiday list don’t run, they’ll learn from and enjoy a book that’s part travelogue, part evolutionary biology text and part epic sports story.
“Finding the perfect holiday present can be hard,” Prescott said. “But if you can give something that helps your loved ones stay happy and healthy, that beats fruitcakes and socks any day.”
