Over the course of my fitness journey, I found several things to be helpful, and some even life-changing. So, if you haven’t yet put together your holiday shopping wish list, or are shopping for family or friends, check out some of my favorites in this Holiday Gift Guide and the reasons I love them.
50 Shades Of Bullsh*t: Dark Edition: Swear Word Coloring Book: $9.95 at Amazon
Anyone who knows me knows I have a foul mouth, so this coloring book is right up my alley. Coloring is so elementary, which is probably why it’s so soothing and a great stress buster. When I need to give my brain a break and don’t feel like vegging in front of the TV, coloring is my go-to activity. Of course, you’ll need colored pencils to go with them. I’ve tried a generic brand, but the tried and true Crayola is still my favorite. Plus, I still get a kick out of the built-in pencil sharpener. This is a fun inexpensive gift and a great stocking stuffer.
21 Day Portion Control Containers Kit: $16.75 at Amazon
Portion control, more than anything, is crucial to understanding how much you actually should be eating. I got my first set of food containers when I got my 21-Day Fix Workout Videos from Beach Body. I still use them to this day. You can use them just to portion out your food, or to pack your whole lunch. The nest nicely and store easily.
TheraBand Resistance Band Set: $14.49 at Amazon
I love using resistance bands as part of my regular exercise routines. TheraBands are the most resilient resistance bands out there, used by physical therapists and personal trainers. These red, yellow and green band are the beginner set. (Yellow-3-4.3 lbs.; Red-3.7-5.5 lbs.; Green-4.6-6.7 lbs). If you need something that generates a few more pounds of resistance, try the next set of blue, black and silver bands. (Blue-5.8 – 8.5lbs.; Black-7.3-10.2lbs., Silver-10.2-15.3lbs) – $13.62 at Amazon. This take up literally no space.
Atomic Habits by James Clear $18.70 at Amazon (paperback)
This book was a game-changer for me. For years I’d read that it takes 21 days to build a habit. In fact, it’s more like 2+ months. The concept of ‘identity-based habits’ – or what I wanted to become, really shed new light on how I needed to change my approach to learning, growing, and doing what was necessary to achieve my goals. I’ve mentioned this book in a couple of Facebook Lives and I can’t sing its praises enough.
Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale: $13.96 at Amazon
For a time there, I was counting macronutrients, or ‘macros’, as a way to better understand how much I was eating, and well, to lose weight. It allowed me to still eat my favorite foods, and indulge my sweet tooth. An essential tool when counting macros is having a food scale. I picked up this nifty food scale on the cheap. Super easy to use and more importantly, easy to switch between ounces and grams to more accurately weigh your food. Before COVID hit, I was going to buy a second for my office at work. They’re so inexpensive that it’s worth it.
Bentgo Salad 4-Compartment Salad Box: $14.99 at Amazon
Even in my 50s, I’m a picky eater. If I’m packing a sandwich for my lunch, I bring all the ingredients separate and assemble on site. Same holds true for my salads. All ingredients need to be separate, then assembled on site. Having a dozen separate storage containers and plastic sandwich baggies was annoying, even to me. My life was saved when I discovered this Bentgo Salad Box. The top tray holds all my mix-ins, without getting mixed up, and the salad dressing container stays tightly closed. The Bentgo box lid stays locked tight, and it even comes with a handy fork in case I forget mine….which I always do.
URBNFit 55cm Exercise Ball: $23.97 at Amazon
Never underestimate what an Exercise Ball can do for your workouts. Or your posture. I have a URBNFit 55cm Exercise Ball that I use during my workouts for a variety of exercises like ab crunches, back extensions, and chest press. It helps improve my core strength simply by making me balance and hold up my chubby self. But I’ll also swap out my desk chair during the work day, and instead sit on the Exercise Ball to improve my posture, especially since I’m hunched over a key board – a lot.
BalanceFrom GoYoga 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Mat (with Knee Pad with Carrying Strap): $31.32 at Amazon
Now that I’m – ahem – in my 50s, keeping my knees happy and healthy is essential. That’s where having a thick, cushy exercise mat comes in handy. I like this one from BalanceFrom because it comes with a knee pad that I use for modified push-ups, and a bunch of booty exercise which have me on my hands and knees. Aside from that, and since my living room is essentially my home gym, the thickness of this mat doesn’t feel so bad when I’m on my back for chest flyes, or doing ab exercises. The carrying strap helps keep it rolled up neatly as well.
Bayco 6-Pack Glass 2-Compartment Storage Containers: $32.99 at Amazon
While I do use the BPA-free food containers for meal prep, I’m not always a fan of reheating food in them using a microwave. I much prefer glass containers for that, and that’s where these 2-compartment glass food storage containers come in handy. You can keep your veggies and your protein separate! The containers are microwave, oven and dishwasher safe – the lids are NOT, so be aware. The lids need hand washing so the silicone seal doesn’t warp. Otherwise, the snap close lids make these babies are leak-proof, which is awesome.
OlarHike 5 Resistance Bands & 3 Booty Bands Set: $31.46 at Amazon
Winter is here, it’s cold, and gyms may or may not be open. Stay safe and stay warm in the comfort of your own home and still get a great workout with this set of resistance bands from OlarHike. Resistance bands are great because they don’t take up a lot of space and can still challenge your muscles in a variety of ways. This set contains 53″ Color-coded Resistance Bands that provide various levels of resistance up to 150lbs when combined. The door anchor is a must-have part of this set, so you don’t have to wrap the bands around railings or furniture to get that extra resistance. However, my favorite part of this set is the fabric booty bands. There are 3 of these, again of varying resistance, but their wide width and fabric construction mean they don’t roll up or slip around your thighs, calves, or ankles. I have no butt so I’m always looking for booty exercises that won’t strain my knees and I can do these with these booty bands.
Body Sport Variable Speed Professional Vibrating Massager: $129.94 at Amazon
Everyone is going for the massage guns these days, so hear me out on this one. I specifically looked for this form factor in a massager because the percussiveness of a massage gun would have done more harm on my than good. Plus, it’s what my chiropractor uses on me. I bought this because I have piano string tight IT (iliotibial) bands, and any well-trained physical therapist can stick a pinky in the top of this ligament and send me through the roof in tears. A percussive massage gun would have done the same thing. Instead, this wide-padded massager gently massages a wider area of my IT band, my low back and hamstrings without making me tense up, which is the exact opposite of what you want a massage device to do. It’s a bit heavier than a massage gun, and likely better used on you by someone else, but it’s been a god-send to me.