Over the years you've dieted, changed exercise routines, bought equipment, got a membership to the gym, changed your life style, changed your eating habits, read books, taken classes - so on and so on - to get and keep fit, right? Let me ask you though...
have you ever tried taking on accountability with a 'fitness friend'? Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting that you haven't, but in parts of my own life I've retreated into seclusion thinking that extra weight and loss of fitness was only my problem.
My friends were fit and trim which only made it harder on my psyche that I was carrying around an extra 20 pounds.
Last year at a Christmas party one of my friends gave me a pedometer.
I was instantly excited about this gadget and all the programming features, but later found out that she had been worried to give it to me.
Worried that I might have been offended because I'd assume she was saying that I need to lose weight.
Since those days I have given many of my friends and associates a pedometer as Birthday and Christmas gifts and been met with varying reactions.
So, if you're thinking of purchasing a pedometer as a gift for someone, here are some tips I've gained over the years.
First of all, you don't want to be giving a fitness related gift to someone unless you're either: (a) fit yourself, or (b) hoping the recipient will become your fitness accountability partner.
You'll want to know the benefits of regular exercise and how a pedometer can help you reach your own fitness goals before you present a fitness related gift to someone.
If the recipient knows that you are looking out for their best interest, that you want them to live a longer and healthier life, the pedometer will be well received.
I always give the high-tech pedometers as gifts as, if nothing else, the recipient will be less offended because you appear to have lavished them with something new and expensive when the functions and options are varied.
(Don't worry, you won't need to spend a lot more money to get the newest, high tech pedometer.
) The fact is that we live in a high-tech, gadget-oriented, world.
Women love appliances that make their lives easier and men enjoy new gadgets that they use and display like a trophy.
These electronic wonders add some spice and interest to new hobbies and habits.
My point is that you want to shop for a pedometer that has new and innovative technology.
This might be a pedometer with speed and distance units that utilize GPS technology.
These units give constant readouts on the owner's speed, distance, pace, and some come with add features such as a heart rate monitor that can be stored on a separate recorder unit...
which eventually can be downloaded to your computer.
If your recipient is into mountain climbing, shop for the ones that measure altitude, temperature, and EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) levels.
If they're a golfer, grab one that records and stores golf scores plus measures the swing speed.
Options are aplenty - from the most simple fitness gift to high tech sports watches - whichever one you choose offers you the satisfaction that you have given a gift from the heart that assists your recipient in living a healthier, active, and longer life.