It seems like just a couple days ago we were getting ready to start our journey across Colorado… now, nearly 3 months later, I’m belting out “Santa Baby” with the radio, the smell of wood smoke fills the air and my house looks like the North Pole blew up in it.  Christmas is just two weeks away… CRAZY!!!  It bothers me how the stress of shopping and getting the “right” gift for the people we love can take the love, joy and spirit away from the holiday season.

 

As a fitness and wellness coach, my job is to lead people down a path of least resistance to a healthy lifestyle.  In my opinion, one of the first places we start to get “healthy” is to de-stress our lives.  So, in keeping with my profession, I am going to list some of my favorite gift items in the fitness and wellness arenas.  Some of the companies, I am sponsored by… but I am only sponsored by companies I truly believe in…so please don’t take this as a sales pitch.  Take it as a way to de-stress the holiday gifting process and get the active people in your life lined out or gift someone who is starting out on their fitness journey or maybe just treat yourself to something special.

 

Apparel

*Note: These are all women’s items, but the men’s clothing line has similar items, I just can’t tell you what they’re like as I’ve never worn them.

• Sports Bra : Soft and comfy.  Not sure for women that are more busty that I am, but for smaller chested girls, this is great.
• Running Shorts : Number one for runners, these don’t ride up on you! 🙂  And they are cute!
• CrossFit Shorts : Light weight, don’t ride up, breathable, dry quickly.
• Booty Shorts : For that woman in your life that likes to show off her butt and legs.
• Hoody : Comfy, cozy, warm for layering.  I love the high neck and the burnout style.
• Jacket : Lightweight, breathable, dries quickly.
• Tights : Durable, comfy, non-see through!

 

Shoes

*Note:  These too are all women’s shoes, but the men’s line has the same shoes.

• Distance Running Shoe : The Reebok ONE Guide 3.0 is what carried me through 500miles across the mountains.  My joints felt great, my toes were beat up, but nothing compared to what most ultra distance runners had expected.
• Trail Running Shoe :  Durable, grippy, light weight… awesomeness!
• Lifting Shoe : So comfy and more importantly for the lifter you love, they’re super stable.
• Gym Shoe 1 and Gym Shoe 2 :  Love these shoes… they really are the best overall gym shoe you could ever get.  They come in every color for style, the are super comfortable, they are incredibly durable and they are functional.

 

Accessories

These are just a few things that I find critical to my training.

• Fit Bit Surge : The #1 best selling GPS watch in the US.  It’s great for tracking heart rate, steps taken, exercise stats, mileage and elevation.  I used this watch for the full 500miles of Move Mountains and it was a life saver.
• Headbands : Doesn’t slip, controls hair, glittery fun! Good for stocking stuffer.
• Water Bottle : Hot or cold, your liquid will stay that way for a long time.  It’s the perfect size to drink 3-4 of and have your daily intake of water.  I love this water bottle!

 

Equipment

*Besides your typical gym equipment, here are some other equipment item must-haves to keep your body ready and able to continue to train day after day.

• Crossover Symmetry : This is a MUST have in your fitness repertoire… the shoulder is a complex joint and in our society of keyboards, iPhones, and everything done in front of us… this will improve posture, shoulder stability/strength/function.
• Lacrosse Balls : A must have tool for keeping your body a mobile, working unit.  A great stocking stuffer (buy 2 or 3).
• MobilityWOD.com : Use this subscription as a tool to teach yourself/your loved ones how to utilize the lacrosse balls (and other tools) to keep your body functioning as it should.  Improve mobility, improve athletic ability, decrease injury occurrences.
• MarcPro : Use code KSTAR or WARRIOR when checking out.  This is a device that will help with muscle recovery and improve muscle performance… two things every athlete strives for and needs.

 

In the Kitchen

They say that 90% of our results are made in the kitchen… meaning that you can’t out work poor nutrition.  Here are my go-to kitchen items that keep my body nourished.

• Immersion Blender : Seriously one of my favorite kitchen appliances I own. Cook whatever ingredients you want in a pot to pure into a soup, put this in the pot and start.  So much easier than transferring hot stuff to and from a blender.
• All Clad Slow Cooker : I got this as a gift a few years ago and is on of my most used kitchen item.  An easy way to eat a good healthy meal when you don’t have the time to cook.  Plus I make my bone stock in this every week.
• Woodchen Cutting Boards :  This really is my most used item in the kitchen.   It sits on my counter top and is a  I have the largest size you can get (chop block), but they are all amazing.  Made locally in Chico, CA (where I live), they are beautiful and it serves as functional decoration always sitting on my counter top.
• NutriBullet Blender : This is perfect for making your bulletproof coffee or tea and/or your green drink smoothly in the morning.
• Everyday Paleo Cookbooks : I have everyone of these cookbooks.  Sarah Fragoso, author and paleo expert, is a dear friend but also one of the best in the healthy cooking/lifestyle industry.  I frequent these recipes in the kitchen.

 

Supplements

*I sought out PurePharma because they have the cleanest, purest products around.  Much of the supplementation we have access to does not hold true to these standards.

Use athlete code JLABAW53 for 10% discount!

• Fish Oil : Reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.  Maintain healthy functioning brain and heart. Improve oxygen delivery.
• Vitamin D : Improve immune function, maintain strong bones, reduce risk of osteoporosis
• Magnesium : Reduce muscle fatigue, improve work capacity, increased sleep and quality of sleep.
• All 3 of the above in 1 : A months supply of Fish Oil, Vitamin D and Magnesium in one simple packet. *best seller
• SkratchLabs Hydration : A tasty all-natural exercise rehydration mix.

 

 

Now with all of that out there, I want to also suggest the gift of giving.  Talk to your family and friends and think about contributing to a cause or volunteering at a soup kitchen.  Maybe donate a bit of money in your loved one’s name to a charity they are passionate about and give them a card noting the donation.

 

I hope this helps you to find something special for that athlete in your life and takes some stress out of shopping.  And please remember, the holiday season is supposed to be about love and kindness… don’t let stress be a reason that’s lost.