2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Themed Gifts for Fitness Fanatics

Um, how is Christmas only a week away? December is seriously flying by. Luckily, most of my Christmas shopping is done, and I’m really looking forward to this weekend and the beginning of next week to do some fun holiday related activities instead of rushing around with last-minute errands. I know many of you probably still have shopping left though, so I put together a holiday gift guide today to help you! There are SO many posts like these floating around the blog world, and I always love reading about what other bloggers are recommending. I did try to differentiate mine a bit though. Since I love themes more than anything, that’s what you’re getting!

Holiday Gift Guide: Themed Gifts for Fitness Fanatics

Here are some themed gift ideas for any fitness fanatics in your life! Each category has at least seven suggestions to choose from. Happy last minute shopping, friends!

For the yogis:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Yogis

For the weight lifters:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Lifters

For the runners:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Runners

  • Race entry fee. Sign up for a race together!
  • Running jacket. For the early morning or late night runners, check out the NB Glow Beacon style. It’s reflective so you can run safely in the dark!
  • A new pair of running sneakers. I highly recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam 980. It’s my favorite running shoe, and you can read my review of it here. New Balance also has a limited edition glow version of this sneaker that has the same glow technology as the jacket.
  • Outdoor ear band. I love the Eddie Bauer stretch ear band.
  • Subscription to Runner’s World magazine
  • A running armband for your media player. This post outlines some good recommendations.
  • Just because these are adorable: Set of 2 running glasses

For the fitness instructors:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Fitness Instructors

  • iTunes gift card
  • A cute notebook or journal (for writing down class plans 5 minutes before class!)
  • Fun printed leggings. I am obsessed with every single pair of leggings that Athleta has, and I don’t think there’s such thing as owning too many pairs, amiright?
  • A workout headband. I don’t discriminate when it comes to headbands (as long as they stay put), but these Sparkly Soul ones are always just so darn fun.
  • For your early morning instructors, a gift card to their favorite coffee shop. *hint hint*
  • Extra batteries in case the gym mic is dead!
  • Reebok Cardio Ultra studio sneakers. Check out my review of these here.

For the gym rats #1: Locker room/gym bag essentials

2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Locker Room Essentials

For the gym rats #2: Rest and recovery day essentials

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Rest and Recovery

For the fit family:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Fit Families

For anyone who wants to be fit at work:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide for Worksite Wellness

–Let’s chat–
Do you have any fitness fanatics in your life? Do you give them healthy living related presents during the holidays? Do you have any items you’d add to any of these themes or themes I didn’t think of? What’s on your wish list this year?

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I was not paid to write about any of these products, nor are any of the links within this holiday gift guide affiliate links. I just wanted to share some of my favorite things, brands, and creative ideas with you. Some images were taken from the brand websites. All opinions are my own.

Things I’m Loving Lately: April/May 2013 Edition

I’ve seen a lot of new subscribes to the blog in the last month or so.  If you are a new reader, welcome to my little community.  I hope you will stay for a while, as I love sharing my life and love of food and fitness with all of you!  For you newbies, every month or two I post about some things I’m loving lately, and today seems like a good day to share with you what I haven’t been able to get enough of so far this spring.

Favorite ThingsBarley on salads
It’s kind of hidden beneath all the fruit in this picture, but I seriously am loving the combination of barley on greens lately.  Does anyone else like this combo?  It gives my salads that little extra to keep them from being too boring, and it fills me up.

Barley fruit salad

My new flats
I rarely wear heels anymore (not worth it to my poor bunion), so anytime I can find a pair of comfortable AND cute flats, I’m all for it.  Marshall’s FTW (for the win).  Plus, they are blue.  I’m really branching out.

Flats from Marshalls

Larabar ALT bars
This week I got an unexpected delivery to my doorstep:  the new alternative protein bars by Larabar!
  Larabars are one of my go to choices when it comes to a bar, and they just came out with their first ever bar with added protein.  A lot of other bars use soy or whey protein, but Larabar chose to use an alternative protein source instead, peas!  These are also vegan, gluten-free, dairy free, and non-GMO.  Thank you, Larabar, for my yummy new treats!

Larabar ALT

Jumping rope
You’ve probably seen me mention this in some of my workout posts lately, but I am seriously loving jumping rope (with an actual rope) for cardio workouts.  It’s tough and a calorie torcher!  I’m so glad we have the new ropes at the Y to use in classes.

15 minute jump rope & ab circuit

Thera-Roll textured foam roller
And finally, my latest favorite foam roller.  There are so many different types of foam rollers out there, but this baby is my latest find.  The Thera-Roll is small enough to pack into a bag and carry around, and I’ve used it at work under my desk to roll under the arches of my feet.  Hurts so good!

Thera Roll

What have you guys been loving lately?  Please share!

Things I’m Loving Lately: March 2013 Edition

Happy Friday, all!  Thought it would be fun to wrap up the week with my March “Things I’m Loving Lately” post.

Favorite Things

Pomegranate White Tea
This tea from Trader Joe’s is my new favorite.  It’s made with organic white tea leaves, hibiscus flowers, and lemongrass and it’s so yummy
.  I’ve been drinking it around 3pm at work for a little afternoon treat.

Trader Joe's Pomegranate White Tea

Black Bean Quinoa Burgers
Can’t take credit for these, but these burgers have been part of our Sunday food prep for a few weeks now.  You can find the recipe here over at The Lean Green Bean!  Great vegetarian option, and awesome flavor.  There’s feta in them, obviously.

Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

Single Leg Mountain Climbers
New favorite plyo type move, thanks to Liz’s sweet find in a magazine last week!  Start in a straight-arm plank and pull your right knee in toward your chest, keeping the left leg extended.  Keeping the right knee tucked in, jump your left leg forward then jump it back to full plank position.  Basically you keep hopping in and out with the same leg instead of switching.  You could also do this move like we did in class on Tuesday night, pulling the knee in and back while doing mini hops with the other foot that’s on the ground.  Either way!

Single Leg Mountain Climbers

Food Network Magazine
It’s still thrilling to get snail mail, people.  Especially when fun recipes are involved!  Was psyched when this month’s issue of Food Network Magazine arrived at the front door.

Food Network Magazine

New Bistro Set
Even though the Boston weather has prevented us from enjoying our new table and chairs for the back porch, I’m still loving it every time I walk by it just hanging out in the dining room.  I can’t wait to eat dinner OUTSIDE once it warms up a bit!  C’mon, snow – melt please!  For anyone looking for an outdoor bistro set, Christmas Tree Shops has some cute ones for around $60 each (thanks Shannon for the heads up on this).  Can’t beat that!

Christmas Tree Shops Bistro Set

Note:  Not my porch and not our set, but the only picture I could find online.  [Source]

What are some things you’ve been loving in March?

Have a great weekend everybody, and make sure to stay tuned for details about my April Arms Challenge early next week!