Get moving with these gifts

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Since it is now officially the Christmas season, consider giving a healthy gift that promotes physical activity.

There are many reasonably priced gadgets that allow for exercise at home:

- An exercise ball is a great stability gift. The core muscles in your body are the muscles found in your abdomen and back that allow you to stand tall and sit up straight. These muscles keep your whole skeletal system in check and stabilize you when you move or bend. The exercise ball is versatile, usually coming with a list of exercises and also a great reminder that you need to keep those core muscles tightened up at all times.

- A jump rope, just like when you were a kid, provides a great aerobic workout. All you need is the space to twirl the rope. Let yourself be drawn back to a simpler time and skip rope, jump rope, and do double jumps. If you miss, it’s no big deal. You just start again — no playground pressure. 

- A yoga mat and videos take up little space and gives you everything you need for a total body workout. Even just an extra 15 minutes each day can increase your flexibility and strengthen your core muscles. 

- A pair of hand weights can provide TV commercial break activity. Run through a series of bicep curls, tricep curls, deltoid lifts and other exercises while you wait for your favorite TV show to resume. 

- Give a nice BPA-free water bottle. Staying hydrated throughout the day helps your body maintain balance, and you’ll feel less hungry.  A reusable bottle can be refilled and is always available at your desk, on your walk, at your child’s basketball game … wherever you may go.

- Cool workout gear can also help to motivate your friend or family member. A nice moisture-wicking workout shirt or jacket or a new pair of athletic socks would make a good gift.

This holiday season, give a gift that really does keep on giving. Living healthy can add years to a life. Choose gifts that encourage wellness. Make it an active Christmas.

Jenny Holweger is the executive director of the Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Missouri and a Neosho Daily News contributor.