The 20 best investments for your fitness & health!

In business it's famously known that you have to spend money to make money. I think that the same principle applies to your health, too. So I compiled the ultimate fitness & health gift list for yourself and your loved ones!

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Of course you can be in good shape without fancy equipment; you can walk and run, you can eat healthy, and you can do workout videos you find on YouTube. But even here you're spending money! You paid for running shoes, groceries, and internet. 

I'm not saying you have to spend a lot of money. In fact, buying a fancy gadget that you never use will just work against you since you essentially lost money and feel guilty about not using it. 

So it's really important to know yourself and what will actually work for you. Sometimes it will take some figuring out to do, and worse come to worst you can just sell it or donate it to Goodwill. But being in tune with yourself and your needs can help you avoid wasting time and money. 

If you're looking for a gift for a friend, pay attention to their needs. One of my friends were doing an amazing job exercising and losing weight, but she was complaining about how thirsty she got while jogging. So I got her one of those running belts with small water bottles attached for her birthday, and she was so grateful that I had listened and gave her something that would help her move forward on her fitness journey!

1. A good blender

I make a green pineapple banana smoothie in my Ninja blender every morning (get the recipe here), and have done so for over three years. It is quick, easy, and delicious! Making a healthy choice in the morning sets the tone for the rest of my day, so this is something I really recommend.

2. A pull-up bar

A pull-up bar is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces of exercise equipment you can get. The one we have had for years is from ProSource and is easily hooked into place on the doorframe with no screws. Apart from pull-ups it can also be used for sit-ups, push-ups, dips, and leg raises. Not bad for something under $30!

3. Dance classes

When I moved to Virginia almost three years ago I found east coast swing and blues, and absolutely fell in love. The community I have found with these groups is amazing and have provided me with wonderful friends. Not to mention weekly exercise! (If you have ever tried to swing dance for two hours, you know what I'm talking about.)

A few weeks ago I found a Groupon for ten lindy hop lessons, so I jumped on the chance! You can find great deals there, so see what you can find in your city! Dancing is such a fun way to exercise, and there is salsa, zumba, ballroom, tap, hip-hop. . . .

4. A massage roller stick

Hopefully you stretch after your workouts, but even if you do, your muscles can become sore and cramp during the night. I got a massage roller stick a year ago and it is a game changer, my friend! When I watch TV I roll my calves and thighs and the best thing is how easily you can manipulate the pressure. If you buy one thing, get this!

5. A standing desk

If you work from home or in an office that will let you, get a standing desk! This will actually be my next big purchase, because I remember how much of a difference it made in my productivity and general health. I was working in a call center in Dublin when I read this article about standing desks from Nerd Fitness. I asked my boss if I could make one, since there was no way the company would buy us any, so I fashioned one out of old computers, boxes, and a tall filing cabinet. 

The change was amazing! I was so much happier, I could stretch between calls, and I even handled difficult customers better as a result. It puts you in a healthy mindset and as a bonus burns more calories while you work!

6. Glass food containers

Your best friends while eating healthy are meal prepping and leftovers. When I lived alone I would make big batches of chicken and vegetables once a week, and now when I'm more into cooking I eat the leftovers for lunch. It is such a time and money saver, and coming home from work with delicious food ready to reheat is amazing.

7. A home gym

We moved into a house a few months ago, and this week we finally went to Dick's and got ourselves equipment for a home gym! I love lifting weights (read how it boosts your confidence here!), and have done for years, so we knew that this was a good investment.

Sure, we could join the gym close-by for $30 a month, but how quickly would that add up to what we paid for the equipment? (Answer: less than eleven months.) We got a half rack, a bench, and a barbell with plates, and now we don't have to worry about summoning the energy to leave the house or deal with other people. We know ourselves, and this is perfect for us. :)

8. An online program or membership

If you don't have space for a home gym, online memberships can be a great substitute. Some things I have tried for myself is the Insanity program with Beachbody On Demand (fantastic results, but goodness the workouts really are insane) and I had a year-long membership with the Yoga Collective. They usually have really good deals on Groupon (I got my year for $12!), so check it out! They also offer a free trial so you can see if it's for you. I really liked the classes they offered on demand.

9. Fitness- and cookbooks

Of course lots of tips and recipes can be found online (if you're a bit nerdy like me, www.nerdfitness.com is my bible!), but I love to have a real book in my hand. So think of people that you find inspiring and get their books to get tips and motivation. I recently found Maria Menounos's book "The Everygirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness" at my local Goodwill, and I loved it! She has such a down-to-earth approach to life, fitness, and health, and it really inspired me.

​One thing I started doing because she suggested it is sipping on hot water throughout the day. It keeps me hydrated and most of all it keeps my hands occupied. Often I want a snack or candy just because I'm bored, so this little trick does wonders for me!

10. Good kitchen equipment

Cooking your own food is a great way to eat healthy and save money. But how fun is it if you have the dullest knife in the universe and a pot with a broken handle? 

Once again, think about your needs. Would a slow cooker make your life easier? A decent knife? A good set of pots and pans? A sous vide? A cast iron skillet? Think about the kind of foods you'd like to make, and get high-quality equipment that will last you a long time. Remember, you're investing in yourself!

11. A good mattress and/or bed

Good quality sleep is so important for how we function both physically and mentally (read my #1 trick to fall asleep when you have insomnia & anxiety here), so sleeping on the mattress you got from your parents' house will not do. This spring we splurged on a king-size Sleep Number bed, and it's amazing. We can adjust the firmness on each half, so you don't have to compromise just because you're in a relationship!

Mattresses can get very expensive of course, so find something in your budget or save up to buy your dream one. Go to stores to try them out, and take advantage of companies that offer you to try the mattress for a few months to make sure it's a good fit!

12. Good pillows

On that note, make sure that you have good pillows, too. Not much worth having an awesome mattress if you mess up your neck with a bad pillow! When we got our bed I also got a memory foam contour pillow from Sleep Innovations and a knee pillow, and goodness do I sleep well with these. :)

13. A therapist

This list is mostly based on things to improve your physical health, but taking care of your mind is very important as well. There can be some stigma in going to a therapist ("I'm not crazy! I don't need a therapist!"), but the truth is that everyone can benefit from talking to a professional.

I go to talk about my life and to keep working on my anxiety issues, but in the past I had one therapist help me with my PTSD and my current therapist really helped me through my long divorce process and to get over the emotional abuse I went through in my marriage. It is so helpful to have an outsider explain to you your patterns and behaviors. Look into your health insurance and see what your co-pay is! (Mine is only $10 per session!)

14. A meditation cushion

Meditation is one of the easiest things you can do for your mental health, but somehow I struggle to keep up the practice for a longer period on time. For the past few weeks I have managed to meditate five minutes every day (mainly because I write it down in my weekly planner), and it's amazing how much it affects my mindset and how productive it makes me.

Something that I find really helps is having a proper meditation cushion to sit on, since it makes it more comfortable and also creates a ritual surrounding it. Placing the cushion in your meditation spot and lighting a candle makes it a very cozy routine before your workday.

• Read my full review of this and four other yoga essentials here.

15. A cooking class

If you don't feel like you have the skill to cook delicious healthy meals, and just reading recipes don't work for you, sign up for a cooking class. It's a fun way to learn an important life skill and can be a great date! Try to find a Groupon for a cheaper deal!

16. Tickets for a race

If you're struggling to keep up your exercise routine, or just crave the competition, sign up for a race! Be it a 10k, 5k color run or inflatable race, half-marathon, or an obstacle race (learn how to conquer your first obstacle race here!), it motivates you to keep going. Since you paid a non-refundable sum to participate, there's no way that you won't go for that run or gym session! It's also a really fun activity to do with your friends and family. 

17. A massage (or three)

With all this exercise, not to mention daily stress and a stiff neck from looking at your phone, a massage can feel like a gift sent from heaven. It helps with muscle soreness, depression, insomnia, and tons of other things. They can be pretty expensive, but you can usually find an hour's massage for $39 on Groupon. Just don't forget to tip your massage therapist!

If you want to have regular massages, but can't stomach the cost, learn how to do it yourself for free and trade massages with a partner or friend!

18. A fitness tracker

This depends on your personality. I love to track and meet goals, so a few years ago I got a Garmin Vivofit tracker. They have some newer models out, but honestly I love the model I have. It's waterproof, it has battery life for A YEAR, it tracks your steps and calories, and has an inactivity bar to remind you to not sit still for too long. To reset it you simply walk around for a bit. Great when you have a desk job!

The newer models have heart rate monitors and smart notifications from your phone, and if you want that, go for it, but I feel distracted enough from email and social media alerts as it is. I don't need my watch to disturb me when I'm trying to work out. I say keep it simple! And the older model is so much cheaper!

19. Workout clothes that fit

Just like you dress the part for a job, you should also dress for success at the gym. Yes, you can work out in your old t-shirts, and it works just fine, but so much about working out is about your mindset. Putting on clothes that are made for exercising (think breathable fabrics) that fit your current body (not the body you used to have, or wish to have) makes you feel good about yourself and makes it more fun to work out. It's also a great way to reward yourself when you hit weight goals!

20. A jump rope

You might have a flashback to recess now. But a jump rope is super cheap, travel friendly, and such a great cardio accessory! Using it as a warm-up before your workout will get your blood pumping for sure. This one from Survival and Cross is adjustable so you can customize the length for your specific height.

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Free mental health planner bundle!

Daily planner for anxiety, gratitude journal, self-care challenge, workout tracker, and more!

Thank you!

If you don't see the email, check your junk folder! It likes to hang out there. :)

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• ​8 gifts for anxiety & depression under $15!

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