Pretty soon, friends and family are going to start asking you, "What do you want for Christmas?"

This year, instead of shrugging and politely saying, "Oh, it doesn't matter. I'm sure whatever you get will be great," and getting yet another set of Christmas-themed pot holders, whip out this list of fitness-related goodies and get your New Year's resolution off to a great start.

Top 10 Fitness Goodies For Your Christmas List

1. Workout Clothes. Whether you're into baggy sweats or skin-tight leotards, some spiffy new workout clothes will have you ready to hit the gym. Ladies, this includes a properly-fitted sports bra.
   
2. Resistance Bands. Resistance bands are great for an at-home workout. You can even find many exercises to do for free online.
   
3. Exercise Ball. Nothing helps tone your core like an exercise ball. Also, you can sit on it as a chair for a not-really-working-out-workout.
   
4. Sneakers. A good pair of sneakers helps prevent injuries. Try to find a pair that's specially designed for your favorite activity--walking, running, cross training, shopping...
   
5. Free Weights. A simple set of free weights are perfect for weight training at home. Make sure that you choose a weight that is challenging without being too hard.
   
6. Exercise Videos. Chances are there's at least one infomercial that catches your interest every time. Now's as good a time as any to start asking for it.
   
   
7. Heart Rate Monitor. A heart rate monitor lets you know how hard you're really working out. It's pricey, but well worth the cost.
   
8. Yoga Mat. Yoga mats are great not just for yoga, but for stretching and doing other exercises on the floor. Everyone should have one.
   
9. Cook Books. What better way to supplement your new healthy lifestyle with a few good cookbooks. Just make sure that it's not titled "Cakes, Cookies, and Other Fattening Desserts"!
   
10. Lunch Box. A cute new lunch box will make you happy about bringing your lunch to work with you. You can even get ones that can keep hot food hot and cold food cold so that you don't have to bother with a microwave or scary office refrigerator.
    

All of these put together would make a nearly complete home gym, but with even just a few of them, you'll be working off those holiday cookies in no time!

Shannon Tani is a former fattie, who weighed over 220lbs. She has currently lost over 70lbs. One day she realized that people would rather hear dieting advice from someone who's "been there, done that" than a boring old doctor who's never been fat a day in his life. So she started the website Better Off Fat to share her experiences and ideas.

Tags: healthy lifestyle, infomercial, resistance bands, cross training, free weights, weight training, exercise videos, hot food, sports bra, heart rate monitor, yoga mat, cook books, lunch box, home workout, yoga mats