Top 5 Gifts for Weight Loss Newbies

1. Tanita Scale and Body Fat Monitor

Look into a scale that does double duty as a body fat monitor. Tanita is a quality, resonably-priced prand. The body fat monitor scale measures both your weight and your body fat percentage.

I've had one for years and it still works perfectly and continues to be nearly as accurate as my doctor's scale.

2. Aeromat Exercise Mat

An exercise mat is one of those "extras" that will give you that extra push to workout. This one provides a nice level of cushioning and retains body heat. It features velcro straps for easy carrying.

3. Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds Series

Leslie is encouraging, her instructions are easy to follow, and the workouts are effective. These DVDs are great for anyone who wants to get moving.

I love this edition particularly because of the exercise band included. It is an easy way to incorporate strength-training into your walking workout; including it makes a huge difference in the progress you will make in a short amount of time.

4. 3-Hour Diet

The author of 8 Minutes in the Morning brings no-nonsense, fad-free advice about healthy eating in this weight loss book appropriate for both weight loss beginners and long-time "losers".

5. Heavy Hands Handweights

Heavy Hands are the perfect weights to get started with at 1 pound. They can be used with a variety of exercises. You can buy adapters that make them heavier as you progress.

The best part about these are how walking-friendly they are as they're so easy to carry. I've noticed they're much easier to adapt to as you increase the weight than dumbells.